A Country Girl.

Chapter 32

Hailey

"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" I said pushing past Granddad. I walked to the door and Ty stepped aside. I stormed out into the rain toward the barn.

When I reached the barn I went to one of the empty stalls that we use for storage. I cleaned out the stall and grabbed a bail of straw. I spread the straw across the stall covering the floor in a layer of it. Then I filled a feed bucket and hung it on the door.

Once I finished I stood back to assess my work. Pleased with it I headed to the barn door. I could see Granddad and Ty guiding a small shaking horse toward the barn. When the little horse entered the light my heart jumped. It was Nexus, I knew for sure it was him. With his light yellowish coat and the white spot on the end of his nose. I knew it was him and it hurt so much to see him like this. Weak and half dead, unable to walk or stand on his own.

Tears threatened to spill but I held them back. I lead the way to the stall I prepared. Once Nexus was in the stall I closed the door and watched him for a minute through the door. He just laid there unmoving. Tears pricked my eyes as I watched him. I held them back as much as I could but one tear fell from my eye.

Ty walked up behind me and place his hand on my back. I jumped at the contact. Ty pulled his hand back "oh sorry, I didn't mean to scare you I just wanted to tell you its time to eat" he said. I quickly wiped the tears that had escaped from my face then turned to face him. "its fine I was just coming" I said smiling, trying to hide my sadness. Ty's eyes were full of worry but he smiled anyway. I grabbed his hand and squeezed it "lets go" I said walking toward the door out.

"Hey Amy can I talk to you real quick?"I asked Amy after lunch. "Uhh sure what about?" "I just need to talk to you." Amy and I went to her room. Once the door was closed I let everything go. The tears that I had been holding back burst free and I shook with silent sobs. "Hailey whats wrong?" Amy asked running to my side. I shook my head unable to speak. Amy just sat on the bed next to me amd held my close.

Once the tear stopped I sat up "you good now?" I nodded "ok then can you tell me what's wrong?" " its him" was all I could say "who?" Amy asked. I looked up at her with teary eyes. "Nexus." Clarity dawned on Amy's face. She grabbed me again and held me close. "I'm so sorry you have to see him like this" she said "but you should be happy he's alive" she said pulling me away from her. I nodded and stood "I think I'm gonna go see him" I said flatly and walked out the door.

When I went down stairs Ty and Granddad were sitting the table talking. When I walked to the door granddad asked "where are you going?" " to check on the new horse" I said. I walked out the door without another word.

The rain had lighten a bit but was still coming down hard. When I got to the barn I pulled a chair up next to Nexus' stall and sat down.

I sat there watching him sleep. Praying He lasted the rest of the day and thought out the night. Every once in awhile I would go into the stall and check if he was breathing then give him a scratch and sit back in my chair.

I don't know how long I was out there. An hour maybe, a couple minutes. I didn't know.

I was brought out of my trance when foot step sounded behind me. I turned to see Ty walking toward me. I turned back around and stared at the sleeping form in the stall.

I could hear Ty grab another chair and he set it next to me. He just sat there quietly. His presence calmed my mind but just a bit.

We sat there in complete silence for a few minutes. "Hailey?" Ty asked breaking the silence "what's wrong?" I didnt answer right away. "Hailey please tell me, we finally just made up" he begged. I took a couple deep calming breaths.