Page 50 of Here With Me
I’m heading over now to collect my payment.
Landen
Me too. Be there in 5!
Waylon
I’m at The Lodge so bring MY payment over here.
Wilder
I’m coming to get my payment from Mr. Farrier himself.
Asshole.
Noah
I hate y’all. Fuck off.
Then I leave the group chat.
“His stall is good,” Ayden says, pushing out the wheelbarrow. “I cleaned every inch. No nails.”
“That’s a relief. Thank you.”
I walk back to Ellie and Ranger. Fisher’s working on his other hoof while the infected one soaks in a bucket.
“How’s the rest of him?” I ask.
“Fine so far,” Fisher says, carefully taking his time.
Ellie clings to Ranger, rubbing her hand up and down his neck.
“His stall is good to go, so I’m gonna meet my brothers at the trainin’ center and look around.”
“Sounds good.”
“I’ll let ya know if I find anythin’.” I wrap an arm around her shoulders and squeeze. Then I rub my palm over Ranger’s nose. “You’re doin’ great, buddy.”
Landen and Tripp walk in at the same time I do.
“Well, you look normal,” Landen teases, pretending to check over me. “What’s goin’ on?”
Tripp chuckles, removing his ball cap and brushing a hand over his sweaty dark hair.
I explain the situation and tell them we need to cover every inch of the center to make sure there aren’t more.
“Got it.” Landen gives me a firm nod. “I’ll grab the rakes.”
“And while y’all are here, stock up the TP in the bathrooms!” I call out, and they both laugh.
Within ten minutes, Tripp’s calling out for me and shows me a few more nails he’s found.
“What the fuck?” I take them. “We don’t use this kind. Where are they comin’ from?”
“No idea. But it looks like they were planted.”
“What do ya mean? Who’d do that?” I ask, furrowing my brows.
