I didn’t want to overthink the situation. I didn’t want to consider what could have caused Sonia to leave her role.
The important thing was that Britney had a role in this production, and the show could go on.
TWELVE
Darling
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ICAME UP BEHIND RICKYand poked his shoulder. As he looked to his left, I came up to his right.
“Oh, there you are,” he said with a playful grin. “You’re in a good mood this morning.”
“Indeed, I am. We’ve gotten a temporary go-ahead on this production.” I smiled at him. “And what are you up to this fine and surprisingly sunny morning?”
I’d found him standing in the inner courtyard admiring the architecture.
“Enjoying the petrichor left behind by last night’s rain,” he said, breathing in deeply.
“I see what you mean. I, too, love that pleasant scent. But then, I was thinking that you might want to spend some time with another scent.”
“I see where you’re going,” he said with a crooked grin. “The scent of hay and manure.”
I tilted my head to the side. “I heard through the grapevine that you’ll soon be shooting a scene atop...”
“I know. I know. On horseback. I’ve been dreading this day.”
“Well, dread no longer. The day has arrived. Let’s get a gelding saddled up and ready to go. We’ll simply take a slow and quiet ride, nothing dramatic.”
We exchanged pleasantries as we left the courtyard and crossed the grounds to get to the stable. To my surprise, he didn’t hesitate and try to talk himself out of meeting and riding a new horse.
Entering the stable, however, he did reach for my hand and held it for reassurance. I gave his hand a squeeze and led him to the box where Buster stood.
I opened the gate and entered his stall. “Hi, boy,” I said gently. “We’re going to take you out for a ride today. How would you like that?”
He stomped the ground with his hoof.
