Free Totaled by Stacey Grice Page A

the movements I’d just spent the day mastering into my training regimen—throwing heavy bags of feed, hammering nails, hauling planks of lumber—they were all totally Mr. Miyagi wax-on-wax-off style exercises. I loved it. Anything to mix it up and confuse the body would be beneficial in the octagon. Mixed martial arts was unpredictable. You had to condition your body to be ready to respond to anything, and quickly.
    As I was coming down the stairs to enter the kitchen, I slowed my pace, overhearing Mick talking on the phone.
    “I’m sending you a great guy, Pat. I don’t know him that good yet, but he’s already like a son to me. He’s been through some awful stuff, most of which I don’t even know about, so y’all need to be careful with pushing him too hard, too fast, you hear? But he has a good heart. He’s determined to make something of himself as a fighter and he’s certainly got the body for it. I can’t wait for you to see him. Gigantic! His truck should be fixed today or tomorrow and then he’ll be headed your way. Thanks, man. I really appreciate it… Yeah… Of course you will. You know I don’t ever miss the shrimp festival. Yes-siree. I’ll see ya in a couple weeks.”
    I rounded the corner at the conclusion of his conversation and sat down at the table. Joan wasn’t in the kitchen, but coffee was made and there were blueberry muffins set out for breakfast.
    “Good morning,” I said with a smile. “Listen, Mick, I didn’t mean to eavesdrop, but I caught a little bit of your conversation just now and I want you to know that I won’t disappoint you. I really appreciate everything that you both have done for me. You couldn’t have come into my life at a better time and I’m so thankful. These past two days have meant more to me than you can possibly know. I’m going to go meet Pat and check out your hometown. I hope everything falls into place, but if it isn’t a good fit, I won’t embarrass you,” I assured him, making sure I maintained eye contact as I said it. I took a nervous breath and continued. “I know you’re putting your name out there, so to speak, to vouch for me, and I won’t let you down. I promise.”
    “Son, I’m not worried about that a bit. I trust my gut and it hasn’t ever failed me yet,” he quickly replied patting my upper back with reassurance. “How about we lay off of the chores today and have some fun?”
    “What did you have in mind?” I questioned, apprehensive as I buttered my muffin, still warm from the oven.
    “I thought I might try to get you up on one of my babies,” he proposed.
    “One of your babies? As in, a horse? Uhh…I don’t know about that, sir. I don’t think that’s such a good idea.”
    “Malarkey! Just try it. I’m not gonna let anything bad happen to ya. Scout’s honor,” he responded, holding up the Boy Scout hand gesture. “We’ll get you up on Ginger. She’s the most mild-mannered one. You’ll do fine.”
    My stomach instantly cramped up, a feeling of nausea creeping up my throat. My palms were sweaty. My heart rate increased. I walked over to the sink and poured out the remainder of my coffee, thinking it wasn’t going to help my stomach or my heart rate.
    “I’ll try anything once, I guess,” I agreed. “But when I’ve had enough, you have to let me stop, okay?”
    “Well, how the hell am I supposed to make you do anything? You’ve got a good five or six inches on me and at least sixty five pounds. Quit worryin’ so much. You might just have some fun ya know?” he teased.
    I shook my head and followed him out onto the back deck, excited but borderline panicking. He led me over to the stables and showed me how to prepare Ginger for riding. I brushed her, letting her feel, smell, and hear me. I made sure all of the hairs were laying down flat. I stroked her belly and made sure she was comfortable with me. With Mick’s guidance, I eased on the halter of the bridle over her head and spread a small, padded