Back on the main floor, she snagged a pair of wire cutters and snipped the baling wire. After splitting the bale into blocks, she grabbed an armful and paced the length of the barn, putting hay into the mangers of each stall. When she got to the colt’s stall, she glanced in. He lay on his side and didn’t raise his head as she clucked to him.
“Doc?” He still didn’t respond so she whistled sharply. The horse merely flicked an ear. She fumbled with the latch, frantic to get into the stall to check on him.
“Cass? What’s wrong?” Chance covered her hands with his and stilled them. “Here. I’ll do it.”
A moment later, he had the door open, and she rushed in. Doc’s legs had brushed back and forth so hard, the horse had cleared the straw down to the dirt floor. She dropped to her knees and stroked his neck. Running a hand across his withers and then his belly, she stilled. This was bad. Really bad. His belly felt hard and looked bloated.
“We need to get him up on his feet.” She stood and bent over, tugging on Doc’s halter but nothing happened. “Chance, help me!” Her voice broke, revealing her helplessness.
“Easy, baby. Calm down. Let me get a look.”
She backed away, but hovered close. “What’s wrong with him?” Her stomach tightened and the fried food from dinner was a queasy lump threatening to choke her. She swallowed then shoved her hands in her pockets to keep from wringing them.
“I think it’s colic, Cass, and he doesn’t look good. I’m going to call the vet.”
She shook her head. “Oh damndamndamn. I...I don’t think you can get one to come. I can’t pay.”
“It’s okay, Cass. We’ll figure it out. Stay here with him. I’ll make a couple of calls.”
Chance backed out of the stall as she knelt in the hay, petting the colt and crooning softly. She seemed oblivious to him. Even so, he stepped outside the barn before he dialed the first number. As soon as he had the information he needed from his brother, he ended the call before Cord could launch into all the reasons his presence at the Crazy M was a bad idea.
Besides, he had a good reason—one even his father might applaud, given the old man wanted the colt for his own. If Doc died, no one would profit. He kept telling himself that’s why he was dialing the emergency large animal vet. He gave his full name, directions and a description of the colt’s symptoms. He also guaranteed payment.
He’d just finished the call when Boots arrived. Chance squared his shoulders and prepared to do battle with the other man. He didn’t have to wait long for Boots to fire the first shot.
“What are you doing here?”
“Cass got hurt.” He held up his hand. “It’s not serious. She got caught in some barbed wire and needed a ride so she could get a tetanus shot. But when we got back, she found the colt down in his stall. I’ve called the vet.” Boots glared at him, and Chance worked to remain calm.
“You haven’t answered my question. Why are you here?”
Why was he here? Because he couldn’t stay away from her? Because she had rubbed a raw spot right over his heart? He gave the only answer he had. “I don’t know, Boots. There’s something about her. Something special. I just can’t stay away.”
“Your daddy is behind all her troubles, ain’t he.”
As Chance had suspected, Boots knew the truth. Since the man hadn’t asked a question, no answer was required.