Mystery at Brightfields

Chapter 4.

Layla happily munched on a pile of hay that Zoe had set in the corner of the pasture and Rosie was able to clip a lead rope on her. According to the vet, Layla was about 10 months and 3 weeks along. She could really go at any point. It made Vet Baker extremely nervous that she was about 150 lbs underweight and about 20 years old.

"At this point Zoe, there really isn't much we can do. We can't just throw a whole bunch of grain and calories at her because it could make her sick and go into labor early, which is something we don't need. I would say start with a small, very small, scoop of grain 3 times a day and go from there. Healthy snacks such as carrots and apples are good. Just don't overdo the sugar. She is too far along to make a difference with her weight, but after delivery it will be that much harder when the foal is nursing. This is going to be a big thing to take on."

"I understand that, thank you for coming out Dr. Baker" said Zoe shaking Vet Bakers hand.

"I'll be back the day after tomorrow. If anything starts to go strangely, call me immediately."

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Zoe sighed and opened Raven's stall door. She sat down in a pile of shavings that was banked in the corner and pulled out the vet bill in her pocket. Zoe sighed again and was trying to convince herself that it was the right thing to rescue Layla, when her phone beeped with a message.

P: Any update on mystery horse?

Zoe began to type out a message but decided just to call Pin instead. He answered on the third ring.

"Zoe!"

"Hey stranger" she started, "I figured I would just call you considering a lot has happened since this morning. We ended up getting the horse to Brightfields, I named her Layla. She is super far along and ready to pop at any moment."

"I'm sorry Zoe...what was that? I can barely hear you" said Pin loudly.

Zoe repeated herself.

"Sorry again Zoe, maybe we have a bad connection. I'll be home soon and we can talk all about it. Miss you."

She barely got out a 'Miss you too' and the phone disconnected. Could this day get any worse? Might as well try to head home and get a shower. She had some pre-school work to look at before it started next week anyways. Maybe a distraction would help.

Zoe stood up from the shavings pile and kissed Raven on the nose, giving him the last mint in her pocket on her way out. She figured she should probably feed Layla before heading home too. Walking out to the pasture she saw Jade on the gate talking to the little mare.

"Hey Jade! Any update on anything?" asked Zoe.

"Not really." started Jade " I've just been out here talking to her and petting her when she will let me. Becky said she would stop by and do the same later once she gets back from walking Ben home."

"Thank you so much Jade, and thank Becky too if you see her. Right now I'm not feeling like I did the right thing, bringing her to Brightfields. I kind of just threw her in everyone's lap without checking first. Marcus is definitely pissed."

"Marcus will get over it. He is still in 'save-Brightfields' mode and is always thinking about saving money. I know Becky and I are happy to help. It'll be fun having a foal around the stables, they are the cutest little things." said Jade with a smile.

Zoe thanked her again and dumped the small scoop of grain into the bucket hanging on the fence. Layla scarfed it down and then stomped her foot asking for more.

"Sorry sweet girl. That's all until dinnertime. We can't have you getting sick" Zoe scratched Layla's cheek and was happy that she let her. It was definitely a step in the right direction.

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She walked in the door and could hear Rosie talking to Mom and Grandpa about the new horse and her riding lesson. Zoe was just happy that Rosie was coming around to horses, finally. She knew that Rosie had struggled to find her place on the island, and it would be great if horses could be her thing too. There was something magic about Brightfields.

"Hey Zoe, before you head up to shower, could you come in here please?"called Maggie.

Zoe had forgotten all about the conversation she had over heard that morning. A lot had happened since then.

"Well. I have some news for you guys. As of about 2 hours ago, our house in LA has been sold!" started Maggie. "Don't give me that face Rosie. Your father will still have an apartment there for a while, but he will be traveling here and working on his laptop at least a few weeks of the month so we can all be together. Now with that being said, your father and I have agreed that we should start looking for houses on the island so we can have a space to call our own here."

Zoe looked over at her sisters expressionless face. 

"C'mon little sis. Just think of all the rooms you get to decorate. I might even let you decorate mine!" Zoe knew as soon as the words left her mouth she would regret it. "But no pink. Absolutely no pink."

Rosie jumped up. "I'll go and start planning right now! You are going to LOVE it. I just know it"

Great. Thought Zoe. She figured she could probably deal with a little pink if it meant they would stay on the island. She headed upstairs to take her much needed shower. 

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Zoe could already feel the effects of her morning training session with Marcus after climing out of the shower. 

She bent down to pick up her pile of clothes and the vet bill fell out of the pocket of her breeches. 

Might as well get it over with. 

"Mom!" She called down the steps. "We need to talk about something!"