Page 16 of Falling Together

She shrugs a shoulder, but nods her head.

“I’ll let you get used to her first.”

Maddie is quiet for most of our lesson, asking a few questions here and there. It’s more than I get with some kids, and less than others. By the time our lesson is finished, I get a quick wave from her before she darts off to the car.

“How’d it go?” Janice asks.

“I think she’ll open up. I can see she wants to, but she doesn’t trust me yet.”

“She’s in a good home, but having gotten bounced around, she’s having some issues warming up to them,” Janice says.

“I get it. I think this will be really good for her.”

She smiles at me. “I know it will. River and Ben have improved leaps and bounds since coming out here.”

“It’s why I love doing this,” I say.

“We’ll see you next week.”

I wave goodbye to both of them and head back to the barn to take Queenie out for a ride.

With so many classes and trail rides this week, she hasn’t gotten to stretch her legs.

The minute we clear the fence, I’m digging my boots into her side to urge her on. A warm wind rushes through my hair. I breathe in the fresh, Montana air.

Perfect.

The farther we get from the ranch, the easier it is to think. There’s nothing but Queenie pounding away at the ground beneath me as we run through the wide open fields. The blue skies are endless as the mountains get closer to us. Nothing can stop us.

This.

This right here is my favorite thing in the world. Riding on my horse without a care. No one to bother me. Not a single worry.

Every single thought is on the feeling of freedom as we come to a stop near one of the lakes at the back of the ranch.

“Easy, girl.”

I pat her side as I hop down off of her and lead her to the water. Dropping my hat next to me, I splash water on my overheated face.

One of these days, I’ll be able to take my older students out here. I love seeing how far some of them have come. It’s why I do what I do. It brings me joy to see the progress they make.

The power of horses.

All because someone took the time to help them. If it weren’t for Verne giving me a job in high school, I don’t know where I would have ended up.

“Life is pretty good, isn’t it, Queenie?” I ask my horse.

She doesn’t respond, just laps up the water.

Sure, I might not be in love like my friends, but what more do I need? I’m happy on my own. No one to check in with. Doing whatever I please. Hanging out with my friends when I can.

I’m good.

I check my watch, noticing the time.

“Want to head back for lunch?”

Queenie casts me a look that confirms she’s just as hungry as I am.