Page 2 of Since Day One

“Eh, one win in how many years? Let her have it; second place is still amazing.”

“Will you please check Moose? I need to make sure—“

“Willow, quit stalling. Go get yourself bandaged up, grab your suitcase, and have fun in Wyoming. You need closure with your family; that’s been far too long coming. We’ll all keep an eye on Moose for you, and you’ll take first next year. I guarantee the comeback win will taste even sweeter, especially knowing that you’ll win against Emily fair and square.” A leathery hand gently slipped into mine, avoiding the injury, and pulled, raising me from the dirt.

I coughed and, shaking my head, leaned against his thin frame. “I always double-check my cinch, Kurt. You taught me that.”

Knobby arthritic fingers brushed dirt from my shoulders as we shambled forward. “Nobody is perfect. Come on now, we’ve got you a plane to catch, and you certainly can’t go looking like this.” Taking another aching step forward, I winced, placing my bloodied hand against my ribs.

“Willow!” A shrill voice cut through the air. I glanced up from my boots that were dragging in the sandy footing, watching my boisterous, red-headed best friend dart across the arena. “Are you okay?”

“Little dizzy, a little sore, a little bruised, but I’ll heal,” I answered with a tight smile.

“You don’t owe your family anything. Don’t go to this stupid reunion. Stay here and let us take care of you. Take care of Moose.” Wrapping an arm around my shoulder, she joined Kurt in helping me regain my balance as we walked.

“She needs to go, Abigail,” Kurt replied.

“No, she doesn’t. They treated her like shit at her grandpa’s funeral and then ignored her for seven years after that! And technically, they didn’t even ask her in person or by a phone call to come. They sent a letter.”

“Abi,” I began.

Abigail raised her hand and waved it in front of my face. “No. Hush.” Her eyes snapped back to my mentor and boss. “Kurt, she just fell off, and Moose landed on her. She’s going to be bruised for a bit. She should stay, and you know she will want to be with Moose to make sure—“

“Abi, I’ve had worse,” I cut her off. “It startled me, knocked the wind out, and yeah, I’m bruised, but even if I stayed, I’d be right back to riding tomorrow. I’m not dead,” I explained, and she sighed, very loudly.

“Okay, but why for an entire month and over Thanksgiving?“ Abi extended her hand and brushed some dirt off of my wide-brimmed, gray, cowboy hat.

“Look, this isn’t for my family or anyone other than my grandpa and the promise that I made to him that I would attend this ‘retreat.’”

“You’ll get absolutely nothing out of it except more heartache.”

“And closure. This is the last thing that I will ever owe to them, and then I never have to see them again.”

She pursed her lips, rolling her green eyes. Nearing the edge of the arena, Kurt released his arm from around my waist and jogged ahead, his boots kicking up a little bit of dust behind him as he unlatched the gate and tugged it open.

In a frenzy, we were whisked away toward the medical tent set up behind the bleachers. Propping myself up on the table, a medic raised my hand and began dabbing alcohol over the wound.

I hissed through my teeth as Abi tugged the tie from the end of my bronze hair and let the braid fall free. “They’re probably just looking for money or something,” she mumbled.

“Abi, my grandpa was the only one who ever supported me in my dreams. He never once said that I was ridiculous in thinking I could do this. To have this kind of life.” Tipping my head sympathetically in her direction, I inhaled deeply, filling my lungs with crisp, clear Texan air. “However, if I come back to find any of these prized horses screwed up because nobody listened to my instructions, there will be hell to pay.”

She giggled, her fingers working my long hair back into a sleek braid. “Yes, ma’am.”

I sucked my bottom lip between my teeth as the last of the sticky tape became attached to the bandage thickly coating my ring finger. “Abi,” I whispered, fighting the prickling fear that shot like needles through my veins.

Her forest eyes locked onto mine. Her brows knitted together, wrinkling her beautiful heart-shaped face. Not a word passed my lips as I stared at her in desperation. It pained me to even think about it, so much that I couldn’t utter a word, but I was scared. Ten years. Such a long time to pass with only one moment of contact through it all.

“This is home. T-Bar Ranch is home.” The anguished words finally slipped through my lips as I dropped from the table. My boots clunked against the dirt, my spurs ringing sharply as I stepped toward my best friend.

“And it will be here waiting for you when you return. Kurt and Sally love you. We all love you. We need you. Go, so you can finally move past all of it.“ Her fingers wrapped around my arm and tugged me to a stop.

Drifting my gaze around the stadium, I inhaled, filling my lungs and nose with the familiar scent of horses and sweat. The smell of leather wafted upon the air, saddles creaked on horses’ backs, spurs ringing lightly amongst the gentle chatter of the crowd. My name would come over those speakers at some point, but hearing it connected with second place hurt. Especially being behind Emily’s name.

I didn’t want to wait around to hear it. Not after everything. Clacking my teeth together, frustration boiled within my stomach. “If I had the kind of money she has,” I grumbled, and Abi bumped her shoulder against me.

“Would you really feel proud of a win if you only got it because of money like her?”

“No,” I muttered. She was right. She was always right. But even though she argued to have me stay. I had to go. That didn’t mean I was happy about it, though. Mainly since being with Moose and taking care of him were more important to me than anything else. If I returned and these fools had messed him up, I would be nothing but pissed.

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