“She just held out her arms, and he walked right into them. The damn horse wanted a hug,” Blake said, amazed.
“Gillian hugs real good,” Justin announced.
I’d love to find out. Blake wouldn’t mind having her wrap her arms around him. Yes, sir, it would be a real pleasure.
“She’s real good with animals. She saved a bird on the pier once. No one could get close to it. It had a fishing line stuck around its neck and foot. She talked real soft and touched it real slow. He let her untangle the line. She picked him up and took him to the end of the pier and threw him in the air. He flew away. She does stuff like that all the time. She doesn’t like it when animals are hurt.”
Blake understood why. Poor old Boots had been sorely mistreated. He came from champion stock, and his last owner had used him for stud. Then the owner got a better stud and left Boots to rot in a pasture with little food. When Boots turned uncooperative, he was whipped into submission. Blake didn’t believe in the practice. No one on the ranch was permitted to resort to violence, no matter how ornery or mean the horse.
Blake called over the fence to Gillian just loud enough for her to hear him without spooking Boots. “Gillian. See if you can get him to go to his food. See if he’ll eat with you there.”
Gillian didn’t stop stroking Boots when she looked over her shoulder. “What do you want me to do, get behind him and shove?”
Blake held back a laugh but couldn’t hide his smile. Sassy woman. He liked her gumption. “No. Turn around, but keep your arm up around his neck, start walking, and see if he’ll go with you.”
She continued to stroke Boots. “You hungry? I bet you are. How about we get something to eat? I’ll stay with you. I don’t like to eat alone. I bet you don’t either. Come on.” She turned and held her arm up around his neck like Blake instructed. She took two steps, but Boots didn’t move. He watched her every move. “It’s all right. Come on.” She used her arm to pull him.
Blake, along with everyone else, let out a sigh of relief when Boots took a step forward.
“That’s it. Let’s go over here.”
Gillian walked Boots over to the food, but he didn’t take any. He stood looking at her. She bent, picked up a handful, and put it up to his mouth. He sniffed at it and tentatively took a bite. It took him a minute to take the rest. She bent to get him more. He took that handful with more vigor. She bent to get him more. Anxious, he pushed his big head into her back. As she was off balance from her leg brace, he knocked her down. She landed on her casted arm and yelped out in pain.
Blake vaulted over the fence and rushed toward her. Gillian held up a hand to stop him.
“I’m fine.” She turned back to the horse. “Go on now, eat.” Boots chomped away on the pile of food in the trough. Gillian rolled over onto her butt and sat next to him. The muscles in her back spasmed into tight knots. Eyes closed, she breathed through the pain radiating up her spine and broken arm until she could think and relax again.
Blake stayed a good ten yards away, watching.
“You stubborn horse,” she scolded.
Boots stuck his muzzle to her cheek and blew out a breath on her. She actually giggled, making Blake’s heart melt.
“Sure, now you want to kiss and make up after you dumped me on my ass.”
He blew on her hair and made her laugh again before returning to inhaling his food.
Stupefied, Blake stared. The damn horse had fallen in love at first sight with her. He was actually being affectionate. Blake could relate. He’d fallen for her, too.
“I think that horse just fell in love with you.”
“He’s like a giant dog.”
“That big dog can stomp you to death.”
Boots took a minute out of his meal to nuzzle her neck again. “Yeah. He’s a real killer. He’s going to kiss me to death.”
“I’d like to do the same,” Blake said under his breath.
“What’d you say?”
“He’s playing a game,” Blake covered lamely. “Justin’s riding. Want to come and watch?”
“Okay.” She awkwardly rose to her feet and put her arms around Boots again. “Be good. Finish your food.”
Blake wanted to laugh at her treating Boots like she treated Justin. But how could he, when Boots finally ate after days and weeks of existing on little more than the grass he cropped in the field?
“Actually, could you lead him into that stall? It’s just through there.” He pointed to the open door. “I’ll meet you on the inside. After you see Justin ride, maybe you could help me out by brushing Boots down. If you’re up to it.”