Page 119 of Saddles

Her belly seems bigger than the last time I saw her. I can’t imagine trying to carry twins in her tiny frame.

Dixon and Mason are seated at the large table, each nursing a cup of coffee, while Lori and Sophia set trays of heaping sausage and eggs in the center.

“Ford, April, good morning.” Mason raises his mug as a gesture of welcome. “Come on in and have a seat.”

I’m not sure that he means me. Ford said they needed to talk, so I slip my fingers from his hand and move towards the kitchen.

Lori tosses her potholder down to pull me into a hug. “Hi! How’s the gingerbread trail of getting all your paperwork going?”

“Pretty good. Still waiting on the last of a few things. I’ll have to go to campus to get a new picture taken for spring semester, but I’m not even sure if I’ll be going back this year.” I don’t wait to be directed, but pick up a basket of rolls that look like they’re destined for the table.

“Why not? I was looking forward to maybe seeing you there.” Sophia’s dark eyebrows raise as she tips the pan of scrambled eggs to dump onto a tray.

How do I tell her I’d rather run off to the cabin with Ford?

That I’m terrified to be alone?

Quitting school seems much less scary than running back into the monsters of my nightmares without Ford nearby.

As if Lori can read my thoughts, she leans closer while balancing a broad plate loaded with hashbrowns. “Always choose your heart,” she whispers with a wink, then turns to the dining room.

I think I love her.

Everyone starts picking their chairs, while Dixon stands and moves to Char.

“Come on, baby. Let me help you.” With ease, he pulls her upright, then scoops Paisley into his arms.

Her little face scrunches and she wiggles in his grasp to watch her horse toy fade into the distance. “Bye Falco.” She waves before settling onto her own seat at the table.

I think she’s grown too.

“Falco is the name of one of my newest colts,” Char says as she fixes a small plate for Paisley. “I haven’t seen her this attached to any of the others, so I might just have to keep him for her.”

“That’s my girl.” Sophia leans across the table to high five the three year old. “Us horse girls have to stick together.”

“I think Jack will be right there too. I had him up on Hank the other day, and he screamed like someone stole his birthday when I pulled him down.” Mason’s lopsided grin shows the hint of pride he feels for his son.

“We’re gonna need a herd of ponies for these kiddos soon.” Dixon shakes his head, but the corner of his mouth twitches his mustache. “Especially with three more on the way.”

Ford squeezes my thigh, but he doesn’t look at me.

What would it be like?

Mason scratches his jaw, glancing around the room. “I know I have a few more leaves for this big ass table. Might have to move the couches to make more room for everyone to fit.”

Lori pokes him in the ribs, then squints at him.

“Oh, hell. They’ll hear worse than that out in the cowpens.” He runs his fingers through his short hair making it spike ontop. “Anyways, speaking of cattle, we have some new crap going down.”

Ford stabs at his food as if it’s the culprit.

“Russ and Simon just about got trampled in a stampede in the south lot. There’s a new angle, whoever it is, they used drones to push the herd. I think they were aiming them towards that ravine at the end of the ridge.” Mason takes an angry bite of his biscuit and glances towards Ford. “We lost fifteen head,” he grumbles, then dips the bread into his yolk.

Ford grunts, and I can see the muscle of his cheek tighten. “Sounds familiar,” he says quietly.

A lead weight settles into my stomach, ruining my appetite.

It’s what Dave and Doug did.

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