A Medallion

Chapter 32

The next morning was a Sunday, and Tessa had lined me out the night before as to what would happen that day.  She and her family left for church as soon as they finished the morning chores.  I could help with morning chores if I chose to, and when it came time to leave for church, the choice was mine to stay or to go with them. 

The morning was the same as last time, only there was a greater sense of urgency.  As Tessa had told me the night before, the Wellens were serious about getting to church on time, and did everything in their power to make it happen.  

Part of me was wondering why they didn't do the later service instead of the first service at their church, but I suppose they had their reasons.  

After feeding, it was time to much stalls.  Despite the fact that I hadn't mucked that many stalls in my lifetime, I still knew how to do it and assisted Tessa.  

Like with feeding, I discovered how oddly enjoyable it was.  Taking a dirty stall and transforming it into a comfortable, clean place for a horse was satisfying.  There was something that was more fulfilling about working for something instead of just having it handed to you, as I was finding out.  

It was a lesson I had though I'd already learned; I worked like crazy to be at my best to win.  But somehow, this was different.

Tessa had obviously mucked stalls many, many more times than I had.  By the time I'd finished one stall, she'd completed two.  And her stalls also looked neater than mine.  

"So, you do all the mucking out yourself?"  I asked her as we walked up to the house.  I hadn't seen her parents helping us out.  

"In the morning, oftentimes yes.  But I don't have to do it in the evening, mom and dad do it then."  

"Ah, okay."  

Tessa glanced at the clock on the wall as she pushed open the door.  "Thanks to you, I have  twenty minutes to get ready for church instead of my usual ten."  She grinned back at me.  "Have you decided if you're coming or not?"  

I shrugged.  "I guess I'll come."  I had no desire to be left in an empty house by myself and figured what was the harm?  

"If you don't have anything to wear besides riding clothes, I can lend you something.  Although, I don't have much in the way of that sort of thing myself."  

I followed her up the stairs.  "I think I have something."  I had packed one outfit in case we went somewhere.

"Alright, see you in fifteen."  Tessa shut the door to her room and I went to mine. 

My outfit was a flashy red blouse with designer jeans.  I didn't where that type of thing often, but I think I wore it more often than Tessa did.  I had thought myself completely dedicated to the sport, but Tessa seemed to be even more immersed.  

After changing and applying light make up, I grabbed my phone and wallet, then stepped out into the hall.  

Tessa was already there.  She had a little light make up on, which I'd never seen on her before.  A long beautiful turquoise shirt that reached mid thigh floated around her.  The change was so different from her usual that I blinked.

She looked up from her phone and her eyes widened.  "Wow Vanessa, you look great."  

"Thanks, you do too."  

She chuckled.  "I think this is the first time we've seen each other without riding clothes on."  

I laughed with her.  "Yeah, I think it is."

Tessa looked down at her phone as another text came in.  "Lacy and I usually ride together on Sundays, so I'm assuming you want to join us for that."