Page 38 of Prairie Sky

“Do you need my help to get on?” Ben asked, patting his Arabian chestnut mare.

“No, I got this,” she replied, putting her boot into the stirrup and mounting her horse like a pro. “This isn’t my first rodeo, Cowboy.” she winked.

Ben laughed and mounted his horse, adjusting the reins in his hands. “Where were you thinking we should ride?”

“Let’s ride down the road a bit and to that cluster of trees off in the distance, in the middle of that field,” she suggested, pointing in the general direction, and stepping her horse in line with his. “Dad and I would ride out there all the time. He always said it was one of his favorite spots.”

“Sounds great!” Ben agreed, as they rode down the driveway and west down the gravel road.

They rode together talking, and Ever shared stories of the trail rides she and her father used to take. Her father loved all things horses, was a cowboy through and through and she loved the quality time they spent together, just the two of them, on horseback. It was something they mutually enjoyed and bonded them even when they disagreed or butted heads on other matters. What would I give to have one last ride with my dad? The happy memories washed over her, and she smiled.

“You look so deep in thought.” Ben observed riding up beside her.

“Just thinking about how much I loved riding with my dad. It was something that always connected us. I miss him so much. I feel like he is here with us.” she smiled in reflection.

Ben smiled back knowingly. “I have no doubt he is.”

They rode two miles down the road and across the neighbor’s field to the trees. The cluster was about a quarter mile in diameter and was a well-known refuge for wildlife. Deer, foxes, rabbits and even a moose were once spotted amongst these trees. Breaching the treeline, it was like going into a wooded wonderland so different from the wide-open prairie expanse.

“This is incredible!” Ben exclaimed as they rode amongst the trees.

Ever offered him a grin, remembering how much she loved this secret place she and her father escaped to.

A red fox darted out in front of them a few paces and disappeared behind a pile of large rocks. She glanced at Ben to see if he saw it, too. He was smiling ear to ear, enjoying every moment in this secluded place.

“Should we find a place to settle in for lunch?” she asked. “If I remember correctly, there is a little pond close to the middle where we can let the horses drink too. Follow me.”

She led them to the middle of the wooded area and a small body of water appeared. Dismounting their horses, they led them to the water, allowing them to take a deep drink before tethering them to a tree and finding a place to sit on the large rocks at the side of the pond.

“I forgot how quiet it is here.” Ever mused as she removed the contents of her backpack.

“You said this was your dad’s favorite place to ride?”

“Yeah! We would sometimes come here together, but mostly he came here on his own. I think he enjoyed the quiet and needed a place to escape at times,” she reflected. “Now when I think back, when he would saddle his horse and ride off, he always came back happier.”

“I could see that. Your father was a solitary man.” Ben added. “He was social enough, but you could tell that he loved his time alone.”

She nodded in agreement.

“Well, if you’re going to be alone, this is as good a place as any,” he continued as he looked around marveling at their surroundings.

“It’s funny, though, whenever he came back and I asked him where he was, he would always say, ‘Just paying her a visit.’”

Ben’s eyebrows went up. “Do you think he came here to talk to your mom?”

“Oh, probably!” she answered. “When I was younger, I always thought he was referring to this place as ‘her’, but now, knowing what I know, I think he probably went here to visit my mom.”

Ben looked out over the pond, reflecting on her words. “I like that.”

“Me too.” She replied, intertwining her hand in his.

They enjoyed their lunch and took a walk around the pond and explore a few of the trails. A short trail wound through the trees and led to a cluster of rocks that looked like they were piled strategically rather than in a natural formation.

“What’s that?” Ben asked as they approached the pile of rocks. A wooden cross came into view and Ever looked at him with a look of realization on her face. Approaching the cross, she noticed it was intricately carved with flowers and a name. Ever put her hand to her mouth and whispered. “Violet.”

* * *

They sat there next to her mother’s grave for a long time, Ben’s arms around Ever as she cried. Coming across the grave of her mother, a mother she never knew, was a lot to take in. She cried not only for her mother but for her father, too. Their beautiful love story and his lifelong devotion to her. It was tragic, but magical.

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