Page 119 of Crystal Iris
“It was fun. Broc showed me around Crewneck town.”
“He took you to Crewneck?” Hoyt asks, surprised.
“Yeah, I told him I’d already seen Whitefish.”
“What’s in Crewneck?” I ask, wiping my mouth.
“Bars,” they both reply at the same time.
I laugh.
“We played pool, won a few drinks,” she tells us.
“Broc sucks at pool,” Hoyt says, opening another bottle.
“I don’t,” Akira says.
I chuckle.
Akira goes upstairs with her journal to work on her theory, and I follow Hoyt to the window to watch the rain come down. He’s switched to scotch.
“Are you okay?” I ask him. I look him in the eye, not shying away from what his gaze makes me feel.
“Just tired,” he tells me, looking out.
“I heard about the new horse,” I say, following his gaze.
“Tomorrow’s an exciting day for all of us.” He turns around and lies down on the lounging chair. He closes his eyes, and I wish I could go over and kiss him. Perhaps, if I could, I would have.
“Can’t wait. Good night,” I say, walking away.
Twenty-Six
“I never paint dreams or nightmares. I paint my own reality.” – Frida Kahlo
I’m brushing Jet when Hoyt shows up at the barn.
“Morning.” I lift my gaze to him. He’s extremely sweaty, his gym clothes tight against his skin.
“Hi.” Before he can say anything else, I hear a truck coming down the road.
I walk out with Hoyt to see if it’s the delivery truck. We’re all here. Even Akira has woken up early to meet the rare breed.
The large vehicle opens its back door, and my mouth drops. The horse isn’t just white; it’s radiant. Without a doubt, the most beautiful horse I’ve ever seen. The animal’s blue eyes lock onto mine, and my prism pulses. I move to pet it.
“What do you think?” Hoyt asks, moving his hands through the horse’s mane.
“I’ve never seen anything like it. He doesn’t look real.”
“It’s a she.”
“Where did you find her?”
“I know a few breeders.”
“Broc said she isn’t a racehorse, though.”
“No, she’s not. I got her as a gift.”
