Chapter 15

Shane motioned for the jeweler to bring out the last ring in the back of the display case.

“That’s an excellent choice, too, sir.” The gentleman placed it next to the other two on the glass counter. “I’m sure the lady would love any one of these.”

He wasn’t so sure. Would Allison even consider accepting it? Was asking her to marry him crazy? Too soon? There was only one way to find out.

The diamond solitaire flashed a spark of golden fire. It reminded him of the fire that often flashed in her eyes.

“Yes, this one.” He quelled any doubts this was a good idea.

“We will do free sizing, of course. Just have her come in at her convenience.”

Nodding, he paid for the ring and left the hushed quiet of the jewelry store for the brash busyness of the city street. To avoid any chance of word getting out, he’d traveled fifty miles from Silver Creek to make the purchase, much as Allison had told him she’d gone three towns over to learn she was to become a mother. How strange were the twists and turns of life?

Once back in his truck, Shane flipped open the ring box. He contemplated how he would ask Allison to be his wife, and how she might answer. And what about Lizzie’s response to it all? Was he a fool to even think they would want him as a permanent fixture in their lives?

He snapped the box shut and slipped it into his shirt pocket. Starting the truck, he cranked the radio up for the drive back, hoping it would drown out the questions and doubts whirling around in his brain.

****

Allison measured out the special feed she had mixed for the two black fillies. They still suffered the ill effects of being so severely malnourished, and she made sure to give them several smaller meals a day to help them overcome their sad start in life. The night she’d brought Starlight and Stardust home from the auction, she’d not been sure they would survive, but with tender loving care and the advice of Doc Brewster, she’d been able to bring them back from the brink. Their coats were beginning to take on a glossy sheen, and you could no longer count their ribs. Caring for them had certainly drained her bank account, but it had been more than worth it.

She’d brought them into the barn early to keep the other horses from trying to horn in on the feeding.

“Hey, girls,” she crooned, stopping to stroke their satiny necks and check them over for any signs they weren’t continuing to thrive. “How are things going? You’re mighty pretty today, you know.”

They nuzzled her and blew softly on her hands when she placed the pans in their stalls.

While they munched contentedly, she went back to filling hay nets for the rest of the horses so they would be ready when she brought them in from the pasture later. Thank goodness the last few nights had been quiet ones, with no loud neighs and stamping hooves to wake her at two a.m. Yet, she hadn’t slept well. Every night she’d been awakened by dreams; dreams that made her blush to remember them now. Dreams of Shane and her by the lake, and of the last time they’d been there, and the way they’d both been so desperate. How she’d wanted, needed, to talk, and he had hushed her with his kisses and whispers of how much he loved her. She’d believed him, and for a few shining moments had thought everything would be all right.

And then he’d left her.

Even in the dream, the pain and confusion over his leaving had ripped her heart in two, and her life had never been the same. In spite of his returning now, would the memories always come back to haunt her?

Can I trust him?

The question taunted her as she filled the grain buckets next. More than anything, she needed an ally in this fight to keep her business—her farm—safe, but did she dare put her faith in a man who had left her once before?

But he didn’t know about Lizzie—if he had, he never would have left.

Would he?

She pushed the thoughts away and stopped to brush a hand across her forehead. After a cool spell, the weather had turned warm again. The barn was quiet, except for the buzzing of a fly at the window and the fillies crunching their grain and swishing their tails. Shortly, she would bring the other horses in, and then she could call it a day. Her body was more than ready for that. A full schedule of lessons and regular chores had left her back aching and her brain turned to mush.

Something brushed up against her legs, and she jumped a little before looking down at one of the barn cats. “Priscilla, you do like to sneak up on me, don’t you?” She stooped to pet the tabby. “I’ve got some catnip treats I’ll bring down to you and Pouncer tonight after I—”

The tabby sprang away, and the hair on the cat’s neck stood up in tufts while her tail bristled like a bottle brush. She squeaked out a plaintive meow before dashing off to the hayloft.

Now what was that all about?

She shrugged and turned back to the grain bin. Cats were just weird sometimes.

“Mom! Mommy, come quick!”

Allison dropped the bucket of grain and tore out of the feed room. Mommy. Lizzie never called her that anymore unless she was scared or sick.

“Mommeeee! Hurry!” Her daughter’s frantic cry was followed by Gypsy’s frantic barking and Cayenne’s shrill whinny.

At the entrance of the barn Allison searched the round pen where she had left Lizzie riding her pony. It was empty.

“Lizzie, where are you? I thought I told you to stay in the—”

The words froze in her throat. Her daughter stood beside her pony, at the edge of the lane leading into the orchard, holding desperately to the little pinto’s reins. Cayenne seemed determined to break away, and the collie’s barking echoed from beyond the first row of gnarled trees.

“Mommy, help!”

She didn’t think she could move so fast, but in seconds, she reached them, grabbed the reins and Lizzie’s arm. Tugging at them both, she dragged the pony and her daughter back to the barn, sliding the big door shut behind them and latching it in place.

“But what about Gypsy? She ran into the orchard. Why?”

Lizzie tried to get past her, and she grabbed her again and moved in front of the door.

“I don’t know. Why were you over there? What happened?” Her daughter knew better than to leave the round pen when she was alone.

Beneath Allison’s hands, the slender shoulders trembled.

“I got tired and got off Cayenne and was leading him to the barn, and all of a sudden Gypsy took off, barking and growling. I went after her, to call her back, but then I heard something…a sound, like a…a…cry…or a scream.” Her teary gaze fixed on her mother’s face. “What is she after?”

“I don’t know.” Allison loosened her hold on her daughter. “But we’ve got to stay in here, until I do know.”

“But it might hurt her, and what about the horses?”

Allison’s blood chilled. If only she’d brought them all in when she fed the fillies, but it was still early.

Please, don’t let any of them be injured! Please keep Gypsy safe.

“Let’s put Cayenne in his stall.” She tucked the reins back in her daughter’s hand and urged her down the barn aisle, following behind. For the moment, she allowed the pony to go inside untacked. Feeling safe, Cayenne began to pull at his hay net.

Still shaking, Lizzie whimpered. “What are we going to do? And what did I hear out there?”

Allison clicked the stall door shut. “What did it sound like, what you heard?” She turned to her daughter to try and reassure her, but fear shone bright in Lizzie’s wet eyes.

“I-I don’t know. A scream, sort of. But different. What are we going to do?” She reached out and clutched Allison’s hand, sobbing softly.

“I’m not sure, honey, but it’ll be okay.” It has to be okay.

She squeezed Lizzie’s hand and kept hold of it as she went back to the barn entrance to peer out the side door window. A scream, sort of. Could it be? Could what Shane suspected be true?

Lizzie stood at her side, sniffling. “I wish my daddy was here.”

Did she mean Jason? After the confusion of the last few weeks, it would be normal for her to yearn for the man who had always kept her safe and protected. Allison had promised to do that when he’d died, and she’d managed alone for three years, but sometimes you had to admit when you needed help.

She patted the back pocket of her jeans. Thank goodness she hadn’t left her phone in the house. “I want you to take Cayenne’s saddle and bridle off and brush him down. Then give him his grain.”

“What are you going to do?” Her daughter swiped at her eyes, leaving a streak of dirt behind.

“I’m going outside for a minute. I’ll be fine. I’ll call Gypsy and see if she’ll come back.”

“But, Mommy…”

“Do as I say. Now go.”

She gave Lizzie a gentle push, and once she’d gone back to the pony’s stall, Allison slipped out the side door and glanced around to make sure the creature hadn’t come closer. Seeing nothing, she slowly edged to the corner of the barn. She’d just tugged the phone from her pocket when she heard a pitiful whine.

“Gypsy? Where are you?” Heart thumping, she scanned the yard and then rushed to the place where the collie sat, head low and body trembling. She dropped down and ran shaking hands over her fur. They came away sticky with blood.

“Oh my God, no.”

She searched the dog for the wounds and found them, several deep lacerations along her shoulder and near one ear.

Standing again, she scooped Gypsy into her arms, but just before she turned, she saw two emerald eyes staring at her from the shadows of the orchard. Fear like a strike of lightning numbed Allison for one second and then gave extra speed to her steps as she hastened back to the barn. Once safely inside, she met Lizzie’s shocked cries.

“What happened to her? Mom, she’s bleeding!”

“I know, honey, now get some towels and put them on the floor in the tack room.” I have to remain calm.

Lizzie did as she was told, and Allison laid the dog on them. She folded one of the towels and pressed it against the worst of the wounds to staunch the bleeding. Gypsy whined and licked her hand.

“It’ll be okay, girl,” she promised the collie. “We’re going to get you some help right now.” Heart racing, she turned to Lizzie. “I need you to stay here with her. Keep this towel pressed down and don’t let her get up if she tries.”

“But where are you going? Don’t leave us!”

“I won’t, but I need to get help. I need to call Shane, and I can’t always get a signal here in the tack room.”

But did she have her phone? Or had she dropped it outside? Her heart sank a little until she realized she had stuck it in her front pocket. Thank you! And thankfully the battery wasn’t on one percent as was usually the case. She hurried out to the main aisle of the barn and with shaking hands found the number he had put into her contacts and punched it in. After three rings, it went to his voicemail. Her heart pounded while she waited to leave a message.

“It’s me, A-Allison.” Her words tumbled out. “S-something’s happened here, at the barn. Can you come, now? Please? And…hurry.” She clicked off and went back to the tack room. Lizzie sat with the collie’s head in her lap, holding the towel to her shoulder with one hand and gently stroking her and murmuring soothing words.

“Did you talk to Doc? I don’t think she’s doing too good. What did this to her? Was she attacked?” Blue eyes swam with fresh tears.

“She was.” Allison dropped down beside them. “Did you see anything out there?”

“No, but I guess Gypsy did, before I heard that awful scream. I’m sorry, Mommy. I know I shouldn’t leave the round pen without you, but I just wanted to call her.”

Allison gave her daughter a swift hug and murmured, “It’s okay, baby,” before she checked the collie’s breathing and how badly the wounds were bleeding. They seemed to have stopped some, but she was still not in a good way.

Hurry, Shane!

“What did I hear? What did this to Gypsy?” Lizzie hiccupped and wiped her nose on her sleeve.

She stroked her baby girl’s braids to try to ease her fear. “I don’t know for sure, but I am sure it’s the same thing that’s been scaring the horses at night, and now I’ve got to go bring them all in.” Because whatever was stalking the farm must be desperate to come so close to people and to Gypsy.

“Mommy, no, don’t go out there,” Lizzie implored. “Please wait ‘til Shane gets here.”

“I can’t wait. I can’t chance any of them being attacked, too.” She handed her phone to Lizzie. “If he calls back, tell him what’s happened.”

Her daughter took it and without further argument curled closer to the collie lying so still. “I wish Shane was here,” she whispered. “Please make him be here.”

At the side door again, Allison spied the can of wasp spray she kept for those intruders. Would it work against this larger one, if she had to defend herself? Better than nothing. She grabbed it and opened the door. Again, she glanced about, her stomach churning with fear. What if Green Eyes was lurking nearby? What if…?

She clamped down on the thought and made a run for it. First, she closed the two gates that would keep the horses from running off and then sprinted toward the pasture. She was relieved to see the horses all standing at the gate. Thank goodness some of her boarders were off on the summer show circuit, so there were fewer horses to bring in. Usually, she had Gypsy to help herd them, but she was on her own tonight.

“Don’t give me any trouble, guys,” she warned them all, but tried to keep her voice calm. “Let’s just all go in for dinner like good little horsies.”

When she opened the gate, they tore off for the barn with no one trying to elude her. And then, before she could get back to the sliding door, Shane’s truck pulled into the drive, and he jumped out as soon as it rolled to a stop.

“What’s going on?” he called out but halted his steps to the barn when Major and Duncan ran past him. “How can I help?”

“Just…help me get them inside,” Allison puffed out. “They should go to their own stalls.” She saw him glance at the can of spray in her hand. “I’ll explain…once we’re inside. But it’s Gypsy that needs you. She’s hurt bad. Please hurry.”

Without waiting for further explanation, he slid the big door open, and the horses trotted in, each going to its own stall. More interested now in their dinner than whatever had spooked them, they were soon safely locked in and the door firmly closed.

Taking no time to catch her breath, Allison motioned to the tack room. “She’s in here, with Lizzie.”

He followed her in and went immediately to where the dog lay on the floor. Dropping down on his knees, he carefully took the towel from their daughter before addressing Gypsy. “What’s happened to you, old girl? Got yourself in a mess of trouble looks like. Let’s see if anything’s broken.” He ran his hands gently over the collie’s body, checking her legs and ribs. She whined softly but offered him no resistance. “Did you see what did this?” he asked under his breath.

She wouldn’t mention the green eyes, not with big ears listening. “No, but there was a sound, like a scream, Lizzie said.”

Watching Shane examine the wounds, Allison’s heart broke for the old dog’s pain. Gypsy had been with her since she was just a small puppy.

I can’t stand it if she dies like this.

“Has the bleeding stopped?” She crouched down by Lizzie, praying it really wasn’t so bad. “We tried to put pressure on it…”

“You did fine, and yes, it’s mostly stopped. I don’t feel any broken bones, but she’ll need x-rays to be sure, and stitches. Plenty of those. I’ll get her stabilized here, and then I’ll have to take her back to the clinic. Do you have a blanket I can wrap her in?”

“Lizzie, get the one I leave in the tack box.” The one she used when sitting up nights with a sick horse.

Probably glad for something to do that didn’t involve holding the now blood-soaked towel, her daughter scrambled to her feet. In the moments she was gone, Allison leaned over her dog and whispered words of encouragement. “Hold on, Gypsy-girl. You’ve got to hold on.” She swiped one hand over her eyes, hoping Shane wouldn’t see the sudden rush of tears. The steadying hand he placed on her shoulder gave her a squeeze.

“I’ll take care of her, Allie. I promise. I’ll do everything I can. But whatever this was…” He cut off when Lizzie returned with the blue fleecy blanket and helped carefully wrap it around Gypsy.

A short time later, while Allison scanned the path to the orchard for a glimpse of any movement, he carried the injured collie to his truck and secured her in the back seat. He came back to where Allison and Lizzie stood in the barn doorway. “Will you two be all right here? I just don’t feel good leaving when we don’t know what happened.” Darkness had fallen, but he leveled his gaze on her in the shadows, as if trying to determine if she knew more than she’d told him. “What are you afraid of?”

Glancing past him to make sure no eyes were glowing in the dark, she avoided the question. “We—we’ll be fine.” A nervous chill ran through her as, palms sweating, she had a second thought. Putting her arm around her baby girl’s shoulders, she felt her shiver in the night air. “I want you to go with Shane to the clinic. Take the kittens with you, because they’ll have to be fed soon.”

“Nooo, I won’t leave you here alone.” Lizzie violently shook her head. “I can’t…”

She turned her daughter to face her. “You can and you will. Gypsy needs you to help watch over her tonight, and I need to stay here to watch over the horses.” Over her shoulder she added, “Shane, please take her up to the house to get the kittens and their bottles and a change of clothes.” The terror in those young blue eyes was nearly palpable, and it tore at Allison’s heart, but she insisted, “Please, I need you to do this for me.” She turned from Lizzie and met Shane’s gaze, and read in it his reluctance to leave her.

“I don’t know if it’s a good idea, for you to stay here alone.” He motioned to his truck. “Just close up the barn and come with us. I can—”

She couldn’t let him know she was afraid and lifted her chin in a false act of being in charge. “I need to stay here. No arguments. Please, just go help my dog.”

After a second, he held his hand out to Lizzie. “We should go then. Gypsy needs to get to the clinic.”

Their daughter gave her one more pleading look before putting her hand in Shane’s. Allison watched, keeping guard, while the two climbed into the truck and drove up to the house, and didn’t tear her gaze away until they were safely gone. Then heaving a huge sigh, she went back into the barn. Before closing the door firmly behind her, she glanced to where she’d found Gypsy and then to the orchard beyond, to where she’d seen the glowing eyes.

Please don’t come back tonight. Please, just go away.

It would be a long night in the barn, alone with the horses, but it wasn’t anything she hadn’t done before.

After cleaning up the tack room, she did a stall check and found most of them dozing or at least standing quietly, watching her with their big, soulful eyes. She spoke to them all, giving out reassuring pats, and then dimmed the lights. She dragged out the folding lounge chair from the tack room and did her best to get comfortable. The night was warm, so she didn’t need a blanket, but curled there in the shadowy barn, she couldn’t help but shiver thinking about whatever had attacked Gypsy and been so close to Lizzie.

For the safety of them all, something had to be done to track the animal down.