Santa's Daughter (1st bk of Santa Series) (Completed)

Chapter 25 (Edited)

I moved a hand across his neck, frowning when I saw how much dirt and hair came off. "You're going to need a good bath," I muttered, causing Cooper to turn his head and look at me. "I mean, look at this." I showed him my hand where some of his fur had came into my hand. "It's all matted and gross."

Copper snorted and bobbed his head up and down as if he was agreeing with me. He flicked his tail to the side before nuzzling my shoulder. Trust and hesitation filled his eyes, and I knew that he was going to have to get used to me looking the way that I did.

"Still talking to animals, I see," a deep voice said, causing me to turn that way. Big Henry stood at the stall door, leaning against it. He watched me, a smile on his face. "I am glad."

I ducked my face, feeling a blush on my cheeks. "Ya, I know that I do that a lot," I muttered, patting Copper's neck. "At least I didn't sing like I did that one time."

Big Henry nodded his head and chuckled. He opened the stall door, causing Cooper to flinch and back up. "Easy there, Boy," he crooned. "I'm not going to hurt you." He glanced at me. "Here, Mary take the rope and rope him up. I'm sure that your mother is done by now."

I nodded and walked forward and grabbed the rope from him. "All right, I said. I grabbed the halter and lead before putting it onto him. "Now, don't try to fly away or do anything like that," I mumbled. "I have a life here, and I want to keep it as long as I am able to."

Copper nuzzled my shoulder and nodded his head. I could see understanding in his eyes, and I was grateful that he knew that I loved my life. He followed me out of the stall and stuck close to my shoulder while he looked around at everything.

"Quite a horse you got there," Big Henry mused, causing me to nod my head. "Do you think he'll be a jumper?"

"I think so," I replied. "I mean, he looks like he has the stamina as well as the agility of the jumper."

Big Henry nodded his head. "Well, I guess that will work," he said. He moved a hand through his hair and glanced at my phone when it started to ring. "Someone is busy," he teased, causing me to roll my eyes.

I took my phone out of my pocket and placed it to my ear. "This is Mary," I said into the phone. I frowned when I heard panting and then sounds of pounding feet and no talking. "Hello?"

"Mary," the voice panted. "It's Jack."

"Jack, what is it?" I asked, pausing in my step. My whole body tensed because, I knew that something was wrong. Jack wouldn't call me if he thought he could handle it. If he did call, then I knew that something bad had happened.

"Jankin," he said, worry filling his voice. "Jankin is gone."

***

Cold sweat started to pour out of my body, causing me to shiver against the cold. My heart started to pound , and I couldn't help but take a deep shuddering breath to try and calm it. "What do you mean by 'gone'?" I asked, my voice shaking. I knew that my voice was laced with fear and worry, because it was going to be snowing soon, and he was going to be out there.

"I mean he left. He is not in the dog house."

"Okay, can you get your brother to put Lanshin in the house, please? I'll be right over." I dropped the lead rope and pointed to the direction that my mother's truck was in. 'Go tell her that I am leaving on a horse and going to find Jankin. She'll know what I mean.'

Big Henry frowned, worry filing his eyes before he nodded his head. 'Be careful,' he mouthed before starting to rush into that direction.

"Okay, but how will you get here?"

I grabbed hold of the lead again and started to pull Copper towards the edge of the forest. "I'll get one of the horses that we got from the sales barn and ride 'em to wherever. Just make sure that you do not go towards the White Tree. I don't know if those legends are true or not, but I don't want to try it out on you."

"Got it."

"Okay, I am going now so see you in a bit."

"Okay see you," he said and hung up.

I put the lead rope across his back and made it so that it was like reins. I hopped onto his back and dug my heels into his sides, getting him to canter. "Don't worry. I'll get off when we find Jankin," I said, soothingly patting his neck. I knew that he was nervous, but I hoped that he would be all right just long enough to find my missing dog.