Chapter 4
Chapter Four
GEORGIA - TWO MONTHS LATER
“How many horses do you need today, Georgia?” Sam asks.
I skim the printout for my lesson today. “One. River is sick, so he and Ben aren’t coming. I’ve got a new student today.”
Sam smiles at me from his desk across from me. “I’m sure you’ll be a huge help to her.”
I go back to my computer, reviewing my notes on my newest student. Maddie Lang.
She was pulled from her parents’ house because of drug abuse and sent to live with a foster parent. She’s in her third house in as many years, with no immediate family to take her in.
I breathe out a sigh. I know exactly what that’s like. I click out of her file and grab my tan Stetson. It’s seen better days, but I love it.
“We’ll see.”
“If you’re done in time for lunch, Rex is trying out some new recipes for us,” Sam says. “Should be good. Joey’s bringing it up around noon.”
“Thanks. I’ll definitely take you up on that.”
I smile to myself as I head out to the barn.
Sam and Joey are impossibly in love, and I see her more now on her little jaunts out to the barn to see him.
It’s nice seeing her every day. It’s one of the perks of working here—not only do I see her, but the lodge provides our lunches so we get to eat together regularly.
If I’m not busy with my students, I always take advantage of that.
Especially lately. It’s like summer came and I became insatiable. It seems as if the meals have only gotten better since the grand reopening. Business is booming for The Lost Spur, with the ranch booked out for the next two years.
It’s a good mix for me—working with my students and getting to lead guests on trail rides. There’s never a dull day around here.
Ranch hands are coming and going as I head to Queenie’s stall. Her head is hanging out, watching the action.
“There’s my girl.”
She whinnies in response as I rub her forehead. Beams of sunlight stream into her stall, highlighting her rich, chestnut coat.
“Are you ready to help some people today? We’ve got a new student today—Maddie—so I need you to be on your best behavior.”
She nods her head, like she understands every word I’m saying. I like to think she does.
Queenie was the best thing that ever happened to me. When I started working at the barn in high school, Queenie was the first horse I ever rode. I was hooked.
Even with everything that was going on in my life, riding her gave me a sense of contentment that I’d never had. It’s then that I knew I wanted to help other kids like me in this same way. And because of Verne, I was able to.
He sold Queenie to me a few years before he got sick, and we’ve been a team ever since. Some days, I feel like I know Queenie better than anybody.
Grabbing her reins, I get her situated before leading her out to the arena. A few people are taking riding lessons as parents look on.
There’s two people waiting at the entrance—one who is familiar, and the other who isn’t. Tying up Queenie in our area to work, I head over to them with a bright smile on my face.
“Hey, Janice,” I greet her.
Her dark hair is cut into a neat bob, and her outfit is office-chic, except for the cowboy boots. She learned the hard way not to wear heels out here.
“Hey, Georgia. Sorry for the short notice that River and Ben won’t be here.”
“No problem.” I wave her off, dropping my attention to the girl next to her. “Are you Maddie?”
The girl in question looks disinterested as she takes me in. Her blonde hair is pulled back into a messy ponytail and her brown eyes give away nothing.
“Yeah.”
“I’m Georgia.” I stick my hand out to her and wait for her to take it. She eyes it like it might bite, but eventually returns the gesture. “Do you want to meet Queenie?”
“Who’s that?” she asks.
“She’s my horse, and I think you’ll really like her. Have you ever been around horses?”
She shakes her head. “No.”
“Okay. Why don’t we go meet her and you can get to know her a bit better.”
Maddie looks to Janice who nods in approval. I lead her around the arena to where Queenie waits as Janice takes a seat.
Maddie stops a few feet short of Queenie. It’s not unusual. If you’ve never been around a horse before, they can be intimidating.
I get down so I’m at eye level with her.
“This is Queenie. She’s my horse and is the best one we have here on the ranch,” I tell her. “But I’m biased.”
She doesn’t look at me, but keeps staring at Queenie. To her credit, Queenie stands there, her tail occasionally swatting a fly, but calm as can be. It’s why she’s the best therapy horse.
“Do you want to move closer? She knows to stay where she is.”
“She does?” That pulls Maddie’s attention back to me.
“Yes. She’s very smart.”
She takes a few tentative steps forward and stops in front of Queenie’s muzzle. I stand and pat the white star on her forehead as she leans into my touch.
“And she’s very gentle. She likes getting brushed down. It might be her favorite thing.”
“Really?”
I nod. “If you’re up for trying, you can help me today.”
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.
Okay, maybe I do need to get out more if I think my horse can understand me. But I wasn’t lying to Maddie. Horses are smart, and I know Queenie knows what I’m saying.
I take a different trail back, slowing to a trot to enjoy the late morning on my own. I don’t know what the afternoon will hold, but I know it will be busy.
The ride back is just as peaceful. By the time I get back to the barn, groups of people are waiting around for rides while others are feeding the horses treats.
Hopping off, I lead Queenie into the barn and find Sam on the phone. He calls me over, ending the call.
“You have time to head back out today?” Sam asks. “Jake called in. His kid has croup.”
“That doesn’t sound good.” I wince. “Sure thing. My classes are over for today.”
“Thanks. I’d head out, but I’ve got a few lessons coming in.”
I smile at him. He gives Poppy, and now Max, riding lessons. Poppy is absolutely smitten with Lollipop, and Sam has wanted nothing more than to get Max on a horse.
“If I don’t see them, tell them I said hi.”
“I will.”
Leading Queenie to her stall, I unsaddle her and brush her out. She laps at the water before moving on to the hay. With morning therapy earlier and then our ride, she’ll get a well-earned rest before we go out again this afternoon.
“That’s my girl.”
Her tail swats at the flies as I give her one last pat before leaving her stall to grab something to eat. It’s a usual morning for me, but I’m ravenous. If I’m going to be leading trail rides this afternoon, Queenie and I need to load up on energy.
I don’t mind. This is what I love doing the most.
Me and my horses.
What else do I need?