Page 40 of Signed, SEALed, Delivered

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

Kennedy

Brushing the coat of a horse was a mindless task, one I've always enjoyed. My new friend, Hercules, loved to stand and let me brush him for as long as I needed, never giving a care which side I chose first. My favorite gentle giant gave me much more than what he got.

Mr. Hawthorne had phoned just as I got into my truck this morning, letting me know my testimony would not be needed due to Miss Greyson’s untimely death. As crazy as it sounds, I felt a hint of sadness for her family. Mr. Hawthorne didn’t supply many details surrounding what happened, but it didn't take much to imagine someone being killed while in jail.

A clicking sound from behind interrupts the marinating of my thoughts. Standing with his camera to his eye is Ethan. “You know, I fell in love with you the first time I took a picture of you grooming a horse.” Ethan lowers his camera, the worn strap around his neck, its logo lettering faded from years of use. A sly smile paints his lips as a gleam of something evil coats his eyes.

“Love is a four letter word.” I comment, pretending to be uninterested. I hope he will act like a professional and not the lunatic I'm afraid he is becoming. Hercules takes a step back, irritated by the interruption as my hand stopped moving along his back. “A word men like you toss around when you want to separate girls like me from our panties.”

Hercules begins to whinny from the stranger invading our space. Horses are known to have sensitivity when it comes to fear, and I am trying to keep my nervousness to a minimum.

“Had you given us a chance, you would know I am a man who gives my all to the woman I confess my feelings to.”

Looking over my shoulder, I grasped Hercules’s reins tightly in my fist, steadying my reserve, worried about what he was going to do. “Ethan, we've had this conversation, a few times. I don't have feelings for you.”

His head shakes from side to side as he pushes on the bottom half of the door; the latch catches, keeping him out, as he mutters an oath of his frustration. “You didn't give us a chance, Kennedy.” Reaching inside the stall, he pulls up on the latch until it gives and walks into the stall as if he owns the place, giving little concern for his safety or mine.

Hercules eyes grow large, his feet stomping hard against the floor of the stall. Ethan's eagerness to get inside the room causes the door to slam against the side of the stall. Ethan's momentum causes him to tumble in, tripping over his feet; increasing his aggravation and extracting more swear words.

I hear Ella call my name down the hall. If I don't answer, she will be here in less than fifteen seconds and I'm counting every single one of them. “Ethan, you can't be in here, it isn't safe.” I warn him. Hercules is now raising his front legs in his own form of alarm. Pulling at his reins, I try to calm him down.

“I suggest you listen to Kennedy, I've already called the sheriff and my nephew.” I wish her voice brought with it a level of comfort, but Hercules is now completely agitated.

“Whoa, boy.” My soothing is useless, as he has already made up his mind about the stranger bothering him. In a quick motion, Hercules pulls his front legs into the air, his eyes wide with fright as he comes down a few inches from where Ethan has stumbled. “Get out of here!” I shout, anger and worry filling my chest. I’m no match for the strength of this horse, but I refuse to let him hurt himself. Hercules once again rears up, this time kicking at Ethan, knocking the camera from its strap. A cracking noise sounds, followed by a cry of pain from Ethan.

“Kennedy, get out of there.” Ella orders, but I ignore her, trying again to calm the horse.

“Hey, boy, it's okay. Ethan is leaving.” I look over my shoulder in what I hope is an authoritative glare. “Get out of here! The next time he will aim for your head and, trust me, he won't care if he kills you.” I can see a cloud of dust coming down the road; it's either Zach or the sheriff. I’m hoping it’s Zach as the sheriff is more figurative than enforcive. “Go on, that’s the sheriff pulling up now.”

Hercules rears up once again, his hooves spinning wildly in a circle and I know he is going to do some major damage when he comes down. Ethan watches as the motion of the hooves change, deciding I'm serious about his intentions and jumps over the side of the door, running off into the pasture.

“Kennedy?” I hear Zach call my name, but I'm too concerned with a still angry horse. He knows Ethan is gone, but his adrenaline is still pumping and he wants to fight.

“It’s okay, big guy.” With the brush still in my hand, I try and see of he will calm down for another massage. The sound of heavy boots running down the wood floor of the hall tells me there is more than just Zach coming toward us.

“Babe, you okay?”

Hercules is breathing heavy and his muscles are tense, but he doesn't seem to want to rear up anymore. Brushing his back, I lower my voice as I talk to him, reassuring him he is safe and no one is going to hurt him.

“I'm good, Zach. Just give us a few minutes.” I don't dare look away from Hercules, not until I can assure him I'm okay. “He’s gone, no need to worry, big guy.” I can feel Zach’s eyes on my back, feel the apprehension from what he has witnessed.

“Kennedy,” Zach’s voice cautions, but I can’t turn around to look at him. “I don't like you so close to a pissed off horse.”

His concern is refreshing, something I've not experienced in a long time. Ella has rejoined the party, telling Zach how Ethan showed up and most likely broke something when Hercules kicked at him.

I hear the latch engage as Zach enters the stall, Hercules is still jumpy, but not as much as when Ethan was in here. “Hey, boy. Thanks for helping my girl.” Zach places his left hand on my shoulder, the warmth spreading across my shoulders and wrapping around my heart, while the right brushes the side of Hercules, assuring him he means no harm. “Remind me to get you a girl of your own, as a thank you for protecting mine.” Hearing Zach take possession of me, knowing he has such deep-rooted feelings for me, does something wild and primal inside of my soul.

“You okay?”

“Me or Hercules?” I tease, trying to rid the room of the tension.

“Hercules of course, why would I be worried about you?” For a tenth of a second, I consider he isn't teasing, using humor as his own form of releasing the tension. Shifting my face over my shoulder, his worried eyes finding mine, cancels out every ounce doubt I created. His thumb caresses my cheek, soulful eyes searching mine. Hercules has become bored with us, as he knows the danger has passed, the oats in his pail gaining his attention once again.

“In all seriousness, are you okay?” His concern is real, his feelings for me valid and I want to take away the worry discoloring the handsome face he is blessed with.

“I swear,” placing my hand to his face. “I’m fine, Ethan left before Hercules could do any damage.”

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