Just an Ashley Love story

Christine’s POV
I stood on the porch, watching as the van left the driveway, crying. Finally I made my way back inside. Angel was on the couch, curled up bawling on Valerie’s lap. Juliet and Ella were sitting at the table, looking solemn.

The sadness hung in the air. So thick you could cut it with a knife. I sniffled and Angel looked up at me. She stood and walked over to me, pulling me into a tight hug. “I miss Jinxx so much already.”

“I miss Ash too Angel. I didn’t think it would hurt this much.”

Juliet stood, “Something I can tell you two is that you will get used to it. It never gets easier but it never gets harder. How about we start on the plans for these houses. It’ll take your mind off things. Maybe later we could all go on a trail ride?”

I smiled, “yeah that sounds like a good idea. What better to get our minds off things? Let’s get to work.”

So that’s what we did to pass the time the boys were gone. We threw ourselves into our work. Laying out plans for what we were going to do with the houses. The girls getting into the fine details about what Andy, Jake and CC would like. I took on a few more clients at the shops, and my lesson girls got their asses whooped into shape. The late winter/early spring shows were coming up and I wanted them in the full circuits. Get them points and grades so they can look towards getting sponsorships, and you never know, maybe the Olympics.

I decided on giving Angel the official Management position at the barn. After she told me a while back that I needed to buzz off and let them do their jobs, I figured not only was it right, but the right timing. She lost herself in the barn chores and running the farmhands around, even though you could tell she was still hurting and heartbroken, missing Jinxx. She was in a much better mood having something constructive to do.

~time lapse 4 weeks~

I woke up around 6 to start my morning routine, I had a bike to finish at the shop before tomorrow. I was about to get into the shower when my phone rang. I looked at the screen, it was Ash.

Me: “Hey baby, how’s things.”

Ash: “They’re good. Have a late show tonight, so I figured I call you before. I knew you’d be up.”

Me; “Yeah I have a bike to finish before tomorrow, I’m almost done, it’s just making sure it runs right after putting it back together.”

Ash: “That’s good babe. Hey do you have a passport?”

Me: “yeah why?”

Ash: “I know you didn’t originally want to travel out here but I miss you something fierce. Please fly out. I’ll pay for it. And find out if Angel has a passport, Jinxx wants to fly her out too.”

Me: “I know Angel has a Passport, we were in a show in Canada. I don’t know if I could get away babe.”

Ash: “Please baby, I need to see you. It’s been so rough not having you around. I’m not sleeping good, I’m barely eating. I’d feel so much better. It would only be for a few days. Please.”

Me: “Ok, when were you thinking?”

Ash: “Couple days, it’s what…uh…Friday? So Monday you would fly out, Friday you would fly back. You’d get to see 2 of our shows and spend the rest of the time with us.”

Me: “okay. I’ll set things up here. Email me the info for the flights. I have to get to this bike baby. I love you. Can’t wait to see you.”

Ash: “I’ll be counting the minute’s baby. Love you too.”

I ran, yes, ran, full speed down to the barn. “Angel, where you at?”

“I’m in the tack room Jersey, whats up?”

"Start packing, find your passport. We’re going to fly out Monday to see the boys.”

Her Jaw dropped, and then she screamed jumping up and down like a little kid. I joined, I couldn’t help myself.

“Chris, DJ, Mark?? Could you come here please?”

As they walked around the corner, they saw our excitement. And being the goofs they are started jumping around and being excited with us without even knowing the reason. I laughed and smacked Mark being he’s the one who started it.

“Ow!!” He laughed, “Whats up Jersey?”

“Angel and I are going to fly out next week to see the guys, I was wondering if you 3 would be ok handling things here yourselves. There’s extra in it for you if you take care of our places too.”

Mark looked at the others, they all shook their heads yes, “looks like you two are going on a vacation.”

I smiled, “Alright I gotta get to the shop and get this bike together. Chris if you don’t mind helping me down there in about an hour that would be awesome.”

“See you in an hour then.”

I ran down to the shop, I was so excited to go and see Ash, it’s already been a month, a long hard month. I got to working on the bike and on schedule Chris showed up to help me get the motor situated on frame. Once everything was plugged in and bolted down, we started her up and … perfect. She purred like a kitten, or more growled like a tiger with the exhaust she had on her. LOUD is an understatement.

“Jersey, I think people will hear this bike from 10 miles away.”

“Well, it’s what the guy wanted. I’m gunna step outside and call him, let him know she’s ready. Let her run about 10 minutes before shutting her down.”

“Will do.”

I stepped outside and took my phone out of my pocket, when I heard one of my horses screaming. I ran to the door of the shop, “Chris, shut it down, something’s wrong with one of the horses.”

He bolted out the door with me and ran down to the large front field. That’s where most of the mares stayed. “Jersey, whose car is that?”

A red sports car of some sort was parked way at the end of the fence. I looked into the field and someone was standing over one of the mares, the rest of them running for their lives from whoever it was.

I jumped the fence and ran straight towards the person. I full on tackled them knocking whoever it was to the ground. I stood up and looked at the horse, her neck was slit. I looked down on the attacker…….it was Steph, Ash’s ex.

“Chris, call the cops, NOW.”

I pinned her to the ground with my foot to her throat. “Give me one good reason why I should crush your larynx, and let you suffer like my horse did.”

“You bitch, you've tainted Ashy, he won’t even talk to me. All I wanted was him back at my side. So if I can’t have him, I was going to hurt you in some other way, I thought this would be my best option.”

“Well honey, the cops are on their way. You will pay for what you’ve done. That mare was worth more than your life! Just hope you rot in Jail bitch, because if I ever see you on the streets, you’re gunna wish you never fucked with me.”

I stepped more weight onto her throat to keep her from talking more. I saw the police cruiser coming up the driveway and I let her up pinning her arm behind her so she couldn’t run. It was the same officer who worked Ashley’s case.

The officer walked up to Steph and put the cuffs on her. “She’ll be charged with inhumane acts, and also attempted murder.”

“Wait attempted murder? As much as I love my horses, it’s just a horse. She’s not human. Where are you getting attempted murder?”

“Christine, meet the woman who drove your boyfriend into a ditch.”

I tensed, ready to jump her. “You bitch, you tried to kill Ashley? I thought you wanted to be with him? That makes no sense.”

Chris grabbed my arm stopping me from doing something stupid.

She spat at me, “If I couldn’t have him, no one could. I thought he was dead, until I saw him at the club with you.”

“Christine, would you like to press charges against her?”

“Yes sir, as well as the horses owner. I know when Ashley comes back from touring, he would like to also.”

I walked with him and the bitch in silence up to the car. He read her rights, and put her in the car.

“We’ll be contacting you within the week. It’ll take a while but a hearing should be in about 3 weeks from now.”

“Thank you officer.”

I watch as he drove off.

“Alright Chris, get the boys, let’s get this mare out of the field, and grab some lime so we can rids the area of blood. I don’t want the horses freaking out any more.” One problem solved. I no longer have to worry about what that bitch will try. Only thing is, she killed the mare that was not mine. A student will be missing her horse this weekend. I’m dreading the call. Oh Monday, hurry and get here.

Notes