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“Are we going to argue about this when you could be napping? Seriously, send me the list. You’ll have what you need before dinner time. No arguments.”
“You seriously rock,” she says, relief heavy in her voice. “I didn’t want to leave her yet, even though Merilee is like a surrogate grandmother. Okay, I’ll text you the list, if you’re sure.”
“I’m sure. Get some rest, and I’ll see you a little later.”
“Thank you, Brady. Seriously.”
“You’re welcome.”
With a grin, I disconnect the call and then turn off of the highway, into Ryan’s driveway, and stop at the gate. Within seconds, the gate slides open, and I drive through.
My brother’s enormous house comes into view, but I drive past it to the barn and stable area about a quarter of a mile away and park next to Jake’s truck.
It’s too fucking cold outside to walk back and forth from the house to the barn.
When I push inside, I find both Jake and Ryan standing just outside of a stall, looking grim.
“What’s up, guys?”
“We need a third opinion,” Jake says, shoving his hands into his pockets. “Thanks for coming out.”
“Of course. I figured I’d come out and visit anyway.” I hug each of them and then turn my attention over the gate to the pretty white mare, Lullaby, just inside. “Hey, beautiful girl. What’s going on in there?”
“She’s more lethargic than normal,” Jake says, his voice full of worry. “I mean, Lullaby is usually the laziest of the bunch, but she doesn’t seem to have any energy at all.”
I push inside the stall and walk around the horse, running my hands over her, cooing to her gently.
“She’s dry,” I say, taking stock. “Has she been drinking enough water?”
“Her water trough hasn’t been getting lower,” Jake says thoughtfully as Ryan listens. “I did notice that.”
“It’s winter, and horses naturally slow down a bit,” I tell him. “And if she’s a lazy girl by nature, you have to make sure she’s getting the nutrients she needs, especially water. She might need an IV, and I can’t help you there, but let’s encourage her to get some fluids into her.”
The three of us work together to urge Lullaby to drink, and finally, she does. And once she starts, she doesn’t want to stop. Finally, she comes up for air and nods her big head.
“Good girl,” Jake croons as he runs his hand down her neck. “Don’t worry me like that, baby. You scared me.”
Ryan and I smile at each other and walk toward the doors.
“Are you coming inside?” Ryan calls out to Jake.
“Nah, I’m gonna hang here for a while longer,” he replies. “Thanks, Uncle Brady.”
“You’re welcome. Anytime.”
I was here with him a few months ago when we lost one of the horses. Ryan and his fiancée, Polly, were in Paris, and it was a heartbreaking mess.
I’m glad that this won’t have the same outcome.
“We’re headed up to the house,” Ryan calls back with a wave. “I’m riding with you. I walked down, and that was a big mistake.”
“It’s fucking cold,” I agree, and we hurry to the 4Runner, and once inside, I set off for the house. “You should have known she was dehydrated.”
“I suspected, but I kind of wanted to see how Jake handled it. Ilikethat he thought to call you for help. That if I’m gone, and he’s here alone, he knows to call you.”
“He can always reach out to me.”
“And that means a lot to me. Now, what were you going to come out here for?”
