Loving, motherly arms embraced me. “Sometimes, we just need a hug.”
Tears I hadn’t known were being held, broke free. Between sniffles I responded, “Thank you for the hug. I needed it.”
I closed my eyes and continued to sob. The grip loosened. “I’m going to go keep Ty occupied. Jaxson’s here.”
Jaxson watched me with worried eyes as Pam walked past him while touching his shoulder briefly. “Do you want him to stay with me tonight?” Pam asked.
Jaxson looked to me for an answer. I shook my head. “I want us all under the same roof tonight. Thanks for offering, Pam.”
Jaxson enveloped me in his arms. “What’s wrong, sweetheart?”
“I don’t know. Your mom hugged me and I started crying. She’s like a mom to me. Everything I was holding in came out.”
“She loves you.”
The tears continued. Jaxson held me while making promises everything would be okay.
TWO DAYS PASSED SINCE OUR trip to Mobile. Fall was upon us as the leaves changed colors. A few danced across the ground as I moseyed my way toward the barn.
Thinking back to the night we arrived, the emotional outburst in Pam’s kitchen had been unexpected. I still wasn’t sure what brought it on, but Jaxson held me through the night while I sought comfort in his arms.
Currently, Jaxson and his dad were meeting with security in the office area within the barn. There were gaps that had been noticed with the expanse of the property. Ty and Pam were
baking cookies for Mallory since she’d won her dance competition. There was a new horse named Pendragon who arrived a few days ago. He’d torn his ligament and was working through a rehabilitation regimen Jaxson designed. Watching him swim for a few minutes, I smiled at Dwayne at his progress before leaving the pool area.
I stretched my arms above my head to relieve the sore muscles forming. This morning I’d danced in the workout room of the house. It relieved the stress and let me escape. I learned dancing in front of an audience wasn’t something I needed. Only to dance.
My phone rang. “Hey, Dad.”
“Hey, punkin’. You got a minute? I have a surprise for you.”
“I love surprises.”
A horse whinnied in the background. He was probably in the barn at home wearing his flannel shirt and jeans. “Well, I thought I would come visit you guys for the McCole Classic if you were up for a visit from your old man.”
“Oh, Dad. I would love it. We didn’t get near enough time in Mobile. Millie mentioned coming also.”
“Good. I’ll get with her. I need to get to the shop to finish some furniture orders. Bye, punkin’.”
“Bye, Daddy.”
I hung up the phone, excited to see Dad again. First, I would stop by to see Sparkles.
“Hey girl, do you want to go for a ride together later when I finish working?”
Sparkles didn’t put her head out of the stall as I approached, which was odd. I glanced in her stall. Something was wrong. Froth came out of her mouth as she staggered back and forth in the corner before collapsing on her side. Her breathing was irregular.
Poison. Dad taught me the signs. A few times we’d seen it in our barn. The training kicked in. I ran to the tack room to grab the stimulant syringes, mineral oil, and tubing.
Jaxson was only a few doors down. “Jaxson! I need you!”
Quickly, I gathered the supplies and ran to Sparkles’ stall as I heard Jaxson calling for me. “I’m in Sparkles’ stall.”
My poor horse continued to froth while jerky nervous movements consumed her muscles. “Hold on, baby. I’m going to get you better.”
“What happened? Are you okay?” There wasn’t time to look up at Jaxson.
I unsheathed the syringe and tapped the end a few times. “Sparkles was poisoned. Help me get the tube and mineral oil in as I injected her with the stimulant.”