Mia gasped with relief as she ran over the slippery hay. Carter was kneeling next to a sleeping Grayson. He was curled up like a little barn cat on the soft hay. A small smile was on his petite features as he dreamed.
Relief was a physical sensation that washed over her. Her voice cracked as she said his name. “Grayson.”
The little boy's eyes fluttered open from whatever dream he was having. Mia was on her knees hugging him to her chest.
“I was tired,” he announced, pulling back slightly. Several pieces of hay were stuck in his dark hair. He yawned. “What are you guys doing up here?”
Mia hugged Grayson close, ignoring his protests. Tears were streaming down her cheeks, and she knew it was going to turn into an ugly cry at any moment, but she didn't care. “You scared us,” she whispered.
Grayson looked up at her confused. “I was just resting. It's quiet up here.”
Carter ruffled the boy’s hair. “Next time, let someone know before you come up here. Okay?”
Grayson nodded, his eyes still full of sleep. As far as he knew, he'd just found a comfy spot and the adults had rudely woken him up. He looked back and forth between Mia and Carter like they were both crazy.
“I'll go tell Brian to call off the search,” Carter said, rising to his feet.
Mia grabbed at his pant leg. “Thank you so much, Carter.”
He smiled and gently squeezed her shoulder before heading back down the loft ladder. Mia hugged Grayson to her again, sniffling as he held him tight.
“You okay, Mia?” Grayson asked. He let her hold him but clearly didn't understand what all the fuss was about.
Mia wiped her face. “Yeah. You just really scared me. I didn't know where you were.”
Grayson's eyes got big as he realized that she had thought he was missing or had run away. “Am I in trouble?”
“No, not this time.” Mia shook her head and gave him another hug. “Just don't ever do that again. Tell somebody where you're going. Always.”
“Yes, Mia.” He tucked his chin into her shoulder and snuggled into her. “I'm sorry I scared you. I'll never do it again.”
“I'm just glad you are okay.” Mia let out a shaky sigh and hugged him to her as she waited for her heartbeat to slow down. It took a couple of minutes before she was ready to let him go. “Let's go back down. I'm sure your brother and sister will want to see you.”
He gave her one more hug before standing up and brushing the hay from his shirt. Together they climbed the ladder back down to the stables.
Carter was in the stall with the other two children, helping them groom one of the horses. Mia didn't recognize this horse, so it wasn't Hopeful Dreamer.
“And that's all you have to do,” Carter explained, showing them something with the brush. Both of the older kids were listening to him with rapt attention. He smiled as Mia and Grayson came into view. “Here they are. See? Safe and sound.”
Lily and Alexander's shoulders relaxed. Even though they didn't know just how missing their brother had been, they had been worried. Lily pulled her little brother into her for a quick hug before picking a piece of hay from his hair.
“You want to touch the horse?” Lily asked her youngest brother. “This one is nice.”
Grayson looked apprehensively back and forth between his sister and the big animal.
“You don't have to if you don't want to,” Mia told him. The last thing she needed was more drama today.
“What if I show you the secret trick to make horses love you?” Carter asked. He dropped down to a squat, so he was the same height as Grayson. “That way, you'll always know what to do.”
Grayson smiled shyly at Carter and nodded. Carter patted him on the shoulder as he rose and went to the far end of the stable to retrieve something. He came back with an apple.
“This horse's name is Heartbreaker,” Carter told him. He pulled out a pocket knife and efficiently cut the apple into slices. “Hold out your hand.”
Grayson timidly held out his small hand for Carter to place an apple slice. Carter then moved behind the boy and helped support Grayson's hand with his own.
“Hold your hand out with the apple flat in your palm,” Carter instructed. “Keep your fingers straight so that she won't accidentally catch them. There you go.”
Mia held her breath as the horse daintily took the apple slice from Grayson. Grayson's face went from one of uncertainty to one of joy as the horse munched happily.