Starting Over Page 2

  Then he raced off. Colton ran through the hallway, leaving a trail of puddles. As I caught him, all four legs thrashed. I fought to hold him, but he slipped right through my fingers. He looked over his shoulder to see if I followed and ran smack into the wall.

  “Oh, no! Are you all right?” I pressed his body to the floor. “I’ve got you now, you little squirm ball.”

  Colton rolled over as if he was a turtle on his back and kicked his legs in the air. I smiled at the sight and scratched his tummy. In the next instant, he wiggled around to his feet and escaped.

  Barking echoed from the den. He jogged around the coffee table and kept his eyes on me. His mouth pulled back in a grin. I went one way, and he took off the other direction. He sprinted to my parents’ bedroom, sprang onto their newly upholstered, yellow and orange ottoman. Without a pause, he launched himself onto the matching chair and shook.

  Colton stood, panting. That gave me enough time to rush forward and get a tight hold. I squeezed his wet body to mine, and he twisted to get free.

  Dad tried to contain his laughter. “He’s certainly full of himself.”

  In the kitchen, I set Colt behind another baby gate and giggled. “I don’t think he inhaled enough of the lavender smell.”

  While I helped Dad with lunch, Colton lunged at my shoe lace.

  My legs tangled over his body, and I stumbled to the nearest counter. “I’m taking him outside.”

  Colt wound himself inside my legs, pulling on the other shoelace. As I stepped toward the sliding glass door, my foot punted him like a football an inch above the floor. He spun into the cabinet, and scrambled to his feet.

  Before he charged at me again, I slid the glass door open. Colton raced across the grass and watched squirrels bounce from limb to limb. As he slowly ran down like a wind-up toy, I wrapped his purple training harness around his chest and clicked on his leash for the first time.

  I swallowed my laughter as he halted, and gave me The Look as if saying, “What have you done?”

  He wasn’t fighting the harness. He’d worn one since he was three days old. But today I had attached a leash to the two-purple corded bands wrapped around him. He shook his entire body, inched through the trees, and shivered twice before surrendering to the new feeling.

  In a few minutes, the summer heat made Colton’s tongue droop, and he slunk home. Inside, I unclipped his leash and harness and he quivered once more. I massaged his back with both of my hands and his glance told me, “Thank you.” I opened the baby gate to the hallway, and he toddled to his crate.

  The aroma of a BLT sandwich floated through the hallway, competing with the lingering poopy odor.

  During lunch Dad listened to me complain about the new girl. “Give her a chance. You don’t know what happened before they got here.”

  I tilted my head with a puzzled look. “You think?”

  He nodded and finished his lunch.

  “I’ll try.” I released my breath at the same time I spoke. “Dad, I know I’ve already left Colt, but I’ve got to find out about Chancy. He’s asleep now, and I promise, I won’t stay long. Fifteen minutes, max.” Grinning, I raised my eyebrows. “And I bet he’s safe for a while.”

  Dad checked his watch. “I’ll call this my lunch break. Hurry. I have more work to do.”

  “Thanks.” I ran the whole way. Before going into the barn, I jutted my chin forward, preparing to meet the new girl. With both wooden sliding doors open at each end of the barn, the little breeze we enjoyed drifted through one door and out the other. Knight flung his head over the first stall door. He inspected my every movement, and then he snorted and neighed.

  I rubbed his nose. “Hey, fella. You’re awfully handsome.” I glanced around and called, “Morgan?” No sound. I returned my attention to Knight. “I guess you’ve been left all alone on your first day here.”

  “Hey, Trina.” Mrs. Brown called from the tack room on the opposite side of the six stalls. She walked out, smiling. “I wondered when you’d be back. Chancy’s been waiting for you.”

  “Really? Oh, Mrs. Brown. It’s so nice to see you.” I hugged her. “I came to see if she’s still my schooling horse.”

  Chancy tossed her head over the fifth stall door, blowing her lips. My pulse speeded. “Hey, Pretty Girl. I’m comin’.”

  One by one, the other three horses threw their heads over their stall doors. I let out a happy gasp and rushed down the row of heads, speaking to each horse and patting their necks. The last stall on the same side temporarily held Ashley’s Warm Blood, Vaunted, a stocky, bright bay with three white legs. His thoroughbred mother had been bred with a draft horse. This type of horse suited riders showing in advanced events. Vaunted could jump higher with stronger legs and had a calmer disposition than a hot-blooded thoroughbred.

  Mrs. Brown followed me. “First off, you don’t have to worry about losing Chancy. I’ll keep her for you as long as you want to ride. She enjoyed Heather riding her, but as you can see, she’s excited to see you.”

  “What’s up with the new girl? She seems kind-of spoiled.”

  “Morgan? I haven’t met her yet. Spoken with her mother, though. It seems Morgan’s only boarded at fancy stables where all the grooming and feeding was done for her. And Mrs. Hart doesn’t want her daughter doing any of what she referred to as ‘menial labor.’”

  My eyes widened. “Really?” I snickered under my breath. “Her name’s Morgan Hart? Whoo! Her last name doesn’t go with her personality.”

  Mrs. Brown chuckled. “Hang in there, Trina. Let’s not jump to any conclusions.”

  I stroked Chancy’s smooth, round belly and listened to Ms. B’s words.

  “I told her mother we’d be responsible for the care of her horse when she’s not here. But when she’s riding, it’s her job to tend to her horse’s needs. We’ll have to see how it goes.”

  “Maybe I’ll meet her tomorrow. I’ve only got a few minutes before I have to get home. Did you hear I have a new puppy to train?”

  “I did. Your mom called last night. I can’t wait to meet him. Is he as cute as Sydney?”

  “Almost.” I stared at the floor. Every time I heard Sydney’s name, my stomach ached like I’d swallowed a rock. I gulped and smiled. “He’s so much younger and full of mischief. He looks and acts different than Sydney, which makes it easier to start over. Driving home, we invented new names. His nose looks like a piece of coal. And the word coal made me think of a colt. So, I decided to name him Colton.”

  Mrs. Brown’s eyes crinkled. “Your own little colt. Very cute.”

  I rubbed Chancy’s soft brown nose. “Sarah and I plan to do treats with the horses tonight. When’s Morgan coming back?”

  “I don’t know, but honey, no bad attitudes are going to change our happy barn.”

  I bowed my head and muttered, “I hope not.”

  Chapter 3

  While Colton slumbered deep in puppy land, I flopped on the couch and stuffed extra cushions behind me. Afraid I’d fall asleep, I turned on the TV, and texted Sarah about going to give the horses treats tonight. Without any warning, my eyes closed.

  In my dreams, my toes nestled into the sand on Edisto Island. Darby chased seagulls and Sydney chased her. Chase stood so close to me I could hear his breath. We watched the sparkling waves ripple in the sun and when they broke, white foam swished over our feet, making us laugh. Sydney patted the bubbles and looked up at me with his golden eyes and then…Colt’s pitiful barks snapped me awake. I popped up. “I’m coming, Colt.”

  He met me at the doggy gate. His pointy, black tail whipped back and forth as he strained to set his front feet at the top. Like a prize fighter, he tried again and again until he collapsed on the floor, whining.

  “Hey, baby.” I squinted. “What’s wrong?”

  He sat. His mouth stretched across his teeth like a grin and his dark eyes grew la
rger.

  I giggled at his response. “You little stinker. I bet you just want some attention.”

  Mom’s sentences played in my head. After every nap, he must be taken outside. Once he can tell you he needs to go out, things will get easier.

  “Maybe you’re telling me you have to go potty?” I bent over the gate, picked him up, and placed him on my shoulder. In seconds, his needle-sharp teeth nibbled on my neck and ear.

  “Ouch!” I gently clamped his mouth with my hand.

  Before we reached the sliding glass door, my shirt grew warm, soggy, and vinegary. “NO! No. No.” I jogged, bobbling him in my arms and set him on the grass. “Darn it, Colt. This is my favorite shirt.”

  He sniffed the ground as he turned in circles and then squatted.

  I told him, “Do business,” as he pottied, teaching him to connect the words to the action.

  In a cheery voice, I said, “Good boy!” And to myself I said, I’m going to have to be quicker.

  His treat disappeared in one gulp, and then he raced to the house. He panted and his tongue flopped sideways. He’d already learned about air-conditioning.

  Upstairs in my real bedroom, I changed and read Sarah’s text. “Have soccer practice — 6:00. Be home by 8. Ok?”

  “Perfect. Hope it’s cooler. Have lots of treats.”

  The rest of my first day romped by. Colt slept, woke to potty, ate biscuits, chewed or tugged on anything that could fit into his mouth, and repeated everything in that order. While he slept, I read a few chapters of The Ins and Outs of Puppy Raising and ate snacks. Keeping up with a puppy made me hungry, too.

  After dinner, Mom volunteered to keep Colton awake, hoping he’d sleep longer through the night.

  As I filled my backpack with apples and carrots, my stomach flip-flopped. Then the adrenalin rush kicked in, and I couldn’t wait any longer. I caught a few short breaths and raced down the path.

  The moon hid behind the pine tree branches as the sun slipped away, giving a yellow tinge to the night sky. Knickers and whinnying floated through the still, damp air. Sticky sweat trickled down my back, even though it was close to eight-thirty. After sunset, maybe, we’d be lucky and catch a cooler wind. Not likely in June in South Carolina, but I could always wish.

  Sarah met me on the path, and we chatted toward the barn.

  “How was practice?” I asked.

  She widened her eyes and snickered. “Good. I’ll be ready for soccer camp.”

  “And to see Peyton?”

  Sarah bobbed her head, vibrating with enthusiasm. “That’s the plan. In two weeks. He texted twice yesterday. I hate that they live an hour and a half away. It’s going to be sooo hard to see each other. Have you heard from Chase?”

  I walked backwards, raised my shoulders to my ears, and grinned. “Yep. He texted me late last night and called me early this morning, checking on Colton. He promised to call every evening, but I have to shoot him a quick text to tell him I’m in for the night. The best part is he’s riding up with Peyton. He’s going to visit with me all day while his dad drives you and Peyton to camp.”

  She crossed her hands on her heart and smirked. “Wow! I thought you didn’t care about guys.” Sarah’s eyebrows arched. “What are you going to do while he’s here?”

  My face stretched into a grin. “We’ll have plenty to do with Colton, the pool, and the horses. He loves riding.”

  I halted and gave Sarah my serious face. “Since you finally told me at the beach about not knowing how to swim, do you want me to teach you?” I met her gaze. “Just in case you’re asked to swim at camp.”

  “You think?” She put her finger up to her cheek and squinted at the sky. “Hmm!”

  I giggled. “Sarah, you’re so dramatic.”

  She laughed and grabbed my arm. “I could try. I like Mrs. Brown’s pool. When?”

  “You know me and the water. Anytime. Well, almost anytime. When I’m not working with Colton.”

  Sarah sucked in her cheek. “I’ll think about it. Have you seen Knight?”

  “Yep. This afternoon. He’s really nice. You can feed him tonight.”

  The paddocks were cut into six spaces in three rows. The two largest were further away on lower ground shaded by clumps of hardwood trees. The natural shelter was the perfect place for protection from bad weather.

  During the summer, Mrs. B or I walked the horses out to their paddocks. They anticipated spending their evenings nibbling grass in the cooler air. In the morning, they anxiously waited to leave the broiling sun and rest inside their stalls.

  Tonight Mrs. B beat me. She had already moved the horses to their paddocks. I counted two heads in the right front paddock. The small, chestnut mare by the fence had a matching mane and a white star on her forehead. I knew my Chancy anywhere. The other thoroughbred mare eating grass was Dove, a tall, dark-brown bay with black socks, mane, and tail.

  The left front paddock held Sonny, a stocky black quarter horse with a thick black mane and a long blaze down his face. He roamed along the fence rails, peering into the woods. Rapp, a white paint gelding with patches of brown, walked toward us. Vaunted roamed by himself in the middle-right paddock, using the junction of his paddock to socialize with the rest of the horses.

  “Morgan must have kept Knight inside,” I said. “We’ll check on him before we leave.” I dropped the backpack. “Help yourself.”

  I spent the most time feeding and talking to Chancy. Each horse ate three pieces of apple and one whole carrot in small chomps. Stroking their noses made their fur scratchy going up and smooth going down like corduroy. As I rubbed their foreheads, they leaned into my hand.

  Before leaving, I sprayed them with an orange-smelling bug repellant as their tails swished at the irritating flies.

  I grabbed Sarah’s hand. “Let’s find Knight.”

  Chancy neighed as I walked away. I returned for one more belly rub. “Hey, pretty girl. I’ll try to come back tomorrow. Sleep tight.”

  Snorts came from inside the barn. “Come on, Sarah. Knight’s in there all by himself. Poor guy.”

  At his stall, Sarah put her hands on her hips and pouted. “That’s mean. Here, Knight. We’ll make you feel better.”

  We took turns feeding him, patting his neck, and talking to him. When I stopped, he nosed my shoulder.

  “Look Sarah, he’s showing his appreciation. He certainly doesn’t have Morgan’s personality.”

  Reaching deep into my pocket, I found one more piece of apple. As he chewed, I rubbed the side of his face. “Knight. You’re a true prince.”

  I brushed my hands back and forth. “All gone. See you in the morning.”

  As we walked away, he forced a blast of air from his lips, and pawed his floor.

  Twisting around, I raced back to him and patted his long neck. “I’m so sorry. I know you’re not happy. Morgan sure needs a lesson on caring for you. Maybe two or three.”

  He nodded his head and pushed me with his nose.

  “So you agree.” I laughed. “I’ll see what I can do. I promise.”

  Chapter 4

  On my puppy’s second day before I had finished his morning exercises, he collapsed under a tree, curled his paws under his chin, and dozed.

  I carried his limp body to the house and whispered. “It’s okay, baby boy. I’ll go see Chancy, and we’ll train when I get back.”

  Colton curved into a ball on the laundry room’s cool floor, panting. I changed into my makeshift riding clothes—jeans, a purple and pink tie-dyed tee, and brown ankle boots—and headed to Dad’s office. I wrote on his memo pad. “Colt’s tired. He’ll sleep for a while.”

  Dad eyed me, read my note, and shook his head, while listening to whoever was on the other end of the phone. He scribbled, “Can’t. Have C-call. Take phone. Will call if he wakes.”

  I waved and practically ran o
ut the door. I’d have to hurry through my morning jobs. With my heart bouncing inside my chest, I floated along the path, inhaling the sweet-smelling honeysuckle growing wild in the woods. “I’m coming, Chancy.”

  She nickered to me. As I approached, she paced back and forth and met me at the fence. I slipped the halter over her neck, fed her a carrot, and walked her into the barn.

  The aroma of manure, hay, and horses made me sigh. One day, I’d have a great-paying job, and have my own barn, my own horse, and lots of dogs. Until then, I’d be happy helping. After walking each horse into their stall, I cleaned everyone’s water buckets and filled their hay racks.

  Knight watched me and snorted. “Do you need some attention?” He nodded like he understood. “Since you’re new here, I’ll make sure you’re comfortable. I’m sorry you’ve been stuck in here all night.”

  After repeating the same chores for him, I grabbed the pick to clean his stall. He nibbled at my shirt and tried to pull a carrot from my back pocket. “Oh, you’re playful, aren’t you? And maybe you feel a little neglected.” I broke off a piece and let him nuzzle my hand.

  He blinked his dark eyes at me and chomped.

  I stole a glance through his window at Ashley, a top-competitive rider boarding for a month. In the riding stadium, she soared over four-foot jumps and cantered around the ring, doing flying lead changes. Her horse’s strides changed from the right front leg to the left front leg while in canter, a 1-2-3 rhythm. Her long honey-colored hair flapped in the wind under her helmet, and I imagined myself out there.

  Mrs. Brown wordlessly put her arm around my shoulders. “She looks good, doesn’t she?”

  I turned my head to her and smiled. “I sure hope one day I’ll be doing that on the Clemson Riding Team.”

  “Come on. I’ll help you tack up.” Mrs. B took me by the hand to Chancy’s stall. “Chancy needs you to ride her. Just pick her feet and groom her after. Ashley can watch you while she’s training here. I’ll finish with the horses.”

  I stared at my feet. My conscience said NO! I pictured Colton waking and me not there. But my heart fluttered. My stomach flipped over. I gulped. “Okay. For just a few minutes.” This is wrong, but I so want to ride. “Dad’s going to call if Colton wakes. I’ll take a quick ride around the stadium.”