Page 128 of All We Carry Home

“Shh,” he said, knowing I was in a frazzled state and within earshot. “He’ll be here.”

I finished pinning my hair and looked at my reflection one final time in my compact. My eyes were dark with liner around the edges, thick mascara, and dark brown shadow that made my blue eyes stand out. My hair curled in waves and contrasted against the new ivory coat and skirt I had bought. I matched Phantom’s coat so well that his bloody shoulder mark stood out like an oasis against the desert sand.

Even in the little round mirror, my cheeks were gaunt, my eyes were tired. Under the powder, there were dark circles and freckles from the summer-long sun exposure.

Perhaps it was better if Warren didn’t make it. If he didn’t see me like this.

Annie bounced up, her hair also curled and styled now that Violet was here and holding the children to more presentable standards. She held the copy of Azam, the book I’d bought her months ago. Seeing the glittering stables where the book took place had been a dream come true for the young girl. “Good luck, Miss Eva,” she said. “I hope you win.”

I set the compact aside and pulled the girl into a hug. “Just keep an eye on Patches and make sure he doesn’t try to sneak out with us.”

“It’s time, Eva.” Eddie walked up. “The class is starting.”

My heart leapt into my throat. I straightened the exhibitor number on my arm, gave my hair one final brush with my hand, and then reached for Phantom’s lead rope as Eddie handed him over to me. We walked at a brisk pace across the paved parking lot to the towering arena, where hundreds of people filled the stands for the biggest event this industry had seen since early 1941.

Phantom snorted excitedly, his eyes taking everything in around him.

I caught myself looking around in the crowd and searching each spectator’s face.

Focus, Eva. Forget about him.

The steward waved me into the show ring. “Ah, Ms. Bryant and Mr. Merrick.”

From behind me, Keith and his horse raced ahead of me in line. I knew he didn’t like to be the last one in the arena—a weird superstition he had. He walked ahead of his horse rather than leading on the proper left-hand side, knocking into me and shoving me against Phantom’s shoulder.

An intense pain radiated from my arm, but I shook it off, trying to find my footing again and continue my brisk walk into the arena. A moment later the gates would have closed and we’d have lost our chance.

Keith and his red stallion walked ahead of us. He placed something shiny in his coat pocket before lifting his head and carrying on.

At that very moment, a deep shade of red in the corner of my eye caught my attention. My coat was cut, and blood seeped into the edges around the tear.

Phantom tossed his head and snorted, and his halter slid right off his nose. The crowd around us gasped.

My mind whirled as I picked up the leather halter, seeing the edges were sliced clean through. How? And then I saw a small gash behind his ear. A stream of blood followed the muscular curve of his neck and down into the bloody mark on his shoulder.

Dear Lord. Keith had cut the halter and nicked the horse. And me.

“Exhibitor!” a judge called to me. He was a portly man with a quick smile, but now he had a sour, stern expression as he pointed me to the gate. “You need to leave.”

“Give me one chance.” My words came out before my brain even processed what they meant. I put the lead around Phantom’s neck to show I still had control. “We can present without the halter. If he steps out of line once, you can dismiss us.”

The judge glanced back at his two other colleagues, who both shrugged. “You get one chance.”

That was all I needed.

Warren

“Eddie, she’s bleeding,” Violet said, her hand flying to her mouth.

Eddie, Violet, and the twins had found me in the stands moments after I’d arrived. Another ten-minute delay and I might have missed it all. But I’d needed to ensure that every piece was in place.

Eddie glanced at me, and I dared not look away from Eva as she walked the arena—with no halter to restrain Phantom.

The crowd murmured in confusion. Several people nearby thought her cut and stained coat were just a costume to match the horse’s unique markings.

Eddie and I knew better.

“I’ll kill Merrick,” Eddie growled under his breath.