“When did you leave? Why didn’t you call me?” Candice asks.
“I left five days ago. I had to get rid of my regular phone and I decided to use the burner for emergencies only. I didn’t want to take any chances.” Winnie pushes her hat and glasses off of her face and I notice the large bags under her eyes. She’s clearly been on the road for a while.
“It doesn’t matter. You’re here now. You’re safe now.”
Candice grabs Winnie for another hug, and holds her like she can’t believe she’s real—like she might disappear at any moment.
“What the hell is going on here?” Jonah comes around from the other side of the truck, arms crossed, a scowl on his face. “I’m trying to unload here, and some ditz is blocking my truck in.”
Winnie’s face darkens and she gives Jonah a once over.
“Some ditz? Someditz? I’m Candice’s best friend. Who the hell are you?” she snaps.
Jonah takes a step forward, somehow wedging Candice out of the way and facing Winnie head on.
“Impossible. I know all of Candice’s friends and you aren’t one of ‘em.”
“Um,” Candice says, looking between the two of them with a worried expression.
“You didn’t answer my question. Who even are you?” Winnie pokes Jonah in the chest as she says this, and I wince as he looks down at her with a thunderous expression.
He catches her hand in his and says, “I’m the farrier.”
“What’s that?” Winnie sounds genuinely curious now, but Jonah just laughs.
“What is a woman who doesn’t know what a farrier is doing at a horse rescue?” Jonah mutters to himself.
“Nathan,” Candice whispers conspiratorially, “I’m going to break them up. If she swings at him, I’ll restrain her and you hold Jonah back, okay?”
“Sounds like a plan,” I say through a chuckle.
Candice steps in between Jonah and Winnie, and gently pushes them apart with her elbows.
“Jonah, this is Winnie. She’s my best friend and she’s going to be staying here for a while. Benice. And Winnie, this is Jonah. He makes shoes for our horses.” Her voice is firm, but gentle, and it’s the same one she uses when she’s working with one of the more difficult horses.
“Horses need shoes?” Winnie asks, all wide-eyed innocence. I don’t know her well enough to say for sure, but it seems like she’s intentionally trying to wind Jonah up.
“Jesus Christ.” Jonah sighs and rubs a hand over his face.
“Jonah!” Candice barks. “Treat Winnie with respect or I will find another farrier. Winnie is going to move her car closer to the house, and then we’ll be out of your hair, okay?” Then she rattles off the list of horses that need work on their hooves today.
“Yes ma’am,” Jonah says.
Winnie hops back into her car to move it, and Candice and I stand out of the way.
“What’s going on, Candice?” I ask.
“It’s complicated, and it’s not my story to tell, but Winnie is taking refuge here for a while.”
“Should we install some extra security? Get an electric gate or an alarm system? I’m happy to pay for it, I just want her to be safe,” I offer.
“I love you, you know that?” Candice leans in and kisses me. “Thank you for offering all of that. I think we’ll be fine, but I’llask Winnie what she thinks about it in a few days, okay? Extra security might make her feel better.”
I nod, and Candice and I follow Winnie’s car to the house. We all go inside, where we find Beau in the living room watching TV.
He looks surprised to see Winnie but quickly hides it and says, “Win, it’s good to see you. Glad you made it here alright.”
“You too,” Winnie says. “Candice? I’m going to go take a nap, if that’s okay? I’ve done nothing but drive for the last five days, and I just want to sleep.” Her face looks pinched, like she’s barely keeping it together.
