Page 63 of Make Your Shot
As we approach the road, my eyes roll over the sign and I flip on my turn signal, waiting for a truck coming the opposite way to pass. Following Mia’s directions, I turn the car onto Lavender Lane, slowly making our way down the road. Bright white fences line the rightside and there are a few horses out in the center of the field.
“That’s Willow’s family’s farm,” she says, glancing at me, a soft smile pulling across her lips. “The driveway is down between those two trees.” She points ahead. We near the two massive maple trees with an opened black iron gate situated between them. I pull off the road, the gravel beneath the car kicking up from my tires as we head down the drive lined with trees and the same bright white fencing.
As we reach the end of the lane, there’s a house situated on the left with the back of it overlooking the river. If you turn to the right, there’s a barn with the grey exterior matching the house.
“They have a really nice property here,” I tell her as she points to where I can park alongside the barn. Just beyond what looks to be the horse stable is a small riding arena and another barn.
“Don’t they? I just love coming here. It’s so peaceful and quiet, tucked away from the rest of the world,” she adds with a smile.
“It’s got a great view of the river,” I say, turning off the engine as I glance at Tella in the rearview mirror. She’s already unbuckled with her hands on the door. Her eyes are wide as she stares out at the field with half a dozen horses occupying the space.
“Which one is yours, Mia?”
Mia smiles, glancing over her shoulder as she looks at my daughter. “Come on, I’ll show you.”
I grab the bag of apples we brought along and Mia gets out of the car before I have the chance to open it forher. I stop by the back, opening Tella’s. She climbs out with excitement rolling off her in waves.
She doesn’t even bother to stop by me. Instead, she breezes past, skipping over to Mia. I close the car door, slowly turning around to catch sight of the two of them. Mia tips her chin to look down at Tella as Tella lifts hers. Their gazes are locked and a tender smile tugs on Mia’s lips as Tella slides her hand into hers. Just two horse girls.
My grip on the bag of apples tightens, my throat constricting as my heart swells. I never really worried how Tella would take to Mia, but seeing the two of them like this is indescribable. It hurts my chest while simultaneously filling it to the brim with joy.
I shelve the conflicting feeling as I let myself enjoy this moment with just the two of them. Tella tugs on Mia’s hand and Mia lets out a soft laugh that tugs on my heart. It’s the sweetest melody I’ve ever heard and I soak in the warmth that washes over me.
She warms my soul like the sun upon my skin.
I follow behind them as they lead the way, heading down the gravel lane that wraps around the back of the barn. We stop at the gate by the meadow.
“Do you see the bay one out there?”
Tella lifts on her tip toes, pointing out to the field. “The one over there?”
“Yep,” Mia smiles at her. “That’s Hank.”
“Can we go get him?”
“I have a better idea,” Mia says with a wink. She releases Tella’s hand, bringing both of hers to cup around her mouth as she whistles loudly. The soundhas two beats and I watch in amazement as the gelding lifts his head quickly, his whinnying carrying across the breeze.
He drops his head, breaking out into a trot and then a lope as he heads across the field, not stopping until he’s reaching the fence where we are. He slows to a stop and snorts out a breath when he drops his head, a low knicker escaping him as he comes right up to Mia.
“Hey, old man,” she murmurs, scratching her nails against the whorl in the center of his forehead. “I brought a new friend for you to meet.”
As if he understands what she’s saying, he drops his head down to Tella. She holds her hand out to him, letting him smell her. He bobs his nose, blowing his breath against her hair as he lets out another soft sound.
“I think he likes you, babe.” Mia smiles down at her. “Should we get him out? We can take him into the barn and give him a good brushing. He loves that.”
“Oh, yes, please!” Tella says, bobbing up and down. She looks back at me, remembering I’m here. “Can we, daddy?”
“Whatever Mia says, T,” I say, meeting Mia’s eyes as she glances over her shoulder at me. “She’s in charge here.”
Mia’s gaze lingers for a moment before she grabs a rope halter and lead rope from the hooks next to the gate. Tella takes a few steps back beside me, both of us watching as Mia lets herself into the pasture. I watch her carefully as she steps up next to her horse.
Her lips move as she says something quietly to him, too quiet for either of us to hear. I’m mesmerizedby the way the horse responds. It’s as if he’s completely tuned in to her, dropping his head, waiting patiently as she slips the halter on. He stands beside her, waiting for her to move as she pushes open the gate.
The horse doesn’t try to lead her or pull away. His movements are deliberately slow and careful as he walks with her and beside her, not ahead of her. Tella’s pony operates in the same fashion. It’s clear he’s a well trained animal that is in tune with his rider.
Mia leads him through the gate and I step up, pushing it closed behind her and making sure it’s securely shut. As I turn back around to see them, I find Mia handing the lead rope to Tella, falling in step beside her as she leads Mia’s horse toward the stable.
My heart crawls into my throat once more. Carrying the bag of apples, I follow after Mia Landry like a lost puppy. She’s doing things to me I never imagined would be possible again. She’s making me feel things I never thought I’d be capable of feeling again.
