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I get up, stretch my legs, and go to the couch. I don’t want Mia to see me coming out of her dad’s room and get the wrong idea. It’s the weekend, so hopefully, she’s still sleeping.
I get dressed, brush my hair, and put some de-puffing eye cream under my eyes before going to the kitchen for coffee.
“Good morning, dear! I heard it was quite an eventful night?”
“Good morning! And yes, it was pretty scary for a while. Hopefully, Travis can get to the bottom of it today.”
“Kenny’s already gone to see if the neighbor saw anything.”
“Good. That was creepy!”
“Yeah, it’s been an eventful few days for you.” Roberta hands me a cup of coffee. Sit and enjoy the coffee. Breakfast is almost ready.”
“Thanks, Roberta. Let me know if I can help!”
I take my coffee into the dining room and sit at a table. I open my laptop and let the words pour out of me. I want to get everything out. Maybe then I can make sense of it all.
“Ava! There you are!” Mia sits down in the chair across from me. “I’ve been looking for you everywhere!”
“Hey! What’s up?”
“The other day, you said you’d been on a horse, right?”
“Yes, once as a kid, but it’s been a while.”
“Great. It’s like riding a bike.”
“Why do you ask?”
“Dad said you and I could take the horses on the small trail while the ladies get their lesson. If you don’t need another lesson, want to go? Come on, it’ll be super fun! I can show you everything you need to know. I’ll make sure Manny gives you Earl, our most super gentle horse.”
“I don’t know.” Why did I have to admit to sitting on a horse all those years ago? I don’t remember anything about actually riding a horse.
“Oh, come on, it’ll be so much fun. And it’s way more peaceful and enjoyable without the ladies. I’ve been on a trail with groups like them before. They stop and complain every five feet and find something to scream about every ten steps. It’s a totally different experience. You have to do it! For your story!”
“OK, sure. It sounds like fun. I’m just a little nervous about riding a horse.”
“Yay! Come on, I’ll take you to the stable right now and introduce you to Earl. You can ride him around the circle a few times before the ladies have their lesson. You’ll be good to go.”
“OK, if you say so. But I’m waiting for breakfast. I have to eat this morning. I skipped breakfast yesterday and thought I might die from hunger.”
“Ugh, fine! I’ll go see what Roberta has ready for you.”
As Mia disappears into the kitchen, Travis appears at my table.
“Hey,” he says and sits down.
“Hey. Did you really give the ok for Mia and me to take the horses on the trail?”
“Yeah, as long as you're comfortable with it, I am.”
“Ok.”
“Are you comfortable with it? Mia has lived here her whole life. She knows all the trails.”
“Sure.”
“You don’t sound sure.”
