Ghost Boyfriend Anthology.

#5 - Spoilt Little Ranch Boy

Tuning up the volume of the thrifty country music and reaching behind his seat to grab a carrot, Corry watched Dev pull into the path leading to the ranch. The aged driver had his fingers curled around the steering wheel while battling to wipe off the large beads of sweat pooling on his forehead.

It was still Mid-July and the wind from across the countryside carried dust-filled barren earth along with it, the sun pitching it's place at the center of the sky while it's rays blazed down at the crackling prairie lands below - the once green patches of life turning to brown. It was certainly wise enough for college to close this early, Corry thought.

The stress and heat all combined didn't just make the cut.

His eyes settled on the brown truck before him, his curiosity giving way to panic then anger. Earlier that day, he'd been informed of the strange illness which befell half the horses a fortnight ago and he'd specifically told his father to wait until he arrived home. It was however impossibly annoying that his orders had not been followed as his father choose to call in the vet.

Filthy old man, Corry cussed beneath his breath.

The Volvo screeched to a halt at exactly the same time Corry looked up to see his Dad hurrying out of the stable. Jordan Hampton froze at the sight of his only son. “You're home early.”

“Dad,” Corry slid his suitcase down, never too gently. “Is something wrong? Why have you called in the vet?”

“It was quite a mystery until Flynn showed up,” Jordan began babbling. “At first I didn't know what to do when Ava became restless, crying with milky fluid coming out of her lower region. I thought it was a disease. That's when I called Mr Shucks and he sent Flynn to investigate.”

“Ava's sick and Flynn is treating her? Who the hell is he?” Corry's memory couldn't quite place the name, having met half of Shuck's apprentices, all with their attitudes and peeves but he'd succeeded in keeping up with their names. A soft neigh floated across from the stable jolting Corry out of his interrogation. He ran through the door, into the stable's brightness, his senses alert.

“Shoo big girl, keep calm. There you go, push up a little.” A conspicuously high baritone cooed.

Tracing the voice down the rows of stalls, Corry's almond irises picked on a waver of brown locks moving beneath Ava; his best female horse. She lay on her stomach, her forelegs stretched before her with stout capable hands digging into her cervix.

“Who are you?” his question strung out, shattering the spur of the moment. Eyes the palest shade of violet met his and fluttered, a jab to his heart. For a minute there, Corry forgot to blink.

Jordan came in and stood beside him. “That's Flynn, Mr Shuck's new apprentice from Monstrone. He's helping Ava deliver her foals.”

Mind completely elsewhere, Corry found it natural to walk further down toward Ava's stall, his eyes never departing as they became fixated on the bulk figure beside the horse. The man stepped back closely, his thinned lips a perfect match to his eyes. “Good evening sir, I'm Flynn Harris, Mr Shuck's assistant.” he thrusted a hand out, one which Corry looked down upon to see it dripping with goop.

“I know who you are,” Corry turned on his heels slowly to pat Ava's bridle, not sparing the man a second glance. “Is she gonna be okay? Hey princess.” The horse grunted in response, Corry ruffling it's coat.

“She'll be fine. Just having some minor complications.”

“Maybe you're not just good enough. Mr Shucks can handle this better.” Corry muttered bluntly, to the apprentice's hearing. His father pointedly glared at him.

“He's not the only one,” The apprentice sounded amused than annoyed which kind of irked Corry. “Actually, Mr Shucks is only good with cuts and bruises - fatal injuries. I learnt the art of horse birth from my oldest brother back home.” The deep baritone intimidated Corry that in some way he could never match up both in physical beauty and skill. Flynn was a perfect illustration of those rich brats back at college, those that openly mocked Corry and treated him like some dumb s**t.

The lad's eyes narrowed to slits.

He never did say he cared a hoot. Boys were natural assholes, difficult to reason with or get in their good side. Ava whined, drawing Corry's attention back to her.

“She's having a smooth delivery,” Flynn patted her tail down, trying to locate the foal's hooves with his hand stumbling upon it. He sat on his heels, pulling it out slowly with Ava turning her mouth to the sawdust, crying. “Easy girl, I've got you.” The vet whispered, his lips moving without any words coming forth. He seemed to be praying. At that same moment, Ava gave a little push and the foal slid out.

He struggled to his feet, eyes shining in retrospect. It was his third successful birth yet and each one of them always took his breath away. “I'll need some blankets.”

“Blankets,” Corry turned to his father, chewing on his nails idly. “You heard him Dad,”

“Oh, right.” Head bowed, Jordan moved to the stable's exterior. “Now where's that man gone...DEV!”

“Shut the f**k up and go get them yourself, you're making a noise!” Corry chided.

“I'm sorry.”

Flynn took a look back at Corry, trying to get his mind around what he'd just witnessed. The lad was disrespectful, lousy even. Try all he could, Flynn couldn't fetched a reason to like him and what added surprise to the mix was that Jordan never complained or raised a brow in defiance.

It was certainly some weird father-son dynamic going on.

Blankets provided, Flynn settled the cashmere material around the healthy filly. Still, Ava whined, the labors of birth pangs far from being over yet.

“We've got a second,” Flynn stated, thrusting a hand in once more. He tried to locate the hooves but touched the tail instead. Gasping, he glanced back to see Corry's eyes drilling into him. “The foal's breech.”

“Are you sure, or is that an indirect way of saying you're inexperienced?” The lad taunted.

The vet sighed, letting it slide. “The foal's breech and I need to turn it,”

“What's stopping you? Get on with it.” Irritably, Corry looked the other way.

“I'll need help.” Flynn fought to keep his tone mild, his face contorted neutrally in order not to knock the lad off.

“I'm helping nobody.”

“I'll do it,” Jordan volunteed, materializing from nowhere. “What must I help you with?”

“The foal's stuck in pops. How does that sounds to you?” Corry mocked.

Jordan lost his colour. “That can't be, I sold it already.”

“Let's try to turn it first,” Flynn eyed the lad contemptuously. “We'll see how that goes.”

Working together, they were both able to rotate the filly into the right position. “Now, this should be easy..” The vet breathed. Ava's honey eyes dilated, focused on his movements. “Just a little more girl, you can do this.” Flynn told it, reaching out to pull out both hooves. At last Ava sighed.

The vet sighed too, smiling up to his onlookers. “She did it.”

Sadie's call came in just as Flynn administered the last vaccine to the mare, breaking Corry's intense gaze of virtual dislike.

“I have to get this,” he murmured, stalking off a few yards away. Flynn watched him through the corner of his eyes, resentment stirring within him like bile he so desperately needed to get rid of.

Sliding his thumb across the screen, Corry placed the receiver against his ear. “Hi chump,”

“Corry, I can't believe you're back! I've been out with Hailey all morning but just got to know now. Why so early?”

“For once the university management proved themselves to be worthy dickheads. The scathing heat and stressful classes couldn't go hand in hand so they rescheduled the whole semester. I came home solely for the local horse race,”

“It's been two f*****g years in a row you've taken the cup home. Give your pals this year to break a sweat at least.”

“A third matters.”

Sadie whistled. “Maybe, but we'll see. How's your father? Things must have cooled down a bit between you both,”

“Nothings changed, I hate him.”

“Corry, when are you ever gonna let go?”

“Never sounds appealing, He deserves this.” Irritably, he added. “Is that the only reason you called?”

“You're so stubborn and it's leading you no where, I'll say nothing more on this for the time being. Hailey came down with an injury during our morning routine. Figured your vet might swing by and take a quick look at her.”

“Mr Shuck is out of town at the moment, I suggest you send for one of his apprentices.”

“Oh boy, those guys give me the jibbies, Is there one you recommend?”

Casting a look back, Corry jerked when Flynn's bright blue eyes met his. A whole new feeling was spreading as he muttered. “Technically, there's one right here.”

“Cool, send him over.”

“Not sure that's a good idea, he seems kinda busy.”

“With what exactly?”

“Helping Ava deliver her foals.”

Sadie gasped. “Ava's pregnant? Since when?”

Damn her and her inquisitiveness.

Clumping a palm on the phone screen, Corry's expression hardened. “Got any engagement after this?”

Flynn kept his attention on the twin-filly. “No. Can I be of any help?”

“Corry, are you still there?”

“Okay I'll bring him over and Sadie,” his tone fell below a whisper. “Make sure you get a grip on yourself when you see him.”

“Ooh, he's one of those dudes huh? Well, I never fall for those.”

“We'll see.”