Page 61 of The Seashell of ’Ohana

Cassie had instructed us to stay in a single-file line. Ian had told me he felt nervous about riding a horse. However, he hid the fear well.

“This is nice,” Ian said. “Taking it slow and easy. It’s not as bad as I thought it would be. I might say otherwise if we were riding faster. It’s a good thing I could use the kids as an excuse for taking the easy route.”

I nodded. “To be honest, I don’t like riding fast, either. I feel like I’m losing control, and perhaps the horse might decide to kick me off.”

“Well, don’t get yourself kicked off the horse. I won’t be able to catch you this time.”

“You know what they say, third time is a charm. And I expect you to jump off the horse like the knight in shining armor you are and catch my fall.”

“Okay, it’s a deal. What Abby wants, Abby gets.”

Silence crept in for a short time until I spoke. “So, now you can check horse backing riding off your bucket list.”

“True, but I bet my mother is frowning down at me and giving that mom glare.”

“No, she’s not.” I laughed. “You can prove to her that you’re just fine.”

“I feel like I’m cheating, though.”

“What do you mean?” I sneaked a peek to the front, wondering when Cassie would look behind her and catch Ian.

“Well, zip-lining was obviously more terrifying than riding a horse on this kiddy trail.”

“I sure hope your bucket list isn’t all about doing dangerous things.” I sounded playfully appalled.

Ian chuckled and scrubbed the side of his temple, as if contemplating. “Well, let’s see. Skydiving. Swimming with the sharks. Mountain climbing. Water rafting. Bungee—”

I furrowed my brow. “Okay, I get the picture. But there are things not as dangerous, right?”

He looked thoughtful. “I can’t remember.”

“Then let horseback riding be on the safe list, and you can cross it off.”

“Sounds good to me,” he sang. He ducked his head toward me and lowered his voice. “You ready for tomorrow night?”

A few days ago, Lee had let me know that the day after horseback riding, he planned to propose to Kate. He had asked Ian and me to help. We had to get things set ahead of time, and I had to bring Kate to Ian’s house. I had asked Kate to have dinner with Tyler and me, so we were set.

Lee wanted to propose to Kate at the beach just as the sun set, then he planned to take her to Italy in the summer. His parents would be there, as well. On their way home, Lee and Kate would stop by Los Angeles and visit my parents.

“Look.” Ian gestured toward the front of the line. “Kate is taking pictures of us.”

I acted on reflexes, leaning into him without thought, and smiled.

“That camera is like her third arm.” Ian chuckled. “Doesn’t she get tired?”

A strand of hair fell over my nose as a quick breeze passed by. I pushed it behind my ear. “Actually, she saves me the trouble so I don’t have to do it.”

“Straight line, please,” Cassie’s voice boomed in the air.

“Uh oh, I better get back to my spot before the sergeant shows her devil horns.”

I laughed, and Ian slowed. The dirt road became grassy, then we meandered downward along a winding route. When we reached the bottom, we got off our horses and tied their reins to a wooden post.

We went on foot from there. Ian offered to hold my backpack, and I handed it to him. We pushed through the tall grass, and Cassie led the way down the steep, rocky path.

“Hold on to your children and the rope, please,” Cassie hollered.

I was about to hold Tyler’s hand, but Ian rushed ahead and beat me to it.