“You’re not working on anything special now, are you?”
“Not really. Why do you ask?” Her father’s birth name was on the tip of her tongue and she almost told Lola. Did Lola and Buck know her birth certificate even existed?
“You looked really intent, like you were concentrating on something when I walked in. I’m sorry if I disturbed you.”
Carli’s heart pounded. She paused before answering, thinking about what she knew and what she wanted to share. She hadn’t hesitated to tell Nathan because he had become such a good friend. But to spill the pain of her past with the people who worked for her wasn’t something she felt comfortable doing. “It was nothing.” She smiled and took another bite of muffin so she wouldn’t have to talk any longer.
“Tell me more about this friendly date to the Dixie Maid.” Lola tried to suppress her grin this time, but her eyes sparkled as she watched Carli.
“The weirdest thing happened at the coffee shop. I gave my muffin away to a young girl there. You might know the family. Kids’ names were Brandon and Lexi.” Carli remembered the youngsters so vividly but had failed to even pay attention to the woman with them. “Their mother’s name escapes me.”
“Can you remember their last name?”
“No, but the girl was definitely unique.”
“How’s that?”
“Actually, she threw a little fit.”
“Sounds like a lot of excitement for the B&R.” The kettle screamed. “Be right back. You’re gonna love this ginger and honeybush herbal mix.”
Carli saved the grimace that covered her face until after Lola left the room. The herb tea combinations Lola found to buy were unique to say the least, and she always wanted Carli to taste them.
When Lola appeared carrying two steaming mugs, Carli continued. “Like I said, this woman walked in with her two kids. The girl is about sixteen, I guess, maybe fifteen. All dressed in black, nail polish too, skull shirt. Angry attitude. You know the typical emo type.”
“What’s emo?”
“It’s a subculture. Dark, deep emotions, certain rock bands. Teens are overly sensitive, lots of angst, the common theme being black clothes, jewelry, hair. Like emo core, means emotional and hardcore. The girl flung her muffin on the floor, so I gave her mine. I felt bad for her but also for the mom trying to handle everything on her own. I don’t know if there’s a dad in the picture or not.”
“You have a kind heart, Carli. What’d Nathan think of it all?”
“I think he wanted me to stay out of it. I told him that’s what everybody does. Meanwhile, I couldn’t help but think about the youth suicide rate which is through the roof. I wanted to help her. I used to be that girl. Not so much the outward appearance, but I do remember the hate and anger inside. And by the way, I invited the kids and their mom to the ranch.”
“Great. I look forward to meeting them.”
Carli blew gently and then took a sip from her mug. “That’s not bad.” She looked up at Lola and then stared in her cup.
“I was wondering when you’d admit it was good.” They both laughed.
“Did I ever tell you I owned a riding school and horse training business in Georgia? I’d like to do something like that again, well, the school part. Do you think it would work here?”
“No, you didn’t and yes, I think it would work. That’s a splendid idea.” Lola’s eyes sparkled as she sat up straight in the chair. “No one in this area offers riding lessons.”
“The mother of the young girl at the coffee shop mentioned she had to give their horses away. I hope those kids can come to ride at the ranch sometime.” Carli’s excitement grew from the look on Lola’s face. “I know Beau is good with kids. I really miss working with young people.”
“Also, our chestnut mare, Sally, has raised so many ranch kids in this area. The Wild Cow took her in for retirement, but she would be good in your program.” Lola sprang to her feet and began pacing with a concentrated look on her face. “We need extra saddles, all sizes, and headstalls. I’m sure we can come up with enough riding tack.”
Carli finished off her muffin, and as usual Lola resisted eating. “We’ll have to find some other horses.”
Lola shook her head in agreement. “Yes, because the ranch horses the guys use are bred too hot. They live for cow work and cutting. I’m not sure they would be suitable for lessons.”
“The young girl in black keeps haunting me. I want to help her if I can.” Carli really missed her clients in Georgia. She often wondered how their competition careers were progressing. “To see that first-time connection between a horse and rider. Their eyes light up and it makes me so happy. I miss that.”
Lola stopped pacing. “I think you have a super idea. And I’m sure Buck will agree. We’d love to help in any way we can.”
Another knock at the door cut their conversation short.
“Carli? Lola? Anybody home?”
“C’mon in,” Carli called to him. “We’re in the study. Want some herb tea and a muffin?”
Buck, her ranch foreman, appeared at the door. “Herb tea?” His face was pinched as if in pain. Carli chuckled. She understood his pain.
“Is it full of that healthy stuff you keep trying to feed me?” Buck frowned at his wife.
“It’s only because I love you, dear.” Lola held the plate out towards her husband. He waved it away. His wife went to his side, patted his belly a little, and said, “Uh huh, and we’ve got to watch it, don’t we, honey? Remember what the doc said at your last checkup? Eat healthy, watch your sodium intake, and lower your blood pressure.”
“Yes, dear. But no herb tea! Not part of my diet and that stuff would cause all kinds of problems for me.” He rolled his eyes good-naturedly towards Carli. “You know, Jean..." They all froze and stared at each
