Change Rein (Willow Bay Stables #1)(36)

He lowers his head, one of his front legs starting to bend.

“No!” I shout, stepping into the stall. “You can’t lie down. We have to go!”

Large eyelids flutter open and closed, and there’s a wheeze in his chest as he continues to sink onto his front knees.

“Please!” I yell, wrapping my arms around his neck and pulling upward.

Nothing.

He won’t move.

“I can’t leave you,” I sob, putting my entire body weight into lifting his. “Get up! Achilles, please! Get up!”

His back legs start to buckle, and my heart breaks when I have to let go of him. His body falls to the side, nothing but his chest rising and falling.

My legs finally give out, and I sink slowly into the sawdust, my bare knees not even slightly protesting at the ground. “Achilles,” I sob, crawling towards him.

The sawdust around his nose flutters, his shallow breaths barely audible in the chaos.

Flattening my palm across his neck, I pet him slowly. “I really need you to get up, buddy, okay?” I bargain with him. The wetness from my eyes stains his beautiful coat.

My other hand rubs down his forehead, his eyes closing from the touch.

“I love you, Chil.” I lean down, whispering into his ear. “I can’t go without you. Please.” I don’t even know who I’m begging now—if it’s him or God.

His breathing seems to be getting worse, and his body is so hot—too hot. After crawling towards the wall, I use it to help myself stand. After unlatching the water bucket hanging on the far side, I bite my lip as I use what strength is left in my body to carry it to him.

Kneeling down behind him, I rest the bucket on the floor. Then I scoop the water and pour it over his neck. “Does that feel good, buddy?” My voice is choppy, and my nose is running from crying heavily.

I keep pouring the water over his chest, on his neck, and down the length of his back. As I dip one hand in the water and rub the coolness over his muzzle, I lay my head down on his neck, my tears pouring freely into his mane.

“I can’t lose you.”

He lifts his head, and my heart pounds in anticipation. But just as quickly, he lets it fall back down to the floor. I don’t think my heart can take a break like this.

Sitting up, I pull on his neck with all of my might. “Get up, damnit!” I scream at his closed eyes. “I will never forgive you for this, Achilles! Please!”

The only indication that he’s heard me is the small twitch in his ears.

“Somebody help us!” My strangled pleas ricochet off the walls.

I’m not sure how much time has passed since I came downstairs, but the smoke is getting heavier and my lungs burn. Fire’s breathing down the doorstep of the stall, and I know I can’t leave now, even if I wanted to. The aisleway is completely engulfed in flames. I’d never make it, even if I could bring myself to leave him.

I curl up next to his body, one hand never ceasing the stroking over his neck and sweet face. “Just you and me, Chil. Forget the rest,” I say, repeating the last thing I said to him before we entered the ring in Greece, and hold him tight.

My eyes start to flutter, and I think of him, of Branson, my love. If I die today, I’ll die knowing what it feels like to love and be loved, and that makes all the difference. I was blessed.



“London!”

Bang. Bang. Bang.

“London!”

Willing my eyes open, I cough until I’m certain my lungs will spill out of my mouth.

“Yes?” I croak, looking around wildly but coming up short.

“London!”

Daddy? “I’m here,” I try to yell, but it barely comes out a whisper. After scooping my hand into the last bit of the water, I swallow it, clearing my throat. “I’m here!”

“Are you okay? The doors are chained shut. We can’t get in.” His voice is strained.

Once again, the tears come easily. “I’m fine,” I call through the barn siding. “Daddy, Chil won’t get up. Something’s wrong with him.”

The sounds of multiple raised voices are muffled, but Daddy’s is clear. “We’re going to try to cut through the wall, honey. Is there something you can use to cover yourself up?”

Looking around, I struggle to focus my eyes, but eventually, they land on Achilles’ flea blanket.

“I’ve got a blanket!” I holler back to the wall as I tug it down.

“I need you to keep your back to the outside wall and put that over you, okay, sweet girl?”

I nod to myself before realizing he can’t see me. “Okay.”

After dragging the blanket, I pour what’s left in the water bucket over it. Then I drape it over my shoulders and spread my arms open like wings to cover as much of Achilles as I can.

“Tell me when you’re ready.”

After pressing a soft kiss to Chil’s neck, I call out to Daddy, “I’m ready.”

Something loud rings out—a chainsaw?—and I force my eyes shut as the harsh sound ripples around me.

How long we wait like that, I have no idea. But, eventually, an engine revs before a loud breaking sound, which are followed by a huge rush of cool air. Too scared to move, I stay still, my head resting on Achilles’ body.

“London.” Daddy’s voice envelops me.