Just Ales

Chapter 12 (Just Ales)

A few days later, I was back at the barn. Jer had kept me occupied and distracted by washing saddle pads and cleaning tack, and generally doing things that didn't require too much effort. Nicholas had stopped by a few times, always bringing with him a full bottle of water infused with a packet of electrolytes and making sure that I drank all of it in front of him. I'd found out that our parents were friends, and that we had most definitely passed by eachother during more than a few events, which was weird because I didn't remember him at all. His name always sounded familiar, but I'd never been able to put a face to it until the hospital. Then again, I blocked out most everything I could about my home life during those years. Every time Nicholas came, Jer always shook his head and crossed his arms at him, and then whisked him away to his office for a "very important meeting". 

But I didn't have time to wonder what those meetings were about today, because today.....today was going to be an interesting one. Today was the day that the Huntington Trials footage had arrived, as Jack excitedly informed me this morning. And how convenient that it would arrive on the same day as a Pony Club meeting! I smiled weakly at him beofre excusing myself to go and throw up in the bathroom. I really hoped that Jer didn't make me work with them again. I didn't know if I could handle that. 

I finihed hanging the bridle I had been cleaning, and shut the tack room door behind me. I walked down the wide aisle, listening to the horses who remained in their stalls. There were still some horses I remebered here. My friend Lise's mare Tuck had her head out over her stall door, her ears pricked and wisps of hay dangling from her mouth. She watched the activity interestedly as horses were tacked up or led back into their stalls. Pony Clubbers swarmed the barn, and I knew the meeting had started. My arm reached forward, almost automatically, to scratch Tuck's cheek. She whickered contentedly, and then nosed around my hand for a treat. 

"None today pretty girl," I said to her, my voice low and soothing. She nibbled at my hand, and then turned back into her stall for more hay. I watched her for a few more minutes, unconsciously letting my guard down. Tuck had developed a hay belly, probably from not being exercised regularly. I checked the sheet outside her stall and saw that she had regular pasture time at least. Lise had graduated with me, and was away at Georgetown. Jack and Jer probably had too much on their hands to ride her regularly. I made a mental note to talk to Jer about it - Tuck was an experienced show mare who enjoyed the work. Maybe he could find a student to ride her. I walked away from her stall, and turned left without thinking about it. 

The left wing of the barn was more secluded . The aisle was narrower, but darker and cooler. The stalls were bigger and the horses housed here looked in peak physical condition. I recognized two of the Andrew's polo ponies. Their muscles rippled under their sleek coats. The sound of automatic waterers was occasionaly heard throughout the quiet aisle. I also saw the Westphalian that I had seen Jack riding earlier. His shiny gold nameplate read "Castaway" and looked brand new. I reached my hand over his stall door and called to him. Castaway huffed out a big breath, spraying my hand with his nose juice, and then turned his head away. I withdrew my hand and wiped it on my jeans. 

"Brat," I called over the stall door to him. 

"Hey! Be nice," I head a familiar voice call down the aisle. Turning my head, I saw Nicholas walking down the dark aisle holding a water bottle. He came over in front of Castaway's stall, and held out the water to me. I took it and wrinkled my nose. 

"Any more and you'll drown me," I said jokingly. 

"Ha ha," Nicholas said dryly, "but  you need to stay hydrated." He opened a packet of electrolytes and shook it into the water bottle. "Now drink"

"I drink enough on my own!" I protested, but took a sip from the bottle anyway. 

Castaway put his head back over the stall door, and Nicholas ran his hand down his broad cheek. The horse leaned into his touch. 

"Hey! He likes you," I exclaimed, surprised. "Castaway doesn't like me." 

"What can I say?" Nicholas joked. "I have a way about me," 

"Okay, doctor," I teased. 

"You make me sound so old!" He groaned. 

"That's because you are," I shot back. 

"Am not!" He said, and grabbed my hand. He placed it on his chest. "Do you feel this? This is a young heart, not an old one!" 

The air of humor around us dissipated as I stilled, my hand on his chest. The steady beat of his heart pulsed through my fingers, and I could feel his chest moving up and down from his breaths. I just stood there, looking at his hand over mine. The only thing I could hear was the sound of our intermingling breaths. 

Suddenly, a loud voice echoed down the aisle and broke the silence. 

"Mollie, is that you?" 

Jack hurried down the aisle, and I took a step back from Nicholas, dropping my hand from his chest. Nicholas looked down, and his face looked a little pink. 

"Mollie, where have you been? I've been looking every where for you! Why are you in the left wing? This is the private section of the stable. And who's this? Why would you bring a stranger-" Jack went on and on until Nicholas cut him off. 

"Er, actually, I'm not a stranger to this stable," Nicholas interceded. 

Jack eyed him up and down, taking in his fresh khakis, neat shirt, and tie, and looked doubtful. 

"I'm Nicholas Andrews," Nicholas shook his hand, and then gestured to the stalls filled with the Andrew's ponies. "I was just here to check on A-uh, Mollie, and told my parents I'd check on their horses as well."

Once Jack realized who Nicholas was, his who demeanor changed. He stood up straighter, and smoothed his shirt down. "I see," he said, "and how did you come across Mollie?" 

"She just showed me the way here...it's been some time since I've been at the stables." 

"Ah," Jack said, satisfied with his answers, "Well, I'm sorry, but I have to steal Mollie from you. She's supposed to be helping me with Pony Club today!" 

All the color drained out of my face, and I opened my mouth to protest, but no sound came out. A tight feeling overtook my chest, and I struggled just to breathe. 

Nicholas reached out to steady me as I swayed. "I don't think that's such a good idea," he said, looking concerned. 

Jack grabbed my hand possessively. "She'll be fine," he said gruffly. A muscle in Nicholas's cheek jumped, and I just stood there, feeling like a fish out of water. I could barely formulate any thoughts as Jack dragged me away.