Page 52 of Story Of My Heart

“We love you too, Delia. More than anything.” As I squeeze my husband’s hand, I feel an overwhelming gratitude for this life, for these moments, and for the family we’ve created and continue to nurture. In this clearing, with the stream whispering and our daughter between us, everything feels right in the world. From where I started, to where I ended up, I often wonder how I became so very blessed.

Cordelia, ever the adventurer, doesn’t let the tranquility last too long. She’s up and tugging at both of our hands, her little body practically vibrating with energy. “Come on, let’s explore a bit more before we go back. There’s a trail here that has the best jumping logs!”

Tate exchanges a wary glance with me. Jumping logs? His eyebrows raise in silent question, but there’s no dampening her enthusiasm—not that we’d want to.

“Lead the way, Captain Cordelia,” he says, a mix of resignation and affection coloring his tone.

Sparkle seems just as eager, her hooves tapping lightly on the soft earth as Cordelia mounts with an ease that reminds me just how quickly she’s growing up. She’s a natural, a blend of my curiosity and Tate’s analytical precision, all bundled into a fearless package.

We follow her down a narrower path, the trees closing in around us, their branches forming a green canopy overhead. The air is cool here, scented with pine and the faint musk of earth and leaves. Cordelia points out various tracks on the ground—deer, maybe a fox. She’s learned so much from these woods, from these excursions that Tate initially started as a way to connect with her, to bring a bit of his childhood into hers.

“There! Do you see it?” Cordelia’s voice breaks through my thoughts as she points excitedly ahead. A fallen tree limb lies across the path, its bark smooth and worn, a natural hurdle.

Tate’s eyes widen slightly, but he reins in his apprehension, transforming it into a supportive smile. “Looks perfect for a jump, doesn’t it?”

Cordelia doesn’t need further encouragement. With a confident nudge, she guides Sparkle towards the log. The horse approaches, her steps measured and careful, then with a graceful leap, they’re over it. Cordelia’s laughter rings through the woods, pure and triumphant.

“Your turn, Daddy!” she calls back, her challenge tossed like a gauntlet at Tate’s feet.

I stifle a laugh as Tate gives me a look that’s part horror, part bemusement. “Oh no, I think Sparkle is the only jumper today. I’m just the cheer squad,” he protests, but there’s a twinkle in his eye that tells me he’s enjoying this more than he lets on.

Cordelia isn’t having any of it. “Mommy, tell him! If one jumps, we all jump!”

“You heard her, Tate. Can’t let our little girl show us up,” I tease, nudging his side gently. “Come on, it’ll be fun!”

With a resigned sigh that’s overly dramatic, Tate guides his horse toward the log. His approach is more cautious, almost comical compared to Cordelia’s fearless charge, but when he and his horse make the small jump, his whoop of delight is unexpectedly loud. He lands with a thud that’s less than graceful, but safe.

“See? Not so bad!” I call out, clapping to cheer him on. Cordelia is nearly doubled over with laughter, her joy infectious.

Tate’s sheepish grin as he trots back to us is worth any embarrassment he might feel. “Alright, alright, you win. That was actually kind of exhilarating.”

Cordelia beams, clearly proud of her dad. “I told you! You just have to trust Sparkle.”

We spend a few more minutes in the area, letting Cordelia take a few more jumps while Tate and I watch, our hands linked, a silent solidarity between us. There’s a simple joy in this, in witnessing our daughter’s fearlessness and Tate’s tentative bravery, a reminder of the daily little risks worth taking for the sake of love and laughter.

“We should do this more often,” Tate murmurs as we near the stable, his voice warm with contentment.

“Definitely.” I kick June forward. “It’s good for the soul, and not just for Cordelia.”

He nods, glancing back at our daughter who’s chattering away to Sparkle as if they share the world’s secrets. “Yeah, it’s good for all of us. For our family.”

Cordelia seems reluctant to end the day. She circles us once more on Sparkle, her small figure poised confidently atop the horse, before pulling up beside us. “Can I take the long way home? Please?” Her voice is hopeful, her cheeks flushed with the thrill of the ride and the crisp evening air.

Tate looks at me, his eyes softening. “What do you say, Mom?”

I nod, my heart swelling with love for our little family. “The long way home it is,” I agree, watching Cordelia’s face light up with joy.

She kicks gently into Sparkle’s sides, and they trot off, a little blur of energy and excitement weaving through the shadowy trees. Tate and I take this moment to slow our pace, walking hand in hand in comfortable silence, each step in sync.

“It’s amazing, isn’t it?” Tate murmurs, breaking the quiet. “How she just takes to everything like it’s second nature?”

“It really is,” I reply, watching Cordelia maneuver expertly around a bend. “She’s got your brains and my fearlessness. We’re in trouble when she’s a teenager.”

Tate chuckles, the sound deep and resonant. “We’ll just have to keep finding good outlets for her energy. Like this.” He gestures around us, to the trails and the wide-open spaces that have become our playground.

“I think we’re doing okay, Tate. More than okay.” Whenever I look at my husband, my daughter, our family, my heart overflows. “This... us... it’s more than I ever imagined.”

He pulls me closer, his voice dropping to a whisper. “I never thought I’d have this. You, her, this peace. You’ve given me so much, Piper. I can’t believe I didn’t used to… you know… believe.”

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