The Wicked Redhead (Part 3 - Conclusion)

When Belle and I meandered our way back to the farm, at the edge of the yard I was surprised to see the truck and trailer parked in front of the house, all set to go. My mouth went agape with the vision of my dad following us this morning and offering me the sandwich and a tip of the hat.

My heart beat wild, and tears filled my eyes with instant rage. It was a trick! He tricked me!

In a quick panic, I pulled the mare around and took off again at a gallop. With tears streaming down my cheeks in the wind-whipped feelings of anger and betrayal, I became aware that we were being followed. I could hear yelling in the distance.

In the middle of our sprint, I stopped the mare and whipped her around to confront the follower. Still sobbing, I wiped the tears from my face.

As my dad approached, I started screaming. “How could you!? How could you trick me like this? Belle is NOT going to slaughter, and I will never trust you again!”

Belle raised her head up high and pinned her ears at the sound of my voice. She snaked her tense neck toward the man before us, tossing her silky, red mane.

Sobs overtook me again, and I couldn’t say anymore.

“Fine,” he answered gruffly, throwing up his hands in defense. “Go put that mare in her stall and feed her, then I’ll see you back at the house. We have some things to discuss.” He quickly turned and started walking back without another word.

I nudged Belle into a walk towards home. She was pretty tired and, I imagined, hungry and probably thirsty, too. As much as I hated him in that moment, Dad was right. She needed a break. I had my sobbing just about under control by the time we entered the yard.

When we reached the barn, I slid off Belle and led her inside. First, I gave her a deep drink of fresh water from a bucket, then groomed her deeply. She did so well! There was no way she was a bad horse, even if she was a chestnut mare. No horse deserved to be defined by superstitions! I put her into her clean stall and a loaded her feeder with hay. With a final pat to her neck and deep breath to gather my courage, I whipped my own auburn ponytail around and started for the house.

***

“Devyn!” Mom greeted me with a hug. “We were getting so worried about you!”

Rose was helping her get the roast in the oven for dinner. Our little brother must be playing in the other room. Dad was sitting at the table.

“Devyn,” he said conversationally. “Come and sit down.” He nodded toward the chair next to him, taking a sip of coffee from his mug, watching me over the steaming edge of it.

Skeptically, I stepped up to the table, pulled out the chair and sat down. My gaze never left my dad, either.

“Judy,” he said to my mom, turning his head to look at her. “Would you be a dear and bring us a snack, please.”

He turned back to me but remained silent for the moment.

My mom set a big glass of milk and a plate with two homemade cookies in front of each of us.

“Thank you, Love,” my dad said to my mom. She patted him on the shoulder, smiled, and walked back over to continue making dinner with Rose.

I gobbled down my cookies and gulped my milk. Gosh, I hadn’t realized how hungry I was! I waited for Dad to start talking.

“How was your ride with Belle?”

I looked at him intensely. “Good. She never took a wrong step even once.”

“I know. I watched the two of you for a while from a distance. Looked like a fine mare who really liked her rider.”

“Really?” My eyes widened with excitement for a minute, but then I remembered. “So why is the trailer parked out front? Why do you want to still send Belle away?”

“What? Is that why you ran from the yard so fast?”

I nodded. “Of course it is!” I stood up like a shot from my chair. “She’s a fine mare. You said so yourself! Why are you sending her to slaughter then?!”

“Devyn! I’m not!”

I sat back down with a heavy plop. “What?”

“No, Devyn, I’m not,” he spoke in an even tone, starting a new conversation. "I spoke with Miss Lloyd at the Equine Rescue earlier today. We are going to pick out a horse to foster and train for adoption.”

That wasn’t what I expected. I was shocked, actually. Excited at the idea, but still skeptical of the words from my dad. I needed to keep my cool, here.

“Oh," I lowered my eyes from his. “So, what about Belle, then?”

“Belle will stay here, of course. To be handled and trained by you. She’s a special mare.”

I couldn’t play it cool any longer. I jumped up with a huge grin, hugged my dad. Oh, thank you, thank you! You won’t be sorry.”

He pulled me close into a bear hug and smiled. “Looks like you two red heads are made for each other.”

***

After dinner, I went back out to check on Belle. She nickered as I entered the barn. I couldn’t hold back a warm smile at that. Not that I wanted to, anyway. I approached the stall, offering Belle her apple before I went into the stall. I rubbed her neck and whispered.

"It’s all going to be okay now, Belle. You can relax. You’re staying here with me.” Like my dad said, she was a special mare, and I was excited to share this moment with her.

Belle turned her head and nuzzled my shoulder. I wrapped my arms around the base of her glistening, red neck in a tight hug. I think she hugged me back.