Page 9 of Repentance and Absolution

“Likewise,” I said, and Oscar said, “Hi.”

Peter looked the mare o’er, then turned back to us. “Well, I reckon this horse ain’t much use to me. I got old Sam there, and I need cash more than I need a second horse. I got this horse for my granddaughter, in fact, but”—his voice cracked—“she ain’t here no more.”

I didn’t know if he meant she’d passed away or that her family had left Port Essington for someplace else. It wouldn’t be polite to ask, so I got down to business.

“How much you want for her?”

“Well, now…” Peter examined the horse again, petting her arched neck and scratching under her chin. The mare sniffed him and nuzzled against his shirt. “I paid a hundred for her last year. I reckon I’d need close to that. She’s a fine horse.”

I couldn’t argue that, but a full hundred seemed steep and more than I wanted to pay.

Oscar clutched at my sleeve. “Jimmy, she’s so pretty!” he said, then he let go of me and stepped back, in case he was being too intimate.

“Do you mind if we come in and meet her? I’m getting her for Oscar here, because he don’t have a horse at all right now. I need to see if they’d get along before we talk serious about cost.”

“Surely. Come on in,” he said, gesturing to the gate.

Oscar had unlatched the gate and was in the paddock before I could blink, walking up to that horse with an eager smile and an outstretched hand.

“Hello, girl,” he said, his voice smooth and soft.

Watching him made my heart hurt, as I recalled the way he’d bonded with Sprite once we’d got rid of the wagon.

The mare regarded him warily for a moment, then reached her muzzle out to sniff his hand. She nickered and tossed her forelock, as if she were saying hello.

His smile broadened. He glanced at me, then returned his gaze to the fetching mare.

“You sure are a beauty,” he said. “And I reckon you know it.”

Chapter Three

Onyx

Carson and I laughed and Peter smiled, because it did look as though the mare was preening with all of us looking at her.

“You wanna lead her around, son? That way Jimmy can see that she’s sound and comports herself well.”

“Yes, sir,” Oscar said, excitement in his voice as he reached out for the mare’s lead.

We watched as Oscar led the coal-black mare around the edges of the paddock. The old gray stallion simply stood and watched them, giving a snort of contention every now and then, but otherwise paid no interest.

“Sam don’t care about her one way or the other,” Peter said, laughing. “I reckon he’ll be glad to get the stables back to himself, if you decide to buy her.”

I nodded, watching Oscar and the horse. The mare seemed content to follow him around the ring as if they were already fast friends. He glanced at me, his eyes shining with delight. I had to remind myself to watch the way the mare walked. I didn’t want to waste our money on an unsound horse, no matter how nice she was or how much Oscar might want her.

She moved well—exceptionally well, in fact—but I wasn’t gonna say that to Peter. I scratched my chin, frowning.

“She flighty?” I asked.

Peter chuckled. “Well, she’s spunky and full of energy, but I’m sure Oscar can manage her. She’s pretty well-behaved.”

“He just learned to ride. He ain’t got much experience,” I said, as Oscar’s smile dimmed, and he threw me a glare.

“I can manage her, Jimmy. She’s a pussycat.”

Sure enough, she was still following him around the paddock like an obedient puppy. I didn’t know if I wanted to spend so much, but I’d perhaps made a mistake bringing Oscar here. Peter could likely tell how much Oscar wanted this horse. I reckon t’was obvious to all of us—which put me in a tricky position.

“She’s all right,” I said. “A bit young for an inexperienced rider like Oscar.”