Page 58 of Cowboy Stole My Heart
“Look, it’s hard to know,” Tina replied as she worked over his hindquarters. “From what I can feel already, we’ve got something deep going on in his back end, and if he’s out in other places and has been for years? It could be that he gets worse before he gets better; then again he might feel relief. I’ll do my best today, and follow this up with the cold laser therapy, and that should definitely provide some pain relief. But I’m warning you that he may need treatment over a long period of time if the issues are as deep as I suspect they are.”
Mia traded glances with Sam and then watched Tina work. It took an hour for her to finish, and Mia noticed she had a bead of sweat across her forehead from the physical work. Within moments she’d retrieved the case she’d been carrying and was holding a machine, which Mia guessed was the cold laser. It was something she’d read about but not seen used before.
“I’d usually alternate treatments, but given the state of this horse and the fact he’s been sedated, I think we’re better to do as much as we can today to help him.”
Tex had moved a little, less floppy looking than he’d been before, but the moment Tina put the machine on his hindquarters, the area she’d flagged as a potential problem, the horse’s bottom lip hung down again, the ultimate sign of relaxation. Mia didn’t doubt he was enjoying it.
“I love this treatment because the horses respond so well,” Sam told her, voice low as he stroked Tex’s neck.“My old mare just stands there, no need to even head collar her, she’s so relaxed having the treatment done. This could be a breakthrough for this one.”
“I hope so,” she answered, watching still, hoping and praying that this was the miracle they needed. Because time was fast running out.
Once the laser treatment was finished, Mia let Sam walk Tina out and she stood and stared at the stallion. She’d done everything she could, she knew that, but giving up on him would be heartbreaking, and no matter what anyone said, it was a promise she’d made that she didn’t ever want to break.
“What are you thinking about?” Sam asked, surprising her, his arms looping around her from behind. She grinned when he rested his chin to the top of her head, making her feel ridiculously short beside him.
“Just about Tex. I really hope it works for him.”
“Me too,” Sam said, and she knew he meant it. He was already seriously invested in the horse, and she doubted he’d like to admit defeat with any project. “What do you say to dinner tonight? I hear there’s this little Tex-Mex place not far from here.”
Mia leaned back against him, his face now beside hers as she snuggled into him. “Been doing some research have you?” she asked.
Sam laughed. “Actually I was just thinking it’d be nice to take you out instead of you having to cook. What do you say?”
“I say that sounds fantastic,” she said honestly, spinning in his arms. “And if you want to feed my horses for me while I go make myself look beautiful, that’d be even better.” Mia gave him a quick kiss then broke free from his hold, walking backwards.
“Hey, isn’t that what grooms are for?” he grumbled.
She grinned. “Don’t have one. Sorry!”
Sam was grinning straight back at her as she left him to do her chores for her, knowing he wouldn’t mind throwing her horses their hay. Especially if it meant not having to sit on her sofa waiting for her to get ready to go out.
