Page 117 of Grit
Melissa and Cary stood behind Abby, their hands on her small shoulders.
“Just so you and Greg know,” Melissa said, “I am just now hearing about the letter Abby sent you. But just because I didn’t know about it doesn’t mean I don’t approve of Abby expressing her feelings in a respectful way.”
Cary put his hand on the small of Melissa’s back. “It was very respectful.”
Greg looked at Cary and Melissa. “You two seeing each other now?”
“Yep,” Cary said.
Greg and Beverly didn’t say a word.
Greg came to stand in front of Abby. “Princess, I’m sorry.”
“Mr. Rhodes,” Cary said, “she told you she doesn’t like that nickname.”
Greg’s face was tight, but he kept his eyes on Abby.
“You used to call Aunt Audrey that,” Abby said. “She told me. And now you say mean things to her.”
Beverly flinched, and Cary wondered if someone had called her princess in the past, only to discard the affection once its usefulness had run out. But worrying about Beverly wasn’t his job.
“I’m sorry,” Greg said. “I forgot. I will try not to call you that anymore, Abby.”
The back of the horse trailer levered down, and Cary heard hooves on metal.
“We brought Sunny,” Greg said. “He’ll be living here at the ranch with you from now on, and you’ll be responsible for his upkeep. The points you listed in your letter were all valid and very well thought out.” The corner of his mouth turned up. “I think I remember receiving a similar organized list from your father when he was around your age.”
Abby beamed. “About what?”
“About his desire to ride on the ranch without a chaperone,” Greg said. “It’s what made me think he would make an excellent attorney someday.”
Cary felt Melissa tense under his hand.
“But instead of doing what I expected,” Greg said. “He followed his own dreams. And if he hadn’t followed those dreams, we wouldn’t have you, Abby.” He cleared his throat. “And your grandmother and I would not trade you for anything.”
The young man in the Rhodes Cattle Company polo shirt led the tallest horse Cary had ever seen. He blinked.
Seeing Abby next to the Thoroughbred was enough to have him feeling as nervous as his mother. “Is she big enough to ride that horse?”
Melissa looked at him like he was crazy. “Yeah, it’s totally fine.”
“Sunny!” Abby ran over to her horse, who immediately lowered his head and nickered. She put her arms around his neck. “I missed you every day.” She turned to her grandparents. “Thank you. I promise I will take very good care of him. Ipromise.”
Beverly said, “We still want you to take jumping lessons. Antonio says you have so much potential and you’re a natural horsewoman.”
Greg cleared his throat. “Obviously it runs in the family.”
Melissa softened. “Thanks, Greg.” She walked over to Sunny and held out her hand for the big horse to sniff. “Hey buddy. How much do you like horse trailers?”
“He’s very comfortable in them,” Greg said. “And we’re paying Antonio to come from Los Angeles twice a month anyway. I suppose it’s just as easy to have him come here.” Greg looked around at the serviceable corrals.
“You know,” Melissa said. “I have an old friend in town who breeds warmbloods. She’s got a wonderful stable and training arena for her school. I’m sure we can work something out.”
Greg nodded. “That would be… good.”
“Maybe Audrey could come over and check it out,” Melissa said. “Make sure it’ll work for Abby and Sunny.”
Stu, Ox, and Emmie had wandered over, drawn by the spectacle of the giant horse in the front yard.
