Total pages in book: 75
Estimated words: 69468 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 347(@200wpm)___ 278(@250wpm)___ 232(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 69468 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 347(@200wpm)___ 278(@250wpm)___ 232(@300wpm)
Finally, the tractor turned onto a private road leading to some fields, and traffic picked up to a normal pace. Luckily, this was my last call of the day as well, so time was less of a factor. At the ranch, Kat greeted me with no Carson in sight. I couldn’t make my eagerness too obvious, so I forced myself to focus on the couple of early horse pregnancies we were monitoring.
I fetched my portable ultrasound device so we could confirm each mare had only one foal growing inside her. Twins sounded all cute until one understood how deadly they could be to mares and foals, and I always held my breath during early ultrasounds. These mares wouldn’t be due until next spring, but careful monitoring now meant fewer complications later.
As we finished up with the last of the mares, Kat rolled her shoulders, long braid bouncing, as relieved as I was that none of the pregnancies were twins.
“You need to see Linus while you are here.” Kat’s tone was conversational, not that of a dire emergency. “Carson’s been putting in a lot of extra hours with him.”
“That’s great.” I kept my voice measured as I clicked the last of my equipment bags shut. I didn’t want to let on that I already knew about Carson’s work from his text updates, which had included pictures. “I can’t wait to see.”
“He’s in the ring with him now.” Kat gestured beyond us toward the riding arena. “We’re pretty much done here. Why don’t you go check on them?”
“No other questions for me?” I tried not to sound too ready to be done and free to visit with Carson.
“No, Doc.” Kat patted my upper arm. “For once, it’s looking like a quiet night, and I’d like to keep it that way.”
“Amen to that.” My neck twinged. I hoped Kat wasn’t jinxing either of us.
“Go on now.” She shooed me toward the arena. I deposited my equipment back in my truck before making my way to the riding ring. I paused at the gate to watch Carson’s work. He was patiently urging Linus to step over a series of poles laid on the ground while the horse wore ankle weights.
The neurologist had talked in depth about increasing Linus’s limb awareness through physical therapy. The goal of exercises like this was to help improve his balance and stability, ultimately making it easier for him to walk in a straight line and reduce his anxiety around moving.
Something about my presence must have tipped Carson off because he turned my direction, a slow smile sweeping across his face. “Hey.”
“Hey.” I returned the greeting, feeling about as articulate as a teen with a crush. “Kat says you’re making progress with Linus.”
“Some.” Carson patted Linus on the nose. “Wish we had some of the…” Carson paused, mouth twisting to one side. “Hospital options. Making do.”
“I know. I’m sure hydrotherapy would help, but they sent you with a list of things to get for him, like a portable TENS unit and other options, right?”
“Yup.” Carson gestured toward a bin of supplies he’d set near the gate, which included squishy yoga-type blocks, a TENS unit, and other options for stimulating nerves and increasing limb awareness. More long poles lay near the box as well. “We’re trying.”
“Looks like it.” I stepped into the ring, approaching the horse slowly. Unlike a week ago, Linus didn’t balk at my approach, seeming much calmer and more settled. “He seems happier.”
“Hope so.” Carson gave me a look loaded with meaning that I couldn’t quite decipher. He turned back to Linus, taking a gentle hold of his lead. “Watch.”
He led Linus forward with painstaking patience, having him step over one of the poles, murmuring encouragement the whole time. I’d never wished more to be a horse. Being on the receiving end of all that praise and petting sounded mighty fine.
“There’s definite improvement.” I smiled encouragingly as Carson had Linus take another step.
“There is.” Carson beamed. He was all happy and pleased with a near-childlike enthusiasm.
“You seem happier too,” I teased. I wanted to see him like this more and couldn’t help but wonder what else might get him in a similar mood.
“Maybe.” He shot me another of those hard-to-read looks before he bent to remove Linus’s ankle weights. “Time to put him back.”
“I can help.” I picked up the weights and added them to the bin of PT supplies as Carson soothed Linus, guiding him back to the gate. He’d been moved to the stall closest to the arena, and I followed along.
Cynthia had put Linus on a medication that gave him a rather pungent sulfur odor, which was intensified by the fan in his new stall. It helped minimize overheating due to temperature regulation difficulties. The stall was as pristine as a luxury hotel room. No one could argue with the job Carson was doing with the horse.