Free The Gift by Wanda E. Brunstetter

Taking care of Flash was relaxing, especially after the way today had turned out.
    When Adam finished combing Flash’s mane, he noticed that his shoulders actually felt somewhat better. He put the brush and comb away then came back to scratch Flash’s ears. “You’re good therapy for me, you know that Flash? Who needs reflexology anyways?”
    Flash nuzzled his nose into Adam’s hand and nickered softly.
    Adam brushed off some wet oats from his horse’s mouth that had stuck to his hands. Glancing over his shoulder, he saw that the dog was still there, watching from the barn’s entrance. Closing the door to the stall, he hung the horse’s bridle, along with the blinders, on the hook next to the stall door.
    Suddenly, Flash started snorting and blowing air through his nostrils. Because he knew his horse so well, Adam was sure something was wrong. He looked around but didn’t see anything unusual. Then he noticed that Flash appeared to be looking toward the back corner of the barn. Adam moved cautiously in that direction. Backed into the corner was a portly groundhog, baring his teeth and snarling. The groundhog ran past Adam’s feet, toward the open barn door.
    Adam ran outside in time to see the barking Lab disappear as he chased the varmint behind the barn. “Good, let him take care of the groundhog.” Adam closed the barn door. “I don’t need any more hassles today.”
    Just as he reached the porch steps, Adam heard a distressed-sounding
yip
! Groundhogs had large front teeth and could probably deliver a nasty bite. Without thinking twice, he ran to the back of the barn, but all was quiet, and neither the dog nor the groundhog was anywhere to be seen. Looking closer, Adam noticed a chewed-out hole that went through the wall of the barn. In the dirt in front of the hole was a spot of blood. Adam scanned the area again but saw no sign of the dog or groundhog. Taking off his hat, he ran his fingers through his hair.
Did that groundhog bite him? Or did the Lab bite the groundhog?
Either way, he’d have to get rid of the pest, because he couldn’t have a groundhog getting into the barn again, alarming, or even biting his horse.
    He hoped the mutt was okay and would find his family, because that dog would never have a home with Adam.

CHAPTER 10
    E ntering the kitchen, Adam paused to yawn and stretch his arms over his head. Then he rolled his head from side to side, hoping to get the kinks out. For some reason, he’d had a hard time sleeping last night, and now he had a stiff neck.
Probably from all that went on yesterday,
he decided.
Well, today is bound to be better.
    Before leaving for work, Adam fixed himself a cup of coffee, ate a banana, and then headed outside to the phone shack to check for messages, which he’d neglected to do last night. Opening the back door and stepping onto the porch, he nearly tripped over something. Looking down, he realized that the determined mutt was lying on his porch.
    Disgusted, he stepped around the dog and sprinted down the driveway.
Maybe if I ignore the critter he’ll go away. Guess that’s wishful thinking, ’cause it hasn’t worked yet.
    Inside the phone shack Adam took a seat and checked his messages. The first one was from his neighbor, Clarence Lambright, saying they had some extra eggs and asking if Adam wanted a dozen. Adam dialed Clarence’s number and left a message, thanking him for the offer and letting him know that he would pick up the eggs on his way home from work.
    The next message was from Adam’s sister telling him that she and her family planned to hire a driver next week and come to Arthur to celebrate Adam’s birthday. As much as Adam looked forward to their visit, he didn’t really care about celebrating his birthday. Turning thirty was no big deal. Adam wouldn’t discourage her from coming, though. He hadn’t seen Mary, Amos, and their girls since Christmas, and it would be good to see them again.
    After returning Mary’s call and leaving