Chapter 35
Lark
Cloud and I start off slow. I allow him to ease into the ride.
We had a small hiccup that he worked through when we got into the first pasture.
The metal gate had slammed closed, and it caused him to sidestep and fuss.
However, with a little support, he settled fairly quickly, and we started to trot a bit.
He’s honestly an amazing horse. It’s no wonder that Sadie loves him as much as she does.
I’ve been riding him for about twenty minutes, and I adore him.
After ten more minutes at a consistent canter, I do a few more things that are more obedience based.
Each one, Cloud passes with flying colors.
There’s not a single reason I can find to not let Sadie or anyone else ride this horse.
I let him drink for a bit at the stream that runs through the property, patting his neck when he comes back up.
We’re at one of my favorite places to take the horses. The clearing is just big enough to let the horse run, but it has a tree line that will force them to stop before they get too far.
“You’ve done great so far, boy,” I tell him. “How about we have a little fun?”
Cloud turns his head to the left, and I smile. Yeah, I think he needs it.
“All right, let’s go.”
I kick his sides, and he immediately takes off. My hat goes flying, hair blowing behind me as the wind whips at my face.
My smile is automatic.
I live for this.
For the freedom. The sun shining down. The power of the horse beneath me, making me feel as though I’m flying.
I let go of the sadness that has consumed me for the last two days.
The way my heart has ached for Tristan.
The weight on my chest each time I think about never touching him again.
All of it goes with the wind. With each stride, the horse catapults me farther from my home and my heartache.
I close my eyes for a heartbeat, letting the sun beat down as we sail across the open pasture.
Then, suddenly, I’m not flying beneath the horse.
I’m in the air. I scream. My heart pounds as the ground rushes closer and closer.
I’m going to hit it—hard.
I brace, tucking myself like I’ve shown hundreds of riders.
“Fuck!” I scream out because I’ve turned my body the wrong way.
I slam into the ground, my head bouncing once, twice, and then again.
The pain is unlike anything I’ve ever felt before.
My vision swims, and I can’t move.
I search for my phone in my pocket, praying I can keep my eyes open long enough to call my brother for help.
I can’t find it.
The world around me is spinning, and my head is throbbing. I need to tell someone where I am. To get my location to someone, because I’m fading and I don’t want to die here. I have so much to say to my family, my friends, to Tristan.
I need to see him at least one more time. I can’t let that conversation on the ridge be our last.
Remembering the one thing I’ve drilled into everyone I’ve ever worked with, I use the last of my energy and say, as loudly as I can, “Siri, I fell.”
And then everything goes black.