AFTERNOON SETTLED INTO DUSK over The Harbour. Harlow worked out her feelings, staying mostly silent. I suggested she take a bubble bath, but she refused citing that she didn’t have any clean clothes or toiletries. Instead, I made her bacon, shrimp, and corn chowder and kept her wine glass full. Although she didn’t eat or drink that much at all.
“Do you want me to go over to Afton’s and pack you a bag?” I asked, clearing the dishes.
She shook her head, wiping her mouth with a napkin. “No, all I need is to run into town and grab a toothbrush and a few miscellaneous beauty items.”
I should have extra toiletries on hand. I’m making a mental note to have Thora stash them in all the bathrooms.
Closing the dishwasher, I nodded. “Do you want me to go with you?”
She rolled up to her feet. “That’s fine.”
I wished there was something I could do to improve her mood. My cellphone rang. The screen showed it was Chelsea from the polo club.
I lifted the phone to my ear. “Hey, Chelsea, what’s up?”
“Grady, it’s Elsa. The vet is in with her now, she has colic. We noticed she didn’t eat much last night, and this morning she was pawing at the ground and didn’t eat at all.”
Feeling my shoulders tense, I rubbed at the back of my neck. “Is she lying down? How about drinking water?” I didn’t’ give Chelsea time to answer. “Never mind, I’ll be right there.”
I ended the call and grabbed my keys from the bowl on the hutch. Harlow’s hazel eyes narrowed. “What’s going on?”
“My horse, Elsa, she’s sick with colic. I need to go . . . and be with her.” My heart hammered in my chest.
Harlow took my keys and set them back onto the counter. “I’ll drive you.”
My heart tumbled into my stomach watching as Grady paced with Elsa in circles outside the stables. “Elsa girl, you need to stay on your feet.”
She kept pawing at the ground making several attempts to roll. The vet told us that Elsa didn’t have a twisted bowel, which came as a welcome relief to Grady. Dehydration and possible shock was the vet’s diagnosis. As for the reason Elsa wasn’t drinking or eating, that was unclear. I learned that with colic it could be anything, often there is no clear answer.
“Come on, Elsa girl,” Grady said, rubbing her forehead and snout. “Just go to the bathroom and this will all be over.”
Grady’s eyes met mine. The pain filling them, tugged at my heart. I’ve never had pets, not a cat, dog, or even a goldfish. I couldn’t imagine the way he was feeling at this moment.
“Can I help with anything?”
Grady shook his head. “Just having you here is all I need.”
I patted Elsa’s hindquarters like I saw Grady doing earlier. “Can I just say, Elsa, your house is gorgeous.”
Reclaimed brick lined the walkways, making you feel as if you’re strolling through a part of history. Stone columns and iron railings enhanced the classic aesthetic appeal. The stalls were immaculate with their sliding Dutch doors. There was even a lounge area complete with flat screen televisions anchored on the walls. My first apartment in Manhattan wasn’t this chic.
Grady chuckled. “Yeah, only the best for my girl.”
“How did you come up with the name Elsa?”
“I didn’t, my mom and sister flipped a coin for their name choices. My mom won and Elsa isn’t named after the Disney character, her namesake is Elsa Peretti.”
I laughed, rocking back on my heels. “And what was your sister’s name selection?”
“Pat, short for Patricia, but she really just wanted me to introduce her as Pat, the horse.”
“Are you thirsty?” I asked, stepping onto the grassy area beside the stables.
“Actually, yeah, could you grab me a bottle of water? Go up to the clubhouse. Use the code I gave you earlier, the player’s lounge is three doors down on the left. There’s a refrigerator in there stocked with everything.”
I trekked up to the clubhouse pausing for a moment when I heard Grady talking to Elsa. Turning back, searing pain wound through my heart when I saw him step in front of her, and then kiss her nose.
I made my way into the clubhouse and then found the lounge Grady mentioned. My phone vibrated in my pocket as I snagged two bottles of water from the fridge.
Zanita: Harry wants to talk to you.
Harlow: Then he can call me, but honestly, I’m not interested in hearing what he has to say.
Zanita: I figured as much.
Harlow: After all this time, why?
Harlow: You know what, fuck that. I’m happy and we’re over.
Zanita: Bravo, girl. I debated on whether or not to tell you.
Zanita: I’m of the mind better to have all the information.
Harlow: And I appreciate that about your friendship.
Zanita: Want me to tell him to piss off?
Harlow: Nah, not worth it. Goodbye, Harry, have a splendid life.
Harlow: I know that I will.
And that was the end of that—officially closed the door. No room for this back and forth bullshit. He dumped me. I pulled up my big girl panties and moved on with Grady. It had been a few months, but it all felt so right—so fucking right.
I opened the door and then reset the code to the clubhouse. Whatever crap life dished out for the two of us, I was confident that Grady and I would handle it—there was no doubt in my mind.
“Hey, Harlow! Watch your step, Elsa’s feeling better!”
My face scrunched up and I couldn’t help the cackle that erupted from my chest. “Way to go, Elsa!”