The Wish You Left Behind

Chapter 40: Hold Your Horses (Part 2)

You steady me and stir me all at once.    —butterflies rising

FAYE

The path that Kate is leading her to might as well be a marshland. Patch of what appears to be wetland grazes their left side. The strong breeze makes it dance along the surrounding grassy vegetation.

Kate holds on to her hat, annoyed by the strong wind while Faye looks back, hoping to see Yoko, but the siblings are already out of sight.

Should they really just left them there?

Kate clears her throat, then. The young woman is now off her horse and is now walking alongside her ride and Faye. The beast is tall. Faye cannot see Kate's face clearly, but the young woman's voice is clear in the rather quiet surroundings.

"I texted David. He will accompany them to the race field."

"Ah."

Faye wants to ask who is David, but think better of it.

"This is a nice farm."

"My family spent most of their time here, so —."

"I see. Well, I mean it."

There was a long pause before Kate responds. "Thanks."

Despite the warm weather, that afternoon is sunny, that Faye regrets bringing at least a sunglass to protect her sensitive eye to the sun.

"Hey." Kate blurted. The woman pulls her horse to a stop, which causes Faye to stop abruptly too. Kate leaves the other side to come and face her.

"I know that the first time we met was a long time ago, but —."

Faye, for sure, is not fond of small talk, especially the ones where she has no idea where it's leading to.

She squints her eyes against Kate's silhouette. "Err — what is it?"

"I'm sorry for the things I've said back then."

"Oh, that." Faye rubs the side of her neck.

She's not fond of these kinds of things either. But at the very least, the young woman sounds genuine.

"I barely remember it, anyway. It's fine."

Kate purses her lips. "Alright, then."

Instead of returning to her own side, Kate leads the way, pulling the horse's reign from ahead of them. "So — do you like Big that much to take my challenge?" Kate shakes her head. "But that didn't make sense. You shouldn't take the challenge and win just for me to talk to Big if you like him, don't you?" Kate sigh. "Sorry. I can't still help to be nosy."

More like jealousy.

But Faye didn't voice it out.

"This has nothing to do with Big. Trust me."

Kate hums at that. "Well — you probably like his sister too much then, just to help her brother."

Faye fakes a chuckle. "And what makes you think I'm doing this for my boss?"

"Just — nothing else comes to mind, is all."

"Err —."

"Don't worry. You don't have to confirm or deny it. Not to me, at least," Kate said, before walking faster.

Faye does her best not to get left behind.

Soon enough, the two of them arrived in a more open area which, if she would guess, might be the race field.