Free Love Me ~ Without Regret by Renee Kennedy Page B

you finished with your Dr. Pepper? Do you want to go see the horses?” Lizzie asks him.
    “No, I want to go home now. I think I’ll take a nap. Thank you very much though,” Papa says.
    Lizzie cuts her eyes over at me.
    I’m silent, but I have a smug smile.
    “Do you remember how much you used to like riding horses when you were younger?” Lizzie asks him.
    “They were okay, but the car is much faster. I think I’ll just take the car home,” he answers her.
    “He’s not having a good day, Lizzie. Maybe next time will be better.” Margie says.
    “How’s school going, Baby?” Granny pats Lizzie’s hand.
    “Ah, I guess it’s going alright. It keeps me on my toes,” Lizzie says.
    “I’m so proud of you, Lizzie. Going to be a doctor and all. If I had any animals, I would let you be their doctor,” Granny tells her.
    “I know you would.” Lizzie gives the older lady a hug and kisses her on the cheek. “Because you’re the best Granny in the world.”
    “Well, I’m ready to go home now.” Papa says, standing. He starts shuffling to the door.
    “I guess that’s our cue to leave, Addie.” Margie laughs.
    “I know, he can’t be away from his recliner for more than ten minutes, it seems,” Granny says. “But I can’t leave without my babies giving me a hug.”
    Everyone goes to give her a hug, but I stand back.
    “Clayton Wilson, get over here and give me my hug. You’re my baby, too. Where is Ms. Oakley?”
    I walk over and give Granny and Margie hugs, explaining that Oakley is probably still in bed.
    “I want y’all to come see me. Y’all haven’t been over in a month of Sundays,” Granny says.
    “I’ll even cook y’all up something good,” Margie adds.
    “How can I pass that up?” I ask as I help Margie get them back to the car. I buckle Papa in the backseat. “Y’all be careful on the way home.”
    “Bye, Clay.” Margie and Granny say in unison.
    “Bye, ladies, Papa,” I say with a wave.
    Papa gives me a small wave back as I close his door. I stand and watch them pull out of the parking lot before making my way back to the stable.
    Lizzie has already mucked all of the stalls and is spreading fresh wood shavings for bedding. We installed soft matting in each stall when building the barn. I wanted the horses all to have a softer place to rest. My horses have an important job and they deserve every ounce of special treatment they receive.
    I walk up behind her, without making a sound. “Hey, Lizzie, you owe me a kiss. Are you about finished?”
    She jumps a good foot off the ground. “Good Lord, you nearly scared me to death. You shouldn’t do that to girls with pitchforks in their hands, ya know. Some kind of junk might end up getting stabbed.” She gives me a wicked little smile and blows me an air kiss. “I wanted to check the hooves today and look at their teeth. I know I can’t do any of the teeth removals myself, but we can schedule the vet to come out if need be.”
    She is slick. I have to hand it to her. I know she holds the health of the horses to her own high standards, which makes my affection for her even more solid. She’s soft hearted but such a strong woman, no wonder she is a force to be reckoned with. She doesn’t like to show that soft side, but I see it every time she’s here. I love her gentle way with these kids, getting down on their level.
    Grace, an older teenage client and part-time volunteer at the ranch, walks over. She really looks up to Lizzie and has been learning to care for the horses.
    “Hey, Grace, are you here to help me groom the horses?” Lizzie smiles at her. Looking over Grace’s shoulder, Lizzie gives Elaine, her mom, a nod to let her know that Grace is in good hands.
    Grace gives Lizzie her signature small smile, walks over, and takes a brush. She waits patiently for Lizzie’s instructions.
    “Chestnut is in his stall, if you would like, bring him out here, I’ll be getting ready to start check-ups soon.”
    “Okay,”