A Country Girl.

Chapter 38

Ty

 When I pulled away Hailey stared up at me. I smiled down at her and kissed her hair. She laid her head on my shoulder and I held her close. Then the rain came down, we jumped back and Hailey laughed. She looked up at me then took my hand and we ran back to the truck.

When we got to the truck it was pouring. We jumped in and closed the doors quickly. I looked over at her and smiled when I found her looking at me. I leaned over to her and kissed her again. Then her phone rang.

"Hello?" she said answering it. "Hailey?, where are you?" I heard Amy say. She sounded shaken "I told you me and Ty went out for a drive." "well you need to get home now" Hailey looked up at me worried "why?" "I'll tell you when you get here, just hurry" "alright, we'll be there as soon as we can." "good see you soon." "see ya." 

Hailey hung up the phone and looked at me, her face full of fear, concern, and worry. I nodded and turned to buckle as she did the same.

We got to the ranch and hour later. I pulled up to the house and saw the veterinary van parked there . As soon as the truck was in park Hailey jumped out and I followed suit. We ran into the house but no one was there. "Amy?" Hailey called "Papa?" No one answered. She turned to me and we both ran out the door, heading straight for the barn.

When we ran through the barn doors we found Amy, Jacob, and Dr. Thomas (the vet) standing outside Nexus's stall. "no" I heard Hailey say as  she ran forward. I stood there for a minute then followed after her. 

When she reached the stall Hailey fell to her knees next to Nexus. "no" she said rubbing his face "what happened?" She turned to the vet but Amy answered. "Granddad came out to feed the horses and found him like this, and his food was never touched." "they called me right away and I got here as soon as I could but we were too late." Dr.Thomas said "I'm sorry, sweet heart, but he's gone." 

"no" Hailey said "nononono this can't be." Hailey dropped her head and laid on Nexus's side. Crying into him. "No, this can't happen." Amy looked to me and I nodded. "well I have to go make dinner." she said before walking away. 

Jacob go the hint, "well Thomas, thanks for your help" "no problem" "now lets go get you your check." Once they were out of sight. I walked into the stall and stood behind Hailey. Then I sat down and touched her back. She looked up at me tears still streaming from her eyes. She sat up and leaned into me. I held her close not saying a word. 

I sat there comforting Hailey never speaking, never saying anything, just being there for her for as long as she needs me.

She never spoke or moved. She just sat there in my arms watching Nexus.

We sat there for an hour. The tears had stopped and everything was quiet. After a bit Hailey pull back and sat up. Wiping the tears from her eyes, she laid her hand on Nexus's face and sat there for a second just looking at him. Then she stood up and walked out without saying a word.

I stood quickly and followed after her. "Hailey?" she didn't answer "Hailey, are you ok?" this time she stopped and turned to face me. "no, no I'm not. First I lost them to a mountain lion, then James takes them and sells peach, next Nexus comes here too weak to even stand, and now this. No, I'm not ok, and I don't think I ever will." she said tear welling up in her eyes.

I stepped forward and pulled her into my arms. She immediately sank into me. Hailey started shaking and she started crying again. "shhhhh" I said stroking her hair "shhhh, it's alright I'm here, you'll be ok" Hailey shook her head at the last part but didn't say anything.