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“You look good!”

“Can I rope a cowboy?” I laughed.

“There are more men in western, but I guarantee your classes are going to be mostly women. Good luck to you. I hear that from my friends all the time—boys are a hot commodity.”

“So, does that mean you’ve got someone? Or… no?” I realized I shouldn’t pry and shook my head. “Nope. Sorry. I’m overstepping.”

“Oh, I don’t care,” Piper said. “Well, maybe. Although… I haven’t told many people.”

“Oh, so there is someone?”

“Leslie,” Piper said.

“Leslie?” It could be a boy or a girl with a name that neutral.

“She rides at Dupont. She’s got this big grey mare and… she’s going to be at the clinic on Saturday.”

“Oh,” I said. “Are you two like… a thing?”

“No. I wish. You probably think I’m like pathetic for even caring.”

“Never!” I squeezed her hand. “Is she nice?”

“She makes me laugh so hard,” Piper brimmed. “She’s so sweet and she’s a great rider and…”

She looked down, then strode to slump on my bed. I thankfully changed the sheets since her dad was in it the night before. I cringed a bit internally. This kid was pouring her heart out and trusting me while I was running around with her dad at odd hours. I’d like to say that Cole and I had cooled it, but that would be a total lie. We found any excuse to hook up. It was great and awful.

“I don’t know. I am afraid to tell anyone.”

“Including her?”

“No.” Piper crossed her legs. “No. She knows. We have a mutual thing. Sometimes, we meet up at the movies. Being up here makes it easier. I saw her at a clinic, and we went to horse camp together. I’ve known her awhile. She’s out, but… I’m not.”

“Oh,” I said. “Does… your dad know?”

“No,” Piper said. “Please don’t⁠—”

“I won’t say anything, Piper,” I assured her. “But… you really should tell him. He’d like to know. He loves you so much. Your mom does, too.”

“I know,” Piper said. “And I should tell him. But I want to sandwich it with good things.”

I sat by Piper, tossing my hat. “You are lovely. And knowing this about you would be a good thing. He only wants to know you’re happy, kiddo.”

She shrugged. “I know. Mom will probably freak out like she always does with any change she thinks might reduce her social standing.”

I laughed. “You being gay doesn’t have anything to do with social standing. Promise. And if your mom loves you—which I bet she does—she will come around.”

“So… you don’t think it’s… weird?”

“What is?”

“Me being gay?”

I laughed. “Oh, Piper, no! Jerry is gay. Riley is pan. I don’t think anything about that. I’m proud of you for being a strong, brave young woman. I’m glad you know this about yourself and that you have a person in your life who reciprocates your affections. Sweetheart, since meeting you I have only ever been impressed by your ambition and how responsible you are. You being gay is just another cool layer to the onion.”

“I worry Dad won’t get it. He’s uptight.”

The man who I knew was not uptight. He was kinky, caring, and open-minded. He also loved this kid to the ends of the Earth.