Page 107 of Beneath Pearly Irish Skies
He rushed out. “Megan! What’s wrong?”
She stopped, breathing hard. “Winston is mating with Legend. I can’t stop it.”
“Oh, Jesus!” the older man called out, racing toward and then past her.
Running after him, she arrived in the shed only to hear him swearing.
“You stupid pony!” He pushed Winston from the stall and herded him into his own, slamming the door.
“Why did you let them out?” Killian’s angry face had her cringing. “You know Legend is ready to be covered.”
“What’s the matter?” Kade asked, bursting into the shed, panting from the effort. “I heard some commotion.”
“I’d say you did.” Killian lifted his fists to the heavens. “Your girl has messed up but good. She let Winston and Legend out, and Winston covered the mare.”
Kade’s face went blank with shock.
Megan’s chest hurt. “I didn’t know that could happen. He’s so—and she’s so.”
Suddenly Kade put his hand to his mouth, quiet laughter trickling out.
“What are you laughing about?” Killian strode over to him and gave him a slight nudge in the chest. “This is a fucking disaster, son, and you know it.”
“It’s a little funny,” Kade said, clearing his throat. “Megan, it’s not your fault.”
Killian made a rude noise. “Not her fault? Of course it’s her fault. She let a male horse into the stall of a mare in heat. What did she think was going to happen?”
Kade put a hand on his father’s shoulder. “Dad, Legend wouldn’t have taken Winston if she hadn’t wanted him.”
“But she was supposed to take Sutter’s Mill!” Killian walked over and kicked the stall. “I promised Joris Christiansen that foal for a fine price, andyoupromised to deliver. Dammit, Kade! Don’t you remember our deal? Do you want to break your own father’s heart?”
Megan watched the color drain from Kade’s face, her heart pounding in distress as the full impact hit her.
“I don’t want to do this,” Killian said, wiping his eyes furiously, “but we made a deal and a man honors it. You’ve lost your place here and the land where you were wanting to build a house for your family.”
“No!” Megan cried out.
“Megan, be quiet,” Kade said softly. “Dad, you’re right. I gave my word.”
“Kade, no!” She rushed over to him, putting her hand on his chest, but he only patted her back in response.
Killian pinched the bridge of his nose, his head lowered, a picture of agony. “This will break your mother’s heart right in two and your sister’s as well. Maybe Legend won’t be pregnant. We can keep her locked up and scan her in a few weeks. Maybe—”
“She’ll be pregnant, Dad,” Kade said, his eyes locked on his father’s.
“I won’t ask how you know,” Killian said, running his hand through his gray hair. “You know.”
“I do, but it gives me no pleasure.”
Megan clutched his shirt, hearing the grief in his voice. “Please, this is my fault. Don’t blame him. Isn’t there something I can do?”
Both men responded, “No,” in unison.
“You can take your horses and everything in the shed,” Killian said, wiping his nose.
“I’ll pay you for the foal, Dad, when I can.”
Killian shook his head. “You won’t be able to afford it. Let this madness end here. I’ll go now.”
