Isla Halstead is the daughter of Detectives Jay Halstead and Hailey Upton. She's been addicted to horseback riding since she was 6 years old, with dreams of reaching the Olympics. Her parents support her fully along the way and are determined to do...
Isla woke up early in the morning, bouncing with excitement. Today was finally the day her new horse arrived at the barn. Today was finally the day her mom could see the horse in person rather than over photos.
Isla had bought this horse, hoping to train this horse to be her eventual Olympic ride, after she decided to retire Navajo from active competition.
After showering and getting ready to go to the barn, she texted Kailey excitedly that today was the day the new horse was arriving.
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The horse was set to arrive at the barn around 10 am. Isla was up and ready to get out the door by 6. Knowing her parents would still be asleep, she bounced into her parent's room, seeing them sound asleep. She giggled before turning on her parent's bedroom light and blasting her favorite song.
The detectives woke up with a start, instantly looking over to their bedroom door and seeing their daughter standing there with a big smile, laughing.
"Seriously, munchkin? It's 6:20 in the morning; Ranger won't arrive until 10 or 11." Jay said, wiping the sleep from his eyes. This was nothing new to him; she was always excited for the arrival day when she got a new horse.
"I want to get his stall set up and ready," Isla said eagerly. "Now come on, let's go. I have already started a pot of coffee for you guys."
"Alright, alright. We're up." Hailey said, getting out of bed and walking to the shower.
Jay also got out of bed, walking over to his dresser to wear his outfit for the day. Isla walked out of the room, going to sit on the couch in the living room, playing on her phone to pass the time.
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Isla ran into the barn as soon as the truck was stopped, leaving Jay and Hailey to chuckle to themselves.
"She seems excited," Hailey said sarcastically, watching her daughter enter the barn.
"I didn't notice," Jay responded, unable to keep a straight face while saying it.
Jay and Hailey got out of the truck and followed their daughter into the barn; what they saw next was unexpected. Isla was preparing Dagger's stall.
"You're going to put Ranger in Dagger's stall, munchkin?" Jay asked his daughter, placing a comforting hand on his daughter's shoulder.
Isla nodded, taking a deep breath. "I don't think Dagger would want me to keep his stall empty forever."
Hailey hugged her daughter, happy to see her filling the stall that once housed Dagger. "He'd be very proud of you, baby," Hailey told her daughter.
"That's what Kailey said when I told her where I was putting Ranger in Dagger's stall. I think it's time to move on, in a sense," Isla said softly, with a sad smile.
