Galloping Hearts

Chapter 5: A New Routine

The week after Emily’s birthday was one of the busiest and most exciting times she could remember. The day-to-day life on the farm hadn’t changed—there were still crops to tend, animals to feed, and chores that never seemed to end—but now there was something new that brightened every day. Each afternoon, after the farm work was done, Emily would spend an hour learning to ride Storm, and those moments quickly became the highlight of her routine.

---

The Morning Chores

The days began early, as they always did on the farm. The sun barely peeked over the horizon when Emily rolled out of bed, pulled on her boots, and headed out to the barn. The cool morning air was refreshing as she walked across the dew-soaked grass, her breath puffing out in front of her.

Her brothers, Thomas and Jacob, were already out, loading hay into the horse’s troughs and checking the water for the cows. Emily made her way to the chicken coop, a basket in hand to collect the morning’s eggs. The hens clucked softly as she gathered the smooth, warm eggs and placed them carefully in the basket.

“Think you’ll be riding Storm today?” Thomas asked, walking over with a grin as he wiped his hands on his pants.

“Of course,” Emily said, smiling back. “Dad promised we’d practice every day.”

“Well, make sure you don’t fall off again like yesterday,” Jacob teased, joining them and throwing a playful look her way.

Emily laughed, shaking her head. “That was only once, and it wasn’t that bad.”

Her brothers had been watching her lessons with Storm from a distance, always eager to tease her when she lost her balance or struggled to control the horse. But despite their jokes, she could tell they were excited for her, too. Every time she made progress, their smiles were just as wide as hers.

After finishing with the chickens, Emily helped her father with the sheep, guiding them from the pasture to the barn for shearing. The rhythmic sound of the shears cutting through wool was almost soothing as they worked together, her father’s strong, practiced hands making quick work of the task.

The farm was busy, especially with harvest season coming up, but Emily had never felt more energized. She had a goal now—a new skill to learn—and it made everything else feel lighter.

---

Market Day

By midweek, it was time for the family to head into town for market day. Market days were always long and exhausting, but they were also important for selling their crops and livestock, making connections with other farmers, and gathering supplies for the next few weeks.

Emily helped load the wagon with crates of vegetables—carrots, tomatoes, potatoes, and cabbages—while her mother packed jars of homemade jam and freshly baked bread. Her father hitched Storm to the wagon, and once everything was secured, they were off.

The trip into town was peaceful. The sun hung high in the sky, casting a golden light over the fields as they passed. Emily sat next to her father, holding the reins lightly as Storm trotted along the dusty road. It wasn’t quite riding—Storm was pulling the wagon, after all—but it gave her a chance to feel connected to him.

When they arrived at the market, the town square was bustling with activity. Farmers from all over the region had set up their stalls, displaying their goods with pride. The air was filled with the sounds of people bartering, children laughing, and the occasional neigh of a horse in the distance.

Emily helped her mother set up their stall, arranging the vegetables in neat piles while her brothers placed the jars of jam and bread on the table. Customers began trickling in, examining the produce, asking questions, and haggling over prices. Emily had always liked market days. It was a chance to see people from outside their small farm—people with different stories and experiences. And sometimes, she’d even hear snippets of news from the world beyond their town.