Shy Kinda Love
Page 25
I feel a chill cover my body. I stare at her, only blinking, so she goes on.
“Part of my interview with you was to determine where you are in the recovery process. What I found was a girl who has never had a day of typical therapy, yet is doing exceptionally well.”
“But I wasn’t a… um…” I stutter, not wanting to say the words.
“Sex slave? Yes, you were, Shyanne, and it would do you good to accept that.”
Maybe a punch in the throat would do her good.
“Anyway,” she says, fluttering her hands. “Part of our job is locating services to help the girls. Some of our girls have responded well to traditional therapy, but most do not. This is something we struggle with every day—what can we do to help these women heal? Then…” she begins, but turns to look away.
“Then what?” I ask, anxious to hear where she is going with this.
Just then I hear another car pull in. Assuming it’s Kade, I don’t go to check. London, who is now peering into an empty stall, sniffs then turns back to face me. I see the tears she was trying to hide.
Kade and Max enter the barn, but say nothing. I assume we are a sight—London in her three piece suit and me covered in horse manure, staring each other down in the middle of a barn.
“Then what?” I ask, needing to know what affected this woman so deeply that she comes to tears remembering it.
Wiping away a tear, she smiles. “Then you show up and tell me your tale of the broken girl and her broken horse and how they fixed each other, when no one else could.”
I look away. Kade steps up next to me, wrapping an arm around my waist and kissing my cheek.
“You okay?”
I lift my eyes to meet his and give him a small smile. I look back to London. “So I still don’t understand why you’re here.”
She glances at Kade nervously. “When you told me you’re starting a program to use horses to help others, I thought it would be a perfect program for our girls.” Another nervous look at Kade. “That is, if that’s something you think you would like to do,”
Kade’s arm tightens around my waist, but he says nothing, allowing me to process.
I picture girls who are rescued from slavery helping rehabilitate abused horses. It’s as if my life has come full circle.
“Absolutely,” I tell London.
Her smile is instant and huge. “This is going to be amazing,” she says, pulling out a business card. “I’ll work with my team and we’ll get funding arranged. You get something written up with pricing and we’ll make it work.” She hands me her card then begins digging for her keys.
Kade turns me towards him, places his hands on either side of my face, and says, “You’re amazing, Filly,” before pulling me in for a kiss.
“Christ, he even calls her Filly,” London mutters, then she looks over at Max. “Are they as perfect as they appear to be?”
Kade and I both laugh. Perfect is not something we ever want to be.
***
As London is pulling out of the drive, I see Keegan’s car pull in.
“What are you doing here?” I ask, when she and Gemma get out.
Even though all of our roommates graduated, they’re still staying for the summer. Keegan starts med school at Cincinnati this fall and Gemma has decided to join her to get her masters in counseling. Max is still job-hunting, and Adrian, well… he doesn’t know what he’s doing tomorrow, let alone for his future.
“Max called, said some FBI agent was coming out here unexpectedly,” Gemma explains.
I furrow my brow. “And you thought he said serial killer so you rushed out here?”
Keegan points to me. “I’ve watched those shows. FBI agents can be shady people.”
“Excuse me,” Kade says, indicating himself.
Keegan turns her pointed finger to him. “Oh yeah, sorry. No offense.”
“Everything’s fine. You all can go home and enjoy your Friday night,” I tell them. “Where’s Adrian?” I ask, realizing he’s the only one not here.
Keegan rolls her eyes and opens her car door to get back in.
“She threw her engagement ring at him again this morning. He left,” Gemma explains, rather calmly.
“Left?” Kade asks. We’re all used to them fighting, but neither of them has ever left.
Gemma nods as Keegan starts the car, clearly not wanting to discuss it. “Yep, he said something about Texas, threw his clothes in a suitcase, and drove away.” She nods her head towards Keegan. “Princess here refused to apologize so… whatever. I’m done with her sabotaging everything good.”
Keegan sabotages? I thought that was my thing. Sounds like I have much more to learn about my friend.
Gemma hugs us all and Keegan flips us off from inside the car.
Kade shakes his head and echoes my thoughts: “I’m so happy we are no longer the biggest source of drama in this group.”
Gemma prods. “You have to tell me what the FBI agent wanted. I mean, you know I’m thinking worst case scenario.”
I can’t help the smile that engulfs my face. “Well, it looks like Angie and I will be getting some clients from the FBI.”
Gemma’s jaw drops open. “What? How did that happen?”
I explain how I met Agent London and her hopes that this program will be a great resource for the victims she works with.
Hugging me, Gemma says, “I am so unbelievably excited for you. You deserve this.”
“Thanks,” I say, looking at Kade. “I actually believe that now.” I know now that embracing the good in life, is what helps us survive the bad.
THE END
For more information about Equine Assisted Psychotherapy, and to find a certified professional in your area, go to www.eagala.org
Horses really do help heal humans.
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