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.“Dump it in,” he instructed.Zach looked at him quizzically.“Do what?”Tucker grinned.“We’re gonna make some horseshit soup, bro.Dump it in.”Zach did as he was told, wondering if Tucker’s brain was still half-asleep.He really questioned his brother-in-law’s sanity when Tucker grabbed a wooden spoon from a caddy near the stove and started stirring the concoction.Rubbing his temple, Zach made a mental note to throw the spoon away later.He glanced at his stranded visitor, expecting her to look a little green.Instead she seemed to be focused on Rosebud, speaking softly and stroking the mini with gentle hands.Rosebud’s eyes were nearly closed, and she leaned against the woman as though she couldn’t get close enough.Pretty lady, Zach noted distractedly.Normally he went for blondes, but this gal’s hair, glimmering red in the light, was a beautiful color.She didn’t appear to be wearing cosmetics, either.Not possible.No woman could look that good without makeup.When the poop and water were mixed, Tucker returned to Rosebud’s side, elbowing the woman out of his way.As he soothed the mini with capable hands, he said, “Zach, I don’t make house calls for free, and I smell coffee brewing.Get the whiskey.It’ll be a while before the soup settles, and I could use some Irish coffee.” He opened a bag and pulled out a syringe and bottle of Banamine.After giving the mini an injection, Tucker caressed her with gentle hands.“There you go, girl.That’ll ease you up soon.”Zach stepped into the downstairs bathroom to wash and disinfect his hands.Then he collected three mugs from a cupboard.“Call me a dumb cluck, Tucker, but why, exactly, are we making horseshit soup?”“To see what settles at the bottom.” When Zach set a bottle of Jack Daniel’s on the table, Tucker poured himself some whiskey.He waved the bottle at the woman, who shook her head hastily and grew even paler.Zach wondered why as he sloshed some coffee into all three cups, then fetched some creamer, sugar, and one spoon.After mixing his Irish coffee, Tucker settled back on the chair and crossed his feet.“How long you had Rosebud, Zach?”Zach detached the rein from Rosebud’s harness, looped it over the mini’s neck, and began walking her around the kitchen.Walking a horse sometimes helped with colic.The woman left the table and went to stand with her hip resting against the countertop.“I finished working with the dog trainer a little over two months ago and then started looking for a mini.It took me three weeks or so to come across Rosebud.I’d say I bought her six weeks ago, give or take.”“You toss her hay on the ground instead of putting it in a feeder or on a mat?”“Never.” Zach turned.“I’m careful my horses don’t ingest a lot of dirt.We don’t have much sand in our soil, but I’m—” Zach broke off and shot a worried glance at Rosebud.“You think she’s got sand colic?”“Long shot.As you say, our soil isn’t that sandy.” Tucker took a sip of spiked coffee.“I agree with you, though.Way she’s acting, could be colic.Frequent, loose stools aren’t symptoms.One exception is when there’s sand in the intestines.”“I’ve never had a horse get sand colic.How serious is it?”“Like all colic, it can be deadly.”“Oh, no,” the woman whispered.Tucker smiled slightly.“On a bright note, though, it’s often easily treatable.”“I’m sure she hasn’t eaten any dirt.Not on my watch, anyway.” Zach changed directions again.“She loves grass, but I make sure it’s thick and tall, not patchy.”“Sand can build up in the intestines over time.If her other owner tossed her hay on the ground, she may have ingested sand, and it could just now be causing her trouble.” Tucker checked his watch.“We’ll give it an hour and see what settles in the bucket.If we find a lot of sand, we’ll go from long shot to probable, and I’ll treat her accordingly.”Rosebud flopped down and started to roll.The woman leaped forward, and Zach’s heart twisted with fear even as Tucker came to his feet so fast he spilled his drink
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