Page 14 of The Lies We Told Ourselves

“That sounds like a perfect idea,” she crowed, moving to the counter and the man standing at the register who couldn’t take his eyes off her. What should have just been a quick order turned into a whispered conversation, and then she turned back to us with a grin.

I smelled a secret brewing. Hey, I was transitioning to small-town life like a pro.

CHAPTER SIX

BOOKER

Breakfast was strange because I couldn’t stop looking at the empty seat in front of me where Reece sat yesterday. The whole point of taking her to the grocery store was so she could cook for herself, and yet part of me wanted her here.

And I didn’t know why. It’s not like I hadn’t had breakfast alone before.

No. I knew why. I just didn’t know when I’d become such a freak that I was obsessing over a woman who needed my help.

There was no time to sit inside and avoid the woman in question. Hank was on his way with the new horse, and they’d be here any minute. Reece wouldn’t stay inside the cottage when she saw the new horse turn up, given that it would be her job to help with its care.

As if I’d summoned them, I heard the crunch of gravel under tires. Swearing, I abandoned the rest of my coffee and stood with a sigh of resignation. Val’s head popped up at the sound, and she peered at me over the edge of her dog bed. I could have sworn she rolled her eyes at me, but it was probably my subconscious trying to make a point.

“Come on, Val. Time to welcome the newcomer.”

I stood on the porch with Val at my side as Hank pulled the trailer around and then backed up toward the open barn doors. It was easier on the horses to get them into the biggest stable at the end as quickly as possible. They were already pretty stressed out from the journey and everything they’d been through.

“Morning, boss,” Hank called out as he climbed out of the truck. “I don’t think this one will be any bother. She got in the trailer as calm as anything.”

That wasn’t always a good sign. Some horses who’d lost their fight didn’t make it. It was like they’d already given up and were just waiting for the end.

“Let’s get her out and see what we’re working with.”

Hank nodded, ducking down to fuss over Val when she ran to his side and then reached into the truck for his hat. The sun glinting off the metal of the horse trailer could be enough to blind you momentarily on a sunny day, and it was never a good idea to take your eyes off an unpredictable horse. Especially not on arrival day.

Hank and I worked together to get the barn set up and ready. How this stage went very much depended on how much the horse cooperated with us. The hope was to get it into the stable, which already had the door open, and ready to close behind it. Worst-case scenario, though, she’d be in the barn until we could calm her down enough to lead her in.

We’d done this enough times now that we could probably do it in our sleep, so when Hank lowered the horse trailer’s door down, I wasn’t worried.

I peered inside and saw the mare standing calmly at the end, the halter secured loosely enough that she could move a little if she needed to, but not enough to hurt herself in transit. With her head hanging low, I could already see that Hank was right about her. She didn’t even flick an ear as he came in through the side door to get her out.

“She’s been through it, this one,” Hank said softly as he stroked the mare’s nose. “But she’s not given up yet. We’re gonna show you how beautiful life can be, little one.”

Whispering in soft tones, Hank backed the mare down the ramp. I heard a soft gasp behind me I knew had come from Reece. I’d seen enough horses in this state that it didn’t shock me anymore. It still had me gritting my teeth and wishing I could get my hands on the previous owner, though. That never left me.

The mare stumbled, and it was hard not to react. If she went down now, I doubted we’d get her back up again.

The poor thing was so emaciated that she looked like a skeleton covered in skin. Patches of her hair were gone, and angry ulcers glistened with infection in the sun. The smell was something you couldn’t describe. I shook my head as Hank slowly walked the mare to the stable. Her hooves were so overgrown that they’d curled up on themselves, and I knew every step must have been agony.

“Why would someone do this?” Reece whispered as she came to my side.

“Unfortunately, that’s not the worst case I’ve ever seen,” I told her as we followed Hank and the mare at a safe distance.

It was being overly cautious. This poor girl didn’t have the strength to fight anymore.

“What do I do?” Reece asked, her voice sounding stronger with determination.

I stole a glimpse of her out of the side of my eye, and I saw the anger in her eyes. Her hands were balled into fists, and for the first time since I’d caught sight of her, she stood with her back completely straight as if she was prepared to fight the world. I knew she wouldn’t have recovered enough for it not to hurt. She was just angry enough that she didn’t feel it right now.

“There’s nothing to do for now. We’ll give her some food and let her rest for a bit. She’s not showing it now, but she’s stressed, and it will take time for her to know she’s in a safe place.”

Reece nodded, looking around like she was trying to find something. I could sense her need to do something, probably because it burned inside me, too.

“If you want to do something, you could see if you can get her to drink. I’ve prepared some salt water in a bucket in the kitchen.”

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