Her delicate hand lifts in a wave and I do the same, then turn before I tackle her back on the bed and we both miss work.
“So, how did last night go?” Killian asks as we’re walking out to the barn.
“It was fine. How is the horse?”
He laughs. “Deflecting much?”
As if I would give them any ammunition to use against me? Absolutely not. I’ll lie before I tell them a damn thing.
“Here, I brought you coffee. Hazel insisted.” I hand him the cup.
“Thanks, but it’s half gone.”
“Oops.”
Killian snorts. “Anyway, the horse is better. He was moving around a little earlier.”
“That’s good. Does the trainer know how he could’ve injured it?”
“He wasn’t overly forthcoming—you know how Travis is. He knows everything, and he only produces winners.”
Killian owns part of this horse farm with his friend who breeds and boards racehorses. It’s an amazing facility, and the care his horses receive is top-notch, but his head trainer is an egotistical asshole. If I can avoid dealing with him, it’s for the best.
“He’s something, all right,” I say as we enter the stall.
The horse shifts back and forth as we approach. “Hey there, buddy.” I lift my hands as I open the door. “I’m not going to hurt you, I just want to see what that mean trainer did to your leg.”
He snorts and lifts his head a few times before stepping back. I’ve looked at him a few times over the years, and he’s always been a little skittish. I can only imagine, now that he’s in pain, that I’ll have to work a little harder.
Killian steps over to the side a little out of view, and the horse settles slightly. “You’re putting weight on that leg, so that’s a good thing,” I say in my most soothing voice. “I’d like to take a look. Will you let me closer?”
I lift my hand and brush his neck, continuing to let him know I’m not such a bad guy. After another minute of that, he moves his head to bump my shoulder, and I see we’re going to be friends.
The exam doesn’t last long, since it’s pretty clear, based on the swelling, it’s a joint issue. I exit the stall and Killian comes around. “He needs stall rest and no training or races for a while. I’d like to do an injection to help with the healing, but I’m serious that Travis needs to give him a break.”
“I’ll take care of it,” Killian promises. “He’s still young, and I think Travis sees something in him and is just pushing him a little harder than he needs to.”
“He is. Tell him to relax or you’re going to have more issues than just this.”
“Thanks, Ev.”
“Of course.”
We start to walk back, and Killian just can’t help himself, apparently. “So you were childhood sweethearts with Violet?”
“Yes.”
Maybe if I keep to one-word answers he’ll give up.
“How is being around her now?”
It’s conflicting and terrifying because I could see myself easily falling back in love with her.
“It’s fine.”
Okay, that was two words.
“Sure it is.”
