“You’re certainly giving him hell.”
The mare huffed.
“I get it, more than you know. But I’ve been here longer than you. He’s a good man. You can trust him.”
The mare’s ears flicked.
I slid half an apple through the fence rails. Onyx started slowly towards me. Her gait wasn’t as hesitant as it had once been. She knew only good things came from me. I just hoped she could find that same acceptance of Ramsey.
Onyx took the apple from my hand. As she chewed, I rubbed her cheek—more progress. My gaze caught on the scars crisscrossing her side. I kept my strokes steady. “I’m so sorry he hurt you.”
Images flashed in my mind, phantom sensations through my body: The feel of Howard’s hands around my neck. The certainty that those were my last moments on Earth.
I squeezed my eyes closed, my hand dropping away from Onyx. The panic zipped through my body. I clenched and flexedmy hands, shaking them at my sides, trying desperately to beat it back.
A warm muzzle pushed into my neck. My eyes flew open. Onyx was right there as if she knew everything I was feeling—she probably did. Better than just about any other being on the planet.
I dropped my forehead to hers, resting it there. One single tear slipped free before I forced the rest back. “We’re not alone. We have each other. We have Kai.”
We had Ramsey, too, but I couldn’t seem to find the bravery to say those words out loud. “I won’t let anyone hurt you. Never again.”
We stayed that way for…I didn’t know how long, simply taking comfort in each other and the knowledge that someone understood.
My phone buzzed in my back pocket, and I forced myself to straighten but not before dropping a kiss to Onyx’s muzzle. “Thank you.”
I slid the phone out as the mare stepped away.
Mom:How are you doing?
I let out a breath and attempted to rein in my riot of emotions. I tried to put myself in her shoes, but as soon as I did, the guilt threatened to drown me, and every doubt along with it. Angry voices told me that I was selfish and heartless. Said that if I cared for my parents, I would’ve simply stayed where I was and done as they asked.
Ramsey’s voice filled my head. The one that told me to focus on just one thing. I zeroed in on Onyx’s face and those dark eyes that reminded me so much of his—ones that held pain but so much beauty.
The worst of the guilt eased. I lifted my phone and snapped a picture of the mare. I sent it to my mom.
Me:I’m good. Working on befriending this girl.
I worried my bottom lip as I waited for her response. It was a new tactic, volunteering information. Usually, I simply responded to questions, but I wanted her to know that I reallywasgood. That this place was right for me in so many ways. I didn’t have the exact words to tell her that, so I gave her this instead.
Mom:She’s a beauty. Looks a little thin.
Me:Ramsey rescued her from a bad situation. We’re trying to help her heal.
There was nothing for a few moments.
Mom:That sounds like something you’d be great at.
My nose stung. It was an olive branch. The biggest compliment, too.
Me:I’m trying. And I’m learning a lot.
Mom:I’m glad. Maybe you can stop by sometime and tell me more about it.
I bit down on the inside of my cheek. I hated the doubt that surfaced at her words. That I was wondering if going home would bring an onslaught of arguments. But I had to try.
Me:Sure. I can come by towards the end of the week. I’ve got a few projects around here that I need to wrap up first.
I was still making my way through the tack and getting the horses on more of a riding schedule. Aidan had proven himself to be more than capable, and having him on the riding roster helped tremendously. But it was a lot. I had no idea how Ramsey had been doing it all on his own for so long.