I kiss her. I kiss her because it’s the only form of comfort I can offer right now. My words are useless.
‘More,’ she says, dragging my hand beneath the sheet.
I know this girl owns me body and soul now, because despite having given her everything I could just minutes ago, I meet her demands.
On the morning of Dad’s court hearing, I leave Annie asleep in bed and walk the long drive with Tess at my heel to collect yesterday’s mail. The local paper is wet from the rain, so I remove the partially dry classifieds from the middle and flick through them on the walk back.
I freeze when I see the following ad:
For sale: 15.3h, 8yo, bay thoroughbred gelding. Charlie is a former racehorse currently being used for pleasure riding. He would be best suited to a competent rider. He has established paces, enjoys jumping, and would be perfect for eventing with some additional education. Charlie is well mannered, good to shoe, clip, and float. For more information, contact Dawn Wilson on 53822904.
I lower the paper and resume walking. But instead of returning to the house, I head for the creek and go pay Dawn a visit.
She sees me through the glass, and I see her hesitate before making her way to the door.
‘What are you doing here?’ she asks, opening it wide enough for her head only.
The corners of my mouth turn up. ‘That’s not a very Christian greeting now, is it?’
‘Do I need to call the police again?’
I release a breath and hold up the classifieds ad. ‘I’m here about the horse.’
She narrows her eyes at the page. ‘You’re joking.’
‘Nope. How much?’
She opens the door the rest of the way and crosses her arms. ‘Did Annie send you?’
‘Annie has no idea I’m here. How much for the horse, please?’
She scowls at me. ‘That girl can’t be bought with gifts and grand gestures, no matter how gallant.’
I don’t take the bait. ‘I would like to buy the horse. If you tell me the price, I’ll go to the bank when it opens and return with cash.’
She tilts her head at me. ‘You don’t have the money to spend on horses.’
‘Let me worry about that.’
She shakes her head. ‘$4000. Do you have $4000?’
‘There’s no way you paid $4000 for that horse.’
‘No, we didn’t,’ she admits, ‘Charlie’s a failed racehorse my daughter rescued from a kill pen for $80.’ She pauses and looks me straight in the eye. ‘But the price is $4000.’
I chew my lip as I attempt to keep my cool. ‘Is that the price for everyone or just me?’
She doesn’t reply.
Banjo appears from inside and runs out to greet me. When he jumps up for a pat, Dawn calls him back inside.
‘I’ll be honest,’ she says. ‘Even if you had $4000, I wouldn’t sell him to you.’
I nod slowly. ‘I see.’
Her eyes are full of contempt. ‘I would’ve gotten her back if it wasn’t for you.’
My brow creases. ‘Gotten her back from where? She never left you. She left the religion. You can have her back any time you please. She’d run here right now if you asked her to.’ I step back from the door. ‘You’re pointing the finger in the wrong direction.’
‘I suggest you get off my property before I call the police.’
‘Okay.’ I nod slowly and turn to leave. ‘Good luck with the sale.’