Page 13 of Trickster King

“I may change my mind depending on how Chocolate Cupcake got onto the meat market.”

“She was stolen.”

Fuck. I frowned, drumming my hands on the steering wheel. “But we have her papers.”

“The thief had access to the papers, forged the initial bill of sale, and then dumped her with an idiot who couldn’t handle her. She was then dumped on the meat market.” Randy sighed. “The owner does not want her back. I have already inquired on your behalf. The owner is pleased she’s with you, and they—a husband and wife pair—will not separate a bonded horse from her rider. The couple is getting older, and their Akhal-Tekes are spirited, so they’re ready to hand over the reins to someone who will care for them properly. You would get the animals for an affordable price.”

“When Jessica kills me, put something nice on my gravestone.” I pointed at the SUV’s navigation system. “Put the owners on the phone. It looks like I’m taking Eddie horse and ranch shopping on this trip.”

It took an hour into the drive to get a hold of the Carsons, Chocolate Cupcake’s former owner. Randy said, “Hey, Micky. It’s Randy. His Royal Majesty wants to speak to you regarding Chocolate Cupcake and her parents. He’s interested in purchasing them, but he was born as stubborn as his dainty little lady of a mare, so he wouldn’t allow me to discuss price with him. He’d rather discuss it with you. I’m putting you on speaker.”

Technically, Geoff handled putting Micky on speaker, taking Randy’s phone and plugging it in before pressing a few buttons on the navigation panel.

“Howdy, Your Majesty,” a man with a wavering voice greeted.

Randy must have prompted the man on at least attempting to be casual, although I missed my name at times. For whatever reason, people became mighty uncomfortable when I tried to get them to say my name rather than my title.

I would fight that battle another day. For the moment, I’d do what I did best, passing as the queen’s horse empath freak of a husband.

“Howdy there, Micky. I just found out Chocolate Cupcake had been stolen, and I’d be pleased to compensate you for her, but I’m not giving her back.” I chuckled, marveling how I’d grown accustomed to being able to get away with statements like that.

As desired, the old man laughed, too. “That’s what I figured when Randy first contacted me and told me what happened to her. I’m grateful you picked her up, and I’m even more grateful you took care of her after. She wasn’t broken to saddle when I had her, and I wouldn’t have broken her to saddle until she turned five or six. She was slow growing, and I didn’t want to rush her. She was eager to learn, but she wasn’t strong enough for a rider yet.”

I sighed at the memory of my mare, who had needed significant care to correct the damage to her spine after she’d come home with me. She’d cost us a pretty penny in vet bills, but she’d been worth it. “She’ll never be a child’s horse, but that’s no fault of hers. She still needs some work, but she’s an excellent trail horse. Randy tells me you’ll consider selling her parents?”

“We’re getting old, and them horses are a lot of work. We can’t handle them like they need, so it’s time they go to a home that’ll care for them properly. And I’ve heard you’ve been taking care with the stallions you pick for Chocolate Cupcake.”

“I’ll want to confirm that the paperwork on her lineage is correct, as I’ve been relying on her papers to make sure I don’t accidentally inbreed. We don’t do the breed any good if we introduce unhealthy horses to any of the lines.”

“Randy already told me of your concerns and sent me a copy of the papers. The paperwork is correct. We’re hoping to sell her parents for fifty thousand.”

“Each?” I asked, wishing I wasn’t driving so I could dig out my wallet, snag one of the checks I kept tucked inside, and get to work spending money I should have reserved for my ranch purchasing endeavors.

“Oh, no. Total. They’re older horses now, and the mare won’t have many more foals. Maybe two or three, I reckon.”

I twitched. At fifteen, she’d have at least five more years left in her unless given better care. With the royal vets taking care of her, she’d drop her last foal at twenty-five and live a few more years out at pasture.

The royal vets had a knack for beating the average lifespan, although it all depended on how well the horses had been cared for prior to becoming a royally spoiled pet.

“Fifty thousand each is reasonable for the animals. The royal vets will probably give them both a few extra years. It wouldn’t surprise me if I got at least four foals before she’s retired from breeding. When is she up for her next foaling?”

“She’s already been covered, and she’s due in a few months. We’re just too old to watch for the little one.”

Well, shit. A three for two special? Not on my watch. “Fifty thousand for the foal, too, and it’s my problem getting the little one into the world. Randy, we don’t tell the wife I just bought three horses.”

“Then there’s the little filly from her last foaling,” Micky mumbled. “She’s a quiet little thing. We haven’t been able to work her she’s so skittish. She’s two.”

“How about fifty thousand each for the parents and any of their foals you’ve got running around your farm? I’ll either keep them or find them good homes.”

“That much?”

“That’s a fair price for them, and I’ll give you the same compensation for Chocolate Cupcake,” I promised. “Talk to Randy about the details, and I’ll have somebody run over with a trailer or two and your payment for the animals. If you’ve got a farm op in need of hands, you just let Randy know.”

“We don’t have many of our cattle left. Age caught up with us.”

Jessica would kill me when she found out what I was up to. She’d let me get away with rescuing Chocolate Cupcake’s family, but the cattle about to fall into my hands would result in my demise. “Hey, Geoff?”

“I’m afraid to ask, Your Majesty.”

---