Page 31 of Save A Horse
“Smells good in here. What are you cooking?” Walt’s eyes scanned the kitchen. I was already sitting at the table, waiting for the men to join.
“Just made some steaks and sautéed some veggies. Daisy helped a bit.” Walt glanced at me as he sat in his chair at the table.
“Is that so?” He looked around at the food again, enough time for Colt to have a seat. “Looks like you two did a fine job. Hope it tastes as good as it smells. I could just about smell that when I got out of my truck.” I chuckled. I appreciated this light-heartedness from Walt. It eased me a little. “Well, I’m glad Colt wasn’t too bad of company while I was gone.”
Colt and I exchanged a quick glance. Walt had no idea what kind of company his son had been while he was away at my dad’s ranch. The flashbacks raced through my mind, the images of whipped cream, ice cream, and the ever so tasty chocolate syrup danced around, as did the way we cleaned each other. The best thing, though, was Colt telling me he would beg.
I jumped back in to listen to the conversation and to eat. Colt served the food.
“So, Colt…these steaks taste pretty good. How’d you make them?”
“I used that seasoning in the cabinet with the black lid. Just don’t tell anyone my secret recipe.”
“It’ll be our little secret.”
Walt winked at me and Colt, and the two of us exchanged another glance. My heart was racing but I knew there was no way he could have found out about the two of us, could he have? No. There was no way Walt knew about the deeper connection Colt and I had rekindled since I had been here.
We continued eating, the conversation flowing easily. Walt recalled a memory of us when we were kids one summer here on the ranch. It was one of those funny stories that never got old about when Colt had tried to build a treehouse, but he ended up managing to get stuck inside.
? ? ?
Colt did have an adventurous side, but it couldn’t compare to mine. It didn’t even come close. On a summer afternoon at the ranch, Colt had decided to build a treehouse. He had so many ideas and I remember listening to him tell his mom and dad all about his plans. He was so excited. Colt gathered his supplies with his parents' help. They let him work on it with little assistance since he was eleven and had been helping his dad on the ranch for a few years now.
I had been on the ranch that day, but Colt had that look in his eyes that said he was on a mission so I didn’t bother him. Colt climbed up the tree. I watched him from around the ranch while I was walking with my mom and listening to her talk to Rose. Colt looked about ten feet high and I was a little scared for him, but I knew he could do it. He had told me that he wanted to fill the treehouse with little treasures and that it would be our little, secret hideout. I liked that idea, and I liked that he was including me.
Colt was hammering away. As he worked, I could see how focused he was. The day was halfway over and he seemed to have a lot of it already constructed. He finally took a break to come inside and eat a sandwich with me, but not before he took a second to look at his craftsmanship.
“How’s it coming along?”
“It is going so good, Daisy! Soon, we will be able to play in it! I will let you know when it’s finished so you can come up and see it.”
Before long, Colt was back outside and continuing to work. He was about finished, and that is when he found a small problem. Colt hadn’t made himself anything that he could use to get down. He was stuck. He decided to finish the work on the platform and then make a roof to help keep the sun out.
Then, things took a turn. He reached for another branch but lost his balance, ending up wedged between two thick limbs. Panic set in. We were all outside on the porch when it happened.
“Help!” We heard his scream and went running toward him. “Daisy! Mom! Dad! Help me! I’m stuck!” His voice echoed. The sun was getting lower and he was scared. He looked down and saw all of us. He must have been so relieved.
“Colt, are you okay?” His mom asked, worried.
“Yeah. I’m just stuck.”
“Don’t worry, son. We’ll get you down.” Walt turned toward us. “I’ll go grab a ladder.”
“I’ll come with you.” Both our dads took off toward the barn.
“Daisy?”
“Yes, Colt? I’m here. You were too adventurous today. You know, everyone can’t be like me.” I saw him let out a small laugh. Laughter was the best medicine.
They brought back the ladder and pulled it out near the tree.
“I’m coming up.” I watched as Walt climbed to the top. “Try to swing your legs over to me.” Colt was hesitant and I could tell he was still afraid.
“Come on, Colt! I want some ice cream and we can’t go get any unless you’re down here!” I was looking for any way to distract and ease his mind a little.
Colt followed Walt’s directions, managing to get himself unstuck between the two branches. Slowly but surely, he climbed down the ladder, holding onto his dad.
“Are you good?” His mom hugged him.
