Join the Dance (Dancing With Horses Book 2)

by Toni Mari

  “Yeah, there’s a freeze brand on his neck, probably a mustang stallion. Could be dangerous.” The liquid nitrogen used to brand wild horses turned the hair white, making the markings uniquely identifiable. It seemed like this guy grew up fighting for survival, and a few skinny humans were barely a threat.

  Cory eyed the little bay, who was watching the situation calmly. “Maybe we should try to nab the little guy first.” Hank nodded. When they turned toward him, the little bay lifted his head in alarm. He dashed past them, zooming by the stallion. The buckskin leaped forward and ripped a chunk off the bay’s bony little butt, with his teeth snapping together. The bare spot on the bay welled up with blood.

  “Wait!” Erica called. “Let me get Dr. Karen. Maybe we could shoot that beast or something.”

  I gasped, slapping my hand over my mouth.

  “With drugs, I mean.” She hurried off.

  Dr. Karen came out carrying a gun of some sort. “Come on out for a minute, boys. I’m not a particularly great shot. If he stands still, I might get him with one try.” She moved along the fence as close as she could get. The buckskin eyed her warily but stood still. She gave a triumphant shout when her first dart hit him in the rump. He jumped forward, going after the little guy again out of pure meanness. “Wait, it should take about ten minutes to kick in.”

  In ten minutes, he looked exactly the same as he did before. Dr. Karen shrugged. “Tough monkey.” She lifted the gun and shot him again. That really made him mad, but the bay was ready for him and kept out of his reach, rocketing from zero to sixty in one stride. This time in ten minutes, it worked. The buckskin’s head sagged, lips drooping. He staggered slightly when Cory roped him. Cory handed the end of the rope to Hank and used another lasso to rope the horse again. He asked one of the other volunteers to hold that one. He cautiously approached the drowsy stallion. I held my breath. But the stallion was definitely out of it, and Cory was able to put the halter on. They kept both ropes on him, and all three people stayed with him as they lead him into the barn. His protests were weak and easily handled since he could only stagger drunkenly. They locked him in a stall at the end of the row.

  Dr. Karen shook her head. “That one might not leave here standing,” she said sadly.

  One more to go. Cory attempted to approach the yearling, but the little guy kept scooting away. So, Cory took out his rope and twirled it above his head. The bay watched him from a distance. When Cory threw the rope, the bay danced out of its path like a basketball pro. Cory rolled his eyes and gathered his rope again. As soon as he started swinging it, the bay dashed away, sliding to a stop at the fence, hind quarters lowered like a top reining horse. He spun on his back end and galloped toward the gate. It was clear he wanted to be in with the other horses, but he didn’t want to be caught in Cory’s rope.

  Cory waited for the right moment, patiently twirling his rope. Then, with careful aim, he tossed it out as the little guy was running past. It settled over his neck. Cory ran forward, trying his best not to let the rope jerk tightly around the skinny neck and panic the little guy. The horse poured on more speed but circled around Cory back toward the gate and the barn. This time when he skidded to a stop, Cory let the lasso tighten. The bay tugged and jumped against the rope for a moment, and then he stopped. His rump was toward Cory with the rope taut along his side. He stood still, and his ribby sides heaved. Slowly, he turned his head. His eyes followed the line to Cory’s hands. He looked up at Cory, acknowledging the man’s victory. Cory stood motionless, letting the colt have a moment to settle. The small body shuddered as he released a mighty sigh, and then he turned to face Cory, waiting.

  Cory smiled. “Good boy. I’m not going to hurt you. That’s it.” He eased closer, gathering the rope, his movements confident but slow. The bay stood, tense but still. Cory reached a hand up and gently, softly stroked the slender neck. The horse continued to watch but didn’t react any other way. Cory showed him the halter and let him sniff it. He lifted his head back when Cory pulled it toward his nose. But Cory soothed him with his voice and gentle hands, and the colt let him buckle the halter on. When Cory started forward, the bay followed immediately. We all stood back, and Hank opened the gate.

  Cory took the rope off his neck in the stall. He tried to give the colt a treat, but the little lips just pushed the cookie around Cory’s palm. The tiny horse stepped away and thoughtfully started munching hay. Before closing the door, Cory stood in the opening studying the horse. I stepped up beside him.

  The horse looked back at Cory. “Can you see it?” Cory asked softly.

  “What?”

  “That look in his eye. Like he was born knowing the answers.” Cory kept staring. So did the horse, with hay sticking out of his mouth as he chewed slowly.

  Those calm brown eyes slid to me. There was no fear, just curiosity. He studied us as we studied him. An arrow pierced my heart because I did see it. It was the same look that Jet had. We used to call Jet the Zen master because he seemed to have such a peaceful personality, with people and other horses. He had helped Windsong calm down and adjust to our farm when I had first bought Windsong. He had also helped me get over my fear of Windsong. A tear slid down my cheek.

  Cory wiped it away with his thumb and closed the stall door. He smiled. “I’m going to talk to Erica about taking him.”

  “You are? Oh my God, Cory, that’s awesome!” I gave him a quick hug.

  “The Greens said I could keep a horse there.” He chuckled. “Might surprise them when I lead this little guy off the trailer.”

  Erica was thrilled that Cory wanted the colt. They disappeared together to fill out paperwork. Dr. Karen asked me to help give the little guy some shots and to deworm him. She also drew blood for his Coggins test. “He’s the last one. Now we start loading them on the trailers.”

  “Where will they go?”

  “Erica has arranged for two farms to take some for fostering. She will find places for all of them eventually. The only one we aren’t sure about is that buckskin. The rest of them need some nurturing but will be fine with good care.”

  After we closed the stall door, the little guy whinnied desperately. The gray fairy ballerina mare answered him from a few stalls down. He pushed his little nose through the bars, blowing softly, trying to pick up her scent.

  “I think they’re friends.” I smiled.

  #

  Chapter Thirty

  Cory had the longest drive, so we were going to load his horse first. When the little guy saw the gaping opening into the trailer, he locked his knees and refused to take a step closer. Cory patiently waited for him to relax his stance and tried again. I went in the barn and put some treats in a bucket because there was no grain. I rattled them around in front of the colt, trying to lure him onto the trailer. He pricked his ears but didn’t move forward. There was no use pulling on him since he would just pull back.

  “Wait. He was talking to that little gray mare. Maybe he would follow her on the trailer?” I suggested.

  “That is, if she loads on the trailer,” Cory replied. He shrugged. “Worth a try. She went for the treats, so maybe the bucket will work with her.”

  I easily clipped a lead onto her halter and the gray mare followed me out of the stall. She walked fast but was a good girl. I gave her a treat, and that seemed enough to solidify our friendship. She nickered the minute she saw the little guy and danced around at the end of the lead line. Hank stood on the side of the trailer, ready to put the butt bars up. Erica and one of the other volunteers stood at the front. This mare loaded like a pro. She nickered over her shoulder, and the little guy followed her, hopping over the ramp and landing in the trailer. Cory and I ducked out the front, and Hank closed up the back. The two horses touched noses and pulled hay from their nets.

  Erica looked at Cory. “Umm. I guess you’re taking two horses home?”

  Cory laughed. “I guess I am. Wouldn’t seem right to unload the mare now.”

  “I will find her a home as s
oon as I can. It will only be for a little while.” Erica patted his arm in gratitude.

  “She actually seems like a nice little Arabian. Playful, but sweet.” I peeked in the trailer where the two were standing quietly munching hay. It was obvious that the mare had been trailered many times and wasn’t worried at all.

  “I better get going,” Cory announced, giving Erica a hug.

  Hank shook Cory’s hand and squeezed his shoulder. “Good work, cowboy. Thanks for helping.”

  After they all headed into the barn for the next load, Cory pulled me to him. He nuzzled my hair. “Hop in the truck and come with me.”

  “Ha! I wish I could. Stupid school. Only a couple more weeks though.”

  “Then will you come with me?” He pushed his hat back, meeting my eyes. He was serious.

  “For a weekend, you mean? Yeah, sure. I can’t wait to see the facility.” I smiled.

  It looked like he was going to say more, but then without much enthusiasm, he just said, “Yep, we’ll plan a weekend.” He kissed my lips. “See you, darling.” He tossed his hat on the seat and climbed in the truck.

  I stood with my arms wrapped around my waist and watched the truck disappear.

  It took the rest of the afternoon, but we got all the horses loaded on trailers. Even the buckskin stallion was picked up by a farm owner who ran a herd of rescue misfits, the ones that weren’t adoptable. He was experienced with mustangs and would be able to take care of him.

  Shawn and I had the two buddies who wouldn’t be separated on Erica’s two-horse trailer. We would take them to Erica’s. She always had room for one or two of the rescues until she found them owners. When we got on the road, weariness overtook me.

  “Good day, but exhausting,” I commented as I shimmied down into the seat.

  “Hmm.” Shawn didn’t even open his lips to reply.

  “Are you tired? I could drive part of the way,” I offered, covering a yawn with my hand.

  Shawn looked at me like I was nuts. “I’m fine.”

  I closed my eyes and mumbled, “I’m sorry about Cory.” When he didn’t answer, I let myself drift into sleep.

  The next thing I knew, Shawn was whispering in my ear and pressing on my leg. “Wake up, we’re here.” It was dark and we were in Erica’s driveway. “I’ll go turn on the lights.” He slid out of the truck, pushed open the aisle doors, and lights started winking on. I stretched and shook the fog out of my head. I unlatched the side doors and located the lead ropes. By the time Shawn joined me, I was ready to drop the butt bars and let the horses back off. The nervous one nickered anxiously as he backed down the ramp but behaved as long as we kept his buddy close. Shawn lead the way to a good-sized pen just past the barn. We released the horses and they buried their heads in the pile of hay left for them. We leaned on the gate and listened as they loudly crunched on the meal.

  “They seem okay, just hungry.”

  “You probably won’t recognize them after a few weeks of good food.” Shawn pushed off the fence. “Can’t wait to crash in bed.”

  “Me too.”

  Shawn slipped his arm around my waist. “I always have a good day when I’m with you. We’re good together.”

  “Shawn,” warning him, I pushed his arm away. “There was enough trouble today.”

  “That’s ’cause Cory knows he doesn’t deserve you, and he’s hoping you don’t figure it out. Knocking out the competition is the only way he thinks he can keep you.”

  Shawn’s arrogance floored me. “That’s not true. You were taunting him on purpose, why? Is it because I’m the only girl who says no to you?”

  With a self-mocking snort, he shook his head. “Trust me, there are plenty of girls who can resist my charms.”

  I stopped walking. “Then why are you making it so hard for me to be around you? There’s so much about you I like—you ride amazing, you’re never mean, you really pay attention to a little girl like Mandy. But I can’t handle this pushiness.”

  He was silent, staring at his shoes. Just when I was about to give up and leave, he looked at me. “That’s why. You expect something from me besides a good time, and you make me want to be someone who you approve of.”

  “Shawn,” I breathed. “I didn’t mean . . .”

  “My parents don’t even care much, as long as I don’t interfere with their lives. You and Erica are the only two people who think I can do something more than be the life of the party.”

  “Wow.” I had no words, no response. I put my arms around him. “Of course I do. I am your friend and will always be your friend.”

  With a gentle squeeze, he separated us and said, “Come on, let’s get you on the road.”

  #

  Chapter Thirty-One

  I sat on the folding chair, my graduation gown covering my sundress and flowing to the lawn. I looked around at my classmates. Most of the boys were grinning, and the girls were teary eyed, including me. Megan was two rows in front of me. She turned, caught my eye, and pointed at the podium where our class president was giving a speech. I tipped her a thumbs-up and dabbed at my eyes. She nodded vigorously and turned back to face the front.

  Done. That’s it. I was finished with high school. Although I had applied and been accepted to North Carolina State, the only thing on my plate after this night was the Championships. I stood and screamed with everyone else when Gerald finished his speech with the words “Let’s get to the celebrating!”

  We cheered and yelled as our names were announced. It was a giant hug fest when we gathered afterward, and parents pushed into the crowd of graduates. I released Megan and turned to give my parents hugs. Megan was hugging her boyfriend, John Carter, who had graduated last year. I gave a brief frown for Cory, who couldn’t make it up for tonight. Instead, I was driving down tomorrow for our weekend visit and I was looking forward to it.

  The crowd dispersed with lots of promises to meet up at the various parties. Mom held my hand. “We are so proud of you.”

  I laughed. “Please. You have to say that.”

  My dad tugged a strand of my hair. “Not necessarily. But if you could walk faster, there’s something we want to show you that we also didn’t have to do.”

  I groaned. “It’s these ridiculous shoes Megan made me wear. She said the only thing people could see under our cap and gown would be our feet, so we had to wear awesome shoes.” I stopped and held onto my dad’s arm as I yanked the strappy, spindly heels off. I stood and wiggled my toes in the grass. “Much better. Let’s go. Where’s the car?”

  My dad grinned. “Right there.”

  “Right where? I don’t see it.”

  He pulled a key chain out of his pocket and dangled a single key in front of me. A key that did not look like the one to my mom’s car.

  “What is that?” I jumped up and down and snatched the key from his hand. I pressed the unlock button and a blue Ford Escape chirped at me. “Holy cow! Oh my God!” I ran to it and threw the driver’s side door open. Tears streamed down my face. “I love it! I love it!”

  “Congratulations, baby. Like I said, we are very proud of you.” Mom leaned over and kissed my cheek, and then opened the back door and climbed in.

  Dad went around to the passenger side and got in. “Start her up.”

  I let out a whoop of excitement and then stared in puzzlement at the steering wheel. Where did the key go?

  Dad laughed. “Just press the button.”

  Megan screamed as only a cheerleader can when I picked her up for the party. “Girl, you are styling. I love the color.” She smoothed a hand over the light gray leather seat. “You’ll have to come home and drive me places often.” Megan was staying home and going to community college. She was going to work at a clothes store part time and save up for her own car.

  “Deal.” I smiled though a wave of sadness rolled over me. “I’ll miss you,” I whispered.

  “I know.” She rolled her eyes. “But don’t be silly. You will be only an hour and a half away. We’ll get
together lots. Right now, let’s party!”

  I groaned the next morning as the sun shone in my bedroom window. I looked at the clock, ten thirty. I should get up. I plopped back down, ugh. I didn’t have a hangover because I was careful not to drink and drive my brand new car, but it had taken Megan and I all night to make appearances at the parties she felt we couldn’t miss. After all, we may never see our classmates again. By the fourth party, I was a zombie but admittedly having a great time. People that I didn’t talk to in school were suddenly good friends I couldn’t bear to part from. At four-thirty in the morning, I finally dropped Megan off and then crawled into my bed at five. So, no, I wasn’t hung over, just tired. I was tempted to turn over and go back to sleep, but today I was driving down to stay for two nights with Cory. I hadn’t seen him since the rescue, and I was nervous about how it would go.

  Forty-five minutes later, I was showered, and my overnight bag was in the back of my sweet new ride. I stopped for a cappuccino and donuts on the way to the barn. I would say a quick hello to Windsong and Kate, and then get on the road.

  Windsong was in his pen and ambled over. He knew I would have treats for him. “You get to have two days off, so rest up. When I come back, big guy, I plan on training hard.” I smoothed my hand down his steely neck. He nudged my shoulder, and I gave him the carrots I had brought.

  I toured the barn and the indoor but didn’t see any signs of Kate. I shrugged. She knew my plan, but I texted her a quick goodbye anyway.

  I was on the road and the sun was shining, I was finished with high school, and I was in the most awesome ride—things couldn’t get any better than this. Life was treating me good. I would arrive in time for a romantic dinner with Cory and then . . .

  I slammed on the brakes. All the cars ahead were stopped dead. I patted the steering wheel. “Good job, my awesome car—that was close.” My bumper was just inches from the car in front of me. I shook my head. Every few seconds, we inched forward. I glanced at the dashboard clock. Three-twenty, halfway there. Once I got through this, I should still make it in time for dinner. I rolled another inch.