SWAT Ed: Fox & Bull (Nothing Special 8)

“It’s nice to see him so carefree,” Shannon added. “When he first arrived, we thought Bull would have to keep him locked up.”

“Why?” He frowned.

“Well. Because, he’d buck and rampage so hard when we let him out, that it took Garvin, Dale, and Bull to get him roped back inside. It wasn’t a good experience for any of them, so, since then they only let him in this saddling ring to get some exercise because it’s attached to his stall.”

“So, he’s not allowed out in the other fields at all? Like a damn prisoner. No one rides him, pets him, he can’t be around the other horses… anything.”

Shannon blinked rapidly, her long lashes fluttering as if Fox’s tone had caught her off guard. He didn’t mean to put so much bass in his voice, but he didn’t like what he was hearing. Shannon took a deep breath, then glared him straight in his eyes. “Now, don’t go thinking he’s being mistreated. The place that Bull rescued him from was abuse and mistreatment. Now he has a home where he’ll always be safe, no matter how cantankerous he gets. But keeping a horse separate until he’s acclimated is smart. It protects the horse and the other animals on this ranch.”

Fox cleared his throat. “I didn’t mean to imply that Bull… I just…”

“Mmhmm. I get it. It’s your connection that makes you so protective of him. It’s not your fault you’re being an ass.” Shannon threw the furry hood to her thick coat over her head when a strong chill gusted past them. The overcast skies had turned everything dreary and bitterly cold, chasing most of the animals into their warm shelters. “I wish he could stay out a little longer, but Bull wants any horses roaming more than an hour to be in midweight blankets today.”

Fox checked his watch. “He’s only been out forty-five minutes.” Criminals in federal prison get more yard time than that. Fox ground his teeth to keep from being an asshole again. Bull’s team was more than qualified, and they all knew their jobs. Fox would have to accept that.

“I wish he could go over in the east paddock. The hands put some alfalfa hay plates out there for the work horses to graze on and get their energy up for the big promo we have starting soon. It’s amazing how Bull spoils these animals.” Shannon backed away from the gate. “I’ll give you two a few more minutes, then he goes back in. See… he’s already shivering a bit.”

Fox leaned on the fence, staring out over the large field where only two other horses were grazing happily on the special food. He checked to see where Shannon was before he hopped the top rung and hurried into Diablo’s stall. Once he was sure he’d been undetected, Fox went to the tack room and took out one of the lighter blankets and a rope halter.

Once he was standing in front of Diablo, he thought he’d be nervous or scared, but he was neither. “Look. I want you to get out of this little paddock, okay?” Fox said softly, rubbing his hand down Diablo’s smooth jaw. “But I gotta get this rug and lead on ya. Okay?”

Diablo whinnied softly as he pushed at Fox’s hand as if he were asking for him to lead him. He glanced around to make sure they were alone, because if he was about to take a headbutt to the chest, he’d rather no one saw it. Fox had observed Bull and tons of the other horse trainers do this exact task, so he knew what to do, but he had to do it with confidence to keep Diablo comfortable.

Fox wrapped his arm over Diablo’s neck, and as always, he curled his large head around him, making it simple to slip his nose right into the halter. He slowly slid the rope between the loop and pulled as gently as he could to take out the slack.

Diablo jerked his head up, but Fox was quick to console him, using his voice just as the instructors did. “Easy, boy. Calm down. Nice and calm. I’m not gonna hurt you.” Fox completed the sheet bend knot, then smiled at their progress. He reached into his pocket and took out the bag of raisins he kept especially for his favorite horse and dumped some into his palm. After Diablo finished tickling his hand and gobbling all the sweet treats, Fox felt he was relaxed enough to place the blanket on him. He was able to do it so easily that he wished he’d tried it weeks ago.

Fox clipped a lead on Diablo, then walked him through his dark stall and out of the back door. Shannon was standing with a few other trainers as if she’d been confused where they’d disappeared to. It felt as if the entire ranch had stopped moving and Fox was now the front and center of attention. He took a step forward, and when Diablo didn’t, instead standing there frozen at his side, Fox turned and touched the horse’s chin.