Free Second Chances by Cheyenne Meadows

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enough for feeding time in his book.
    Afterward,
he’d went about grooming the horses, working on the third one when his persistent
new boarder strolled in.
    Ben
trotted over, his tail wagging happily. She stopped to lavish attention on him,
speak to him, and even slipped him a dog treat, which he ate with relish. With
a giggle, she approached the stud’s stall, where he presently brushed Rule’s
golden hide.
    “Either
you’re early or I’m late.” Her gaze darted to the empty buckets in the stalls.
    “You’re
neither.” He clipped the words, irritated with her already. In his rational
mind he knew she wasn’t to blame for his surly mood and didn’t deserve his
harsh tongue, yet, he also didn’t feel up to catering to her whims today. Why
couldn’t she be like the other boarders who came and went sparingly? He much
preferred to hang out alone throughout the day, not babysit a yappy blonde lady
with nothing better to do on her vacation than shadow him.
    Her
head jerked up and her blue eyes pinned him with fire and intrigue.
    Maybe
if he pissed her off, she’d go away for the day and leave him in peace.
    “I see.
Well, I’ll just care for my horses and stay out of your way today.” With the
quiet, but haughty answer, she grabbed up a couple of brushes and headed toward
the large end stall containing her animals. First, she brought out Mischief and
tied him to the door. After a touch up brushing session and quick check of his
feet, she returned for the filly. Miracle balked at being tied at first,
yanking back against the rope, but soon quieted with April’s quiet voice and
touch. A carrot split among the two seemed to seal the deal for the moment.
    He
finished with Rule, grabbed a lead rope and led his stallion from the stall.
The stud made a beeline for Miracle and snuffled her before Dusty tugged
insistently on his halter. “Not happening, boy.”
    As if
understanding, the palomino snorted, then ambled along all the way to the small
pasture.
    Dusty
released him, noting the colors of dawn spreading across the horizon. Another
pretty day if you like baking under the sun and bathing in your own sweat. With
a grumbled curse of the weather, he walked back to the stable.
    By the
time he entered, he found April finishing up with her horses. Without pausing,
he walked right up to Miracle, untied her, and took control of her halter. Her
eyes rolled and showed white. Speaking softly, he soothed the nervous horse.
“That’s it. Just me again. Nothing to get your water hot about.”
    For a
few minutes he did nothing more than stand there and speak to the animal.
Finally, when she quieted, he reached up to lightly scratch her neck. Her ears
flicked and she sidled away. He held his ground, continued with his motions,
and never stopped speaking to her. Finally, she calmed, lowered her head, and
held still. “That’s my girl.” He dug a sugar cube from his pocket, placed the
treat on his palm, and held his hand out to the filly’s muzzle. She sniffed for
only a second before eagerly accepting the reward.
    Mischief
nudged him hard in the rear.
    Dusty
shook his head and turned around. “Feeling left out?” He offered up another bit
of sugar, which the gelding gobbled down as if someone might steal his gift if
he didn’t hurry up and swallow.
    “Wow. I
still can’t believe she’s standing there letting you pet her.” April’s soft
voice carried to him.
    He
didn’t answer. Instead, untied the mini and led both horses to their pasture.
By the time he set them loose, she brought a couple of the geldings and handed
them over.
    “This
is my job.” He took control of the leads, put both animals in the field, then
unsnapped the ropes from their halters to set them free for the day.
    “I like
to help.” She waited for him to close the gate and start back toward the
stable.
    “There’s
no discount for picking up some of the chores.” His voice came out terse and
flat.
    She
stiffened as if insulted. “I