Page 33 of Rough Ride with the Grumpy Cowboy
“Vet is here,” Duncan announces, walking into the stall with another gentleman trailing behind him.
I met him earlier when he directed me here as I was looking for Zane. He discouraged me from coming in, but I was determined to see and apologize to Zane. Maybe I should have listened because this is not what I was expecting, but I’m glad I’ve stayed.
This is not the first horse I’ve seen die. I did grow up in Texas, after all, but after being away for so long, I had forgotten how emotionally taxing it can be to let go of a beloved animal. In his defense, Zane did try to chase me away, but I couldn’t bring myself to leave him after seeing how distraught he was.
The doctor is an older man, maybe in his late forties to early fifties, kind face, brown bright eyes, and a thick full beard. He’s on the shorter side, wearing a flannel shirt, jeans, and a cowboy hat.
Zane looks relieved at the sight of him. I could tell he was at the end of his rope—not because of his physical pain, but watching Lilly suffer for so many hours has been emotionally taxing for him.
“Thank you for coming,” Zane expresses.
Dr. Breyer nods with a tight-lipped smile as he opens his medical bag and starts getting ready to put Lilly to rest.
“Ava, I think you should go now,” Zane says dismissively.
“No.”
He gives me a disapproving look. “Why do you have to be so stubborn?”
“I learned from the best,” I smirk at him.
He’s forgetting that he is the most stubborn man on the planet. I grew up under his wing—of course I picked up a few things.
He looks like he wants to argue further, but Lilly bucks, letting out a prolonged groan of pain, and we realize that we’ve tortured her long enough. Whether Zane likes it or not, I’m staying.
Dr. Breyer puts on his gloves and prepares two scary-looking needles. I know one has a sedative and the other an overdose of anesthetic drugs.
“Ready?” Dr. Breyer asks, holding up the first needle.
“No,” I reply as if the question is directed toward me.
Zane glares at me.
“Sorry,” I mutter, which makes him glare at me harder.
I clamp my mouth shut and let the doctor do his work. I watch with tears in my eyes as the first injection goes into Lilly’s neck and then the second. She takes deep, labored breaths and her head slacks, but she’s still alive.
“Now we wait,” Dr. Breyer announces.
The urge to reach out and take Zane’s hand is overwhelming, but I reel it in. I know he’s masking his true feelings, and I’m not about to expose him in front of his employees.
We all feel it the moment her heart stops, so that even by the time the doctor declares her dead, we know.
All the men take off their hats and pay their last respects before Dr. Breyer starts packing up. And that’s it—Lilly is gone forever.
Zane gets to his feet, shakes Dr. Breyer’s hand, and walks out of the stall. I quickly jump to my feet, grab the gift bag, and chase after him.
He’s headed for his cabin, taking wide steps that are hard to match, but I do my best.
“How are you going to bury her?” I ask, falling into step with him.
“We’re not. She will be rendered.”
“Oh, I guess that’s one way,” I mutter.
“Sorry to disappoint you, Miss Diva, but that’s how we handle things around here,” he asserts.
“I didn’t mean—“
