The Time Giver

August 6th: Goodbye

Zach paced the kitchen floor, holding his hair like he was about to tear it out. "No way," he shouted. "Vodka was one thing, but this is another matter entirely!"

Kelly leaned against the counter, holding the silent phone in her hand while watching the show in front of her. She crossed her arms and eyed him. "I see no problem here, Zach. Explain, and maybe I can help."

"She picks up on what I'm feeling!"Zach spun to face her. "Turner will realize I'm nervous, and she'll freak out! Call him back, and tell him that we need a few more weeks."

Kelly scoffed. "Zach, she's been here since early May, and it's August! I can't tell him that she needs more time. Not after the calls telling of her rapid progress. Heck, you've been doing the same thing for weeks!"

"Tell him she's sick! Tell him you'll be out of town! Tell him you're taking Mooney to get neutered! Make something up!"

"Zach, Mooney is neutered." Kelly pushed off of the sink and grabbed his shoulders, making him meet her eyes. "Mr. Hanks has traveled a long way to come pick up Turner. I can't back down on this, not when he's coming in today."

He tried his best attempt at Bambi eyes. "Can't you just work her?"

She smiled and shook her head. "You've been working with her all summer, and you expect me to do better than you could?" She reached up to boop him on the nose. "You're crazier than me, and that's saying something."

"Hey." He swatted away her hand as they both laughed. But at the thought of the task for the day, his smile melted to a frown. "But what if he doesn't like what he sees? What if I mess up?"

Kelly laughed as she headed for the door. "You will if you keep that attitude up," she replied. She paused to really look at him. "Just believe in yourself."

He joined her, and they walked to the barn. The noon heat was almost stifling, and it had been a relief when Kelly had asked him to come inside for a phone call. "So how long until he gets here?"

"About forty-five minutes," she replied. "If you want, you can groom her in a half hour, so that she's clean when he gets here." Kelly scratched a few curious noses as she walked past. "In the meantime, why don't you take Cadillac out and lunge him?"

Zach nodded, and grabbed the lunge rope. Since Kelly had set him straight, the gelding had been progressing faster and faster. Now, as Zach walked to his door, the big bay didn't roll his eyes and snort. Instead, he pricked his ears forward and whickered softly.

"Hey bud," he said as he slipped on the halter, clipped the line to him, and led him to the arena. As he worked Cadillac, Zach tried not to focus on the stone that was sitting in his gut. As if sensing that he wasn't paying attention, the gelding squealed and threw a buck his direction, missing by a mile. Zach tugged on him, shooting him a look. "Don't even..."

He led the bay back to his stall, and pulled Turner out to groom her. Just as he grabbed a brush, he heard Piper barking, and Kelly talking to someone. Swallowing his fear, Zach began sweeping the brush over Turner's mouse gray coat.

It wasn't long before Kelly walked into the barn, followed by a tall man in casual clothes. But what caught Zach's attention was the little girl holding the man's hand, tottering along beside him as she gazed at the horses peering at her over their doors. When she caught sight of Turner, she squealed. "Daddy, look!"

The man chuckled. "I know, sweetie," he murmured. He picked her up in his arms and carried her over to the filly. Turner, curious as always, nosed the little girl's outstretched palm. "Turner, this is Sarah, my daughter." He spoke as if she would understand his words. Unfazed, the filly began lipping at the little girl's shoe.