LITMIR.BIZ

       Chapter Five

      “She’s dead.”

      Amy inhaled, her peaceful hold on sleep slipping with the intrusive whisper.

      “Nah,” a second voice declared. “She just breathed, see?”

      “No, she didn’t. She freezed to death.”

      That was Jayden. The uncertain tremor and concern in his voice gave it away.

      A small hand poked Amy’s chest and the warm presence of two small bodies closed in at her sides. Her mouth twitched. She kept her eyes shut and shifted on the stable floor, pressing deeper into the heat at her back, reluctant to release her relaxed state.

      A strong hand flexed on her hip. Amy stilled, her stomach flipping as she recognized the familiar strength at her back.

      Last night, Logan had tried his best to talk her into going back inside but she’d been determined to stay by Thunder’s stall. The stallion had been left alone too long, cooped up away from everyone. She couldn’t stand the thought of him spending another night in isolation. Instead, she’d settled on the cold stable floor, keeping a vigilant eye on Thunder.

      She’d hoped Thunder would relax after getting used to her scent again. Had thought it might even help him settle down and find comfort in having someone close. It’d worked to a certain extent. Even though Thunder had started his usual intimidation tactics when they’d arrived at his stall, he’d eventually quieted down after a couple of hours. After which, she must have fallen asleep.

      Logan, true to his word, had stayed at her side, gathering her against him and throwing a blanket over them. And, as usual, she’d settled right back into his arms. Even in her sleep.

      “If she’s dead, then that means Uncle Logan’s dead, too.” Kayden’s whisper tickled her ear. “He was with her. And he ain’t moving neither.”

      “Uh-uh,” Jayden argued. “If Aunt Amy’s dead, it’s ’cuz she freezed to death. But Uncle Logan wouldn’t die ’cuz men don’t get cold.”

      Logan’s chest shook. His gentle breaths of silent laughter ruffled her hair. Apparently, he was playing along, too.

      “I know how to check,” Kayden said.

      Amy cringed as the tip of Kayden’s tiny finger jerked her eyelid up, making her eye roll with discomfort. He released it and sat back with a sigh.

      “Yep,” Kayden said sadly. “She’s dead.”

      “Do something.” Jayden’s voice turned anxious.

      “What do you want me to do?” Kayden’s tone was long-suffering.

      “Give her CRP.”

      “What?”

      “CRP,” Jayden said. “You know? Blow air in her mouth.”

      Okay. That was enough playing along. Amy opened her eyes.

      Kayden sucked in a mouthful of air, held it with puffed cheeks and leaned forward.

      Amy held him off with a hand. “That’s not necessary, Kay—”

      The sharp slam of Thunder’s hoof against the stall door sounded, an earsplitting crack of wood cutting through the air and causing them all to jump. Logan’s arms shot out, snagging the boys close. He bundled them all together and rolled over, pressing against the wall and covering them.

      “What’s happening?” Jayden cried, his arms tight around Amy’s neck.

      “That mean horse is trying to stomp on us.” Kayden burrowed his blond head into her middle.

      “No.” Logan’s voice, calm and soothing, rumbled at her back. “He’s just letting us know he wants his space.”

      Thunder’s assault on the stall door ceased. Logan tensed, holding them all tight in the wake of the silence, then eased back. He stood and tugged them, each in turn, to their feet.

      “Land sakes, what have the boys done now?”

      Betty stood in the stable entrance, Traci at her side, and eyed the twins.

      “Nothing,” Amy said hastily. “Thunder’s being rowdy is all.”

      “Rowdy’s an understatement,” Logan said, frowning. “He’s about to take that door down. We need to turn him out so I can work on it. Don’t want to chance him breaking it down tonight.”

      “He wants out,” Jayden murmured.

      His sad eyes lingered on Thunder. He took a hesitant step toward the stall. Thunder resumed kicking, his hooves slamming against the stall walls and echoing around the stable.

      Logan jumped in front of Jayden and examined the door for damage. “We’re about to turn him out, buddy.”

      “Why can’t we let him out now?” Jayden slipped between Logan’s parted legs, stretching up on his toes and reaching for the latch on the stall.

      “No, Jayden.” Logan spun him gently toward Betty. “You leave this to me and keep your distance from him. He’s dangerous.”

      “But—”

      “No buts. Thunder’s wild when he’s loose. He needs to be fenced in.” He ruffled Jayden’s blond hair and nudged him toward the door. “You and Kayden can watch Thunder all you want once we turn him out. For now, you keep out of the way.”

      Jayden glanced up at Amy, his chin trembling and blue eyes glistening. “He doesn’t like it in there. He wants out.”

      Amy’s chest tightened. She patted his cheek and smiled. “I know he does. And we’re going to let him out for some fresh air soon.”

      “Well, in that case, you boys go on in and get some breakfast,” Betty said. “Give Logan and Amy time to get a handle on Thunder, then you can come back out to watch later on.”

      Kayden grumbled on his way past Betty and Jayden trudged behind but both boys picked up their pace at hearing pancakes and bacon were waiting on them.

      “Pop told me he found the two of you out here with Thunder last night,” Betty said. “We got worried when you didn’t show back up.” She tilted her head at Amy, expression cautious. “I guess this means you changed your mind about working with Thunder?”

      Amy nodded. “I don’t know how much progress I’ll make with the little time I have but I promised Logan I’d give it a shot while I’m here.”

      Betty glanced at Logan. “I’m glad to hear that.”

      Logan ducked his head and resumed examining Thunder’s stall.

      “I brought a pancake and bacon sandwich out for each of you.” Betty smiled, placing two foiled bundles in Amy’s hands. “Figured if y’all were gung ho to stay out here all night, you wouldn’t take a break long enough to eat this morning. The hands were wolfing them down so fast, I didn’t think there’d be any left by the time you did get around to coming in.”

      The thick weight of the packages warmed Amy’s palms and the sweet aroma caused her stomach to growl. The rumble was loud and long, triggering Logan’s deep chuckle at her back and a giggle from Traci.

      Amy joined them, the laughter lifting her spirits. For a moment, it felt like home again. The way it used to before things went so bad. When the ranch was full of

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