Wild Horses by Denise L. Wyant Read Free Book Online Page B

this is too much. I . . . I can’t accept it.”
    “Nonsense,” the men responded in unison, which left them both laughing.
    “Chad is cooking and baking up a storm while I’m working today. You’re welcome to have dinner with us.”
    “Yeah, you should join us,” Harry echoed. She knew the men were close. Manny and Chad looked out for Harry. “You know I can’t cook so I’m in charge of the drinks.” Harry grinned.
    Georgia gave them a watery smile. She never expected these men to become two of her closest friends. It’s funny, she mused, you certainly find out who your friends are when faced with tough times. They often aren’t who you expect. “Thank you,” she murmured, “I’ll think about it.”
    Manny pulled a card from his pocket and scribbled something down. He handed it to her. “Even though you should already have it, here’s my cell number. Call and let me know what you decide.” He pulled her in and pressed a kiss to her forehead. “Dinner’s at six. You know Chad; there will be more than enough food. Just bring yourself.”
    Manny released her and followed Harry to the door. Before he stepped outside, he looked back over his shoulder, “We better see you there!” The two men were gone, taking their lightheartedness with them.
    A bit later in the day, Georgia’s closet girlfriend, Felicia, called to check on her.
    “Girl, what are you doing working on Christmas?” Felicia asked. She continued before Georgia could answer. “You should come out to the ranch. We’re having eighteen for dinner.”
    “Thanks, girl, I appreciate it.” Georgia paused. While she liked Felicia’s family, she wasn’t in the mood to be around a lot of people. “However, Manny and Chad invited me to their place for dinner. I’m going to head over there for a bit.”
    “Oh, okay,” Felicia sounded disappointed but said, “at least you won’t be alone.”
    Georgia explained about the gift card and the need to do something for her friends. Felicia’s positive response made her smile. It even got her thinking when her friend suggested photographing the wild horses outside of Placitas. That sounded like a damn good idea!
    “You know, I like it! Sounds perfect!” Georgia’s excitement for photography was rekindling.
    Felicia responded happily, “There you go!” The rest of the conversation was cut short when Felicia’s husband needed help with the preparations.
    After she hung up the phone, Georgia phoned Manny to let him know she would be there for dinner. She couldn’t help but smile at Manny’s excitement. She even heard Harry in the background, cheering at her decision. Simple things may excite her friends, but it left her heart filled with warmth to know how much they cared.
    ****

    Much to Georgia’s surprise, the next week flew by. Shoppers were out in force; her coffee business had record sales. Between making drinks and selling beans, she didn’t have time to think about her mother. In fact, she was so busy; the tempting gift card had to wait.

    ****

    The following Thursday dawned, cold and snowy. Georgia was getting antsy to try out the new equipment she’d purchased the day before. Of course, she just couldn’t buy a lens at the shop — she splurged on other accessories. At the rate the flurries fell, there would be snow lying in the foothills. She needed to get out and see the horses in the next couple of days.
    Georgia called Felicia’s older sister, Lucy, to see if she would man the shop for a bit in the upcoming days. Lucy had been laid off from her office job when the firm downsized, and happily agreed to watch the shop for Georgia.
    Saturday morning, Georgia loaded her camera equipment into her Subaru Outback. She was thankful for the car’s all-wheel drive; the roads were covered with snow the closer she got to the mountains. She pulled onto the wide shoulder and grabbed her tripod and the backpack with her camera. She hiked over the rolling terrain until the wild horses came