Galloping Hearts

Chapter 6: A Day of Rest

The weeks had slipped by quickly, and Emily’s new routine had settled into a comfortable rhythm. Each morning, she rose early with the sun, her boots slipping on before she even thought about the day ahead. The farm was always alive with the sounds of animals waking, the clatter of tools, and the soft hum of her family’s work. There was something soothing about the regularity of it all—the never-ending chores and the familiar tasks. But no matter how busy the mornings were, Emily always looked forward to the afternoons, when she and Storm would ride together.

Her riding lessons had become smoother, and now she and Storm moved with an ease that spoke of growing trust. Emily was learning to read the horse’s moods, knowing when to push him to go faster and when to let him slow down. Her father often watched her with a proud grin, offering advice or clapping her on the back after a good session.

But despite the joy she found in riding Storm, Emily couldn’t shake the memory of the wild horse by the lake. The image of that chestnut beauty darting across the open field, its mane streaming like fire in the wind, lingered in her thoughts. Every time she passed the lake on her rides, she scanned the horizon, hoping to catch another glimpse of it.

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Sunday: A Day Off

Sundays had become a special day on the farm. After weeks of hard work, Emily’s father had decided to give the family a well-deserved break every Sunday. It wasn’t often that they got to relax, and Emily looked forward to these peaceful days with her family. But today, she had something else on her mind.

The wild horse.

Ever since the day she’d first seen it, she’d been hoping for another chance encounter. So, as soon as her morning chores were done, Emily quietly slipped away from the house and made her way toward the lake. Her family was used to her disappearing for a little while on Sundays—they knew she loved to explore the woods and meadows around the farm. But today, her heart beat a little faster as she walked through the familiar fields, her mind racing with the hope of seeing the horse again.

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The Lake

The path to the lake was one Emily could walk with her eyes closed. The tall grass brushed against her legs, and the trees whispered softly in the wind as she moved through the woods. The closer she got to the water, the more her heart raced, her hope building with every step.

When she reached the lake, it was just as she remembered it—serene and still, the surface of the water reflecting the blue sky and the tall pines that surrounded it. Emily stood at the edge, her eyes scanning the far side of the lake, where the wild horse had appeared before.

But there was nothing. No movement, no flash of chestnut in the distance. Just the quiet rustle of the trees and the gentle ripple of the water.

Emily sighed, her shoulders sagging with disappointment. She had been so sure that today would be the day. After all, the horse had been there once before—why wouldn’t it come back? She had hoped to see it, maybe even get a little closer this time. But it seemed the wild horse was still as elusive as ever.

She sat down by the edge of the lake, pulling her knees to her chest as she stared out across the water. For a long time, she just sat there, letting the quiet of the lake soothe her disappointment. There was something peaceful about being alone in nature, even when things didn’t go the way she wanted.

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Hidden Eyes

What Emily didn’t know was that she wasn’t alone by the lake that day. Hidden among the trees, just beyond the clearing where the lake shimmered, the wild chestnut horse stood watching her.

The horse had been coming to the lake for years, drawn to its cool waters and the shelter of the trees. But now, something was different. The girl who had appeared weeks ago was here again, sitting by the water, her eyes scanning the horizon as if she were looking for something. The horse flicked its ears, curious but cautious.

For the past few Sundays, the horse had watched Emily from a distance. Each time, she came to the lake, lingering for a while before leaving again. The horse had sensed something in her—a gentleness, a calm that was unlike other humans. Still, the horse wasn’t ready to reveal itself. Not yet. It preferred the safety of the trees, where it could observe without being seen.

As Emily sat by the water, the horse stood quietly, its large eyes watching her, its chestnut coat blending into the shadows of the trees. It felt the same pull toward her that it had the first time, but its wild nature held it back, instinct telling it to stay hidden.

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A Quiet Walk Home

After what felt like an hour by the lake, Emily stood up, dusting the dirt off her pants. The disappointment still sat heavy in her chest, but she tried to push it away. She couldn’t expect the horse to just show up whenever she wanted it to. After all, it was a wild creature, untamed and free. She couldn’t control when—or if—she would see it again.

With a final glance at the lake, Emily turned and made her way back through the woods toward the farm. The walk home was peaceful, the late-morning sun filtering through the trees and warming her skin. She let herself enjoy the stillness, even though she hadn’t found what she was looking for.

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A Mini Vacation with the Family

When Emily returned to the farmhouse, she found her family gathered outside, setting up for what her father called a “mini vacation.” Every Sunday, they tried to do something fun together, something that wasn’t farm work. Today, her mother had spread a large blanket out on the grass, and her brothers were chasing each other around, laughing and hollering as they played a game of tag.

“There you are!” her mother called, waving Emily over. “We thought we might have to send Storm to fetch you!”

Emily smiled, her earlier disappointment fading as she joined them. Her father was busy setting up a small table filled with food—fresh bread, cheese, and some of the leftover cakes her mother had baked the day before. It wasn’t anything fancy, but it felt special.

“We’re having a picnic,” Thomas announced proudly, as if he had thought of the idea himself.

Emily laughed. “I can see that.”

They spent the rest of the day lounging in the sun, eating, talking, and playing games. It wasn’t often that they had a full day to just relax, and Emily found herself appreciating every moment. Her father even pulled out an old deck of cards, and soon they were all sitting in a circle, playing card games and laughing at each other’s blunders.

After lunch, her brothers tried to coax her into joining their game of tag, but Emily preferred to sit by her mother, watching the boys chase each other across the field. Her father sat down next to her, his eyes crinkling with a smile as he watched his sons run wild.

“It’s nice, isn’t it?” he said quietly. “Having a day like this.”

Emily nodded, leaning back on her hands as she watched the scene in front of her. It was nice—a reminder that, no matter how hard the work was on the farm, they always had each other.

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A Lingering Thought

As the sun began to set, casting long shadows across the field, Emily felt a deep sense of contentment. The disappointment she’d felt earlier by the lake seemed far away now, replaced by the warmth of her family’s laughter and the simple joy of spending time together.

Still, as they packed up the picnic and made their way back to the farmhouse, a part of her couldn’t stop thinking about the wild horse. She hadn’t seen it today, but that didn’t mean she had given up hope. Something told her that the horse was still out there, watching, waiting.

And one day, she knew, their paths would cross again. Until then, she had Storm and her family, and that was more than enough to make her feel like the luckiest girl in the world.