Up until a few seasons ago, Lance’s store, Major Hart Mountain Sports, specialized mostly in winter gear and attire. They gave guided snowmobile tours during the snowy seasons and offered some mountain biking and hiking expeditions in the warmer months. But their recent partnership with the ranch opened up new adventure opportunities, and slowly, Lance had been incorporating equine-focused gear into his shop alongside his other offerings. The local feed store had a very limited selection of tack and supplies, so Spencer appreciated Lance’s initiative and expanding inventory.
He lifted the lid on the boot box while Lance rummaged in the back room. He’d have to trust his cousin on the fit; he had no clue what size shoe a five-year-old would wear but knew the bright pink stitching across the cognac-colored leather was a detail she would adore. He had contemplated texting Trinity but had a hunch she’d say he didn’t need to purchase the boots, that she would take care of it. Her financial situation wasn’t any of his business, but he knew she worked hard to provide for her family. If he could take some of the strain off by supplying the added things that went along with lessons like boots and helmets, then he would happily do so.
“You’re in luck.” Lance appeared at his side just as Spencer was sliding the small boots back into the box. “Got an extra small helmet just her size.”
Spencer never wore one; he grew up in an era when helmets weren’t the norm. But they would be mandatory during any lesson he planned to give. And this one was perfect: bright white with a purple horseshoe printed on the side, dotted withrhinestone accents and sparkly glitter that twinkled when it hit the light at a certain angle. He didn’t have a daughter of his own, but he was certain any young girl would be thrilled with this particular helmet.
Taking a look at his watch, he realized he would need to pick up the pace if he hoped to get back to the ranch before Trinity and Mia were scheduled to arrive. Thanking his cousin for his help, he paid for the items and then made the short drive down the hill. But, just as he’d feared, Trinity’s car was already parked outside the big barn, the engine still idling as she waited.
She was ten minutes early, but he was admittedly later returning than he’d liked. He powered down his truck beside her vehicle and smiled when they made eye contact through the windows. With his purchases in hand, he hopped out of the truck to meet her.
“Sorry, I hoped to beat you here.” He lifted the bag. “Just stopped by Lance’s place to pick up a few things for Mia. She wouldn’t be a size ten shoe by chance, would she?”
“That’s her size,” Trinity said with a furrowed brow. “You bought her shoes?”
“Boots, actually. She’ll need them for the lessons.”
Something crossed over Trinity’s face, but she refocused her attention on her daughter who was now climbing over the back seat and into the front so she could escape through the driver’s side door and join the conversation, too. “You didn’t have to do that. I could have picked some up.”
“Wasn’t any trouble,” he said, but he felt foolish, like maybe he should have checked with her first. “I was already there. Had to pick up a helmet.”
“Another thing I could have gotten.”
Spencer couldn’t shake the feeling that he was somehow being scolded, even though Trinity’s tone held no hint of reprimand.
“I’ll need them for the other kids in our lesson program anyway,” he amended, thinking if he presented the boots and helmet as community items that she wouldn’t feel like he’d overstepped.
“Oh, okay.” Taking her daughter’s hand, Trinity had to practically hold Mia back to keep her wrangled. The girl was like an insistent horse pulling on a lead rope, trying to get to a fresh patch of grass. “Only if you’re sure.”
He was. He was not going to ask for another dime of Trinity’s money. In fact, the only reason he even came up with a dollar amount was because Clara had said it would feel too much like charity had he offered the lessons for free. But now he worried that supplying the boots and helmet fell into that same category.
“Hey, Mia.” He directed his attention toward the young girl rather than continuing to convince Trinity that accepting the items wasn’t a handout. “You excited about today?”
“Excited doesn’t even begin to describe her level of enthusiasm,” Trinity answered for her daughter. Spencer noticed that Trinity often spoke for Mia, even though Mia was perfectly capable of articulating her own thoughts. He wasn’t quite sure why she did that.
He looked directly at Mia. “Pretty happy to start lessons?”
“I’m thrilled!” she squealed, adding a little hop to her steps. “This is the best day of my life!”
Trinity forced a smile, but instantly looked away when Spencer met her gaze. What was going on here? Man, he really couldn’t read her today.
“No Liam?” he asked, noticing the little guy wasn’t in tow.
“I had wanted to bring him but he’s still not feeling one hundred percent. Plus, I had him with me at the shop all day. He was due for a good nap in his own bed. My parents are with him at the house.”
Nodding, Spencer said, “For future, he’s welcomed to tag along. I know Doodlebug would love his company.”
Even though that pony was sometimes a pain, he really was good with the little ones. It was often the bigger people and adults that he gave the most trouble. Spencer felt like the guy had a complex, but at least he played nice with someone.
“I’ll keep that in mind,” Trinity noted.
As they walked the path toward the barn, Spencer couldn’t shake the feeling that something was off between them. Maybe not even betweenthem, really, because it wasn’t like anything was going on there. But Trinity’s demeanor was markedly different, and Spencer wasn’t sure if he was the reason for that. Had he gone too far in purchasing the boots and the helmet? He hoped not, but it was too late now, especially once they reached the barn and he instructed Mia to sit on a nearby bench while he pulled the boots from the bag for her to try on. The look on her face was pure joy, making it clear he couldn’t return them.
“Perfect fit!” She giggled the moment her foot slid into the first boot, then the second, leggings kicking on the bench. “Just like Cinderella.”
Spencer grinned, the sight of Mia’s joy dispelling some of his earlier worries. “They do look perfect on you. We’ll plan to keep ‘em here, but you can wear them anytime you come by for a lesson. Sound good?”
Mia nodded eagerly, her eyes wide with excitement. Trinity stood back, watching with a soft smile, but Spencer couldn’t help but notice the lingering tension in her posture.
