Riders - Horizons (III) Read Free

replied, taking in a deep breath
and then sighing. I loved the sounds he made, even if he wasn't in
a great frame of mind. “but anyway, the reason for this call...
could you give me your mom's name, and her cell number, please. One
of my guys is gonna look her truck over. He can sort it out with
her, directly. And I need your address too, I didn't take note of
it.”
    “My mom's name is Miranda,
I'll text the rest. It's so good of you. We really appreciate it.
”
    “I carry through with my
promises. Even if that makes me an idiot at times...” I couldn't
help notice the heavy sarcasm edging into his voice, and what a
strange choice of words.
    “Josh, you're no idiot and
you sound really pissed off. What's up?”
    “Nothing, and fucking
everything... I'd better go before I say something I
shouldn't.”
    “What have I done, what's
wrong?”
    “You're the lawyer, how's
the current case going?”
    “What case?” I was getting
very confused. It was only 11 a.m. But I wondered if he was drunk.
If so, I hoped he wasn't a miserable drunk like this all the
time.“Can I come over and sort this out, face to face?” I thought I
could suss out if he'd been drinking at least.
    “No, I'm busy today, but I
can spare you a few minutes this evening. Make it eight. I'll be at
the bunkhouse. Don't be late, I've got plans for later.”
    “Sure, that's fine,” I
murmured getting quite upset at his 'couldn't give a fuck'
attitude.
    He even hung up on me before I could say
goodbye.
    “Yeah... well... bye to
you too, babe!”
    Why no goodbye, or anything pleasant
mentioned about the day we'd spent together? A lump rose in my
throat and the hurtful sting of tears flooded my eyes.
    What a strange, unnerving conversation. I
got the distinct impression he was more than unimpressed and had
lost interest in me.
    What on earth had happened between yesterday
evening and today to make him feel that way? Perhaps it was his
job? He was under stress or something? I tried hard not to worry
too much, because I was very interested in him now. After the
wonderful day I'd had yesterday. He was nothing like I'd imagined
he'd be and I liked him so very much. I was prepared to give him a
chance and to tell him so.
    Perhaps that was what he needed? Some nice
news? Some hot attention? Someone to listen and to care?
    We all have days where we feel down. Life
can get you like that.
    I swallowed my bad reaction to his call and
forced a smile on my face as Philipa held up her latest masterpiece
for my approval. I took it from her in awe. She really was a good
artist. Very talented. The horse head and neck was shaded heavily.
His eye was perfect. I knew whose horse this one was. It had a
white cross on it's forehead. Storm was so handsome, completely
beautiful. Much like the guy who sat on him.
    “Joshua's horse is lovely.
Joshua's lovely. Kicker is very lovely. I love him. Can I marry
him?” Her voice had a note of pleading. As if I could grant her
wish, just like that.
    “Kicker's a little old for
you, sweet. Think about that. But yes, everything in the world is
lovely, isn't it?” The irony of my words brought a pain to my
chest.
    “I love horses, Tiffy, I
want one. Can I have one? Just a little one.”
    “I don't think so. They're
very expensive to buy and look after, you see.”
    Her mouth drooped with the two big refusals
she'd received. No Kicker to marry and no little horse. “Maybe one
day. If things change for the better,” I said vaguely, and her face
brightened again.
    “If you marry Joshua, we
can live on the Ranch and I can have a horse, can't I?”
    My heart squeezed so tightly.
    I said a little prayer... for Philipa...
that she'd be happy and her dreams came true. As for mine, I didn't
dare hope for anything like that.
     
     
     

CHAPTER THREE
    JOSHUA
    With a fair degree of
revulsion, I carefully began to dig out the bullets from the dead
cattle. I needed to resolve this issue and it would take a
scientific approach to do it. I had