“I think we should get started, don’t you?” Carli turned to Lola. She was thankful for Lola's willingness to help and for her support from the very first. It meant a lot that Lola and Buck were supportive of her ideas.
“Hello, I’m Carli and this is Lola. If you’re here, then you probably love horses as much as I do, so welcome to LoveJoy Riding School. We’re so glad to have you here today. I want you to know this is a safe place and I hope it will be a fun place for all of you. We’ll learn about horses and I think you’ll have a good time. So, please relax, breathe in the fresh air, and let’s get started. We have a few rules—”
“Great. Here it comes,” Bianca murmured, as she crossed her hands over her chest and rested one boot on the fence behind her.
If Carli handled this right, these girls might become fast friends before the day was over. She glowed at the thought of doing some good and changing lives. Nathan had told her to watch for little signs from God which indicated she was on the right path. She'd be on the lookout.
Based on Carli’s experience from working with clients in Georgia, she knew about establishing rules the very first day. She wasn’t intimidated by teenagers. She walked closer to Bianca. “A lot of times, rules keep us safe and help us to get along with others. So here goes: No cursing. No yelling or loud voices around the horses. No walking directly behind the horses. Be respectful of other riders. Listen to your instructors. The two-story building over there has restroom facilities. That’s pretty much it. Other than that, we are here to have fun and learn about horses.”
Already, Carli noticed the eye rolling from both of her new clients. “Come with us. We’re going to clean some tack first, brush the horses, and then saddle up for a quick ride,” she said. The response wasn’t any better.
Bianca shuffled her feet and mumbled, “I didn’t come here to be nobody’s servant or maid.”
Carli studied the red-haired girl with the big attitude. She was going to be a challenge. “Around a ranch, everyone pitches in. Equipment like saddles and bridles have to be kept in good condition. We don’t want a bridle or reins to break in two while someone’s riding because the tack was dirty, dry, and cracked. So, we clean it, oil it, and keep it like new.”
“I don’t know how to do any of that. My mom says I have to be here, but I don’t have to do a thing you say,” Bianca grumbled. “Besides, I don’t want to break my nails.” She held her hands out, fingers spread, admiring fluorescent orange polish.
It was Lexi’s turn to roll her eyes and smirk. Luckily, she didn’t say any words, but the snort of escaping air, “Hmph,” was what set Bianca off.
Bianca spun on her heels and faced Lexi. “You got somethin’ to say to me?”
Before any words could be exchanged, Lola stepped between them and led the way to the saddle house where all the tack was stored. “Come this way, girls.”
As Lexi passed by Sally, she stopped and gave the horse a scratch behind one ear. Sally buried her nose in Lexi’s stomach and snorted.
“She remembers you.” Carli smiled at her.
Lexi couldn’t stifle the grin that appeared on her face.
Carli draped an arm across Sally’s neck. “It’s not easy being in a bad mood around horses. They’ll settle your spirit every time. Ready to get started?”
Lola opened the door of the building and stepped to one side. “C’mon, girls. We’ll give you both gloves if you want. No muss, no fuss.”
Carli hoped that Lola’s firm, but kind, mothering would penetrate their tough shells. She didn’t know their situations, but felt she could relate to being independent, rebellious, trying to survive on her own in life. She didn’t have a real mother since Michelle had abandoned her, and she’d been angry about it for a lot of years. Maybe that’s why she was drawn to these girls and the secret turmoil they buried deep inside.
Carli had already laid out the supplies they’d need on a wooden counter—rags, saddle soap, leather conditioner. And gloves to protect Bianca’s new manicure. Carli brought over a few bridles and reins. Chairs and stools were already arranged around a metal work bench so they could all sit in a circle as they worked. Carli smiled to herself and thought maybe this was how old-time quilting bees were—older women teaching the young ones. Except in this day and age the girls had taken over the saddle house instead of staying inside to sew.
Lola started with instructions. “Now take your sponge, wipe it in the container of saddle soap. Give the leather a good rub. We’ll soak the bits in hot water to get rid of any grass, spit, grime—you name it. We want to keep the leather supple, so it doesn’t dry out, crack, and break. And we’ll make sure the stitching is secure and the buckles are working. Okay?”
Lexi said, “Yes.”
Bianca huffed some as the side of her mouth stretched in a smirk. She scrunched her eyes and stood up from her seat. “I don’t have to do this, and you can’t make me.”
Carli opened her mouth to reprimand the young girl, but Lola’s eyes told her to be still. It was kind of strange. Even though Carli was ready to chastise Bianca for talking disrespectfully to them, it was as though a voice inside her said, “Help her.” Over and over again. “Help her.” Was that Carli’s mind talking? Was God nudging her? She had heard people say that God spoke to them and Nathan reminded her to be aware of signs from God.
“No cleaning. No riding.” Carli was firm. “Taking care of your tack and taking care of your
