Peyton sat beside them now with his hand rubbing Corinne’s arm. “Breathe deep, sweetheart. Nice deep breaths. In and out. In and out.” He ran his hand along her thin forearm in a steady even rhythm. Corinne nodded weakly and did exactly as he said. Something about his voice brought a calm to Stella as well.
They waited a few minutes until Corinne seemed to quiet and then Peyton met Stella’s eyes. “Pack everything up.” And then looking to Corinne. “Let’s get you home, Crin. Let’s get you up on Taco and I’ll lead us out.
Stella moved quickly, terrified for Corinne– and for Misty– and for Peyton.
She couldn’t get upset though. She needed to be the adult. She stuffed the food and wrappings hastily into the saddlebags and then crawled over to Misty. Misty’s tiny body trembled in her arms.
“Can you sit up?” Peyton had one arm wrapped around his sister now. “I’m gonna put you up on Taco. You just need to hold on.”
“Misty?” Corinne’s voice sounded weak.
“Stella’s here. She’ll take Misty down on Pickles.”
Corinne’s eyes fluttered and then she made a barely perceptible nod.
Stella watched as Peyton checked a few straps on Taco’s Saddle. He placed the reins in Corinne’s hands, curling his fingers over hers as he did so. He moved efficiently but worry etched his forehead.
“Do you need help?” Stella didn’t want to let go of Misty but would help him if he needed her.
He led Taco closer to Pickles. Corinne sat bent forward, pale as a sheet.
Peyton took hold of the smaller horse and gestured to Misty. “Come on kiddo.” Misty obediently allowed her uncle Pay to swing her onto Stella’s horse. Confident Misty was settled, he then turned toward Stella.
Determined not to be a liability, she lifted her foot into the stirrup and with Peyton’s assistance, managed to climb on behind Misty.
Stella squeezed Misty tightly and took hold of the reins.
Peyton touched her leg. “She’s gonna be okay.” He seemed so in control. If he was panicking inside, he hid it much better than she could. “Pickles will follow just like when we came up. Take it slow. Don’t try anything fancy.”
Stella nodded confidently. “I promise. Slow.”
His gaze was approving. And as though they’d known one another far longer than one day, they seemed to give each other strength.
And then he turned, mounted Hermes in one effortless motion and they headed down the mountain.
“Mama won’t fall off, will she Stella?” Brokenhearted tears pulled Stella’s attention back to the child who stood to lose the most right now. What could she tell her?
“Your mama? Fall off a horse?” She wrapped Misty in a tight hug as they followed Peyton and Corinne across to the path. When they entered the trees again, the slope dipped. It seemed steeper going down somehow.
“Lean back on the downhill parts!” Misty told her. “Don’t be afraid. The horses have done this before.”
Stella was grateful for clear weather, but even more grateful for Misty’s grit. She had so much of her mom in her.
And all the way down she chanted a prayer in her heart.
Let Corinne be okay.
Let Corinne be okay.
Let Corinne be okay.
When they emerged into the meadow behind the house, the horses seemed to move even faster. Peyton led them all to the barn, pretty much flew off of Hermes, and assisted Corinne to the ground. He made sure she was comfortable and then turned to Stella. “I need to get my keys. Misty will show you how to put the horses up.” He looked torn to leave her with such a responsibility. “Unless–”
“No!” Stella waved him away. “We’ve got this!” She tried to sound confident even as she summoned the courage to dismount Pickles on her own.
He nodded and then ran toward the house. Stella slid her right foot out of the stirrup, tightly grasped the saddle horn, and with a deep breath swung it over the horse toward the ground. Her left foot stuck for a second, but then pulled out just in time to keep her from landing on her ass. By the time she helped Misty dismount, Peyton was already back outside. Misty rushed over to the truck with every intention of climbing in beside her mother but Peyton leaned down to talk with her. The little girl rubbed at her eyes and then nodded in agreement.
Stella looked at the three horses nervously.
