A Country Girl.

chapter 31

Ty

When Hailey looked up at me I knew she was upset about the horse. I could see it in her eyes. I just didn't know why. 

I pulled out a chair and sat next to her. Placing my arm around her shoulders, I pulled her close and she leaned into my side. I could feel her relax a bit as I held her.

Amy turned around, I assume because she heard the chair. She looked to me and Hailey and raised an eyebrow. I felt like I should pull me arm away but I didn't. I knew Hailey needed me right now so I held myself there.

Amy smiled at me a second later and turned back around. I let out a breath I didn't know I was holding and looked down at Hailey. She was snuggled up on the chair with her head on my shoulder. She looked up at me and I smiled. She looked like a small child hiding from the storm. Hailey smiled back and I kissed her forehead. 'I love you' she mouthed 'I love you too' I said back.

Once we were dry. Hailey and I went to the living room cuz Amy still wasn't done with lunch. I sat on the couch, and Hailey sat next to me curling up on the couch and laying her head on my lap. I was surprised when she did not expecting her to do something so, so, so girly. Hailey hardly ever acted like a typical girl so I really wasn't expecting her to lay in my lap. 

I turned on the TV and flipped through the channels.  Mindlessly I began to stroke Hailey's hair as I searched for a show. Once I found a show I set the remote on the side table and sat back. Hailey shifted slightly but otherwise didn't move.

We stayed that way for a couple episodes before Jacob came in. "Wheres Ty, I need help with this horse. He collapsed in the trailer and I can't get him up on my own." he said from the front door. Both me and Hailey jumped up off the couch and ran to the door. "Ty, I need your help" "alright" I said throwing on my boots and rushing out the door. "Wait" Hailey said behind me "Hailey we need to get that horse in the barn now" Jacob said "there isn't a stall ready I'll go get one ready while you two go get him up" Hailey said pulling her boots on and walking toward the door. "no, your not going out there." Jacob said stepping in front of her "you are staying here" "no, I'm not, I'm going out to the barn and setting up a stall whether you like it or not. I'm not a child any more" Hailey said pushing past Jacob and walking out the door. I stood back allowing her to get past. I knew trying to stop her would only cause things to get worse. 

Hailey trudged through the rain to the barn. "shes right Granddad, she not little any more, I know we just got her back not to long ago but shes strong" Amy said. "I know" Jacob said "come on Ty lets go get that horse." He walked past me and I followed closing the door.