Page 97 of The Moment They Can't Forget

“Welcome, and you’re not getting it, because if my brothers find out, they’ll fly to Chicago and the man who shall remain nameless will end up in the hospital, probably unable to ever walk again. One of my family members will also end up behind bars.”

“Did they do that much?”

“Intimidate anyone I looked sideways at?”

“Yeah.”

“My entire life, but it’s well-meaning, and I always know how to bring them to heel. I have plenty on them they don’t want anyone to know. It’s how I keep them in line.”

JD laughed softly. “Nice work.”

Sawyer was scowling when they arrived, which was pretty much his go-to expression, so Zoe ignored it. Tripp and Bart were smiling, their hands clasped around mugs that clearly Mr. Stubbs had supplied. In fact, they all had drinks, even the girls, but they had sodas.

“Open the gate, Ry.”

Her brother did as she asked, and she led Roman through. “You men stay away now.”

“JD is clearly not a man,” Sawyer said.

“All man here, bud.”

“I’ll get that trailer open for you, Zoe,” Tripp said.

“Do you really think it will be that easy to load him?” JD asked her. “The horse has been wild since his owner died. Will he just walk on inside that small box?”

“I guess we’ll see.”

“What can we do, Zoe?” Ally asked as she and Vi walked a few feet away beside them.

“Nothing for now, but he’s going to need plenty of love when he gets back to JD’s place.”

“You girls stay back now,” she heard Bart say.

“He used to enjoy being taken places, so chances are if he’s trusting Zoe, he’ll go in,” Mr. Stubbs said from behind her.

She blocked out the voices and watched as Tripp opened the rear door and moved back a few steps.

“Now, Zoe, you just lead him past the trailer and back again,” Tripp said.

Zoe did as he told her to, listening to each of his instructions. On the fifth time past the trailer, she lined up the ramp. The horse stopped and then snorted.

“We’re all good, buddy. You take your time, Roman,” Zoe said.

“Come on, boy. You’ll like your new home, I promise,” JD said from the other side of the trailer. His voice was low and crooning now.

“Zoe, you still got those treats?” Tripp asked.

“I gave them all to him.”

He moved a few steps closer and handed her more. “Give him one, and then try again to lead him up and into the trailer.”

“Let’s do this, Roman.” Zoe did as Tripp asked and then walked up a few steps and tugged on the lead rope. The horse took a tentative step, then another, until she had him inside. Zoe felt like she’d just received an Olympic gold medal. She made a fuss of him and gave him the rest of the treats.

“I’ll travel with him,” she said.

“Good idea,” Tripp said.

“Not happening. He could crush you,” JD said.

---