Starting Over Read online

  Starting Over

  A Trina Ryan Novel

  Sheri S. Levy

  Barking Rain Press

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and events described herein are products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locations, organizations, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

  Starting Over: A Trina Ryan Novel (Book 2)

  Copyright © 2017 Sheri S. Levy (www.SheriSLevy.com)

  All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

  Edited by Cindy Koepp (www.ckoepp.com)

  Proofread by Ashlee Enz (www.barkingrainpress.org/ashlee-enz)

  Cover artwork by: Sara Garcia Moreno (www.bitcover.net)

  Barking Rain Press

  PO Box 822674

  Vancouver, WA 98682 USA

  www.barkingrainpress.org

  ISBN Trade Paperback: 1-935460-77-3

  ISBN Hardcover: 1-941295-80-0

  ISBN eBook: 1-935460-78-1

  Library of Congress Control Number: 2017907796

  First Edition: August 2017

  Printed in the United States of America

  Dedication

  In memory of my mother, Lillian Shepherd. She offered me opportunities she never had.

  To Christy Smith, a talented artist and loving friend.

  To Caroline Eschenberg, my first writing partner. I will miss your support and ideas.

  Also from Sheri S. Levy

  Seven Days to Goodbye: A Trina Ryan Novel

  Coming Soon from Sheri S. Levy

  For Keeps: A Trina Ryan Novel

  www.SheriSLevy.com

  Contents

  Cover

  Title Page

  Copyright Page

  Dedication

  Also from Sheri S. Levy

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Chapter 20

  Chapter 21

  Chapter 22

  Chapter 23

  Chapter 24

  Chapter 25

  Chapter 26

  Chapter 27

  Chapter 28

  Chapter 29

  Chapter 30

  Chapter 31

  Chapter 32

  Chapter 33

  Chapter 34

  Chapter 35

  Chapter 36

  Chapter 37

  Chapter 38

  Chapter 39

  Chapter 40

  Chapter 41

  Chapter 42

  Chapter 43

  Chapter 44

  Acknowledgements

  About Sheri S. Levy

  About Barking Rain Press

  Other Titles Available from Barking Rain Press

  Seven Days to Goodbye

  The Anthropologist’s Daughter

  Dr. Offig’s Lessons from the Dark Side

  The Girl Who Flew Away

  The Last Stand of Daronwy

  The Scarred Letter

  Sounds of Silence

  The Unremarkable Squire

  Winner Take None

  Chapter 1

  June

  At three o’clock in the morning, I sat with my butt squished against the wall on the hard tile floor, my forehead resting on bent knees. I’d given up going back to bed and waited for Colton’s next outburst.

  Seconds later he whined. I lifted my head as his nose poked out of the crate, sniffing. He tilted his head and toddled toward me. His tail beat back and forth. After a quick pee on the clean newspapers, he crawled onto my lap.

  He put his front paws on my shoulders, and his dark eyes flirted mischief.

  I smiled. “Ms. Jennifer and Mom warned me you’d be waking up all night.”

  Colton’s ears drooped, and I stroked his velvety fur. Cradling his plump body, I buried my face in his fuzz. I inhaled his toasty puppy smell, trying hard not to think about Sydney, the first service dog I had trained. Sydney had come to me when his family had moved away from South Carolina. At six-months-old, he had been trained in his basic needs, and he’d even slept through the night. During our beach vacation, Sydney had worked his special magic with Logan, a young boy with autism. My best friend Sarah and I also met his cute older brothers, Peyton and Chase.

  Sydney and I had snuggled on our last night, and I’d told him about my memories of our year together. In the morning, I’d clenched my teeth behind a fake smile and returned him to be matched to his forever companion. Minutes before leaving the facility empty-handed, large, brown puppy eyes from the nursery had connected with mine. I’d decided to train another.

  Eight-week-old Colton was a blank slate. I would be his first and only foster momma until he turned eighteen months old. Colton nosed me again. He lifted his chocolate brown eyes to mine, and warmed the achy parts of my heart.

  I surveyed the newspapers covering the floor, then wrinkled my nose and shook my head. If I had known how much work was involved, would I have started over again? I sucked in my cheek, nodding. Yeah.

  I can do it. I have all summer to get him into a routine. I grabbed my frizzy hair into a quick ponytail, wadded up the messy papers, and spread new ones across the floor. “All done. Let’s go outside.” Before I lifted him, my puppy itched behind his ear with his right back foot. “Hmm. Fleas. They’ll have to wait till later.”

  With no street lights, the full moon glowed like a night light and the shiny stars winked at me. An owl hooted in our forested backyard, halting Colt for a second. His ears pitched forward, and then he returned to his adventure. I gave him five more minutes with the sensor light going on and off before placing him and a handful of kibbles inside his crate. “Night-night. Pleeeeease go to sleep.”

  He rested his head in the opening of the crate, and fought to keep his eyes open and on me.

  I tip-toed back to my temporary bedroom downstairs, grabbed a pillow, and pulled off the top sheet. Wrapping up like a mummy, I laid on the hard, wooden-floor in front of the doggy gate, and let my head sink into the pillow. Maybe being closer to him, he’ll let me get some sleep. Tomorrow’s going to be a long day, I groaned to myself.

  As my eyes closed, I pictured chasing Colton in the muggy air. I’d teach him new words and then we’d snuggle together. Before long, sunlight from the laundry room window leaked under my eyelids and a whiff of coffee jolted me awake. Colton’s little head hadn’t moved. Feeling a bit jealous he was still snoozing, I unwound the sheet and scooted into the kitchen. I yawned and scanned the room, twisting a loose curl at my neck.

  Mom crooked her head. “Rough night, Trina?”

  Nodding, I rubbed the tiredness from my burning eyes. “Yep. I can’t believe he’s still sleeping.”

  Dad set his coffee cup down. “We heard you two, but we promised to stay put.”

  Mom grabbed her purse and headed to the door. “I’ve got to go. Dr. Mayer called early and needs my help with a sick dog. Si
nce I had a spare minute, I took him out for you. You never even flinched. When he wakes, he’s all yours.”

  I found enough energy to utter, “Thanks.”

  The door closed behind her.

  Before I finished my cheese grits, howls pierced the silence. I rolled my eyes. “Sounds like I’m back on duty.”

  This is going to be harder than I thought.

  In my shortie pajamas, I carried Colton outside to our fenced yard. He sniffed and bit at pine cones and chased squirrels at a tiny paw speed. His ears raised at the clunk-clunk of Mrs. Brown’s golf cart driving up the path to her paddocks next door. I collapsed on the grass and leaned against a tree trunk. Colton stared toward the clatter and hunched down. He scrambled over my crossed legs and plopped into the gap.

  “Mrs. B is bringing in the horses.” I whispered in his ear. “You’ll get to meet her soon.”

  He scratched his neck and crept through the trees an inch at a time. The sun simmered overhead and sent a wilted pup back to my lap. I carried him to his crate, and he crumpled into a small heap.

  “Whew—finally. We’ll do your bath after your nap.” I bounced into the recliner to text Sarah.

  Instantly, she texted. “How’s Colton?”

  “Adorable. Meet me in ten.”

  Sarah texted three smiley faces.

  I grinned and wished my phone could do that.

  Yesterday’s clothes lay on the floor. I dressed as fast as I could then hurried to meet Sarah at the huge oak tree. My pounding heart pulsed through my arms and legs. I twisted a strand of hair and rechecked my phone for the millionth time.

  Where is Sarah?

  I needed to see Chancy, the barn’s schooling horse I rode. Heather, the other groom, had cared for her during my week at Edisto Beach. She spent tons of time with Chancy and even gave her treats when I wasn’t around. I wiped the beads of sweat off my lip and stared at the ground. What if Chancy preferred her over me? Worry bubbled up my throat. If I had to share Chancy, I couldn’t pretend she was mine.

  Sarah approached in crisp white shorts, a sparkly pink tee, and French-braided blond-hair. My stomach knotted, and my cheeks burned. Sarah enjoyed teasing me about my out-of-control red hair and matching freckled face. I slowed my steps to let my face cool. Then I tucked loose curls into my ragged ponytail, and smoothed out my wrinkled PAALS tee shirt.

  Darby, Sarah’s black and white springer spaniel, wiggled her stub of a tail as Sarah looped her arm through mine. She jabbered on about Peyton’s texts without missing a beat. I nodded and smiled, tuning her out with memories of my first secret kiss with Chase, Peyton’s younger brother. I considered sharing our phone conversations, but a loud noise like a cement truck grew closer and interrupted our conversation.

  Sarah squinted. “What’s that racket?”

  “Sounds like a big diesel truck. Let’s get closer.” Behind a wide tree trunk, we spied a silver-gray, dually truck pulling a white, two-horse trailer. Five interlocked gray hearts decorated the sides. I clasped my hands together. “Oh, I bet that’s the new boarder. I forgot she was coming today. Let’s go look.”

  The truck slowed onto Mrs. Brown’s drive. Sarah’s forehead creased and she screamed over the noise. “Do you know how old she is?”

  “Mrs. B said she’s in the ninth grade.” As the commotion lessened, I added, “And, her mother bragged to Mrs. B about all of her winnings since she started riding. Ooo! I can’t wait to see her ride. Maybe, she’ll even ride with me.”

  The engine turned off and a tall, dark-skinned man leaped from the driver’s side. At the same time, a long-legged, skinny girl in black riding pants and shiny black boots stepped down from the front passenger door. The sun gleamed on her brown face, poufy bangs, and ponytail. She waved her dressage whip in the air as if it were a sword. The girl’s voice boomed through the trees, “Dad, what are you doing? Look! You’re too close to the fence. Pay attention!”

  I turned a wide-eyed look at Sarah, whose mouth hung open. Without a word, Sarah grabbed my arm and pulled me closer.

  Her father opened the trailer’s top half doors and latched the panels to each side. From the rear of the trailer, a stately, black horse kicked and neighed. Standing on opposite sides of the trailer, the dad and the girl each pulled a clip out of the lock and set the ramp on the ground. The girl climbed in a side door to untie the horse. He put one hoof a couple of inches behind, and then took another step. After a frantic snort, he lurched forward.

  She screamed at the horse. “Knight, walk! Get off the trailer!” Her whip slapped at the air. “What’s wrong with you?”

  Without warning, the horse threw his head, showing the whites of his eyes as he bolted backward down the ramp. White foam lathered his glossy chest.

  Her voice raised an octave. “Dad, he’s getting away!” Then she shrieked, “Move! You’re no help!”

  Holding my breath, I clutched Sarah’s arm.

  The father rushed over and pulled the whip from the girl’s hands. “Morgan, quiet down! You’re frightening Knight. Give him a chance.”

  She jerked the lead line. “Knight, you stupid horse! You know better.”

  “Oh my gawd!” My eyes widened, and I shook my head. “How could anyone treat their horse like that?” I patted my chest. “And what’s she doing at my barn?”

  Chapter 2

  I grabbed Sarah’s arm and whirled her around. “Let’s not go there now.”

  Sarah stopped and faced me. “Have you seen Chancy yet?”

  “No. That’s why I wanted to go. But now, I’ll have to wait longer to know if she’s still mine.”

  Neither of us spoke as we moved away from the barn. Further into the thick trees, I stopped. “Want to see Colton?”

  Sarah’s blue eyes lit. “Yes, and he can meet Darby.”

  We ran back to my house with Darby barking and running alongside. As we entered, Darby quieted and lifted her nose. Loud shrieks coming from the laundry room made my heart bang against my chest. “Oh no! We weren’t gone long! He’s supposed to be sleeping.”

  My legs did double time. At the baby gate, my mouth dropped open. Colton had done his business all over the floor and turned his water bowl upside down. He ducked his chin, and his eyes peered from inside the crate.

  Sarah peeked over my shoulder and held her breath until she turned pink. “Ooo! Nasty.” She waved her hand in front of her face. “I’m sure glad mom took care of Darby when she was a puppy. What are you going to do?”

  I set my hands on my hips and stared at her. “I’m going to clean it up. I’ve done this with the horses, and I can do it for my pup.”

  Screwing her face, Sarah guzzled air and then whooshed her words out in one breath. “Do you want me to ask your dad to come help?”

  “Nah. Just tell him we’re back. He’s in his office.”

  Colton’s ears sagged, and his eyes begged for forgiveness. I spoke to him in a soft, happy voice. “Hey, little guy! What have you done?”

  He poked his nose an inch out of his crate, his nostrils opened and closed.

  “Kind of stinky in here, isn’t it?” I wrinkled my nose.

  He lifted his back leg and scratched a spot behind his ear.

  “I’ll get this cleaned up.” While holding my breath, I grabbed the scooper and paper towels by the sink and cleaned until I thought I’d suffocate. My breakfast threatened to come back up. I climbed over the gate, stepped into the hallway, and sniffed a noseful of fresh air. I swallowed and inhaled twice. Ready or not, I’m finishing this.

  Dad arrived with Sarah. “Oh!” He backed up. “I heard a commotion in here but couldn’t interrupt my phone call. It looks like you’ve got it under control. That-a-girl.”

  I rolled my eyes. “Thanks, Dad.”

  “You’re welcome.” He grinned and bowed. “Just part of your training. These things happen. Get him bathed
, and I’ll fix lunch for you girls. I have one more call to make.”

  Sarah shook her head. “Ooo! Sorry, Mr. Ryan. No way I can eat after smelling this room. Trina, call me when you’re going back to the barn. I’m heading home.”

  “Ah, come on Sarah.” My shoulders straightened. “Don’t you want to watch?”

  She twisted her head back and forth, pinching her nose.

  I used my most convincing voice. “This will be his very first bath, and you’ll miss it.”

  Sarah’s monotone nasal voice hummed. “Mom wants me to unpack, and Darby’s getting bored. I’ll see you later.”

  I ducked my head and mumbled at the floor. “Okay. Later.”

  Colton lay beside his crate, the tops of his ears lifted up and down at the noise of running water. Once the sink filled, I lowered him inch by inch, letting his front paws touch. His eyes widened, his body stiffened, and he tried to crawl out of my arms. I cupped my right hand with water and put it up to his nose. He sniffed, and then lapped the warm water and inched in.

  Pointing the spray nozzle away from his body, I let him relax to the sound and rush of the water. “Stand. Good boy.” He blinked, but didn’t fight me. I sprayed him in quick, soft squirts, speaking slowly, and worked in a new lavender scented shampoo. “This will be my first scientific experiment. Let’s see if the lavender smell calms you.”

  Colt turned white in the soapsuds. Only his black nose poked out and dead fleas floated to the top of the froth.”

  As I rinsed his body, every few seconds, Colt shook from his head to the tip of his pointy tail. Soap and water splattered. Dark-brown splats landed on the floor, the wall, and on me.

  Using my hands as a shield didn’t add any protection. Water dripped from my chin and my soaked clothes. “Okay, Colt, almost done.” I rinsed him until the murky-water turned clear.

  He squirmed, and fought being wrapped in a towel. But as soon as I rubbed every inch of his body, his eyes softened and closed. If he had been a cat, he would’ve purred. I set him on the floor, and in one second, he untangled himself from the towel.