Breaking Free

Chapter 6

The ride home is quick, and before I know it we're at the barn.

Carter lines the trailer up with the pasture gate to make an easy exit.

"Ready?" he asks. I nod, and we swiftly open the gate. The mare rushes out, bucking and kicking as she runs around the pasture.

Once she's calmed down, she walks around the pasture to aquatint herself with the other horses.

Ezhno sees her, and runs to her excitedly, trying to get her attention. She snorts, and ignores him (much to his disappointment.)

"Looks like Ezhno has a crush," Carter chuckles.

"That it does."

We sit on the fence post watching for a minute. The horses have been out grazing all day, and they look very content. I see Ezhno start to roll in the dirt, and I groan.

"Ezhno, no! Now I have to give you a bath," I mock-scold. He stands back up, and looks over at me. If he were human, I swear be'd be sticking his tongue out at me.

"Do you have a name for the new one?" Carter asks.

"I've been thinking about it. If she ever shows, her show name should be Queen of Hearts, but we can just call her Queenie," I suggest.

Carter nods in approval. After we watch the horses for a while, we put them up in their stalls. It takes a little convincing to get Queenie in, but she eventually obliges.

"I'll start training you soon girl," I coo, stroking her mane.

She nickers softly, much to the disapproval of Ezhno. He stomps his hoof demanding attention.

"Oh you silly boy," I chuckle.

Suddenly, I hear loud barking, and turn to see Beau rushing towards me. I lean down to pet him, and his tongue lolls.

"You're gonna be a daddy soon, aren't you," I coo. We're expecting Chloe to have her puppies next week.

"Come on in Taylor, it's dinner time," Mrs Stone calls.

"I'll be there in a minute," I shout back.

I pull out my phone, and quickly snap a picture of Queenie sending it to Joy. Almost instantly, Joy texts back.

'OMG, she's gorgeous! How did you get her?'

I text back:

'i'll explain tomorrow'

I bury the phone in my pocket, and then go into the house for dinner.

Mrs Stone has made salmon and green beans, which tastes delicious.

"Everything you cook tastes like it's from a gourmet restaurant," I complement between mouthfuls.

"Thank you," she chuckles, a light smile across her face.

Dinner goes by quickly, and I help with dishes before heading off to bed.

I hear arguing from the living room as I start up the stairs, and stop moving to listen.

"We can't hide this from her forever," Mrs Stone whisper shouts.

"I know but it's not time! We promised we'd wait till she was 18!" Mr Stone argues.

"I know, I just- I hate lying to her," Mrs Stone grumbles. "I think she deserves to know about her parents."

I almost choke when she mentions my parents. I can't listen any longer, so I quickly go up the stairs and into my room, locking the door. I slip on pajama shorts and a tank top, and bury myself in the covers.

What aren't they telling me?