A Veneer

Chapter 14: Turn to Stone

I decided to ignore the messages on my phone. I told Raea I was going to the farm to ride Bayard and if she was staying home to answer my phone and tell the Taylor’s to not worry. On my way to the farm I focused on the crunching gravel beneath my tires. I went straight to the tack room and grabbed a blanket, saddle and reigns for Bayard.  I hung everything on the fence around him and stepped in.

“Hey baby,” I said softly rubbing the side of his neck I looked down and noticed a bandage on his back leg. I hadn’t put a bandage on his leg, had I? As I started to unwrap it Helena came by and leaned on the fence.

“He cut up his leg somehow, it would be best to let him rest for now. He should be good in a few days.” Helena was about sixty-two, had silver hair and looked like an angel.

I nodded, “Is Autumn doing alright?”

“She’s got a pimple on the bottom of her foot, but it should be gone in four days or so.”

I nodded again. “So I can’t ride today?”

“We’ll you can ride one of my horses, they’re pretty young but you’re an experienced rider so you should be fine. You take good care of your horses and the other horses here when they need it. So I trust you, when ever you need a ride you can borrow my horses.”

“Thanks Helena, I think I will take you up on that offer sometime.” I said goodbye to Helena and walked slowly back to my car. I wanted to ride today I wanted to have time with Bayard. I shook my head and drove home. Raea was typing something at her desk.

“Cam called like thirteen times, he says to come over. Aiden called too, he was freaking out, I told him you went riding.”

“Thank you. I’m gonna head over there, wanna come with?”

She looked at me and at the same time we said,”Maybe next time.”

I started to change, grabbed my phone and headed over. As I pulled up in the driveway I had seen a car I never saw before. A red 2010 Ford Mustang. I got out of the car and started walking to the door. Hadley open the driver’s door to the Mustang and got out right in front of me.

“If you go in that house you’ll regret it.” She said.

“Oh really? and why is that?” I asked as if i didn’t understand.

“Just don’t go in the house.”

“Stop sending me letters.” I bumped past her and up the porch. She grabbed the hoodie and pulled me back to her and I gasped for air. I felt something cold on my neck then a burning opening sensation. I began to scream.

By the time Jeb came out with Aiden and Cam behind him I felt her push me to the floor and a warm substance dripping down my back.

“Oh, Damn.” Cam said as I began to get up.

“She’s bleeding.” Jeb said.

Aiden ran to my side and helped me up. “I’m fine,” I shook him off, but he refused to let go. My hand wandered to my neck and when I looked at it red had covered my palm.  “Jeb get a towel, Cam tell mom. I’ll get her inside.”

“I’m fine, it’s only a cut.” I moved my hair away from the back of my neck and Aiden set me down on the couch. He took the towel from jeb and pressed it to the back of my neck to stop the bleeding.

“Who did this?” Christine asked pulling up a chair.

“Hadley.” I answered and the room went silent.

“She was here?”

“When I pulled up, she got out of the car.”

“And cut you?” She was getting angry

“Yes.” I answered, “When she heard jeb coming she dropped me and got into her car.”

“Well I’m calling the cops.” Christine left the room few minutes later I was being questioned by police officers, telling them all that happened. But the letters, the letters I left out.