Bernice shrank away in the shadows, making her own plans without Kenny.
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
Saturday morning arrived. As promised, Garrett produced two burner cell phones for each of them. The new ones appeared to have the latest gadgets, delighting her sister.
“You’re sure Julio and Rebecca don’t mind tagging along? They probably think I’m insane about always having someone with her,” Riley said, biting her nails.
Garrett covered her hand with his. “Stop it,” he admonished. “They’re taking Megan to pet the farm animals and spending time with the family. They’re rather close. Julio didn’t say how he knew them, but Rebecca and Kara have a very strong bond. Tara will be in good hands.”
“Do we have to take a wheelchair? I can get around on the crutches if I need them. I’ve walked without them for two days now,” she insisted for the hundredth time.
“No. You’ve done great all week. Don’t waste your energy. I’ll push you wherever your heart desires,” he assured her.
“I borrowed Tara’s computer. I made a list of some potential horses. Obviously, they don’t have them all listed.We have to consider the price range. Do you have a limit per horse?”
“I have a little nest egg. If I see something I want, we’re good,” he told her stiffly.
“Oh, good. I’ve always wanted to pick a horse because I wanted it, not because of budget restraints. Molly was my best horse, and they practically paid me to take her.”
Tara rolled her eyes. “She hasn’t stopped talking about this horse sale. Promise her something else next time,” she teased.
Garrett chuckled. “Youhaven’t stopped talking about Kara and her farm. I think you’re even.”
“How long will it take us to get there?” she asked Garrett. “Oh, Tara, bring me the envelope,” she called as Tara went into her bedroom.
A minute later, Tara handed her a wrinkled yellow rectangle. Riley counted the money twice, then pulled out forty dollars and handed it to Tara. “Since they invited you for the day, why don’t you spring for pizza?” She debated a moment and handed her another twenty.
Tara flung her arms around Riley’s neck. “Thanks, Riley. If we’re treating today, you should take some for yourself. You always dip into the emergency fund when I need something for lab class or when I catch bronchitis. This time, you need to take some for yourself,” she encouraged.
Riley bit her lip and pulled out sixty dollars. “I’ll take it as long as we agree to put back anything we don’t spend.”
“Deal,” Tara explained. “Do you need help getting dressed?”
“If you don’t mind,” Riley said, rising with her crutches. “How long until we leave?”
Garrett shook his head. “You’re as bad as Tara. We leave in an hour. It’ll take us about two and a half hours to getthere. I want to inspect a few before the auction starts. Can you be ready by then?”
“Yes,” she said, grinning from ear to ear. “We’ll hurry.”
They entered the bedroom, and Tara rushed to get the coverings for Riley’s arm. After Riley undressed, they slid them on and Tara stood outside the shower in case her sister needed help.
“Can you help me dry my hair? It gets too heavy with my arm,” she called from the shower.
“Yep,” Tara agreed as Riley washed her hair and scrubbed her body. When she finished, she turned the water off and slid back the curtain to see Tara holding up a dress.
“Where did you get this?” Tara asked, admiring the lavender colored dress.
“Rachel gave me a bag as I left her house the other day. It contained the dress and a matching sweater,” she said, stepping out of the shower.
Tara helped her dry off and removed the cast covers. “When do you have to return to get these off?”
Riley shrugged, not planning on going back. When the time came, she’d take a hacksaw to the cast. They couldn’t afford another doctor’s visit. Her bill to Garrett kept getting longer by the day. Reminding herself to add the two phones, she sat in the kitchen chair they dragged into the bathroom for Riley to use.
“Tell me you’re wearing the new dress,” Tara insisted. “It’ll be pretty on you, and you don’t have to wear a bra,” she added.
Riley stared at the cute outfit. It’s not like she wanted to wear the hideous dresses. Wanting to feel pretty instead of an aging geriatric, she nodded. “I have to try it on. It may not fit.”
“It ties in the front. We can make it work,” Tara assuredher. “Oh, Riley, let me do your makeup. You haven’t dressed up since you went to prom. Mom worked for hours on your dress, and you looked like a princess.”
