Page 48 of Won't Back Down
I blinked, dragging my brain back to the conversation. Right. A trip into the woods would certainly work off some of this restless energy that we wouldn’t be working off in bed. “Let’s finish checking the utilities first and pull together supplies. If we’re gonna be going for a hike, we ought to go prepared. Boots, day packs, the whole shebang.”
Her shy smile bloomed. “Thank you.”
No reason for me to admit this was far more self-preservation than accommodating her.
The power was, predictably, still out, and cell towers were down. But water and gas appeared to be fine. I hooked up the generator, and we enjoyed a proper cup of coffee with our breakfast of fruit and cereal bars before packing supplies and setting out in search of the herd. Roy trotted only a few feet ahead, sniffing and returning over and over as he explored the changes.
We elected to follow the road around the perimeter of the woods to see how bad the washout was up to the dunes. There were at least two spots that would be impassable until the water dropped. We had to backtrack a ways to higher ground before we entered the trees. It was a little cooler beneath the canopy. While there was certainly damage and stripped leaves, there was a surprising amount of remaining shade. Neither of us spoke as we picked our way over and around downed trees.
At least one of the live oaks had toppled in the storm. Its roots had been yanked from the earth as easily as I might pull a weed. Only a few of the enormous, twisted branches kept it from fully collapsing on its side.
Willa laid a hand on the trunk, obviously grieving a little for the loss. “This tree was well over a hundred years old.”
“It survived a lot. Part of the root ball is still in the ground. It might take a season or two before it fully dies. Maybe we could bring in more dirt or a tree surgeon?”
“That probably isn’t the best use of funds, considering the other higher priorities.”
“Maybe. But they’re your funds to spend as you choose.” Or they would be, once all this bullshit with her parents was put to rest.
She bit her lip again. “I suppose it wouldn’t hurt to at least consult with someone.”
Leaving the tree behind, we forged ahead. Because Willa knew the area best, I let her lead. She didn’t speak much, and that was fine. We’d always been easy in silence together. Despite the debris of downed branches and leaf litter, she moved quietly. I wondered if she’d worked on this level of stealth in all her years monitoring the horses or if it was simply natural because most everything she did was unobtrusive. A natural attempt to blend into whatever environment she was in.
“It shouldn’t be much farther, assuming they sheltered where I think they did,” she murmured. “Roy, stay close and quiet.”
Another quarter mile in, the forest gave way to a wide grassy area with a small pond. High ground and trees rose on all sides, making it perhaps the most sheltered spot on the property. And I’d had no idea it was here. Below us, the herd huddled together, their coats flecked with drying mud and sand, tails twitching, clearly tired out from weathering the storm.
“Well, I’ll be damned,” I breathed.
Across the clearing, the stallion’s head came up, his ears twitching in our direction, though we were downwind. He’d probably heard us coming.
Willa did a quick count. “Twenty-seven. I think that’s all of them.” Though she’d whispered, the stallion took a few steps in our direction, bouncing his head.
I moved closer, pressing my lips to Willa’s ear. “I’m not sure we’re welcome here.”
“It’ll be all right. I just need to let him know it’s me.”
“Willa—”
Signaling Roy to stay, she ignored the warning in my tone and stepped out of the trees, hands lifted in peace. “Hey, Triton. Hey, buddy. I just came to check on everybody.”
At the sound of Willa’s crooning, multiple heads shifted in her direction. A couple of the mares broke free of the herd and plodded toward her. I braced myself for some kind of action as the stallion—Triton, I assumed—stamped his feet, prowling closer, keeping between Willa and the curious members of his herd.
She held perfectly still. “Hey, pal. Did y’all come through the storm okay? Anybody need medical attention?”
I had no idea what we’d do if she found any injuries. It wasn’t as if we could reach the island vet right now. But maybe she just needed something to say.
All attention was on Willa. My muscles tensed as Triton edged in close enough to snuffle her hair. Still, she didn’t move. Then the stallion’s nose bumped against her shoulder hard enough to knock her back a step.
When I might have bolted toward her, Willa only laughed softly. “All you had to do was ask.” Slowly, she extended her hand, holding it aloft for him to sniff.
When he bumped the long stretch of his nose against her palm, she gave him a gentle rub. He pressed harder, so she obliged with a firmer scratch. “Hard to reach spot, huh?”
Triton snorted and leaned into the touch, much as Roy did when she’d found an especially good spot.
Holy shit. Of course, she was a freaking horse whisperer. She’d been in love with these animals from the time she was a toddler.
“You’re looking all distinguished now, aren’t you? Getting some gray mixed in with the black.”