I heard her name being called out, and the crowd cheered wildly as I started jogging toward the arena just as she and Wrax trotted out.
She didn’t see me, and that was okay.
I was here.
I’d made it.
The cross-country phase was designed to test the horse and its rider across the board. Stamina, jumping, obstacles—all of it. And Wren and Wrax had always shined here. And I loved watching my girl come to life.
“Axel,” Coach Sharky said as he stepped up beside me. “I didn’t know you were coming today.”
“Neither did I. It was a last-minute decision.” I didn’t turn to look at him. I stared straight ahead at Wren, just as she started.
Damn, my girl was such a badass. She took off all fierce and full of fire as I looked up at the clock.
Time was an element in this phase.
Over fences. Through water, and around sharp turns.
She was completely focused.
Free and full of joy.
Just doing her thing.
“Come on,” Coach Sharky hissed beside me as his hands gripped the post where we were standing. “Come on. That fucking horse better not lose momentum.”
I wasn’t sure if he even realized that he’d said it aloud.
I just watched, tilting left as she took a sharp turn, as if I were out there with her.
Her jumps were clean. Hell, she was complete perfection.
And when she finished the grueling course, the crowd made it known that she’d impressed the hell out of them.
She waved before trotting to start to leave the ring, when her eyes met mine.
Her mouth fell open, and she climbed off Wrax and handed his reins to Coach Sharky as she launched herself into my arms.
“What are you doing here?” she asked, breathless.
“You’re here.”
She bit her bottom lip as she slid down my body, just as her score was announced.
A perfect score. A clear round and no time penalties. This course was particularly challenging to complete in the optimum time.
“Yes!” her coach said, pumping his fist. “I think you’re going to be the only one who can come in under time on this course.”
She nodded, and I noticed a clear disconnect between Coach Sharky and her.
At least on her end.
I knew Wren well, and she wasn’t fully in with this guy.
Her father walked over with Chrissy beside him. She was holding an oversized umbrella over her head, which I guessed was for blocking the sun. But she looked a little ridiculous carrying this thing around.
“A perfect score. That’s my girl,” her father said as he wrapped her up in a hug.
