Lindsey managed to hold the fastest time over the last four competitors. For first place, she won some saddle soap and $20. She rode Lacey out of the arena with the biggest smile on her face. She dismounted, handed the reins to her dad and ran to hug me. “Hey,” Mr. Howell complained. “Where’s my sugar?” Mr. Howell received a kiss on the cheek and a hug. “Well,” he said. “Better get heading home.” Lindsey and I agreed and headed toward the barn.
Once everything was ready to go and Lacey was in the trailer, Mr. Howell, Lindsey and I piled into the black Dodge. The three of us squeezed into the front seat as Mr. Howell started the engine. It was about a three hour drive from Youngstown to Findlay. Lindsey says her reason for driving so far is that she “loves the change of scenery.” It didn’t take long for her to break the silence. “I better call Mom.”
Lindsey’s mom was a local, well-known trainer. However, she’d been in Kentucky for the last three days. She has a friend who owns a ranch in Lexington called Rolling Blue Hills. “Hey, Mom,” Lindsey said after several rings. Lindsey explained that she'd won 1st place and also smiled at me when she mentioned that I helped get Lacey ready. Then there was an awkward part of the conversation where Lindsey listened for a while and finally said okay even though there seemed like there was more she wanted to say. They said their goodbyes and ‘I love you’s.’
The rest of the ride mainly consisted talking about whatever came to mind until Lindsey and I fell asleep with our heads resting on each other’s. Mr. Howell woke us up an hour later when we arrived at the Howell’s barn. We put Lacey in her stall, brushed, mucked, fed, and other horsey things before riding back up to the Howell’s house. Mr. Howell began dinner and Lindsey and I went up to her room. There were horses everywhere, from posters to trophies to decorations. “I’m gonna change before dinner. Do you want some clothes?”
“No thanks, I’m fine.” Lindsey’s clothes were a little small on me anyways. “Since you took me to your show today maybe you can spend the night at my house tonight,” I offered. I felt as if I needed to return the favor. “Sounds good,” Lindsey answered. “I’ll go ask my dad.” After she left her room to go downstairs I pulled out my phone to call my parents.
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Later that night, Lindsey and I were hanging out in my room. We were gossiping about the cutest boys and eating popcorn when all of a sudden her faced turned serious. “There’s something I’ve been meaning to ask you.” I nodded to show that I was listening. “When I called my mom on the way home, she asked if I would want to come down to Kentucky with her.”
“Sounds fun, “I said. I know the only thing Lindsey loves more than being around horses is being around horses with her mom. “Yeah,” she said. “But she also wanted to know if you would want to come, too.” I froze mid-chew. I didn’t want to say no because I knew that Lindsey really wanted me to go even though she knew all about my accident and fear. Still, I knew it would be fun to have a little vacation with my best friend. “Well, Lindsey…” But she interrupted me. “I know it might be hard to visit a ranch with horses everywhere but I thought it might… might help you.” I almost wanted to cry. She wanted to help conquer my worst fear.
“Lindsey, I don’t think it’s that simple. I mean it would be fun but, I just don’t think I could.” Then Lindsey stared intently at me for a while with her dark eyes. “Olivia.” She spoke not sternly but quite persuasively. “I want to help. And I feel like this is my chance.” I thought for a while. It was very, very kind of Lindsey to want to help me and it made her the best best friend in the world. Then I grabbed my stomach remembering the pain. I also got a major headache.
But something also deep down told me that going would be the right thing to do. I finally nodded my head. “Yes. I’ll go.” Lindsey hugged me really tight and said thank you so many times and so fast that she actually kind of scared me. After we both calmed down, I put Pitch Perfect into the TV and we eventually fell asleep in my rainbow colored beanbag chairs. That’s when the dream came…
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Sorry it's so short but I wanted to make it end with somewhat of a cliffhanger. ;)
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Making the Connection
AventuraAfter her accident, Olivia forms a fear of horses and especially riding them. She visits a ranch in Kentucky where she meets a dappled gray horse, Artemesia. But can this horse be Olivia's key to making a connection?
