If not for one person, I might even have felt right at home again, but Kade’s attitude hasn’t changed in the last four weeks and most likely never will.
After the dinner from hell, I’ve avoided him whenever he comes around, which hasn’t been all that often. And if not for Whisky needing medical attention, I’m sure I would have been able to avoid him completely. But I wasn’t going to jeopardize Whisky’s health because someone doesn’t like me. So, I went to the ultrasound appointment a week after that disastrous dinner and had Kade treat my boy.
The only good news in all of this was that Whisky’s injury wasn’t as severe as I feared it would be, and he should be recovered within two months with the treatment plan Kade set up for him. Just in time for the summer competitions and my last shot at securing my spot at the Olympics.
I hate to admit it, but Kade’s been a godsend when it comes to Whisky. He might be an asshole to me, but he knows exactly what he’s doing when it comes to horses. He’s patient with Whisky’s idiosyncrasies, and, despite his dislike for me, he’s made sure Whisky heals as fast as possible.
Even though these past weeks at my childhood home have been taking their toll on me emotionally, swinging from excited to devastated to resigned in a matter of days, I’ve realized coming here is what’s best for my horse and my career. If nothing else, this trip reminded me how much I love being in nature, surrounded by mountains and rivers. I forgot how much I missed standing on the back porch overlooking the vast land surrounding this place, soaking in the feeling of peace that fills me whenever I do.
I might have hated asking for help, and dreaded coming back here, but this injury forced me to slow down for the first time in years. Since I nearly destroyed my life at age seventeen, I haven’t slowed down out of fear I’d mess up again. I figured if I had no time for anything but school and training, then I’d have no time to get in trouble, even if said trouble wasn’t of my own making.
But over the last few weeks, I’ve realized I need time to breathe and recharge my soul. I have been running on empty and didn’t even see it. And while I’ve spent time away from my rigorous training schedule, I’ve remembered how much I missed just working with a horse, riding in nature, for the pleasure of it, without the pressure of winning that’s been with me since I entered the circuit at sixteen.
Which is probably why I decide to help my father and work with Lucifer. With calving season in full swing, he doesn’t have much time to commit to Lucifer and his needs this past month, and someone has to work with him, or it will only get worse. Staying here is what’s best for Whisky’s recovery, so I might as well occupy myself while I’m here and do something useful.
I’ve told Bob and Dakota I’ll be staying here for the foreseeable future, definitely until Whisky is ready for more strenuous exercise. I think they were both happy I’m staying here to spend some time with my father, or as Dakota told me, to deal with my daddy issues.
I’m dreading telling my mother I’m not coming back to Seattle for a while, but I’ll ignore that particular shitstorm looming on the horizon until she calls me.
Trying to shake of the dread of talking to my mother, I walk into the kitchen for my normal morning coffee and notice Lizzie is getting ready to leave. Something I’ve noticed she does every Wednesday around this time.
“Good morning, honey,” she greets me, vivacious as ever.
“Morning.”
“You want some coffee before I leave?”
“It’s okay, I can get it if you’re in a hurry,” I say, still not used to her kindness. “I don’t want to make you late.”
“You should come with me.”
Once I’m done pouring my coffee, I turn around to look at her. “Where are you going?”
“Why don’t you come with me, and I’ll show you?” She doesn’t say anything else, instead looks at me with that patient smile of hers. She knows being vague piques my interest more than anything, and I won’t be able to help myself but to find out what it is she’s doing every Wednesday.
I never thought I’d say this, but I like her. She’s perfect for Wayne, much more suited than my mother ever was, and I’m happy for them. Spending time with her this past month has made me realize just how different she is from my mother. And I can’t help but wonder what my life would look like if she’d have been in my life from the very beginning.
I only hesitate for a second before I agree, “Okay. Just let me go change quickly.”
“Okay. I’ll go heat up the truck.”
I hurry up my room to switch my sweatpants for a pair of skinny jeans. I put on a plain T-shirt with my warmest sweatshirt over top since I don’t know where we’re going. Not wanting to keep Lizzie waiting, I don’t bother with but one coat of mascara before I rush out the door.
Unable to hide my curiosity, I ask, “So where are we going?”
“A place that’s near to my heart,” is all she says. “You’ll like it, don’t worry.”
Knowing when I’m beat, I relax against the seat and watch the landscape pass us by while I drink the coffee I grabbed. I’m lost in my thoughts, not really paying attention, until she stops in front of a simple brick building in Bozeman. More curious than ever, I follow Lizzie inside the building. I have no idea where we are
