Page 62 of Bridles and Bribery

Dave frenziedly waved him off.Change of plans, man.He could only hope that Gil interpreted the signal in time. Jordan’s life and limbs might depend on it.

“Left side,” Jordan bellowed.

Dave veered left, losing sight of Gil altogether as he continued closing in. The horse’s hooves kicked up clods of dirt and small pebbles. One of them pinged off of Dave’s face guard, making him jerk the wheel a little.

“Hold it steady,” Jordan hollered, gripping his shoulder with fingers that felt like bands of steel.

Holding steady, bro. The rest is up to you.Dave drew alongside the horse, easing up a tad on the gas to match the horse’s pace.

The four-wheeler jostled left as Jordan made his jump. Dave instantly reduced his speed, giving them as much room as possible. Then he skidded to a halt, watching in prayerful agony as Jordan hooked his right leg over the back of the horse and his left leg underneath the horse’s belly, plunging both hands into his mane. He rode sideways for a few breathless seconds before successfully wrenching his wiry frame upright on the back of the stallion.

It was one of the most incredible feats of horsemanship Dave had ever witnessed. The only thing he’d ever seen like it was in the trick riding ring at the rodeo.

Within seconds, Jordan had slowed Western Storm to a trot. Shortly afterward, he coaxed him down to a walk. Circling him around, he rode back in Dave’s direction. Sweat was pouring down his face, but he waved his fist in a sign of victory.

Dave turned off the four-wheeler’s motor so as not to startle the horse any more than necessary. Gil, who was heading their way, slowed his speed and revved it way down, probably for the same reason.

“It’s okay,” Jordan called joyfully to Dave. “He’s deaf.”

Well, what do you think of that?Dave shook his head in amazement. “Why didn’t you tell me?”

Jordan shrugged as he brought the heaving horse to a halt in front of Dave. “Didn’t think it would matter to you.”

His words sent a wave of remorse through Dave. “Everything about you and Western Storm matters to me.”

Jordan glanced away from him. “Because of the case?”

“Because you’re my friend, bro.” Dave walked up to him and held out a hand. “I can understand your confusion, since I haven’t been that great of a friend lately.”

Jordan snorted as he clasped Dave’s hand. “You’ve been more a friend to me than anyone else, past and present.”

Gil, who’d killed his motor, strode up to them. “If you need to shed some bro tears, D-Dave, your man card is safe with me.”

“And me.” Jordan held out a fist to Gil, chuckling. “Thanks. Both of you.”

Gil fist bumped him. “That maneuver was all you and D-Dave. And this incredible fella.” He ran a hand down Western Storm’s nose. Then he produced a water bottle and twisted off the lid. Nudging the horse’s head higher, he poured it into his mouth.

Western Storm greedily lapped it up.

A thought struck Dave, making him yank his gaze back to Jordan. “You laughed,” he accused.

“I do that sometimes.” Jordan’s voice was dry.

Dave shook his head in puzzlement. “Nah, something’s different about you.” Way different.

Jordan was no longer avoiding his gaze or rocking back and forth while speaking to him. They were having a relatively normal exchange.

“It’s because I have Asperger’s Disease.” At Dave’s confused look, he explained. “It’s a very mild form of autism. A lot of us manage to lead fairly normal lives with it.”

Dave gave a snort of disbelief as the meaning of his friend’s words sank in. “You mean all that Forrest Gump stuff was…” He raised and lowered his hands helplessly. “Nothing more than an act?”

“Pretty much.” Jordan grimaced. “It was my dad’s idea.After we discovered how badly they were abusing the livestock at Horseshoe Valley Ranch, he thought it might protect me if everyone assumed I was disabled. Well,” he amended wryly, “more severely disabled than I actually am. Which they did.” His voice grew sad. “They blamed Dad for disrupting the gambling operation, not me. That’s why they…” He stopped and swallowed hard.

Dave averted his gaze while Jordan’s jaw worked with emotion. “I’m really sorry about the loss of your father.”

Jordan drew a heavy breath. “I’m the one who called all the reputable attorneys around Dallas to make it hard for my mom to use anyone local. Then I suggested getting in touch with you. Not directly, of course. I pretended to ramble about my high school days and made sure I mentioned my cool friend on the football team.” He smirked. “Who’d become a big honking lawyer.”

“Big honking.” Gil guffawed. “I’ll be sure to use that.”

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