Lauraine Snelling (32 page)

“No, where is he?” She looked around like Gil might be hiding behind the wheelbarrow or something.

Maggie’s radar kicked into full gear. Something was definitely wrong here. If only there were some way to see behind the dark glasses. Was she on something? Had she been drinking? Or was this who she really was?

Sandra reached out to pet Breaking Free and he backed up. “He’s not a very friendly horse is he?”

“Usually he is. He just doesn’t like strangers much.” Eddie sounded stiff, like he was afraid to say very much.

“Well, he better get to liking me because I don’t plan on being a stranger.” Her laugh set Maggie’s teeth on edge. “In fact, Eddie, I think it is time you came to visit me.”

Eddie shrank back in his chair. “I—I have too much to do to get ready for the show.”

“We need to get Breaking Free taken care of.” Maggie announced, motioning Eddie to the barn.

“Oh good, I’ll go with you.” Sandra laid a hand on Eddie’s shoulder.

As Maggie led the horse out of the arena and to the barn, she thought about ways to get them out of this situation without offending the woman and possibly causing more family problems. She met Eddie in the aisle of the barn. “Where’s your mother?”

“She went to her car for something.”

“Hold Freebee.” Maggie handed him the reins and ran into the stall that had a window looking out on the parking area. Sandra took one more drink out of her flask and tucked it back into her bag.
I knew it! She had to be on something. Now what do I do?

Keep her away from Eddie
. The order came through loud and clear. Surely she wouldn’t hurt the boy she said she so wanted to get to know. But rationale didn’t count with alcoholics—how well she’d learned that fact after all the stories she’d listened to. How much had Sandra had to drink already? She was willing to bet the woman was drinking hard stuff not wine, and if two glasses of wine could impair her own reflexes. . . . But the biggest question of all, why was she drinking when she said she wanted to get to know her son better? Nothing made sense.

Back in the aisle, she cross-tied the horse and set about removing the tack. Breaking Free shifted his weight and twitched his tail. Bonnie glued herself to Eddie’s chair. “Easy, big boy, it’s all right.” But it wasn’t all right and even the animals sensed the tension.

Maggie hung the saddle and bridle where they belonged and returned to the aisle to see Sandra coming in the wide front door. Taking a brush out of the bucket, she began brushing Breaking Free’s shoulder, her senses tuned to the approaching woman.

“He sure a big horse. Hey, big horse, you want a apple?” She aimed a smile in Eddie’s direction. “I brought apples for him.” She held one in each hand. “And you.” The hand that held an apple out to Eddie wobbled slightly.

“Thank you.” He took it politely and laid it in his lap. “I’ll give that one to Breaking Free if you like.”

“No!” She staggered just slightly. “I’ll give it to him.”

She came toward the horse in a rush, as if losing her balance, and held out the apple. Breaking Free threw his head in the air and backed up as far as the ties allowed.

“Easy, fella. Hey, come on Sandra, you’re scaring him.”

“Aw, he a big horse. Here ya go.” She held out the apple, but the horse refused to take it. Eyes wild he swung his rear and snorted.

“Back off!” Maggie’s command rang through the barn.

Bonnie stood between Sandra and the wheelchair, her lip lifting in a growl.

“Eddie, get out of the way.” Maggie’s voice remained firm as she took hold of the tie ropes.

“I’ma give that horse an apple.”

“He doesn’t want it.” Maggie knocked the apple to the ground. “Now back up before you get hurt.”

“You . . .” Sandra swung in a circle, arm outstretched and caught Maggie on the shoulder.

Breaking Free surged backward and one of the lead ropes snapped. He swung around, bumping Sandra with his hip and knocking her on her rear.

“That horse tried to kill me!” A stream of foul language blackened the air.

Maggie hung onto the remaining lead shank, jerked the knot free, and hustled the horse into his stall where Eddie and Bonnie had already taken refuge. While the woman screamed her rage and hauled herself upright, Maggie calmed the horse and boy. “You’ll be okay in here. I’m going to get her out of the barn.” Breaking Free nuzzled Eddie’s hand and crunched the apple he held out.

“Breaking Free didn’t mean to hurt her.” The boy’s face was white with shock.

“He didn’t hurt her, other than her pride. It’ll be okay.” Maggie soothed her charges and shut the stall door behind her as she returned to the aisle.

Sandra leaned against the wall, regaining her breath. “I’ll sue you for this and make sure Gil fires you. You just watch me.”

“Why don’t you come and sit in your car?” Maggie tried to take her arm. “Can I get you a glass of water or something?”

“I got enough out there—I don’t need no water.” She jerked her arm away and while dusting off her rear almost fell on it again.

Maggie caught her. “Here, let me help you.” Now she could smell the fumes that had been hidden before. “How much have you had to drink?”

“Not enough.” The names Sandra called her sounded more like words she’d grown accustomed to in prison than here in the peaceful barn.

Using as little force as possible, she helped the woman out of the barn and opened the car door for her.

“You’re gonna pay for this.”

“I’m sorry to hear that. You rest here a minute, and I’ll have Maria call you a taxi.” Maggie wasn’t sure if taxis came out this far, but offered enough money, they probably would.

Sandra dug in her bag and brought out the flask. “You oughta try some of this, loosen you up some, you self-righteous witch.” She took a swig and held the silver flask in the air. She stared at it for a moment, her face crumbling.

Maggie glanced down at her belt to realize she didn’t have her cell phone. It must have gotten knocked off in the fracas. “You wait here, I’ll be right back.” As she turned, she remembered—Maria was gone to town. She’d have to call the cab herself. She strode back in the barn to pick up the phone lying in the aisle. At the same time, she heard the car motor roar to life. “Oh, dear God, I didn’t take away her keys. I never . . .”

The engine thundered, obviously not in gear. The woman floored it and the engine screamed. She threw it into gear, and the machine rammed into the corner of the barn, the stall where her three charges were supposed to be safe. It sounded like the whole barn was coming down—metal screeching on metal, wood splintering as the side caved in. The horse screamed, the boy screamed, Bonnie barked in a frenzy. Sandra shifted into reverse and, peppering the fractured wall with gravel, tore away from the barn and out the drive.

Maggie hit the stall door to see the wheelchair on its side and Eddie laying on the shavings and straw, pieces of shattered wood scattered around and on him. Bonnie licked the blood seeping from a wound on the side of his head. Breaking Free nuzzled the boy’s chest, a huge splinter of wood protruding from the horse’s shoulder.

Maggie knelt by Eddie, checked his pulse, fast but steady. What to do? Was he in danger of dying? Concussion? What? She looked at the wound again. Steady bleeding but not gushing. That wasn’t so bad, but he was still unconscious. If only Maria were here. Flicking her phone open, Maggie dialed 911.

A woman answered on the second ring.

“I have an eleven-year-old boy with a head wound, bleeding and unconscious.” She kept her voice even as much for her own sanity as for the dispatcher. She answered the questions as to address and location. “How long until someone will be here?”

“I’m not sure. I have a call in now. Our local ambulances are already out on calls. Stay with me.”

Maggie’s heart was pounding so hard, she could barely hear the woman.
Hurry up. This is a little boy
.

“Do you have someone there with you?”

“No.”

“Do you have a vehicle to transport him?”

“Yes. Call the hospital and let them know we are on our way. I’ll be driving a white pickup.”

Dear God help us
. Carefully she lifted Eddie in her arms and carried him out to the truck, laying him on the seat. Bonnie jumped up in the cab, daring her to order her out. Maggie climbed up in the driver’s seat, dug the keys out of the side pocket where she’d seen Gil leave them, and started the engine. As she pulled onto the street, she hit speed dial for Maria’s cell.

When Maria answered, Maggie fought to keep from crying. “There’s been an accident. I called 911 and there is no ambulance available. I’m taking Eddie to the hospital. Please call the vet. Breaking Free is hurt. Bonnie is with me.”

“Madre Dios, what happened?”

“Call Gil too, please.” She drove out the driveway, being extra cautious on the speed bumps. Once on the freeway, she floored it.

Never had she prayed so hard and long in her life. Not the long nights in the cells, not when other women were attacking her. She prayed for Eddie, she pleaded for a police escort. She drove with such intense concentration, she almost missed seeing the police cars parked by the road. But when she tore by them honking her horn, one pulled out behind her. “Thank you, God.”

When she didn’t stop at the flashing lights, he pulled up beside her with his bullhorn.

“Pull over!”

She rolled down her window. “I have a severely injured boy here. We have to get him to emergency as fast as possible!”

“Follow me.”

With a car in front of her and one behind, they reached the hospital through flashing lights and sirens. The ER crew had the gurney ready and the door to the pickup open almost before it stopped.

Bonnie met them with teeth bared.

“Call off the dog, lady.”

“Bonnie, here.” Maggie grabbed the dog’s collar and hauled her back enough for the men to lift Eddie to the gurney and rush him through the emergency room doors.

“Come on, ma’am. Shut the door so the dog is confined, and we’ll get you inside too.” The policeman spoke gently.

Maggie patted Bonnie and slid out the driver’s side. She slammed the door just in time as Bonnie hit it, her howls heartbreaking in their agony.

“She’s his care dog. She hardly lets him out of her sight.” Maggie fought to keep from dissolving in tears. She had to be strong for Eddie. Surely Maria had gotten through to Gil. How soon would he be able to get home? She strode to the door, the policeman at her side.

“Are you all right?”

At his gentle question, she nodded. “I just need to see Eddie.”

“They won’t let you, you’ll just get in the way. Come over here and answer their questions so they can help him better.”

Maggie stopped at the counter, gripping it till her fingers turned white. “No, I’m not his mother—his mother is what caused all this. He has spina bifida and gets around in a wheelchair.” She gave name and age, the address and phone number. “His father is out of town on a business trip. I’m the horse trainer and his riding instructor. And no, I don’t know what kind of insurance they have. Call Maria, she’s the housekeeper/nanny, she’ll know.” She handed over her cell phone. “It’s three on the speed dial.” While they talked, she tapped her foot—anything to let the adrenaline out. “Please, can I see him?”

“I’m sorry, dear, but you’ll just be in the way.” The woman behind the desk patted her hand.

“But he’ll be so frightened in there, all . . .”

“You have a seat, and I’ll find out what I can.”

“Thank you.” Maggie turned and nearly bumped into the policeman standing behind her.

“Ma’am, I’m sorry but I need to see your driver’s license.”

Maggie started to say she’d left her purse at home, but sucked in a breath. “I don’t have one.”

“You mean it’s expired?”

“No, I’ve not had one for the last seven years. Somehow a driver’s license didn’t seem important when I saw the blood coming from Eddie’s head, the piece of wood sticking out of his horse’s shoulder, and the dog going crazy. His mother was drunk, she backed her car into the barn and the stall where I had sent them to be safe.” Maggie staggered so the man caught her. “I sent them there to be safe and look what happened. It’s all my fault.”

“Easy, ma’am. You sit down here, and I’ll get one of the nurses.” She collapsed in the chair.
Gil left them in my care and I failed. Just like I failed before. God, please don’t let Eddie die, please let him live
.

“Can I get you anything?” The woman who sat down beside her took her hand.

Maggie slapped her pockets. “My phone is gone. I need a phone to call his father.”

“Right this way.”

“No, wait a minute, I gave my phone to the woman in ER.”

“I’ll get it for you.”

Maggie braced her head in her hands, her only possible plea,
Help us, please help us
. When the woman handed her the phone, she nodded. “Thank you.”

“You’re welcome. Is there anything else I can get you?”

“Information about Eddie.” Like now, she felt like screaming the words, but hung on to her control by sheer will.

“I’ll see what I can find out.”

Maggie punched number three. “Did you get ahold of Gil?”

“Sí, he will catch the next flight.”

“And the vet?”

“He fix the horse.”

“Good. Can you come here?”

“Sí. Almost there. How’s Eddie?”

Maggie gulped a sob. “I don’t know. He’s in the emergency and they won’t let me go see him.”

“I be right there.”

Even in the hospital, she could hear the dog howling. She looked up to catch the police officer’s eye. “Look, I need to go out and take care of Bonnie, she’s probably torn the truck apart by now. Will they let me back in here?”

“I’ll take care of that.”

Maggie stared around. “I don’t know how to get out of here.”

“I’ll show you.”

The policeman walked her out to the truck where Bonnie went crazy to see her, yipping and barking. Maggie patted her and held her in the truck since she had no leash to restrain her with.

“I’ll get something. Wait here.” The officer returned in a few minutes with a length of nylon rope. “Here, tie that onto her collar, and we can let her out for a few minutes.”