Chapter 22
Chapter Twenty-Two
GEORGIA
“Are you sure you’re okay shifting classes around?” Sam asks.
I roll my eyes at him, not for the first time today.
“I told you, the kids are fine. No one is getting the shaft with the big celebration tonight.”
Sam scrubs a hand down the back of his neck. “I appreciate you helping out. These things are a lot of work, and we need someone with experience helping out with the rides.”
I pat him on the shoulder. “Don’t worry about it. I’ve got it covered.”
People are in and out of the barn getting everything ready for the end of summer festival tonight.
After a great first season, Kade decided to make this a regular thing.
I love it. I know it’s a lot of work for Sam since he manages the barn, but for me?
I get to help with horseback rides in the field.
It doesn’t get much better than that.
Given that my students won’t be here for a bit longer, I head into the barn to check on all the horses. A few of the ranch hands are getting them ready, but Queenie is patiently waiting for me, her nose sticking out of her stall.
“You know something’s going on today, don’t you?” I ask, giving her a kiss.
She neighs in response.
“Yeah. You’ll have a busy day, but don’t worry. You’ll get lots of treats. And Luke will be back, so make sure you’re good for him, okay?” I tell her.
Another nod.
“Georgia, are you in here?” Janice’s voice calls out.
“Oh, hey.”
I peer through the barn door to see her waiting with the kids.
“Sorry, we got here a bit earlier than I planned,” she says.
“Not a problem. Just talking to Queenie about her day,” I say.
“Did you ask her if I get to ride her today?” Maddie asks without hesitation.
“I don’t know. Do you think you’re ready for that?” I ask her.
I know she is, but I want to hear her say it. It’s always up to them if they want to ride her. I never want to put a kid on a horse too soon.
“If Maddie gets to ride her, can I ride her too?” River asks.
“I think I’m ready,” Maddie says.
“Awesome. Why don’t y’all go grab your helmets and we’ll get started on tacking Queenie and then go for some rides, okay?”
“Yes!” They all cheer, running to where the gear is kept.
“Maddie was talking the whole ride over about how excited she was that today might be the day she gets to ride Queenie,” Janice tells me.
That brings a smile to my face. “Chatting your ear off? I’m glad she’s making progress.”
“Me too. Her foster mom said she’s opening up more at home, and is engaging meaningfully with them.”
“That’s why I love doing what I do,” I tell her, turning my back to her and facing Queenie so she won’t see the tears welling my eyes.
It’s hard not to get emotional when I know my students are making progress.
Maybe if I had something like this, I would have been able to find a family like Maddie.
Her foster parents are working hard to adopt her—two wonderful people who couldn’t have biological kids, but are giving her everything she’s never had.
I hope she gets it, because all of these kids deserve the world.
“We're ready.” River and Ben are standing at the entrance to the stall as Janice heads out.
“Who gets to ride Queenie first?” Maddie asks.
“Let’s all work together and get her tacked, then why don’t you take the first ride, Maddie,” I say.
“Ben can go second,” River says.
As the older brother, he’s always looking out for Ben. He’s one of the most selfless kids I’ve ever met.
“Alright.” I nod. “You know where the saddle is. Let’s get started.”
Given how much I’ve taught these kids, they don’t need much help. I instruct them on a few things here and there, but they get Queenie ready without issue.
She stands there patiently as they pet her and talk with her.
“We’re ready,” Ben states.
“Let’s see how you did.”
I check the girth and the stirrups to make sure everything is snug for a smooth ride.
“Y’all did a great job. It’s like you don’t even need me here to help.”
“Well, I need you,” Maddie says, a note of shyness in her voice.
“Are you a little scared to ride her?”
She nods. “What if I fall off?”
“River, will you lead Queenie out of the barn?”
“Yes.”
River and Ben take the horse out to the arena as I follow behind with Maddie.
“I’m going to be by your side the entire time. Queenie is the best horse we have here. She has a good sense of people’s feelings and will go slower if you need her to. She’s not going to take off and run, and I’ll have her by the reins the whole time.”
“Okay.” Maddie chews on her bottom lip.
“If you decide you’re not ready, it’s okay too. You don’t have to ride her today.”
“No!” Maddie says. “I mean, I want to try.”
“You can take all the time you need. There’s no rush.”
She nods her head and I double-check the strap of her helmet. The boys are already waiting with Queenie by the stairs. I lead Maddie over and help her get up into the saddle.
“How are you feeling?” I ask, adjusting the stirrups to her height.
“It’s higher than I thought,” she says.
“You’ll get used to it, but keep your eyes forward. It makes it easier. You tell me when you’re ready and we’ll start.”
“It’s really fun, Maddie,” Ben says.
“Yeah, you’ll love it,” River agrees.
Maddie’s knuckles are white on the horn of the saddle. “Can we go?”
“Alright.”
I click my tongue and start to lead Queenie around the ring. Her pace is slow. I truly believe that Queenie knows her riders. She takes her time. I keep checking in with Maddie to make sure she’s doing okay. The more laps we do, the looser her grip gets. Before I know it, a smile sits on her face.
“This is so fun,” she says.
“You like it?”
“Yeah. Queenie is the best.”
The horse neighs in agreement.
“You’re going to give Queenie here a big head.” She laughs as I stop her at the stairs. “Let’s give one of the boys a turn, and if there’s time at the end, I’ll let you go again, okay?”
“Okay. Does this mean we can do it at more lessons?”
“We can do it as much as you want. You did a great job.”
“You did awesome!” Ben gives her a high five before I help him on the horse and adjust the stirrups.
When the two brothers first came to me, they barely said a word and were scared of the horses. Now, being in the barn is second nature to them. With the progress Maddie is making, she’ll be there in no time.
The boys have done this enough times that they can take the reins and do it on their own. I stay close by just in case, but Ben doesn’t need me. Neither does River.
Ben and River take their turns, and they both chat with Maddie about riding and how they like getting to tell their friends at school about it.
It’s one thing that I know makes it easier to connect with others.
It gives them a safe environment to open up and feel their emotions.
Something they didn’t always have before coming here.
After River dismounts, I take Maddie on a few more laps. This time, she does it with ease.
“You are crushing it, Maddie. I’m proud of you.”
“Thanks, Georgia.”
“Was it better than you thought?”
She nods. “So much better. I can’t wait to tell Marcy and Darren about this.”
“I know they will love hearing about it.”
A few of my students were placed with Marcy and Darren before, and they are some of the best foster parents in the county.
“Alright. I think that’s all we have time for.” I lead her back to the stairs, and together with the boys, the three of them lead Queenie back to her stall and start brushing her out.
Janice joins me as we watch the three of them work together.
“Maddie did a great job out there today,” she says.
“She did. I’m really proud of her.”
“I knew this would be a good fit.”
“It’s all her. She opened up when she was ready and I’m thrilled with how much progress she’s making.”
Janice smiles at me before slipping her sunglasses back on her face. “I’ll be waiting outside for them.”
I smile at her before going to grab the treats for Queenie and heading back to her stall.
“Alright, who wants to give Queenie her treat?” I ask.
“Me!” Maddie jumps up and down.
“Make sure you hold your hand out flat and she’ll grab it from you.”
She does as I instruct and it makes me even happier to hear her laughter. The three of them can’t stop chattering when we go find Janice, and they all run off together as I wave goodbye.
The warm feelings of a good lesson with them carry me through the afternoon as I help everyone get ready for the festival.
Some of the work I need the guys to help me with now that I’ve officially popped, but it’s nice that I can still do my job.
Which might not be the case the closer I get to the end of the pregnancy.
By the time the barn is ready, I head back to my office to clean up, then throw my hat back on and head to the main lodge.
The sounds of children running around and laughing greet me.
Kade’s really outdone himself this time.
Serena has her usual stall set up while someone else is painting faces and making balloon animals.
Poppy and Max go running by, giving me a quick wave before I head to the bar and grab a glass of lemonade.
My eyes keep roving over the crowds, but I don’t see the two people that I really want to see.
It wouldn’t surprise me if practice ran late for Grant. These are the days that are perfect for practice. With how busy the two of us are, I haven’t spent much time with him since our first official date.
He’s heading on a scouting trip next week that he couldn’t reschedule, so I’m on my own for the next doctor’s appointment. I rub my hand over my belly because we will finally find out what we’re having. I’m okay either way, but I really do hope it’s a boy.
“Looks like you’re thinking some pretty deep thoughts over here.”
The deep familiar voice makes a smile grow on my face.
“Hey.”
Grant is standing there, an equally big smile on his face.
“Hi, Cowgirl.” He wraps an arm around my waist and pulls me in for a kiss. “I missed you.”
“Did you come by yourself?”
His Loggers cap is sitting on his head, making him look even sexier. With the short-sleeve shirt showing off his biceps, I’m so damn lucky this man is mine.
“Luke ran off to see Queenie.”
I smile at that. “I’m glad he’s taken to her.”
Grant orders a beer before the two of us wander around the ranch. Rex is working the buffet line, filled with chicken, brats, burgers, and hot dogs. Another table is filled with sides and another full of various desserts.
I wave to Presley who is chatting with some of the guests. Joey is helping some of the kids with the face painting.
I know I’ll have to go help soon, but I stop in front of Serena’s booth.
“Want to visit Serena?”
“Do I want to?” Grant asks, dropping his forehead against mine.
I shrug a shoulder. “I mean, she was right about mine back in April.”
“What was yours?”
“The Fool.”
“Meaning?” He fishes for more information.
“Reckless behavior,” I say.
“Hmm.” He pulls me in close. “Reckless behavior, you say?”
“Hooking up with you is the most reckless thing I’ve done.”
“Yeah, but it was fun, right?”
My eyes darken at his words. It was more than just fun. I never knew one night could fundamentally alter the course of my life, but here we are.
“One of the best nights I’ve ever had.”
“Think I can tempt you for a repeat?” He slides his hand down my back, settling in the back pocket of my jeans.
“Mmm.” I wrap my arms around his neck. “If only I didn’t have to stay here all night to do rides out in the field.”
“Damn shame.” He gives me the briefest of kisses. “How about tomorrow night?”
“Are you asking me to have a sleepover with you?”
He laughs. “Yeah, Cowgirl. I’m asking you to have another sleepover with me.”
“Only if you get your tarot reading from Serena.”
“Lead the way.”
I step out of his arms and take the few steps to Serena’s booth. Two people walk away smiling before she beckons us forward. Grant takes a seat and pulls me down onto his lap. It makes happiness bloom in my chest that he’s so affectionate.
“Hi, Georgia. And this must be the famous Grant I’ve heard so much about.”
Grant’s eyes go wide at her words.
“Hi, Serena. Yes, this is Grant. I know he’s been the talk of the town.”
She smiles at him, eyes wide behind her glasses. “Welcome. Let’s see what the cards have in store for you.”
She shuffles the cards and when the first card is pulled out, she gives a knowing smile.
“What does that mean?” Grant asks. His hand rests on my stomach, absent-mindedly rubbing it. He hasn’t felt the baby move yet, but I know he is desperate for it. Hopefully one of these days soon.
“The Emperor is a good one for you. He’s a father figure and it means people can rely on you for stability and security.”
“Would you look at that?” I say, squeezing Grant close.
Grant listens with rapt attention as she explains more. He drinks up every word.
“That was interesting,” Grant says once the two of us say our goodbyes to Serena.
Fireflies are starting to flicker in the early dusk. A s’mores bar is set up near the fire pit with the ooey-gooey smell of marshmallows calling us over.
“In a good way or a bad way?” I ask.
“Good,” he says. “Maybe I won’t be so bad at this whole parenting thing again.”
I track Luke, who is with Poppy and Max making their own treats. My guess is the two younger kids started chatting with him. Neither of them know a stranger, and now, they’re all eating s’mores together.
“I think you’re doing a pretty good job right now.”
“You really think so?”
“Yeah. Luke is a good kid, and I’m pretty lucky that I get to do this whole parenting thing with you,” I say.
“Good, I’m glad.”
“Now, I wish I could hang out more, but I have to go help with the horses.”
“Think I could get a ride?”
I cock a brow at him. “Grant…”
“What?” He throws his hands up. “It was completely innocent.”
“Sure.” I press a kiss against his lips and push him away. “Go make s’mores and bring me one. Maybe two. The baby is hungry.”
“Suuure,” he parrots back.
I watch him go, smiling at me before joining Luke. Seeing the two of them together makes me happy, because it’s a vision of our future together.
I never imagined myself as a mother, but now, I can’t picture anything else. This is the life I want.
No matter how reckless I had to be to get it.