Applewild (16 page)

XIX

“Easy, Werther,” Monroe murmured as she unhitched her horse from inside Applewild’s trailer.

Madison and Beth were there to help him get situated in the barn. She thought she’d never see the inside of that building again. It was great to be back, even if she had to say goodbye just as quickly. It broke her heart to know she was leaving Werther for so long, but it broke her heart even more to be away from Alton. He’d already been in New Zealand for a week, and she missed him more than she’d thought possible.

Beth led the way to Werther’s stall. There was fresh straw on the ground, fresh water in the bucket, and a few sugar cubes in his feed pail. She smiled at the part-time hand, who gave a modest shrug.

“I just wanted to give him a little welcome home present.”

“Thank you. I’m glad he’ll be in good hands”

“Of course.” Beth smiled and patted Werther on the neck as Monroe closed the door, shutting him inside. “I can e-mail you pictures and updates, too, if you want.”

“That would be great.”

“Do you have time for a walk before you go?” Madison asked.

“Sure.”

Monroe walked with Madison along the familiar path to the back pasture. She’d been busy for the last week and a half. She’d put in her notice at the tack shop. Her apartment was under contract, and although it had been cleaned so well there was no trace left of the confrontation with her father, the memory was burned into her brain. She would have to move eventually, for sanity’s sake, but for now she had miraculously found someone to sub-let it while she was in New Zealand. Most of her things were in storage. She had two suitcases and a carry on in her truck. Madison had volunteered Beth to drive her to the airport.

“Are you all ready to go?” Madison asked.

“More than ready.”

“And you’ve cleared everything up with the police?”

“They’re not pressing charges. I had to go in for another round of questioning, and I’ve left them my information in New Zealand, of course, in case they need to get in touch for some reason. How are things looking for Jamal?”

“He’s been charged with installing eavesdropping equipment. Could get up to ten years. It’s his first offense, so I’m sure his sentence won’t be too extreme. But hopefully he’ll learn his lesson.”

“I hope so. He created so many problems. I’m sure he didn’t even consider all the different ways his leaks could affect people.”

Madison paused, and then asked, “The articles helped your father find you, didn’t they?”

“They did.”

“And Alton? Did he use him, too?”

Monroe looked at her feet, trying to decide if she should tell her. “He did.”

“Did you tell him that?”

“No.”

“Good. It would tear him apart.”

“I know.”

“I’m glad you two found each other,” Madison said. “You’re good for him. I’ve never seen him so happy.”

“You don’t have to say that. Sophie made him happy, too. I just won’t make the mistake of losing him.”

Madison wrapped an arm around Monroe and squeezed. “I’m glad to hear you say that.”

They headed back to the barn, where Beth was waiting for her. 

“I put your stuff in the truck,” she said as Monroe reached her.

“Thanks.”

Monroe went in to rub Werther’s nose and say a final farewell. “Sorry I’ve been saying goodbye more often than hello,” she murmured. “But there’s another man in my life now.”

Werther gave a snort she imagined to be indignant, and Monroe smiled. Then she made herself turn away and join Beth in the Applewild truck.

As they pulled away, she waved to Madison, then looked down at her phone to send Alton one simple, life-changing text.

On my way.

If you enjoyed
Applewild
, be sure to check out the
Westridge
trilogy, now available on Amazon Kindle! Don’t have a Kindle? Download the app for your phone or tablet.

About the Author

Heather resides in Delaware with her husband, cat, and yellow lab. She began writing romance and erotica in 2008 and hasn’t been able to keep her mind out of the gutter since. Follow
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