a weak stomach, you better say so now.”
“I’ll be okay and I’ll do whatever you say.” She glanced at the motionless animal and had to ask, “Are they all going to die?”
“Not if I have anything to say about it.” His tone held grim determination.
Something about Logan changed, like light shifting across his face. She could have sworn she caught a glimpse of rage, just under the surface and ready to boil over.
AVERY GRIPPED Possum’s lead as she walked the dainty dappled-gray mare around and around the paddock. She’d learned from watching two of the boys, also walking horses, how to hold the lead rope close to the side of the animal’s face so she could pet her and talk to her. Raul was walking King Moe, a black stallion too ill to be ornery, the boy said, and Tony was walking Hopalong, a pretty, light brown horse with a white tail and mane.
She discovered a lot about the boys as they walked. They were working for Logan without pay as punishment for getting into trouble at school. From the way they cared for the horses, she didn’t think they minded their punishment. She would have learned more, but the increasing heat, worry and the struggle to keep the horses on their feet and walking soon took all her energy.
She lost track of time or how long she’d been walking until Logan came out, shoved a wide-brimmed straw cowboy hat on her head and handed her a bottle of water, insisting she drink some now. Then he clasped her chin in his hand and searched her face. He smiled as he said, “Your nose and cheeks are turning pink. Keep the hat pulled low.”
She was perfectly still and gazed steadily into his eyes. “I’m okay.”
Logan nodded and reluctantly dropped his hand. He was impressed that she didn’t complain or want to quit because she was tired, dirty and hot. “If you feel dizzy or nauseated at all, don’t be ashamed to speak up.” He busied himself examining Possum. “You don’t have to prove anything to those kids. Believe me, you’re not tougher than they are just because you’re older.”
“You don’t have to rub it in,” she mumbled softly, but not so softly he didn’t hear.
He hid a grin as he pulled a full syringe from his shirt pocket. “Those kids are used to working in the heat.” He gave Possum a shot.
“How are the other horses, Logan?”
“Mac’s Lady isn’t going to make it, but Dad’s not ready to let go of her yet.”
He saw her eyes fill with tears. “What happened?” she asked. “Have you found out what made them sick?”
The truth could send her running to Haven to jump on the first available bus. He glanced at her again. Disheveled and tired, she still managed to look tempting. And strong. Nevertheless he sidestepped her question. “Pierce’s taking samples of the feed to be analyzed.”
“Do you have any ideas?” she asked.
Strong and persistent. He sighed. “There’s little doubt that they were poisoned.”
“Oh, no! Surely you’re wrong. Who would do something like that? And why?”
Logan shrugged, unwilling to put words to his demons.
Avery caught sight of Raul and Tony inching closer, their youthful curiosity aroused enough that caution was forgotten. She tried to keep her gaze on Logan so the boys wouldn’t feel as if they were suspects. But she sensed a change in Raul’s and Tony’s demeanor.
Raul’s stiff stance radiated outrage. Black eyes narrowed and shimmered like polished rock. The jerk of his head and the defiant flip of his long ponytail were further outward signs of anger. “Doc, we didn’t...” For all his bravado, words failed him.
Tony looked scared sick and seemed unable to say anything at all.
Logan glanced around. “I never thought you did, Raul.”
“But Sheriff Middleton will, won’t he?”
Tony found his voice. “I swear, Doc.”
Logan began examining the other two horses. “Let me handle the sheriff.”
“But—” Raul began.
“Raul, I’ve seen you with the horses. Whatever your problems at home or school, I know that it isn’t in any of you to hurt an animal.” Whatever had almost killed off his stock was far more sophisticated than anything a bunch of teenage boys could come up with. Logan patted each horse, pleased to see the medicine and attention were working. “Keep them moving, boys. Don’t let them cool down yet.”
“They’re scared and worried,” Avery said, when the two youths had led their charges away.
“I know. No matter what we find out, there will always be those who believe the kids had something to do with this mess.”
Avery cringed. “The stigma never goes away, no matter how innocent you are.”
Logan didn’t comment on her statement, but tucked the tidbit of information away to mull over later. “Give a holler when you’ve had enough, and someone will spell you.”
Avery returned to circling the paddock with Possum. The only real relief in the long afternoon heat came when they stopped and allowed the horses to drink. After she and the boys hosed down the sweatsoaked animals, they took advantage of the cool water themselves and indulged in a friendly water fight. Afterward, the boys loosened up enough talk about themselves. Their crimes were so typical of teenage boys that she laughed. But it seemed parents, teachers and the law of Haven, Texas, kept a careful and collective watch on their young people. As Avery resumed walking Possum, she secretly admired their efforts.
“Are you sleepwalking or daydreaming?”
Startled, Avery jerked to a stop. “Hi, Mr. Monahan.”
“I thought we’d agreed you’d call me Mac.”
Whatever she was about to say was drowned out by the roar of an engine. “What’s that?”
“Tanner finally got the tractor running. He’s going to bury those poor horses.”
“I’m sorry Mac’s Lady didn’t make it.”
“She was a fine quarter horse. Logan trained her and Tanner rode her at the rodeos before he bought Molly.” Mac waved at the boys, then pulled off his hat, scrubbed at his lined face and sighed loud and long. “This is a sad day, I tell you, when someone’s so evil they take their hate out on defenseless animals.”
“Does anyone have any idea who would do such an awful thing?”
Mac’s lips thinned and the expression in his hooded eyes looked downright deadly. He shook his head. “Ain’t got a clue. ’Course, you might ask Logan that same question.” He paused. “Who knows, he might just tell you. But the boy’s being his typical closemouthed self with us.”
They walked side by side around the paddock, silent, both listening to the clamor of the tractor. Eventually the noise faded away to a faint rumble, and Mac took the lead rope from Avery. “I hope all this hasn’t scared you. I mean, you ain’t leaving, are you?”
The question brought an immediate response, one she didn’t have to consider. “No.” Where would she go? She would have loved to ask Mac why he’d been so determined to hire someone to take care of Logan, when it was as obvious as the nose on his face that Logan was capable of looking after himself.
“Why don’t you take a breather? I’ll stay with Possum.” When she hesitated, he said, “Go on, get out of this heat. You might check with Logan and see if he needs you for anything else.”
Avery stopped just inside the barn door to let her eyes adjust to the darkened interior. She savored the coolness for a moment, then made a face as she caught a strong scent of disinfectant. As she moved past the line of empty stalls, the smell became sharper until it stung her