Mystery at Brightfields

Chapter 12b.

Zoe woke up to Marcus sitting back down beside her. 

"No worries Zoe, I got the last feeding. I'm going to try and grab another hour of sleep before I have to feed the rest of the crew." he whispered. Zoe nodded and leaned back against the pile of straw she was using as a pillow. 

As much as she hated to admit it, she needed Pin's jacket it was definitely colder than she thought it was going to be. Probably why her and Marcus stayed huddled up together all night. She groaned to herself,  she had to talk to Pin more today and he totally found her in an awkward situation early that morning. 

She had missed him though. Even though he had pissed her off by virtually having no communication with her for the last month. She missed his friendship and his quirkiness. She missed the way her heart felt full when he was around. Zoe squeeze her eyes shut and tried to get a bit more sleep. 

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6 am came too early. Zoe decided to help Marcus with the feeding before she headed home for a few more hours of sleep. 

Marcus grabbed the hay cart and Zoe grabbed the hose. They were both quiet as they set up the grain for the horses. Mostly due to lack of good sleep. 

Jade and Becky were meeting her and Marcus to learn how to mix the bottle up for the next two feedings so Zoe and Marcus could head home for a nap. Zoe had a few minutes to burn before they got there and she ducked into Raven's stall. She hugged him around the neck and could feel the tiredness creeping back. She would have to come back later for some more feedings and to meet the vet around 12 so she would probably ride then. Hopefully the arena wasn't going to be too busy. 

Zoe heard a car pull up the drive and she left to meet up with Becky and Jade. Who were way more chipper than either Marcus or Zoe combined. 

Laycee was up and bouncing around her stall. They were going to try to let  her outside beside the other horses once Vet Baker came back to check on her and drop some things off. 

Becky and Jade left to go tack up Major and Bob for a morning ride before the next feeding and left Zoe and Marcus alone in the tack room. 

"Thank you for your help overnight Marcus. I really appreciate it. I probably wouldn't have made it though the evening without you. I mean it." started Zoe. 

Marcus nodded. "Anytime Zoe. We're going to have more nights like this I'm sure. I'm just glad I got to spend some time with you." 

Ope. She was going to have to address that later. Now was time for sleep in her own bed. 

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After feeding Laycee, Zoe started her walk home. She passed Layla's pasture and stopped by the rail looking at the tarp that covered the small mare's body. Her tears started to fall freely again. 

She walked away from the gate and headed home. Her bed was calling her name.