Page 16

“There are a lot of good schools. I would have gone to public school if my mother wasn’t in a pissing contest with her sworn enemy and insisting that at least I would be cradle-to-grave in private school.”

He said very little.

I asked, “How does she feel about it?”

“She said she wants to stay with me and her horses. There aren’t many rentals where we live. And we’d never see them.”

“I can ask around. And how long do you need it for?”

“It depends,” he said. “I have to make some tough decisions—ones Piper doesn’t know about. Right now, I’m leaning towards a barn-apartment combo rather than building a separate house because soon I'll be an empty-nester and gone are the days when we need all that space. The build will take at least six months if we go modular. I found a rental for a few weeks, but that’s it.”

“So a two bedroom?” I asked. “What’s your budget?”

“Well under three,” he snickered, knowing that would cover nothing north of the city with quality public schools. “Normally, I’d just double down on clients and find a way to make it work, but… we’re talking limited stalls and I already owe you for all of this. It’s pointless.”

I thought about my morning and realized this might be a sign from the universe—something perfect just fell in my lap.

“I will look around,” I said.

10. WELCOME TO RAVENSWOOD

COLE

A pristine facility, Ravenswood Equestrian Center promised arenas galore and a dream barn with AC. We’d lucked into a horse palace—one that Piper loved. Her eyes lit up as she introduced me to the lesson horses. She knew all the top performers, too. Chloe may have been some sort of social media darling, but she was also a competent rider. I had to respect a horsewoman, no matter how much I didn’t understand her other life.

While the horses moving up the road to Chloe's friends boarded their own transport, the rest settled in. Riley left me to work on unpacking while they distracted Piper with a full tour. I appreciated Riley's kindness. Once I felt confident I'd sorted the big items, Chloe introduced me to everyone. Most riders were in the dressage queen set. Ravenswood was everything Piper wanted and more. Down south, I'd given her a nice facility—leagues better than anywhere we’d boarded and completely unrecognizable from my parents’ humble hobby farm—but here she reached the pinnacle of stables.

I knew Piper was only months from telling me she didn’t want to show paints anymore and only wanted to do dressage. I steeled myself for the moment she finally left the fold. Time was fleeting and here I was wasting every moment trying to rebuild from nothing.

“So, does it make sense?” Chloe asked. “I know it’s a lot. We have a bunch of stock. Uh… actually, can I show you one more thing?”

Chloe was a ping-pong ball with endless bounce—young and outgoing in an exhausting way. I was out of energy for happy people, even if I appreciated her compassion.

“I am sure if I get lost, Piper can show me,” I said. “I’m good.”

“No, no. I want you to meet two horses.”

I had no interest in two more horses as I'd already met at least twenty. I didn't want to be rude, so I followed Chloe to the barn’s other side where she put my client horses.

“So,” she waved at a bay and a grey. “These are my threebies.”

“Threebies?” I asked, confused.

“Three-year-old babies,” Chloe said. “I never start them until this time of year. They’re both sporthorse prospects but green as grass. They’ve done ground driving and trailered them to events. I usually send them out to this guy in Springfield who will start them, give them a job occasionally, and go easy. I’ll bring them back in early spring, start them in dressage training, and compete them soon after.”

“Oh,” I said, confused.

“Look, you said you want to take on clients to make up for the deficit, but… this is what I can offer you. I truly need someone who is calm and easy to start them under saddle. I read up on you, and I appreciate how calm and organized you are. Based on what Piper told Riley, you like working with babies.”

“I’m not an english rider,” I said. “That won’t⁠—”

“He doesn’t start them english,” Chloe said. “They start western and then he throws an english saddle on them for a couple weeks and ships them back. Just focus on connecting their heads and their rears. I can finish them. I’ll pay your standard rate. Just send it to me.”

“I don’t charge a greenie rate,” I warned her. “Whether it’s a tune up or starting or finishing, my rate is the same.”

“Well, that’s fine. I’d like to pay you equitably. For me, a solid foundation is worth the money.”

I gaped. “Really? This is too much. You’re already⁠—”