The next night it snowed hard.
Zella sat on the window seat looking out, thinking about what she and Nashua would do tomorrow.
Honey, do you mind spending Valentines by yourself tomorrow? Belle asked her.
Yeah, that s fine, go ahead, Zella said casually. Inside she was rejoicing. She and Nashua would have the whole day to do the rest of Cupid s training.
We ll be in Gatlinburg all day, Matlock added.
Fine, Zella said, still staring out the window.
Good, Belle said.
We ll need to put all the horses in their stalls before we go to bed, Matlock said.
What about Cupid? Zella asked.
Him too, Matlock answered.
Oh no! Zella gasped suddenly.
What? her parents asked in unison.
I forgot to change Cupid s bandage, she jumped up and ran out the door.
Cupid was eager to get in the warm stable.
Hey boy, are you ready for me to check your leg? she asked the happy mustang.
As if he understood he shook his head up and down. Zella laughed, clipping the lead rope on his halter. He followed her willingly into the stall she put him in.
That s a good boy, She told him as she went to get the first aid kit.
As she opened the tack room door, she thought she heard shuffling.
Who s there? her voice cracked in fear as she grabbed the kit quickly, Am I hallucinating? she thought out loud to herself.
No you re not, Someone said then she felt someone grab her.
She tried to scream but the person covered her mouth.
I ve come to buy that mustang, a familiar voice said.
Kody! Zella ripped his hand from her mouth, He s not for sale! She turned on her heel to glare at him.
He looked bored, like he was waiting for her to give in.
You ll never get him! she growled.
Oh yes I will, Kody laughed.
Zella was sick of him. Never! she slapped him across the face. As soon as she did she regretted it. There was no telling what he might do to her now.
Kody slapped her face making her cry out in pain. Remember next time, never try that with Kody Laysy, he said then added, You ll be sorry you didn t sell him to me! he left.
Zella let out a deep breath of relief and rubbed her sore cheek.
Cupid nickered.
Comin Zella headed back and set to work rebandaging Cupid s leg.
Going back inside Kody s words came back to her You ll be sorry. What did he mean?
Hanging up her coat up.
Dad crossed crossed the hall, Zella, what happened to your cheek?
She froze not knowing what to say, Ugh must be frost bite, Zella said quickly.
Uh huh, Matlock said, then walked away.
~C~S~
We re leaving, Honey, Belle called up the stairs.
Kay, Mom, Zella called back. She looked at the clock beside her bed. 7:31 a.m.
As soon as she heard the door shut she grabbed her cell and dialed Nashua s cell. He answered on the first ring.
Nashua: Hey, Dad and Mom just left.
Zella: Mine too.
Nashua: I ll be there in 10 minutes.
Zella: See you.
Nashua: Bye.
He hung up. Ten minutes later he was knocking on the door.
Zella opened it up for him, Hey, she said feeling butterflies.
Hi, Nashua said back, he cleared his throat looking down.
Ugh, she stalled, Let me get my coat, she grabbed it and put it on. Ready, she told him.
He opened the door nodding her through.
Thanks, she said, walking out. What should we do first? she asked him as they approached the stable.
Last time you mounted him. So I guess I should mount him next, he said, turning the lights on. Nashua was being really quiet even for him and he wasn t angry.
She d never seen this side of Nashua and it made her nervous.
He headed for the tack room leaving her alone.
She went over to Cupid s stall. Cupid stuck his head out and nickered.
Hey pretty boy, Zella called to him.
Zellie, that s real embarrassing, Nashua laughed, coming out the tack room.
She turned around to stick her tongue out at him like a little kid.
He put the hackamore on Cupid and they led him out the corral.
Be right back, Nashua went to tack up Sunbeam.
She let out a deep breath of relief. Why was she so timid around him?