Page 124 of Falling for Love

When the striped figure turned its head and stared straight at me, my heart nearly jumped out of my chest.

“Macy?” I whispered to myself, barely believing it.

Sure enough, the escape artist of Honey Leaf Lodge stood there as proud as could be; her head tilted in that quizzical way she always had like she was mocking my shock.

I blinked a couple of times as if she might disappear if I didn’t focus. But no—there she was, tail flicking lazily, her zebra stripes vivid against the golden glow of the late afternoon.

A laugh fell out of me before I could stop it.

“Of course, it’s you,” I muttered, hands on my hips. “The one and only Macy. What are you doing all the way out here?”

Macy snorted as if to say,What’s it look like I’m doing? Exploring.

I glanced back at the Thompsons’ house. There was no way I would walk up there and explain why a zebra was casually strolling their property. Plus, I didn’t want to get Honey Leaf in trouble.

Nope. This one was on me.

“Macy,” I called, keeping my voice light as I approached. “Hey, girl. Remember me? Your favorite farrier?”

She didn’t move, but her ears flicked in my direction. That was something, at least.

I reached into my jacket pocket, fingers brushing against the emergency stash of sugar cubes I always held for horses that needed extra convincing.

“I’ve got treats,” I coaxed, pulling out a cube and holding it out on my palm. “Come on, girl. Let’s not make this harder than it needs to be.”

Macy took a tentative step forward, then another. My heart lifted as she closed the gap between us, her nostrils flaring as she sniffed the sugar cube.

“See? We’re friends,” I said softly, staying as still as possible. “You don’t want to be out here all alone, right? Let’s get you back to the lodge where you belong.”

She hesitated a moment longer before finally stretching her neck to pluck the sugar cube from my hand. I smiled as she crunched it loudly, her tail swishing contentedly.

I walked over to the truck, never taking my eyes off Macy.

“Good girl,” I murmured, slipping the lead rope from my tack box out of my truck.

I made my way back and smiled at the zebra.

With slow, deliberate movements, I looped it gently over Macy’s neck. “There we go. Easy does it.”

Macy didn’t fight me—probably because she knew I had more sugar cubes in my pocket. She followed me to the back of my truck.

Mrs. Thompson popped her head out the door just as I tied Macy to the back of my trailer. Her eyes went wide, and her jaw dropped.

“Evie,” she said, her voice laced with disbelief. “Is that a zebra?”

So much for secrecy.

I laughed, brushing my hand over my forehead. “Yep. Long story. Don’t worry; she’s friendly.”

Mrs. Thompson just stared for a moment before shaking her head and laughing. “You’ve got the most interesting job in town, you know that?”

“Never a dull moment,” I replied with a grin, climbing into the driver’s seat. “I’ll get her back where she belongs. Thanks for not asking too many questions.”

She laughed and shook her head. “I didn’t see a thing. I don’t know a thing. I’m just headed back inside.”

I chuckled as I managed to pull my cell from my pocket and dial Liam’s number.

“Of course, you found her,” Liam said through the phone, a laugh buzzing over the phone. “Leave it to Macy to wander halfway across town.”

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