The Scars That Make Us (Second Generation Book 3)

Chapter 4

CATARINA

I kind of wanted to strangle Sasha when my phone went off at 6:30 this morning with her notification of “morning jog.” I was not amused at all. I’m not a morning person nor was I an exercise person, but whatever the bride wanted, I guess. I was dressed in my yoga pants and hoodie and contemplating all the ways I was going to kill her when we pulled up to the large house that was in the very front of the property. I hunched over and put my hands on my knees, trying to catch my breath.

“I know that totally sucked, but I swear the run was worth it!” Sasha opened the front door to the house and we all just kind of shrugged and followed her in. 

Nola was next to be and she looped her arm in mine, “Ain’t nothing going to make up for a five-mile run so early in the fucking morning. I can still see my breath.”

“I know, what the hell was that shit?”

“I guess she doesn’t want to gain any weight before the big day and she’s taking it out on the rest of us.”

“If she does this tomorrow, I’m drugging her and tossing her to those cows we saw on our drive.”

“I’ll help. Pretty sure Nanny will too, she was shooting daggers at Sasha the entire run.”

“Good to know.”

Once we got into the dining room, I understood why Sasha insisted on the run. There was a spread of all kinds of breakfast pastries. It was clear that they were all homemade at well. All the girls grabbed plates and we filled them to the brim and took a seat around the table. Britt and an older lady entered the room, bringing in coffee pots and cream and sugar all around the table.

“Do you have soy milk?” Dina asked at the end of the table and the older lady shook her head. 

“No, I’m sorry we don’t. Maybe I can send somebody to the store today to get some for the rest of your trip.”

“I’d appreciate that. Too much dairy really messes with me.”

Nola started giggling and I gave her a swift kick under the table to get her to shut up. I swear if it wasn’t for her, I might walk up to the highway and try to hitchhike home. The ranch itself was actually really pretty. Our run wasn’t horrible, we took a path that went around miles and miles of land, around a decent size pond with four houses built around it and a garden area that was hibernating for the winter. The houses were all beautifully made and the barns were nicely unkempt. If it wasn’t for the smell and a large number of cattle, you’d never think it was a full working ranch.

I didn’t mean to sound so unappreciative of a week away, but I wasn’t really friends with these girls, besides Nola. They were my friend for the same reason I was theirs. Our parents knew each other, one way or the other, and they’d have our heads and our Jimmy Choos if we caused a rift among the group.

“What do you have planned for today, Sash?” Dina asked her, apparently settling for regular creamer.

“Did you get everything figured out for horseback riding, Britt?”

“I did! I wasn’t sure how many of you knew how to ride already, so we have some help for those of you that don’t.”

“I sure hope they’re hot cowboys,” Khloe snickered from across the table.

“I concur,” Nola said next to me, earning her another kick from me. “What?” 

“Behave.”

“I ALWAYS behave.”

“I’ll let you know that everybody who will be helping and instructing today are very professional and all related to me in one way or the other.”