He brought Alastar to her, and that was hard not to notice. Boyle rode him over rather than drive the horse in the trailer Alastar detested.
“I thought you might want him today, as you’ve three guideds on your slate.”
“I always want him.” She cupped Alastar’s face, rubbed cheeks with him. And sent Boyle a sidelong glance. “Thanks for thinking of it.”
“Oh well, it’s no trouble, and he’s needing the exercise. I’ve a mind to switch out two of the horses for tomorrow, so I’ll be riding Caesar over to the stables tonight if you’re wanting to ride this one back. I’ll drive you home from there if it suits you.”
“Sounds good.”
Nothing in his tone, she thought, but friendship, as agreed. And yet . . . “I’ll put him in the paddock until I’ve checked in the first group.”
She took the reins, rolled her aching right shoulder, gave it an absent rub.
“Are you hurt?”
“What? No. Just sore. Sword arm,” she said, a little cocky, brandishing her arm. “Meara’s a brute.”
“She’s a fierce one. Why haven’t you fixed it? Or had Connor do it?”
“Because it serves to remind me not to drop my guard.”
She led the horse away, determined not to look back. But she felt his eyes on her. And wasn’t that interesting enough to let just a little hope eke through?
He didn’t stint on the work he assigned. As a result, she stayed busy—body and mind—until midafternoon when he shifted her balance again by bringing her a bottle of the Coke she preferred.
“Thanks.”
“It seemed you should wet the throat you must’ve worked dry calling out corrections to the student you had in the ring.”
“She’s really young.” Grateful, Iona took a long sip. “And she likes the idea
of riding. She just doesn’t put much into learning how. I think she mostly likes the outfits she gets to wear, and how she looks on a horse.”
“Her parents are divorcing it seems.”
“Oh, that’s rough. She’s only eight.”
“It’s been coming on awhile, from what I hear. And it seems their way of compensating is to indulge her and her brother. Her with the fancy boots and riding pants and such and him with video games and sports jerseys.”
“It won’t work.”
“Likely not, no. I wonder if you have a minute to take a look at our Spud. He’s been off his feed today. I thought before I call the vet you could take a pass at him.”
“I’ll go right now. I haven’t worked with him today,” she said as she hurried out of the ring. “Barely saw him this morning.”
She worked her way down the stalls, Boyle beside her, and stopped at Spud’s.
The horse just gave her a sorrowful look as he moved restlessly in the stall.
“Don’t feel good today, do you?” She murmured it as she opened the stall door. “Let’s have a look.”
In answer he kicked at his belly.
“That’s where it hurts, huh?” Gently, gently, she ran her hands over him, down and around his belly.
And closing her eyes, calming her mind, she let herself see, let herself feel.
“It’s not colic, so that’s lucky. And not an ulcer. But it’s uncomfortable, isn’t it, baby? And you can’t do what you like best. Eat.”