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“Aren’t you a pretty girl?” I coo.
“Her name is Snowflake.”
My hand whips away from the horse so fast it startles her, and she rears up, stomping her hooves.
May steps up beside me. “Snowflake here is a toey girl. Real skittish. She doesn’t even let me pet her like you just did.” May gently shoves my shoulder.
“Then why do you keep her?” I question. I hold my hand out again, hoping Snowflake will come back to me.
“She’s special. Plus, she holds a place in my heart.” May pulls a carrot out of the bucket hooked on her arm, and Snowflake pauses, eyeing the carrot. Still, she doesn’t come for it. May holds the carrot out for me to take. “Here. She might take it from you.”
I take it nervously from her grip, glancing sideways at her, unsure of what to do. I’m worried Snowflake will nip me. “Won’t she bite my fingers off? I’ve never fed a horse before.”
May laughs at my moment of panic. “No. Just hold it out, and she’ll bite the top off, then lay it flat on your hand, and she’ll take it from there. Bend your fingers back so there’s no loose skin for her to chomp on.”
I quickly hand the carrot back, earning me more laughter. “Will you stop laughing at me? You deprived me of this part of growing up,” I snap, and instantly regret what I said. May’s face drops, her radiant smile disappearing. I reach out and rest my hand on her shoulder. “May, I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have said that. You were doing what you thought was best. I’m sorry.”
May brushes away a single tear, and I’m filled with remorse. “Don’t worry about it, dear.”
Before I can say anything, Snowflake nudges my cheek. I jump away, scared she’s going to bite my face. When I settle my nerves, I catch May holding her chest in a fit of laughter. “Oh, come on. Cut me some slack.”
“She’s very drawn to you, which is no surprise.” May holds the carrot back out to me. Hesitantly, I grab it and hold it like she instructed.
“Why is it no surprise that she’s taken to me?” I can’t help but ask as I lay the second part of the vegetable on my palm, and Snowflake takes it easily.
I give her a gentle rub down her neck as she sniffs around me for more food.
May hands me an apple and says, “Because she was meant to be yours.”
14
“Mine?” My other hand comes to my chest, and I can’t hide the shock in my tone.
I look back to Snowflake to ensure I correctly give her the apple so she doesn’t bite me. May rests her hand on my shoulder as I do, putting my worries at ease. Once Snowflake takes the apple, I glance over at May.
“I bought her when you would have been sixteen. Yes, she’s getting on now, but I hoped you would get to meet her one day and bond.”
I turn my attention to the horse. She is mine. “I’ve never had anything this beautiful before. Heck, I’ve never even owned a car.”
“I’m sorry. Come with me to do the animals, and we can talk.”
I give Snowflake another pat with the promise of returning.
“Okay.” May’s gaze drops to my feet, and I follow her stare. “What’s wrong?”
“Well, you need some boots for a start. I might have some that fit you. Let’s go back to the house.”
I follow her out of the barn, processing the fact I have a horse. May must realize I need a moment because she doesn’t say anything on our walk back.
Standing in the living area, I wait as a picture on the mantle above the fireplace catches my attention. A familiar face stares back at me. It’s a man—a young man. He looks about my age or younger.
I walk over and pick up the wooden-framed picture. A familiarity hits me, and I swear I know this person. I spin around as Hunter comes down the hallway.
Holding up the picture, I say, “I know this guy. I’ve seen him before.” Hunter’s face scrunches as he approaches me, and I hand him the photo. “I’ve seen him before.”
“You couldn’t have. Where did you see him?”
Pressing my palm to my head, I wrack my brain, trying to remember exactly where. Then, a clear image pops up. “He came into a place I was working at about eighteen months ago. His face is so familiar. He would come in every night and stay until close, then walk me to my car at the end of the night.” I shrug. “I thought he liked me, but he never made any kind of moves. We became friends.”
