Page 126 of Crystal Iris
“Are you sure? Johanna didn’t seem to want me around.”
“I don’t want to cut our time short. We only have a few weeks left until you go back to work.”
“When would you be leaving?”
“I need a day or two here to get a couple of things in order.”
“Let me think on it. Let me see how your sister takes the idea.”
Twenty-Seven
“It is the mystery that illuminates knowledge.” – René Magritte
Between wanting to see Mona, my duties with Broc, and needing time alone to think things through, I almost jump out of bed when the clock hits five. Hoyt is still sleeping. We talked for a while last night, until we both needed to rest. It was nice, sleeping in the same bed—even with the mountain of pillows between us.
I borrow a shirt from his closet and make my way to the stables, coffee in hand. I find Johanna by the fence.
“Hi,” I say, stopping next to her.
“Morning person?” she asks.
“I help with the horses in the morning.”
“How long have you and my brother been…?”
“Not long. We met last year, in Boston.”
“Boston?”
“Yeah, I teach there. I’m here just for the summer.”
Mona neighs loudly.
“I can’t believe he bought her. She must have cost a fortune,” Johanna says.
“It’s my fault.”
She turns to look at me.
“She was a gift,” I explain.
“He bought you a horse?”
“He did.”
“He bought you a white purebred horse?”
“I know, I thought it was crazy too.”
She really looks at me, like she’s seeing me for the first time. Our conversation is interrupted by Broc.
“Ready, Iris?”
I take another sip from my travel mug. “Ready.”
Broc and I are on hooves duty today. We check for wounds, stones wedged in the frog, and excessive growth or wear. Johanna moves along with us, inspecting each horse thoroughly.
“Why are you helping with the horses? You obviously don’t know what you’re doing. No offense,” she says.
