Diane Greenwood Muir - Bellingwood 05 - Life Between the Lines by Diane Greenwood Muir Read Free Book Online

the stall and Eliseo strode over to greet her. He murmured at her and stroked her head, then moved to Nat, who shook himself before putting his head out.
    “Polly!” Jason and Rachel both ran into the barn and pulled up short when they saw Polly and Eliseo.
    “Did you see it?” Rachel asked.
    “ Yes, and the police have already been here,” Polly said.
    Rachel was moving toward Daisy’s stall and Jason stepped up to Nat. Both of these young people had bonded with the four horses, but had chosen their own favorite to care for. When they all rode together, they knew who was most comfortable on which horse.
    “Come on, guys. Let’s feed them breakfast and we’ll saddle up after cleaning out the stalls. No time to waste!” Eliseo said and hefted a bucket to Jason. He tossed a second at Rachel and Polly caught up to him before he tossed another.
    The horses were soon eating and the humans made quick work of clean up. Jason hauled the last of the waste out to be dumped while Rachel and Polly followed Eliseo into the tack room. There wasn’t a day that went by when Polly wasn’t grateful for the months she’d put in hauling hay bales and cleaning these stalls by herself. She was in better shape than she’d ever been and the thought of lifting a saddle up on to Demi’s back no longer frightened her. She could tell he looked forward to their rides together and this morning she could hardly wait to feel his muscles move underneath her. She was still in awe that she got to be part of their lives.

 
     
     
     
     
     
     
    CHAPTER FIVE

     
    Demi’s strength and calm demeanor was the perfect remedy. Eliseo was right. Other than a few words of guidance as they rode, these early morning rides were quiet. Rachel and Jason were still trying to wake up, Eliseo never had much to say, and this morning Polly was fine with silence. She had a lot to think about.
    When they returned to the barn, they brushed down their horses and Eliseo stepped out to take a phone call. “Henry thinks that pressure washers will clean up most of the paint,” he said, walking back in. “He’s a little worried about the front doors, but told me that we should do as much as we can and he will look at it when he gets back.”
    “Okay, so we need to line up pressure washers and ladders,” Polly said. “Did he say anything about where to get that stuff?”
    “No, but he told me that you should call him when you’re free.”
    “Thanks. I’ll finish in here and head up to the office.”
    “You go. The kids and I can do this. I’ll stop in to find out what’s next.”
    “I’m sorry about this, Eliseo. I know today is usually your day off.”
    “Don’t even think about it. I’d rather be outside cleaning than stuck in my kitchen working on tile. That job will be there this winter when it’s cold and miserable.”
    She smiled at him. “Thank you. I’ll make it up to you.”
    “You already have, several times over. Don’t worry about it.”
    Polly dialed her phone as she left the barn.
    “Henry? Hi,” she said.
    “Hi there, pretty girl. How are you doing? Did the ride help bring you back to normal?”
    “It did, but now I’m stressing about how to get my hands on the equipment to clean this up.”
    “I’m already on it. Jimmy Rio knows where mine is in the shop and he said his dad has one he could borrow. I called Doug and Billy and Doug is pretty sure his dad has one, too. They’ll be coming downstairs any minute to talk to you.”
    Polly listened as he gave her instructions and then said, “Where are you? What am I hearing in the background?”
    “I’m on the other side of Kalamazoo, heading your way.”
    “I thought you were going to some lecture this afternoon with your sister. It was some guy she wanted you to meet.”
    “I’ll meet him later. I woke her up and told her what happened and she asked why I was still in her house. She kicked me out and I let her.”
    “Henry,” Polly whined, “I didn’t want you to