Page 26 of All We Carry Home

She handed me a rag for the mud and rust now covering my hands and nudged a little brown goat away. “I certainly do, but as bad as the stables and equipment are”—she motioned around—“Gramps left the financial state even worse.”

I nodded. She’d never accept my charity. “You know, I caught up with Eddie last night. His wife, Violet, is in New York with her sick mother, and he and his twins are looking for a summer distraction. I’m sure he’d help with all these things in exchange for room and board.”

She put her hands on her hips, and I could see the wheels turning. “You think he’d want to do such menial tasks?”

“He’s quite skilled and probably would enjoy the work. He oversaw the carpentry in Hostau to convert our trucks and Jeeps into horse transports for the pregnant mares.”

“I’m not sure my cabins are even livable. I haven’t checked them since I got back.”

“Sounds like the perfect place for him to start.”

“I don’t know.” She drew in a long breath. “The rattlesnakes might have taken them over.”

“I’m sure he’ll be just fine.”

You shouldn’t be out here alone, I wanted to add but held back. She was proud, and I sensed she’d do whatever she could to make it on her own. If Eddie were around, I’d worry less about her safety, considering the threat from her neighbors.

Besides, my timeline was short. I hadn’t disclosed this fact—not until I knew if she’d be able to handle Phantom.

“I invited him and the kids out to see Phantom today, so we can chat more with him then.” I put the rest of the tools away.

She shrugged. “I’m up for the arrangement if he is.”

She filled a water bucket, and the little brown goat trotted behind her. I lingered, looking around the barn and taking an inventory of all the work that needed to be done. The barns and arena were massive and thoroughly weathered, but I could see the thoughtful varnishes and handcrafted work in the stall doors that alluded to a past era of splendor and pride. I’d wager the Birkstrom Ranch sign over the driveway was carved by the same hands too.

It reminded me a bit of the barns in Europe that we’d taken shelter in from time to time. Storied history, aged wood. I wondered if patching up this old ranch would breathe life back into Eddie’s soul and alleviate some of the burden Eva carried.

Three months.

My clock was winding down with each passing second. I might not be able to see the finished project, but at least I could get things started.

Six

Eva

The air whooshed out of my lungs as I landed hard in the dirt, a puff of dust floating around me. Gramps had always made this look easy.

Again I’d tried to get Phantom to drink, and each time, he’d knocked me to the ground or spilled the bucket.

We’d regressed from yesterday.

Tiny rocks pelted me as Phantom bolted away, and the water bucket splashed all over me. My tan pants were caked with dirt, my blue blouse speckled with mud.

This was not going well.

Warren had kept his distance, though I could see from the lines in his brow and the tension in his jaw that he wasn’t pleased. He’d left for town for some supplies a while ago, though I’d insisted on paying him back for any costs. I’d hoped for a miracle by the time he returned, but it didn’t seem likely now.

In all the years I’d watched Gramps build trust with the water bucket technique, I’d never seen a horse so reluctant to give in.

I stood up, dusted off my pants, and winced at the tender spot on my thigh. I’d thought the horse had missed me with his hoof as I’d fallen, but he must have grazed me.

If Gramps had taught me anything, it was that you could endure beyond the point of thinking you could make it. He’d taken on all the lost causes and damaged souls that had come his way, including me. I wouldn’t give up on Phantom until the last moment of my contract.

I left the paddock, refilled the bucket, and slid through the slats of the fence again. The heat of the day warmed up my damp clothes, and with each passing moment, I worried more about Phantom’s health with his refusal to drink.

“Okay,” I said calmly. “Let’s try this again.”

Phantom snorted as if challenging me back, and he sprinted toward me with teeth exposed. I stood firm and then stepped toward him as he neared, which broke his trajectory. He shied away, kicking out at me again, but more in casual anger than with any real intention of hitting me.