“It wasn’t my fault,” Jake said as he stumbled up to Madison and bent. He coughed and spat and sucked in hurried breaths.
“Stand straight and breathe deeply. It helps.” Madison was brushing down Draco, her blackest and wildest gelding.
Jake hesitated but then did as instructed. He even raised his arms. “Aunt Grace, she woke up so late I hardly had time to eat. I had to eat my cereal in the car.”
“I suppose you want me to pity you, then? Feel badly?”
He looked appalled. “Well, just know it wasn’t my fault.”
“I think some of it was.”
“What?”
He reached up and tried to pet Draco, but the gelding turned his head.
“You need to be responsible for you, Jake. As a young man.”
“But I—”
“That means setting your own alarm, making sure you have the proper clothes ready, making your own lunch, and getting your own water. You don’t need to wait for your aunt.”
“She always wakes me up.”
“But she’s late. So take responsibility for yourself and take care of it. Do it all yourself. You’re well old enough.”
“What if she’s still late?”
“Wake her up. Help her out.”
He crossed his arms. “I shouldn’t have to.”
“She shouldn’t have to do those things for you either, but she does. She does it because she loves you.”
“She does not. I’m just a burden. A thorn in her ass.”
“I’m not going to pity you, Jake. And you owe me a lap for cursing.”
He stomped his foot and stifled another curse.
“Do yourself a favor, Jake. Do the things I told you to do. Get up on your own and get ready. It will help your aunt out, and if she’s late again we’ll talk, okay?”
“Yeah.”
“What?”
“Yes, ma’am.”
“Go do that lap and then help Michael.”
“I gotta do the shit chores again?”
“That’s another lap.”
He sauntered off, mumbling.
Madison fit a bit into Draco’s mouth and harnessed him with a rein. He fought at first like he always did but eventually calmed enough to be led from the stables. The sun was starting to shine brightly as she walked him into the main pen. Two of her more seasoned boys were waiting, watching her closely. Marv was also there, leaning on the rails.
“He’s a real looker, that wild one.”
“Yes, he is,” Madison said. “Too bad he’s not well behaved.” She stopped with the horse in the middle of the pen. “Okay, boys, watch closely. We’re going to continue working with Draco today. I’m going to run him for a little while and then one of you can.” In the distance she saw Jake approach, sweat covering his face. He’d just finished running and was interested in watching. She couldn’t afford to give him that luxury, though.
“Marv, will you show Jake where Michael is?”
“Sure thing.”
“Can’t I watch? Just for a little while?”
“Not now, Jake. You’ve got chores.”
“Why aren’t they doing their chores?”
Draco pulled away from his loud voice, and she calmed him. “First of all, Jake, I don’t have to answer to you. Secondly, these boys did their morning chores while you were busy running. Thirdly, they’ve earned the right and learned the ability to be able to work with this horse. One day you may too. But you better start with minding me and doing your chores without whining and questioning.”
“Come on, Jake.” Marv led him away, but not before Madison caught the angry and embarrassed look on his face. The boy was going to be hard to break. More so than Draco.
She ticked at Draco and got him started. She first led him into a walk around her and then eventually into a trot. She checked out his form, his muscles, and his movements. He looked gorgeous with the sun shining off his inky skin. He truly was a beautiful horse. But then he started fighting her, tugging a little here and there. Once she had him straightened out again, she stopped and called in the boys. One at a time she let them try, with her right there next to them. Two weeks ago it would’ve been impossible, but Draco had come along well with his training. He allowed both boys to run him for about a minute before he started acting up, at which point she took the rope. She ran him some more, instructing the boys and talking to Draco, ticking at him and giving him praise. When she finished she allowed the boys to help again, this time simply walking him around the pen. He’d worked up a good sweat and he needed calming and cooling down. Then she’d let the boys brush him and feed him and allow him to graze for a while. It was good therapy for both Draco and the boys. Horses had a way with people. A way she couldn’t quite explain with words. It was the same with dogs. Hers rose as she headed to the side porch for some water. They followed with the exception of Lila, who stayed near the stables, keeping everyone in her sight.
Madison settled in for some water from the big serving cooler. She went over Jake’s file in her mind. There wasn’t much she didn’t already know, and most of his criminal record wasn’t on hand. But the judge had provided her with enough to work with. He had been neglected by his mother, who was addicted to drugs. His aunt had intervened and gained temporary custody about six months ago. Truancy was his main issue, along with a brief scuffle with the law.
Grace Hollings was an attorney, and a good one, based on the website she’d checked out. She was also in way over her head with Jake, and Madison was finding it more and more difficult not to talk to her about it. She could see her sinking and wondered how much she did indeed care. How hard was it to get up a little bit earlier to make sure Jake got here on time? Did she think her excuses would get him off? She made a note to talk to her about it again this evening. She’d seen this behavior in other parents, but from Grace it annoyed her more. Was it because she was beautiful? Or because she was so self-righteous?
Her beauty did have its advantages. Madison had caught herself looking today and she was still upset over it. But the dark purple suit with the gray blouse had really set off Grace’s hair and skin, and Madison wanted to drink her like a tall glass of water and just stare at her for a long, long while, looking at those long, long legs in those heels, wondering what was underneath the suit—
She shook her from her mind and looked over her clipboard. So far they were set for the week. No new horses and no new kids. At least not so far. But calls came in at all hours when it came to the horses. And new boys were always being sentenced, either by their parents or the courts. She preferred to start them on Mondays but had made exceptions before.
A loud horse whinny startled her from her seat. She flew to the edge of the deck as it continued, followed by shouts and galloping chaos. She jumped the deck and headed for the main pen looking for the boys and Draco. But neither was there. She followed a huge mass of floating dust to where three of them stood along with Marv.
“He’s gone off on Draco!” Marv said.
“Who?”
“Jake!”
Marv ran to give chase as she caught sight of boy and horse rounding the stables. “Oh God.” Jake was bouncing, barely hanging on, and Draco started to buck. She took off at a sprint just as Jake was thrown from the horse. Draco continued on at a mad bucking, wild pace, but at least he cleared the boy. She shouted at Bobby as he ran out from the stables, arms and hands wet from bathing Mazey. “Go get Draco! He’s loose.”
Marv reached Jake first and when she came up on them, she knelt and told him not to move.
“His arm,” Marv said. “Says it’s broke.”
“Jake? Jake, can you talk to me?” She heard him sobbing. “Jake, are you all right?”
“No.”
“What hurts?”
“My arm.”
“Anything else?”
“I don’t know. My wrist is killing me.”
“Does your back hurt? Your neck?”
“No.”
“Well, lie still. I need to get EMS out here.”
“What? No!”
He rolled over and stood despite Marv trying to hold him down. “You call the hospital and I’ll run off right now.”
He held his wrist in his right hand, tears streaking his dirty face.
“Jake, we have to call. And we have to call your aunt too.” She nodded at Marv, who moved away to make the call. “But don’t worry about that. Come on. Let’s get in the shade over on the patio.” The other boys caught up, curious and frightened.
“He’s okay. He’s okay.” She placed a hand on his shoulder and led him across the ranch. The boys followed along with the dogs. Lila was panting, having chased Draco and Jake as they rounded the stables. Madison scratched her head and eased Jake down into a chair. His body shook and his brow was bleeding. The rest of him looked to be intact. Filthy but intact.
“Man, that was crazy,” one of the boys said.
“Yeah, killer crazy. The way you took off on him. No saddle or nothing!”
Madison turned with a stern look. “Go on back to your duties.”
“Yes, ma’am.” They walked away slowly, some slapping their hats on their thighs. She saw Bobby round the corner with another staff member. They had Draco in tow and were checking him over for injury. He seemed to be okay, but he needed to walk and calm down. She was glad to see Bobby take him back to the pen to do just that.
She pulled a chair up next to Jake and touched his shoulder. He was still trembling, but he jerked nevertheless.
“Jake?” She turned his chin. “Jake, look at me.” She was speaking softly. “Tell me how you are. Does your head hurt?”
“No.” But then he flinched when he touched his brow. “I don’t know.”
“Can I ask you something?”
He turned away. “You’re gonna yell at me. Or make me run. Well, I can’t run.”
She shook her head and laughed softly. This caused him to turn back. “You mean you’re not mad?” he said.
“No, I’m not mad.” She’d had boys cause more ruckus than this little episode. She just hoped Jake and Draco would be okay.
“How come?”
“I was scared, Jake. Scared for you, scared for my horse. Looks like you took the worst of it, though.”
“That makes you happy? That I got hurt and he didn’t?”
Whoa. This kid really felt unloved and unworthy.
“No. I’m glad you’re both relatively okay. Even though you’re the one who chose to do this. Draco sure didn’t.” She couldn’t let him off the hook.
He licked his lips and stared at his boots. “What did you want to ask?”
She sat back and crossed her legs. “Why did you do it?”
He breathed deeply and she was relieved to see that he didn’t seem to have any rib pain. She also didn’t notice any knots on his head. His arm, best she could make out, was either sprained or fractured. There were no cuts or protrusions. Just the one on his brow. It would need a butterfly bandage or a few stitches, but so far he didn’t seem seriously injured.
“I got upset.”
“Why?”
“Because I had to run, like, five freaking miles and then I had to clean up shit. It isn’t fair!”
“It is fair, Jake. Those are the rules. Dozens of boys just like you have had to follow them and they didn’t like it either at first. But the rules are there for a reason. They keep us safe and they keep us responsible.”
He didn’t seem to like her answer.
“You see Bobby over there?”
He nodded while playing with his sore wrist.
“He came here about six years ago. Court ordered, just like you.”
“Really?” He studied him.
“Yes, and let me tell you, he hated it here. With a capital H. I won’t tell you all he did, but he wasn’t a fan of the rules and he ran so much he lost ten pounds in two weeks.”
“What happened? I mean, why is he here now?”
“Because he grew to love it. We got Mazey when he was here and he just fell in love with her and she with him. They helped each other heal and he never looked back. He graduated from high school and came to me and asked if he could volunteer. He did so well I took him on.”
“I don’t think I’m going to love it.”
She laughed again. “Never say never, Jake. Not around here.”
“Have other boys loved it? I mean, I know your two favorites do.”
“My favorites?”
“The ones with Draco.”
“They earned that spot, Jake. The work you’ve done? Multiply it by twenty and add about four more miles.”
“You don’t like them better?”
“No. I don’t have favorites. I have workers. I have boys who need help. I have horses who need help too. Mix it all together and that’s what I focus on. When the boys listen and help and do as they are told, I appreciate it. They get to spend more one-on-one time with the horses, which benefits the both of them.”
“How can a horse help me?” He flinched as he moved his arm.
“You wait and see.”
“What about Draco?”
“What about him?”
“Can I work with him?”
“Maybe.”
“He’s cool. I like him.”
“What about that colt?”
He shrugged. “He’s okay. He’s cute.”
“Marv thinks you did well with him.”
“I didn’t do anything special.”
“Someone say my name?” Marv asked as he stepped out of the house. He touched Madison on the shoulder. “EMS should be here soon. His aunt’s on her way. She didn’t sound too happy.”
“By the time she gets here he’ll be gone.”
“I told you I’m not going to any hospital!” He tried to stand, but Marv helped him remain with a gentle push on his shoulders.
“There, there. No one said anything about a hospital, okay?” he said, giving Madison a concerned look.
“You may need stitches, Jake. And that arm needs an x-ray.”
“I said no! I just want Aunt Grace to get here.” He dissolved into sudden tears.
“She said she’s not too far out. Was out meeting witnesses or clients or something.”
Madison rose and covered him with a light blanket. She too touched his shoulder. He jerked, but only from his desperate-sounding sobs. Why didn’t this kid want to go to a hospital? She leaned forward and placed her hand over his. He continued to cry for a few more minutes, eventually moving his hand away and quieting. Around them, the ranch carried on. Birds sang, boys called out, and horses grazed in the pens. Jake watched through watery eyes until eventually Marv pointed.
“Here comes EMS,” he said, looking beyond her. Madison followed his line of sight and saw the ambulance working its way up the trail, lights on with no sound. Jake stood and began to pace.
“I’m not going. I’m not going.”
“Jake, just let them take a look at you, okay?” She had to calm him down. He looked to be in fight-or-flight mode and he was in no condition to do either.
“They’re gonna take me. They’re gonna take me without Aunt Grace and she’ll never find me. She’ll never find me!”
“Jake, Jake, shh, it’s okay.” She tried to touch him again, but he slinked away from her.
Marv’s face fell as he met Madison’s eyes. Something was wrong, and they both felt helpless.
“Jake, we won’t let them take you anywhere until your aunt gets here,” he said.
Jake turned on him quickly with wild, desperate eyes. He reminded Madison so much of Grace it nearly took her breath away. The doe eyes, the shimmering light hair. And that look…so intense and seeking. She cleared her tight throat and agreed. “That’s right. We’ll just let them look at you. No one goes anywhere until your aunt gets here.”
“You’re lying,” he said.
Marv held up his hands. “We don’t lie.”
“It’s a rule, remember?” Madison reminded him.
Jake looked to the patio floor, then back up. “Swear?”
“On my daddy,” Marv said. “Here, we’ll shake on it.” He held out his right hand and Jake released his injured arm to shake limply.
The ambulance tires cracked on the gravel drive, coming to a stop very close to them. Jake’s shoulders fell as if in defeat. He looked like a hunched, blanketed bag of bones. Helpless. It tugged at Madison’s heart despite his attitude of indifference and defiance. The boy was hurting, inside and out, and it was plainly obvious now.
“This our guy?” a man asked, crawling from the vehicle. A built woman followed, immediately homing in on Madison.
“Yes, sir,” Marv said. “This is Jake.”
“Hey there, Jake,” the man said, snapping on gloves as he entered the patio. “I hear you took a spill off a horse.”
Jake nodded but refused to meet his gaze.
“Will you come sit over here for me?”
The woman came as well and carefully removed his blanket. She was thick with muscle and had short, curly brown hair. Her skin and face had seen the sun for many years.
Madison assumed she was gay just by the looks the woman kept giving her. Brief glances here and there to size her up, a small smile. She wasn’t unattractive but she wasn’t Madison’s type. She was, however, very good with Jake, taking his vitals and asking him questions. Both examined him completely and he yelped when they looked at his arm. And when they mentioned taking a ride to the hospital for x-rays and a CT scan of his head, he bolted upward again.
Madison had to explain. “We’re waiting on his aunt for that decision.”
“Where is she?” the woman asked, looking to Madison.
“She’s on her way.”
“We can’t wait too long,” the man said.
“Can you bandage up that brow and splint his arm in the meantime?”
The woman smiled. “Sure. Ms.?”
“Clark.”
“Sure thing, Ms. Clark.”
They retrieved supplies from the back of the ambulance and set to work on Jake. As they were splinting his arm, Madison heard the sound of the Mercedes engine gunning. Tires kicked and spat and Grace flew onto the drive like a stunt driver. All heads turned to look as she climbed from the car and tried her best to run in her heels toward the patio.
“What the hell happened?” she demanded, whipping off her sunglasses. “What the hell was he doing on a wild horse?” She glared at Madison and scurried quickly to Jake. “You’re supposed to take care of him!” She held his face. “Oh my God, oh my God. You’re bleeding and—” She saw his arm. “Is your arm broken?” She turned to Marv. “You said he wasn’t seriously hurt! Just what the hell kind of show are you running here?” The question was aimed at Madison, who burned with anger. It was understandable for Grace to be upset, but to place blame right away without knowing the whole story? Madison fought remarking in return and instead clenched her jaw tightly shut.
“We don’t think he’s seriously hurt,” said the female EMT, seeming to pick up on the tension. “We just want to take him in to be sure. He probably needs some stitches and he needs his arm and head looked at just to be safe.”
“Stitches? His arm and head? Sounds pretty damn serious to me.”
“Standard procedure with this type of fall.”
“I’m sorry. Who are you?”
“Wy.”
“Wy?”
“As in Wynona.”
“Oh, well, thank you, Wy, but I’ll take it from here.”
“You’re going to take him in yourself?”
“Please, Aunt Grace, no. I don’t want to go.”
“Yes, I’ll handle it.”
He began to tremble again.
“Shh, shh. We’ll talk about it.”
“We’re going to need you to sign something, then. I’ll get the papers while Henry bandages up that wound.” Wy headed back to the ambulance.
“You really should take him in,” Marv said softly.
“You think?” Grace shot back. “Thank you very much, but I know how to care for my nephew.”
“No, Aunt Grace. Don’t make me go.”
“Baby, you have to.” She squeezed his uninjured arm. “I’ll be right there with you, I promise.”
“You won’t leave my side?”
“No, of course not.”
“Not even for a second?”
“No.”
“And I won’t get lost? And they won’t do to me what they did to Mom?”
Grace fell to her knees. “No, they won’t.”
“Actually, if they take him for x-rays and scans, you probably won’t be able to go in with him,” Henry said somberly.
Grace glared and Jake started up again. “Aunt Grace!”
“She can go with him,” Madison said, stepping forward. “I’ll call ahead and make sure.” She had a connection or two at the local hospital. She’d make sure he was well cared for, along with Grace. It was the least she could do to make sure he actually went to get examined.
Jake grew quiet and whispered something to Grace. Marv shifted and eyed Madison as if he’d heard.
“No. Out of the question,” Grace said.
“Then I don’t want to go!”
“Jake, stop this. You’re going. I will take you and I won’t leave you.”
“I want her to come too. Ms. Clark.”
“Well, she can’t.”
“Why not?”
“Why do you want her to go?”
“Because she—I trust her.”
Grace went slack as if the wind had been knocked from her.
“I won’t go without you and her both.”
Madison wanted to walk away. She was feeling so many things from anger to confusion to worry about imposing. She’d been by her boys’ sides before with injuries, but it was obvious Grace didn’t want her around. This felt more like a family issue, and Jake was not hers.
“That’s it for us, then,” Henry said, putting away his gear.
“If you’ll just sign here.” Wy handed a clipboard to Grace, who signed quickly. Then Wy approached Madison and spoke softly.
“If you want I can call ahead too. Let the ER know you’re coming. I know some of the nurses.”
“Excuse me,” Grace said rising. “If you’re talking about my nephew, I’d prefer it if you speak to me.”
“I was just offering to call ahead to some of the nurses I know.”
“That won’t be necessary.”
“Okay, then.” She shrugged and slipped Madison a business card. “Just in case.” She smiled apologetically. “Or if you need anything else. My cell’s on there.” She nodded at Grace and followed Henry to the ambulance. They climbed in and drove away slowly.
Jake stood and walked surprisingly fast directly up to Madison. “Please come with me. I’ll feel safer.”
“Jake,” Grace said. “Jake, don’t put her in this position.”
“Please, Ms. Clark. I know you won’t let them hurt me.”
“I can’t promise that, Jake,” she whispered, wishing she could.
“See?” he said to Grace. “She’s real with me. I trust her. With both of you there I’ll feel better. Please, Ms. Clark.”
Tears welled in his eyes. Those familiar brown eyes. Two pairs boring down on Madison.
She sighed and looked to Marv. He nodded once and headed back toward the stables.
“Okay.”
Grace nervously tucked loose strands of her hair behind her ears.
Jake tried not to sob. “Thank you.”
“We’d better get going,” Madison said. She cleared her throat again, trying not to let the boy’s emotion get to her. He was more vulnerable and sensitive than she’d ever considered, and his tears and pleas had tugged on her heart. “I’ll follow you.”
She rounded the house to her own private drive and climbed up into her dually truck. The keys were always in the visor so she caught them in midair and started the engine. By the time she backed out and reached the driveway, the Mercedes was well ahead of her, kicking up dirt as usual.
“What am I doing?” she asked, shaking her head. “What am I doing?”