Part 25 (1/2)
Kent gestured toward Hannah. ”Maybe she'd like to take her first ride as a cowgirl.”
Lauren grinned with happiness. ”Hannah, would you like to sit in the saddle?”
Hannah stepped back and whirled around. ”Now?”
”Sure,” Lauren agreed.
”But how will I get up there?”
Kent walked over to her. ”If you'll allow me, I'll lift you up and set you in the saddle.”
Hannah's eyes grew big. ”She won't run away with me, will she?”
”No,” Billye Jo said. ”I'll hold her halter.”
”And I'll keep my hands on the saddle,” Kent added. ”When you want to get down, just let me know.”
”Mommy?”
”I'll be right here.” Lauren walked over and gave her daughter a hug. ”You're a big girl now that you've got your very own pony friend.”
”Okay.” Hannah held up her arms to Kent. ”Cowboy Daddy, I'm ready to ride.”
Lauren watched while Billye Jo took hold of Spot's bridle. Kent gently lifted Hannah and set her in the saddle with her feet hanging well below the stirrups. She grabbed the saddle horn and held on as if for dear life. Lauren suppressed a chuckle at her daughter's reaction, wondering if she'd reacted the same way when she'd first been put on the back of a horse. Probably so.
”Mommy! I'm riding a horse.”
”You look just like a cowgirl.”
”I am a cowgirl!”
”That's right,” Kent quickly agreed.
”You look mighty fine,” Billye Jo added.
”Hold still and I'll get your photo.” Lauren pulled out her phone and snapped several quick shots. Now she'd have a photo of this miraculous moment to keep and to share. She quickly texted a copy to her parents so they could share in this wonderful moment.
About that time, several people pushed open the front door of the Bluebonnet Cafe and stepped outside. They waved at Hannah, laughing in enjoyment at the sight.
Hannah waved back. ”I'm a cowgirl!”
One of the diners gave Hannah a thumbs-up before the group walked toward a pickup and got inside.
Lauren felt tears sting her eyes. Her daughter-who'd been so withdrawn for so long-was actually talking to strangers. And she was even proclaiming herself to be exactly what she'd wanted to be for so long. Life in Wildcat Bluff was definitely going in the right direction.
”Guess we'd better save more horseback riding for the arena at home,” Kent said. ”Pretty quick, we'll be putting on a show for the whole town.”
Billye Jo laughed. ”I kind of doubt it. If they've seen one horseback rider, they've seen a million.”
”But they haven't seen me!” Hannah exclaimed, raising her fist in the air. ”Look, Cowboy Daddy, I'm the best cowgirl ever.”
”That's right,” Lauren agreed. ”But for now, let's go home so Billye Jo can bring Spot to the ranch later.”
”Now?” Hannah looked downcast.
”Don't you want to have Spot at home?” Kent asked, stroking her long hair with one hand.
Hannah nodded, then reached down and patted Spot's mane. ”Now you be a good pony till you come home. I'll get you some-” She stopped and looked at Lauren. ”Mommy, may we get treats?”
”I'll bring some with Spot,” Billye Jo said. ”Is tomorrow okay? I think there's a cowgirl in town who'd like to say good-bye to her former pony.”
Hannah suddenly looked contrite. ”Tell her, please, not to be sad. I'll take good care of Spot.”
”I'll be happy to tell her,” Billye Joe agreed.
”Come on, let's get down.” Kent lifted Hannah out of the saddle and set her on the ground.
She ran around and gave Spot a loud smack of a kiss on her long nose. ”Don't be lonely now. You've got a good home.”
Billye Jo held out her hand to Lauren. ”Thanks. I'm excited to be working with you. Equine-a.s.sisted therapy. Just think about it.”
”I'm thrilled to be working with you, too.” Lauren shook her hand. ”And I've got someone in mind who'll greatly benefit from our services.”
”Who is it, if you don't mind me asking?”
”I'll be happy to tell you later.” Lauren hoped against hope that somehow she could get Hedy to change her mind. ”First, let's just get everything in working order.”
”Fine by me.” Billye Jo picked up Spot's lead, then easily leaped up on the back of Rowdy. ”Let's talk tomorrow and set up a time to bring the horses to your place.”
”Sounds good,” Kent agreed. ”You know I'm living at the old farmhouse, don't you?”
”Sure do.”
”Need directions?”
”Nope. It's been awhile, but I've been there.”
”Good. See you tomorrow.” Kent raised a hand in good-bye.
Billye Jo nodded, clicked to her horses, and started back toward the Sinclair station where Dune's truck was still parked in front.
Lauren glanced at Kent. ”I'm amazed at how quickly and easily everything is coming together.”
”That's because it's right.” He clasped her hand with a gentle squeeze. ”Like we are.” He held out his other fingers to Hannah, and she trustingly grabbed his hand as she grinned up at him.
And Lauren felt as if she'd truly come home.