“No official end time. Depends on the students and whatever events are happening that day. Some evenings’ll finish early. Some won’t.”
“That’s fine.”
“Weekends are yours unless somebody gets hurt badly enough that they need monitoring,” he says.
“Hopefully not,” I mutter.
“That’s the goal.” He pauses. “And, Jovie?”
“Yeah?”
“You don’t need to prove yourself to anybody here. You already earned your spot. Just do what comes naturally, and I’m here to support you.”
Emotion unexpectedly tightens my throat.
I nod once. “Thanks, Seth.”
“Get unpacked. Settle in. Enjoy the calm before the storm.”
Then he tips an imaginary hat and heads back toward the clinic.
I stand in the middle of the cabin after he leaves, listening to the quiet.
Wind rustles through the trees outside.
Somewhere farther off, I hear horses nickering and the faint metallic clang of arena gates.
I sit on the edge of the bed and slowly look around.
For the first time in months, my chest doesn’t feel tight with deadlines and exams and constant pressure.
Instead, excitement buzzes through me.
This summer matters. And deep in my bones, I just know that everything is going to change.
I pull my phone from my back pocket and send a text.
Me: Just arrived. Gonna grab my bags and get settled in.
Three dots appear instantly.
Cabe: ’Bout damn time.
I laugh.
Me: The rodeo academy is ridiculous.
Cabe: Yep. It’s a stunner.
Me: And the clinic is really nice.
Cabe: Glad you think so.
Me: You undersold the cabin though.
Cabe: You like it?
I glance around and smile to myself.
