Love Means Courage - Andrew Grey

“When they’re settled, I’ll fill you in.” Cliff nodded and walked back to the house just as Geoff was opening the door.
    “Okay, before we unload the horses, I have agreements that need to be signed.” Len had found them in the tack room after he hung up the phone. “Owners, follow me, and Nicole, the ring’s out back if you want to take a look.”

    She tromped through the barn as Len led the owners to the 65
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tack room. He handed each one an agreement, updating the rate by hand, and had them fill it in, sign, and date. Then he collected checks along with the agreements. “Okay, I have five stalls ready, so start unloading, and I’ll get the other two set.” Fred had been hanging around. “I need to help Randy.” Len smiled. “I can take it from here. Thanks you for your help.” Out front, the first horse was unloaded and walked into the designated stall.
    Len began filling the wheelbarrow when one of the young girls who’d arrived with the horses tapped him on the shoulder. “They need you in the barn. I can do that.” She grabbed the shovel and began loading the wheelbarrow like a stevedore.

    Len went back inside and met Nicole as she walked through the barn. “Nice, clean, and the ring is good.” She was actually smiling. “With Padgett, I paid him for the use of the ring and facilities with ten percent of my fees. Is that okay?”
    “I think so, sure.”
“If you don’t mind my asking, why was the barn so empty? It’s clean and in good shape. Doesn’t make sense to me.”
“Remind me and I’ll tell you over coffee sometime.”
    “That’s a deal. You bring the story; I’ll bring the coffee.” They walked to where horses were being unloaded, and Len directed them to stalls. In a surprisingly short time, the barn was filled with horses and their owners, grooming, brushing, and getting their charges settled. Nicole was looking over the proceedings. “Most of them lost their saddles and tack in the fire, so it could be a while before I’m up to speed again, but we’ll get there. You realize you’ve got additional 66

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    stall space in back, don’t you?” Len shook his head, and she led him to the back half of the barn. One side was definitely set up for feeding cattle. Len figured it was used mostly in the winter. The other side was largely open. “You could easily build an additional four to six stalls in this space if you wanted to expand.”
    “Good. I’ll have to talk to Cliff, and see what he says, but at least we have space to expand.” They walked back up the barn where the horses were now settled, and owners were beginning to leave. Len thanked the girls for getting the stalls ready, and after making one more check, walked up to the house.
    The door was open, and a pair of eyes peered out through the screen. A small voice piped up with, “Hos.” Cliff appeared behind Geoff and unlatched the door. “He’s been bouncing around ever since they arrived.” Geoff stepped back, and Len walked into the kitchen. “Can I offer you some coffee?”
    “Thanks.”
Cliff poured a cup and handed it to Len. “You want to tell me what’s going on?”
    “Seems Padgett’s barn was hit by lightning yesterday, and Nicole called this morning asking if we had space to board five horses, and then seven showed up.” He handed Cliff the signed agreements along with the checks. “I collected first and last month’s stable fees in advance from all of them, and Nicole will pay you for training privileges in the ring.”
    Cliff sipped his coffee as Len finished relaying the morning’s events. When he was done, he looked over his mug, eyes wandering around the now clean kitchen. “There’s something I think you should know,” Len said as he put his cup down. “I’m not sure how to handle this, so I’m gonna tell you straight.” Cliff put his cup down as well and waited. “When we were at lunch yesterday, we 67
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heard a rumor that the farm’s in financial trouble.” Len picked up his cup again and sipped, needing something to keep his hands busy. “I know it’s none of my business, and I thought about whether I should say anything at all.”
    Cliff exploded, pounding his fist on the table. “Damn busybodies and their gossip!” Len jumped in surprise, and Geoff started to cry. Cliff lifted his son onto his lap, trying to soothe him, even as Len could see the tide of anger rising in Cliff’s eyes.

    “I’ve known you