Love Means_. Freedom - Andrew Grey

now-clean stall, shutting the door behind him. "What do you want me to do?"
"Just walk the horse around the ring and talk to her. I just didn't want you to be surprised when she doesn't talk back."
    Stone nodded his understanding and went to put away his tools. It had been a long day and he was tired. But the stalls were clean. As he walked to the tool closet, he could hear the sounds of laughter as people worked with their horses. "Damn it." He wiped his eyes. He missed Buster. He and the gelding had spent every day together, and it had practically broken his heart to leave him behind. He worried about him and hoped the old man was taking care of him. At least he knew Carl, his dad's hand, would most likely see to him.
    Horses and happy voices filled the barn as students brought their mounts back to their stalls.
Eli and Joey followed them, getting horses ready for the therapy session. "Joey?"
    Stone turned and saw Robbie at the barn door, but noticed that Joey was very busy. Closing the closet door, he rushed through the activity. "Joey's busy, but I'll help you."

    "I can make it normally, but there's too much activity," Robbie explained as he took Stone's arm and they walked down the aisle, maneuvering together around the large beasts.
    "Hey, Robbie." Stone released the man as Joey closed the stall door and slipped an arm around Robbie's waist.
"Thank you, Stone, for the help."
    "You're welcome." Stone watched as Joey guided Robbie into the stall, and after Robbie mounted, Joey led the horse toward the ring. Once inside, Joey mounted as well, and they rode together with Robbie's hands around Joey's waist.

    "Would you lead Mercury here to the ring and stay with him?" Eli asked. "I'll get Belle and we'll be ready. The kids will be here soon." They arrived a few minutes later, but there was none of the laughter and cries of delight you'd expect from six-year-olds. "This is Sherry," her mother said gently, and Stone looked into the big, blue eyes of a small girl with golden hair, holding her mother's hand.
    Eli bent down. "This is Mr. Stone. You can call him Stoney if you want. He's gonna help you with Mercury, okay?"
She looked through all of them and appeared to focus on the pony.
"I'll put you on the pony, honey." Her mother picked up and placed her on Mercury.
    Stone got her feet set in the stirrups and then started leading her around the ring. "Have you ridden Mercury before?" Stone looked back and saw no reaction, but he did notice that she held on with one hand and was petting the pony with the other. "He's a nice horse, isn't he?" No answer. But she did look up and kept petting Mercury's neck. "Do you like horses? I do. I have one of my own back home, but I couldn't bring him here." No response at all. Stone kept walking and talking, trying another subject.
    "Did your mom bring you?" Stone pointed and her gaze followed his hand. "She's very pretty." Big eyes traveled back to him. "You're pretty, too, just like your mom."

    Stone saw tears stream down her face, but she kept stroking the horse as she looked at her mom and then back at Stone. "Daddy used to say that." Her voice was so soft.

    She talked. Holy shit!!! Stone didn't know what to do, so he kept walking the pony. "What else did your daddy say?" No response. "Did he have a name for you? My mom used to call me Fidget because I couldn't sit still."

    Her eyes got wide and then she smiled. "Daddy called me Ice Cream Girl."
    Stone glanced around the ring as Eli and Joey walked their horses. Joey's had a small boy sitting in front, with Robbie holding him. All the riders were smiling. Stone continued walking and saw Joey lead his horse in before helping the little boy and then Robbie off the horse. Eli then led in his horse. After one final lap, Stone led Mercury toward the rail. After Stone tied off Mercury's lead, Sherry's mother walked by, but Sherry held out her arms to Stone and he lifted her off the pony, smiling when she put her arms around her neck.
    "Did you have a nice ride, honey?"

    Those big eyes looked at her mom and then at Stone before nodding. Stone put her down and she took her mother's hand. "We'll see the pony again next week." As they began to walk away, Sherry tugged her hand away and walked slowly to Stone before hugging his legs. "Thank you, Stoney." She looked up at him, eyes bright and shining.
    He patted her blonde hair lightly, and then she turned back to her mom, taking the shocked woman's hand. A tear ran down her cheek as