Page 13 of All We Carry Home

Phantom snorted and stomped up to the fence where the trainer, Stanton, watched and shook his head in defeat.

“You know,” Kenneth said, straightening and then stepping away from the fence when Phantom raced past, “there’s one fellow I’ve heard of in Oregon. It’d be a long drive, but his methods are supposed to be a bit unorthodox. He’s known for taming the untrainable.”

“Why didn’t you mention him sooner?”

Kenneth blew out a long breath. “I didn’t believe you when you said this horse was so far gone.”

My shoulders sagged in frustration. “I guess orthodox methods haven’t really worked out. How long will the unorthodox approach take?”

“I have no idea.”

“What’s this fellow’s name?” I asked.

“Bill Birkstrom,” Kenneth said. “He’s in Baker, Oregon.”

That town sounded familiar. “Eddie Moore lives in Baker.”

“He’ll know where to find Bill, then.”

Stanton strode toward me, and I knew what was coming. Kenneth nodded his farewell, leaving me to fend for myself when Stanton reached me.

“I won’t be able to help you.” His hair was slicked back with sweat. “In fact, I want you to get this dangerous horse off my property.”

“I’ll leave with him first thing in the morning.” I held up my hands to calm him. “Let me feed and water him here. We’ll be wheels up at first light.” Depending on how long I’d have to fight to get the colt into the trailer. My arms and back ached at the thought. I wasn’t fully recovered from the last time.

“I won’t have any of my men feeding or looking after him,” Stanton said with flushed cheeks, a vein bulging in his forehead.

“I understand.”

I was starting to believe there wasn’t a man alive who could reach this horse.

Once the handlers and barn owner went away to their other duties, Phantom wandered over to me, his half-broken halter dangling on his head.

I slid it off over his ears, and he nuzzled me gently. “Why can’t you be like this with anyone else?” Even these moments were rare. When I tried to load him into the trailer or into a stall, all bets were off.

I needed to get him to a barn where he was safe and I could visit from time to time. I didn’t know enough about horses, nor would I have time for anything different down the line.

Especially if I seriously considered this idea of Kenneth’s.

Senator?

“Come on, buddy,” I said to Phantom. “I just need to know you’ll be okay. I must do that. For her.”

The horse rubbed his forehead up and down my arm as if nodding in agreement.

What was I even doing? I had no place watching after this horse, yet I couldn’t forget my promise to her. I’d tried desperately to find Eva Bryant, but the records went cold after her discharge earlier this year.

To Oregon it was, then. Hopefully this Bill Birkstrom was all he was rumored to be. I’d drop off the horse, ensure he was properly looked after, and then begin the new chapter of my life. In public service?

Would I even be able to secure the nomination and votes? All I knew was that I’d give it a try. If it meant being a voice for my Ghosts even now that they were scattered across the States, so be it.

They’d given their all for me, and for God and country. I could do no less.

Three

Eva

MAY 6