Fractured Sky (Tattered & Torn #5)(32)

I studied the horse as she shifted, taking my measure. I sent silent messages that I would never hurt her and that I was on her side. But she didn’t approach.

Maybe she could still feel the anxiety of my earlier panic attack clinging to me. It sometimes took days for that frenetic energy to clear completely. I didn’t blame her for not wanting to approach. Yet, I couldn’t turn away.

Elliott scooted closer to the round pen’s fence as he looked up at the mare. “Is she gonna be okay?”

My heart clenched at the concern lining his little face. I rolled the words around in my mouth before speaking. I wanted to be cautious of the ones I chose, but I didn’t want to be dishonest with him either. Pretty lies only hurt more in the long run.

“She’s trying to figure out who she can trust. It’s going to take time.”

Elliott’s mouth thinned. “Dad was real mean to her. He never even let us name her.”

Nausea swept through me. “I know.”

“You guys will make her better. Aidan says Ramsey can do anything with horses.”

My insides warmed at the little boy’s certainty. “I’ve got a lot of faith in this beautiful girl. She’s got warrior spirit in her.”

The horse swished her tail as if relishing the compliment. I pulled a carrot out of my back pocket, slid my hand through the rails of the fence, and held it out to her.

The mare didn’t move. I simply kept my hand still and turned to Elliott. “You wanna go for a ride with me the next time you’re here?”

Elliott’s eyes brightened and then dimmed. He shuffled his feet. “I’ve only been once. I’m not that good.”

Anger lit in me that he’d never had the chance, despite growing up around the animals. Kenny Chambers’ horses had been too abused for Elliott to learn on, and I doubted Kenny would’ve taken the time to teach his son out of the goodness of his heart.

“We all start somewhere. One time, I didn’t check the girth and ended up under my horse. I bet you know enough not to do something silly like that.”

Elliott stifled a giggle. “What happened?”

“I had to put my hands on the ground and do a handstand to get down.” Thankfully, I’d been riding one of our oldest and calmest horses. He’d barely batted an eye at the ordeal.

Elliott toed a piece of gravel with his boot, and then his gaze traveled to where Ramsey and Aidan were bringing in some of the horses for the night. There was such longing in those eyes. A desire to be a part of it all. “I want to learn.”

“Then that’s what we’ll do.” As soon as the words were out of my mouth, I began second-guessing them. I hadn’t ever taught anyone anything. My words didn’t always come out right. But when I looked down at Elliott, I knew I had to try.

He sucked in a breath. “She’s coming.”

His words were barely audible, but I couldn’t hold in my smile. “She just needed to do things in her own time.” I understood that. The sensation of being pushed would only make us lock up.

I slowly turned my focus back to the ring. The mare moved at a snail’s pace, her eyes alert. Her coat reminded me of Ramsey’s eyes—so dark brown it was almost black. A glimmering onyx in the fading sunlight.

I held my hand steady, waiting.

She eased a little closer. Then a little more. Her lips reached for the carrot, the hairs on her muzzle tickling my palm. This time, she didn’t bolt after grabbing the treat. She stayed still as she ate it.

Progress. Hope flickered to life down deep. I slowly pulled my hand back and reached for another carrot. Sliding it through the rails, I waited. I hadn’t stretched my arm out as far this time.

The mare took another couple of steps and gobbled up the second carrot. She didn’t move away. I held out my hand for her to sniff again. This time, I gave the underside of her chin a gentle scratch.

She jerked her head away as if startled but didn’t bolt. I froze. After a few moments, she lowered her head to my hand. I tried the motion again, lightly scratching. Her lips twitched, but she didn’t pull away.

“That’s it. See? A little massage can feel good.”

Elliott giggled. “Her lips are dancing.”

They were, indeed, twitching in a rapid movement as I stroked her.

I grinned. “That means we found one of her favorite spots.”

“She’s starting to see it’s good here. She’s safe.”

Something cracked in me at that—the fact that Elliott could recognize the need for safety at his age. I looked down at him. “I think you’re right. This has been my safe place for a long time. Now, it’s hers, too.”

Elliott looked around at the ranch, a look of longing coming back into his eyes. “You’re both really lucky.”

We were, and I’d give anything for Elliott and Aidan to have the same thing.





I tipped the rocker back and forth as the sun slipped below the horizon. The mare nestled into the shelter connected to the round pen, but I sensed she watched me, too. I hoped there was a little more understanding. That we were beginning to weave the barest strands of trust.

“You’ve gotten farther with her than I have.”

Kai climbed the porch steps and made a beeline for me as his owner spoke. I lifted my gaze to Ramsey’s dark depths as my hands sifted through Kai’s fur. “What do you think about the name Onyx?”