also having a special-needs dependent. Though he was almost positive that Verity would share her trademark warmth and kindness with Melody, she had her hands full with Ryan, and there was a small part of Colt that worried she might back away from him at the thought of increasing her own burden. He truly didn’t think this would happen, but he thought it couldn’t hurt to be cautious and patient, and choose the right time to introduce Verity to the idea (and the person) of Mel.
The second, which was a genuine concern for Colt, was that Verity had very strong opinions about living situations for developmentally disabled people. He’d known her for a week and seen her in some truly desperate situations, but the only time she’d snapped at him or really gotten her back up was during their dinner on the patio a few nights ago, when she said she’d never put Ryan in a home. He didn’t know what her experience with group homes had been, but he was certain that she had never seen a community like Bonnie’s Place. Colt knew that he if broached the topic again, she’d not only shut down but likely get even angrier than last time. The only way for her to understand that there were amazing places for developmentally disabled adults was for her to see Bonnie’s Place. And obviously she couldn’t see it until he was ready to introduce her to Mel.
It was sort of a vicious circle right now, and the only answer was to be patient, to build trust between them, and—when and if the time was right—to introduce Verity to Mel and Bonnie’s Place at the same time. And he knew they weren’t at that place yet.
Sebastian, the Renaissance Knight, elbowed Colt in the side. “You coming, or what?”
Colt looked up and realized he’d been zoning out, and the locker room he shared with the other knights was empty but for them. It was time to head to the stables and mount up for the show.
“Uh, yeah.”
“You okay?”
“Just distracted.”
“Better get your head in the game,” said Sebastian, who wore a red and white tunic with a red feather in his helmet. “Full house this afternoon. Your show, man.”
Colt followed his friend out the door, wishing Verity could be in the audience, but understanding why she couldn’t. Guests slipped out to the main hall throughout the performance to visit the bathrooms and bar, so there was a fairly brisk business at the gift shop during the show. Someday soon they’d work different Sunday shifts, and then she could see him win. Tonight, as he’d told her in the kitchen this morning, he’d already won just by virtue of their imminent date.
“Good luck,” said Sebastian, pushing open the doors that led to the stables.
“Huzzah,” Colt answered, rolling his eyes.
Striding through the practice ring, he headed for Thor’s stall but was distracted by a conversation in the stall to his left as he walked past.
“Keep the retard away from Éclair.”
“Artie, come on, now,” said Joe.
Colt stopped in the doorway, about twenty feet away from where Artie and Joe were speaking.
“I fucking mean it, Joe.”
Colt cleared his throat, and both men turned to look at him.
“Is there a problem here?” he asked, crossing his arms over his chest as he stepped forward, facing them.
“No problem,” said Artie, narrowing his eyes. “I just don’t want your girlfriend’s brother hanging around my mount.”
“Ryan knows horses,” said Colt, choosing not to correct Artie when he called Verity his girlfriend. “He’s good with them.”
“Yeah? Well, someone gave Éclair cabbage, and he’s farting like the world’s fucking ending. I’d need a gas mask to ride him tonight.”
“Cabbage?” asked Colt. “Do we even have cabbage back here?”
Joe shrugged. “Don’t know how it got in here, but Artie pointed out some shredded leaves that must’ve fallen on the straw. Horse ain’t digestin’ it well.”
Everyone knew you weren’t supposed to gives horses cruciferous vegetables like cabbage, cauliflower, and broccoli. An experienced stablehand like Ryan would have definitely known not to.
Colt cocked his head to the side. “You have proof it was Ryan?”
Artie sneered. “No, but he’s a retar—”
“Then I suggest you shut your mouth about him until you know for sure who was responsible.”
Stepping forward, Artie sized up Colt with a mean look. “Are you fucking threatening me, Lane?”
Colt closed the distance between them, staring Artie down. “I’m telling you to shut your fucking mouth about Ryan Gwynn unless you have some solid evidence that he did something wrong.