Love Means_. Freedom - Andrew Grey Read Online Free PDF

noticed that the woman with him, probably his mother, didn't come to his rescue. "No wonder your ass hurts--all those sparkles and crap must dig in good." Stone began walking away. "Not that I care, but a good old-fashioned pair of Wranglers work best for riding." Stone strode away and went to get his tools before returning. He still had stalls to clean, but he wanted to make sure Preston was gone before returning to work.
    Kids came and went. He saw Eli walk through the barn and heard what he thought was a riding lesson. Stone continued working, listening to the sound of horsemen at work, until Eli approached him.
    "There's a group therapy session in about half an hour. Can you help?"
"Sure." He was just finishing up the last stall.
    "Good. You'll be working with Sherry. She's six, I believe, and doesn't talk much at all. Her father was killed a few months ago, and she hasn't spoken to anyone as far as we know. She seems to respond to the horses, though."
    Stone stepped out of the now-clean stall, shutting the door behind him. "What do you want me to do?"
"Just walk the horse around the ring and talk to her. I just didn't want you to be surprised when she doesn't talk back."
    Stone nodded his understanding and went to put away his tools. It had been a long day and he was tired. But the stalls were clean. As he walked to the tool closet, he could hear the sounds of laughter as people worked with their horses. "Damn it." He wiped his eyes. He missed Buster. He and the gelding had spent every day together, and it had practically broken his heart to leave him behind. He worried about him and hoped the old man was taking care of him. At least he knew Carl, his dad's hand, would most likely see to him.
    Horses and happy voices filled the barn as students brought their mounts back to their stalls.
Eli and Joey followed them, getting horses ready for the therapy session. "Joey?"
    Stone turned and saw Robbie at the barn door, but noticed that Joey was very busy. Closing the closet door, he rushed through the activity. "Joey's busy, but I'll help you."

    "I can make it normally, but there's too much activity," Robbie explained as he took Stone's arm and they walked down the aisle, maneuvering together around the large beasts.
    "Hey, Robbie." Stone released the man as Joey closed the stall door and slipped an arm around Robbie's waist.
"Thank you, Stone, for the help."
    "You're welcome." Stone watched as Joey guided Robbie into the stall, and after Robbie mounted, Joey led the horse toward the ring. Once inside, Joey mounted as well, and they rode together with Robbie's hands around Joey's waist.

    "Would you lead Mercury here to the ring and stay with him?" Eli asked. "I'll get Belle and we'll be ready. The kids will be here soon." They arrived a few minutes later, but there was none of the laughter and cries of delight you'd expect from six-year-olds. "This is Sherry," her mother said gently, and Stone looked into the big, blue eyes of a small girl with golden hair, holding her mother's hand.
    Eli bent down. "This is Mr. Stone. You can call him Stoney if you want. He's gonna help you with Mercury, okay?"
She looked through all of them and appeared to focus on the pony.
"I'll put you on the pony, honey." Her mother picked up and placed her on Mercury.
    Stone got her feet set in the stirrups and then started leading her around the ring. "Have you ridden Mercury before?" Stone looked back and saw no reaction, but he did notice that she held on with one hand and was petting the pony with the other. "He's a nice horse, isn't he?" No answer. But she did look up and kept petting Mercury's neck. "Do you like horses? I do. I have one of my own back home, but I couldn't bring him here." No response at all. Stone kept walking and talking, trying another subject.
    "Did your mom bring you?" Stone pointed and her gaze followed his hand. "She's very pretty." Big eyes traveled back to him. "You're pretty, too, just like your mom."

    Stone saw tears