Page 20 of Ethan

“I can understand that.” Ethan was quiet for a moment. “He seemed like a good man.”

“He is. His wife Irene is the sweetest person.” She shook her head. “I worry about them.”

Ethan moved to the stall, unlatched the gate, and slid it open. He hooked a lead to the halter and led Vader out.

Vader stepped out of the stall with his head high, ears swiveling, taking in everything at once. He was stunning, all muscle and attitude, his coat so black it had a blue sheen under the barn lights.

“He’s something else,” Naomi said softly.

“He knows it too.” Ethan handed her the lead. “Watch his left side. He doesn’t like anything coming up on him fast.”

“Good to know.” She took the lead and let Vader get a look at her, standing still, letting him come to the decision on his own. The horse dropped his nose and blew warm air across her hand.

“Hello, Vader.” She ran a hand up his face. “We’re going to get along just fine, you and me.”

“He doesn’t warm up to people that fast.”

“Horses know.” She stroked the gelding’s neck and he leaned into it. “You want me to take him to the outdoor corral?”

“Arena’s free this morning. Take him in there, let him get used to you first before you put him through the pattern.” He nodded toward the far end of the barn. “Tack room is at the back on the left. His saddle and bridle are in there; his name is on the hook.”

“Perfect.” She glanced at him. “Thank you.”

“I’ll check in later.” He stepped back.

She nodded and turned toward the tack room, Vader following alongside her like they’d been doing this for years.

She heard Ethan’s footsteps moving away down the aisle behind her and smiled to herself.

First day. So far so good.

****

Ethan walked back down the aisle and out into the morning sun. He had work to do. Books to go over, a call with a buyer inBillings he’d been putting off, and he needed to check in with the men working the dapple gelding before noon.

He made it as far as the fence.

He stopped, rested his arms on the top rail, and watched through the open arena doors as Naomi led Vader inside. She didn’t go straight for the tack. She walked him around the perimeter first, slow, and easy, letting him take in the space. Vader’s ears were up but his stride was relaxed, following her lead without argument.

She knew what she was doing. He’d known that from the first day, but there was something about watching her work that he couldn’t look away from. She moved around that horse like she’d known it for years, not hours.

He heard boots on the gravel behind him.

“Thought you had a call with Billings,” Johnny said, coming to stand beside him at the fence.

“I do.”

Johnny looked out at the arena, then back at Ethan. He said nothing.

“Don’t say it,” Ethan said.

“I wasn’t going to say anything.” Johnny held up both hands.

Ethan pushed off the fence and walked toward the house.

Behind him he heard Johnny laughing quietly to himself.

Ethan shook his head as he entered the house, removed his hat, and headed for his office. It would probably be best if he stayed inside for the rest of the day, but he needed to get with Rowdy about the dapple. Two men worked breaking horses for him. He used to do it himself, but the older he got the less he enjoyed hitting the sawdust floor. It didn’t seem to soften any with age.