JACK OF DIAMONDS, REDUX

CHAPTER 18

Photo by Fernando Puente on Unsplash

CHAPTER 18

“He can’t possibly have stolen the horse,” Sonia said, looking at the man as he approached ing.

“No? Why do you think that?” Richard said. asked.

“Because what man would be stupid enough to bring it back? Right?” Nigel said.

“Exactly.”

“A good point,” the big man Richard agreed, and laughing with a quick nod of his head, looked at the stablehand in the paddock. The colt was starting to kick up a fuss again and the boy looked to be confused as to what he should do.

Richard smiled. “Take him in, Toby, and give him a taste of the oats before ye sent him off to his mother.”

“Aye, Richard,” the boy said.

“Besides, the man knows how to ride a horse,” Sonia added.

“What’s that have to do with anything “And?” Nigel asked, stuffing his pipe again.

“A man that’s who is that comfortable on riding a horse, obviously grew up near horses,” she said.

“That’s what “You think so, do you?” is it?”

“Look at the way he’s dressed.”

“The way he’s dressed?” Nigel laughed.

“He’s wearing riding pants, and boots as well,” she pointed out.

“And that leads you to think believe the man grew up with around horses?” Nigel scoffed.

“No. It makes me think he comes from money,” she said, looking at him Nigel and daring him to offer up an argument. “Only people who live in places like this have horses. Unless I’m wrong. Am I wrong? You don’t own a horse, do you?”

“He could be a farmer, for all you know,” Nigel insisted, nursing his pipe to life.