The Matchmaker Mare

Four

Waking up from a peaceful sleep, I suddenly start panicking. It. Is. December. Already! That means I have to pick the Canada show, or Christmas with my family. And I have to pick fast. It gives me a headache just thinking about what to choose, this is all too much for my head to wrap around, and I shouldn't have to make this big of a decision, yet here I am. There are pros and cons to both sides, there always is. Pro of staying with my family, I get to spend Christmas with the ones I love, that is an obvious reason. Con of staying, my show jumping career is over and I am left jobless. Pro of going to the show, I get to keep my job of living my sort-of-dream, and I could possibly win. Con of going, I miss Christmas, and going to this show and doing well would make me far too busy to get to spend much time with my grandparents. Ugh! This is so hard! I slam my head against the door, groaning in frustration of not knowing what to do. Then, I remember something important. I still have to apologize to Austin about yesterday when I assumed things about him and blew out. I rush on my winter clothing and head out to hunt down Austin, most likely in the barn.

Rushing out to the barn after trying to be stopped to eat breakfast, out of breath, I find Austin tending to Mischief. Curiously, I see that he is talking to her, a good thing about horses, you can tell them anything and they always listen to you, unlike people. I hunker down so he doesn't see me. Mischief really listens to him, I can tell she likes him... a lot. No way does that make me like him, I just want to set things right between us.

"I think it is great how you and Mischief have a relationship." I finally say, walking towards the stall. Spooking him, he hits his head hard.

"My turn to hit my head." He says laughing, but then realizes who he is talking to and goes back to being angry. Austin clears his throat. "What do you want?" He asks, annoyed with me.

"Austin, hear me out... please." I beg to his frustrated face. He rolled his eyes, and crossed his arms.

"Alright, fine. I'm listening." He confessed.

"I am so sorry," I start sincerely. "I have a bad habit of assuming things of people when I shouldn't. I assumed wrong of you, I thought you were a terrible person, but I was wrong. I shouldn't have gotten so mad, you were just joking around. Guess I lost my sense of humor. Truth is, I hurt you, and I want to make things right. I guess, what I am trying to say. Do you forgive me?" I closed my eyes and bit my bottom lip awaiting his response, I hope he accepts my apology. Silence for a few moments and then Austin took a deep breath and sighed before responding.

"Yes, I forgive you. It was partially my fault too. I shouldn't have started the fight by making fun of you in the first place and then urging it on afterwards. I should be asking the same thing of you. Do you forgive me?"

"Yes, no apologies necessary. I already forgave you. So, we're good?"

"We're good." He responds with a smile. When I was about to leave the stall, Mischief pushed me right into Austin's arms, making us embrace each other. No way! She did that on purpose! No wonder I named her Mischief! Look at her hanging her head high, this is amusing her! I blush and pull away from his arms, tucking a strand of loose hair behind my ear.

While starting to walk back to the house, I hear Grandma call to me that it was time to make Christmas cookies and decorate them. Yum! Smiling, already smelling the delicious whiff of sugar cookies, I start to head inside.

"Have fun. Making cookies is the best, though I am more of a taste tester than a baker." Austin admits, making me giggle.

"Would you like to come help us make the cookies? It could be fun!"

"Isn't it like a "family thing" or something." He said, putting air quotes around family thing. I frown, I really shouldn't exclude people like that.