Animal Whisperer: Take Back My Life and Love Chapter 278: Moonlight

Those deep eyes cut through the noise, locking onto Nancy in the middle of the swarming crowd. He pulled the reins slightly to turn his horse, and the stallion’s front knees dipped into a perfect, formal curtsy toward her.

"My God, Mr. Barry’s horse just bowed in this direction!"

A wave of gasps erupted from the spectators.

"Who was that bow for?"

Nancy froze. Her heart skipped a beat, and she felt a sudden heat rush to her cheeks. She hurriedly fanned herself with the stack of business cards in her hand.

Is he doing this on purpose? Everyone is looking at me now.

After the invitational ended, Nancy headed to the meeting spot Barry had mentioned. She looked around but saw no sign of him. Suddenly, she felt something light settle on top of her head.

She looked up to find Barry’s black stallion holding the champion’s floral wreath in its teeth, carefully placing it on her head.

"Wow," Nancy said, her pulse quickening with a mix of surprise and delight. She reached out to stroke the stallion's nose. "You’re a smooth operator, aren't you?"

While she was still caught up in the moment, Barry walked over leading a pitch-black foal with four white hooves. He gently placed the lead rope in her hand.

Nancy’s eyes widened in surprise. "Where did this little cutie come from? Is it a mini-me of your stallion?"

As the words left her mouth, the massive black horse next to her let out an offended snort. "I’m a stallion, not a mare!"

"Oh, so you can talk!" Nancy turned to the big horse, her eyes round. "You didn't say a word earlier. I thought you were just a brooding, silent type."

The stallion tossed his head elegantly, looking down at her with a gaze that felt almost weary. "I was hoping you were the silent type."

Did a horse just roast me? The nerve of this guy.

Barry watched the interaction, unable to hide his amusement. He introduced the foal to her. "This is the grand prize from the race; a thoroughbred. He’s going to be exceptional when he grows up."

He looked at Nancy, his expression softening. "He’s yours."

"Consider it a thank-you from the Miracle Doctor for carrying me to a win today."

Nancy couldn't stop petting the foal’s sleek coat, but then a thought hit her and her face fell. "But... I can't afford to keep him!"

She started counting the expenses on her fingers, her heart sinking further with every digit. "A decent stable alone costs a fortune, then there’s the feed, the grooming, the specialized vet care... My zoo doesn't even have a shadow of a stable yet!"

Barry watched her face scrunch up in worry, his voice steady and grounding. "You'll have all of that eventually."

He paused, then added naturally, "Until your stables are built, I can keep him at my ranch for you."

Nancy looked up instantly, her inner fox peaking through. "For free? Or are there hidden fees?"

Barry smiled. "If my landlord waives my rent at Loren Zoo, I can waive the rent for this foal at my ranch."

Typical businessman. Never misses a chance to strike a deal. Nancy thought. "Fine. But you better take good care of him!"

Barry looked at the foal leaning against Nancy. "Give him a name."

Nancy studied the little horse, then looked at the towering stallion beside him. "He looks exactly like your horse, like a carbon copy. What’s the big guy’s name?"

Barry stroked the stallion’s mane. "Snowplow."

"I’ve got it!" Nancy pointed to a small, white crescent mark on the foal's forehead. "Look at this mark. It’s so unique. Let's call him Moonlight!"

The foal seemed to understand. He nuzzled Nancy’s palm affectionately. "I love it! Thank you for the name!"

The voice was high and tiny, sounding exactly like a three-year-old child.

The corners of Barry’s eyes crinkled with a smile. "Maybe you should ask Snowplow to look after Moonlight at the ranch?"

Nancy caught on immediately. She turned her sparkling eyes toward Snowplow. "Can you? Please look out for our little Moonlight!"

Moonlight followed his owner’s lead, looking up at Snowplow with wide, pleading eyes. "Can I shadow you, my bro?"

Stared down by two sets of glowing eyes, Snowplow flicked his tail and finally gave a reluctant nod.

As the sun began to set, the shadows of the two people and the two horses stretched across the grass, forming a perfect silhouette.

Three days later, early in the morning, Nancy’s phone chimed with several distinct, sharp notification tones. She opened it to find a series of wire transfer alerts from the National Bank of Dracovia. They weren't standard texts.

"Dracovia National Bank: An international wire transfer has been credited to your account ending in 5367. Remitter: Callum. Currency: USD. Amount: 5,000,000.00."

Nancy held her breath as she stared at the long string of zeros. She tapped the screen and counted them three times to be sure.