Page 18 of Reins

“I didn’t want him, remember?” Her chin juts.

But when I bump up the magnitude and zoom in, I can see the tremble as she swallows hard behind him.

Poor girl.

“Well that nag you have is useless now, isn’t she? I might load her up next month and take her to the sale barn. We don’t need any hay burners around here.” His hand waves through the air, then he drops the big swinging door. “Hell, I can use another excuse to head up through Campton. I stopped and saw Val. Got a date with her in a couple of days.”“You talked to her?” Rosalyn’s cheeks pale.

Val? Owner of the bar?

Well, she did marry Chris. Eli would probably be her type if she still likes douchebags.

It’d give me a public place to catch a glimpse at him. Maybe even a conversation in a neutral place?

“Yea. She’s even hotter than I remember.” Eli’s white teeth flash in the dim light. “She has tattoos and owns the bar.” Then his jaw clenches as he steps back. “She’s at least doing something with herself. You should try it instead of making us do all your bullshit errands.”

“I didn’t want this fucking horse, Eli. I also tried to leave for college, John said no because of Ava. I tried to move out, sell my portion of the ranch. You both said no. Don’t give me your crap, Eli.” She stomps into the recesses of the trailer as I watch her brother shake his head and walk away.

Jesus. Is she trapped here?

Why doesn’t she just leave?

I met Ava on campus, is that why Rosalyn can’t go?

That’s so fucked.

When I see Rosalyn slowly backing out of the trailer, she’s leading a high-headed solid black gelding.

“Come on, Zeus. Time to see your new prison,” she grumbles.

He throws up his nose, jerking her arm holding the rope.

“Easy, boy.” Her stance widens as she waits for him to settle down. “It’s not really a jail, I promise. I’ll make sure you’re taken care of. It’s not your fault you’re here.” Her soothing words sound like she’s almost saying them to herself instead of the horse she’s crooning softly to.

Another few steps and he balks again, this time backing away from the dark cavernous entrance to the barn.

“I know it’s scary. Let me just turn on the light.” She slips her grasp to the very end of the tether to reach inside the door.

But when the area is flooded with illumination, it’s too much for him.

Rearing, he yanks her down, dragging her through the slushy mud.

“Shit. It’s okay.” She tries to call out as she clings to the line. “Easy!”

She’s going to get stomped on.

Damn it.

Surging to my feet, I sprint across the yard to grab the rope just above her hands, forcing the beast’s head down.

“What the—” she gasps. But to her credit, she holds on.

After another buck or two, the horse finally stops with his sides heaving.

“Cade?” she exhales, her blue eyes wide beneath me.

I don’t have my scarf up. Fucking hell. “Go open his stall,” I grit without looking at her.

“But you’re—”