Page 39 of Saving Grace
“I’ll be there soon. Just close off the entrance to the big field and make sure no one opens the gate closest to the barn until I get there,” he says before ending the call and searching for his clothes.
“What happened?” I ask, already pulling clean clothes from the pile on top of my dresser.
“That was Gavin. Havoc is loose in one of the big fields and no one can catch him.”
“Is he contained or literally running around an open field?”
“It’s fenced. He’s running the fence line, though. Probably trying to get back to his small paddock.”
“Give me a few to get Kaia ready and to grab my pump.”
“You don’t have to—"
“He doesn’t trust anyone, right? But he nuzzles me, lets me brush him. I understand being wary of people better than most, and he senses that. So, I’m going with you, cowboy.”
“I love it when you’re bossy.”
***
When Drew’s pickup finally rolls to a stop in front of the old red barn, Gavin and another guy who looks vaguely familiar are waiting for us.
“That’s Reece, Jett’s brother,” Drew says as he puts the truck in park.
“One of the new guys put Havoc in the open field by the arena. He’s freaked out, running the fence line, snorting and hollering.Won’t come anywhere close to the gate.”
“Does he have a halter on at least?”
Reece nods. “Yeah, by some miracle. With the way he bolted from the kid, I was sure he’d snap the leather.”
Gavin steps forward, taking the infant carrier from me, a sleeping Kaia oblivious to the goings-on. “Kaia and I’ll go hang in my office so we aren’t a distraction. Just holler if you need me.” As he heads deeper into the admin portion of the barn, Reece tosses a thumb over his shoulder. “What do you need from the guys?”
“Tell everyone to stay away from this area. No power tools. No four-wheelers.”
“Will do.”
As Reece disappears around the corner to pass the word along, I follow Drew’s tense form through the main entrance into the barn.
“Stay back from Havoc unless I tell you to step in.”
“I can handle myself around young horses, Drew.”
Before I can blink, Drew spins around and grabs me by the hips, pressing my back firmly against a stall front, the metal hay door solid against my spine. When I glance up, my breath catches.
Scratch that. My lungs come to a full halt at the emotions swirling in Drew’s deep-blue eyes. As his forehead drops to mine, a shaky breath slips from his lips. His good arm brackets my head while the other hand gently strums up and down my side.
“Hey,” I whisper, my hand cupping his five o’clock shadow.
Drew’s eyes are closed now, tension lines looking almost painful, but he hums his acknowledgment.
“Just want you to know, any other man would have gotten knee to the balls for grabbing me like that.”
The huff of an exasperated laugh draws some of the tension from his shoulders.
Mission successful.
I weave my fingers into the curs at the base of his neck, the ones sticking out from under his hat, and tug. “Just because I’ve been away does not mean I’ve forgotten how to handle myself around young horses. I’m a big girl, Drew. I was born and raised in this barn, just like you.”
“I know, sunshine. I do. It’s just…Havoc.”
