Page 51 of Story Of My Heart

My heart leaps into my throat every time she does this, but Tate’s hand finds mine, his grip reassuring. We watch as she expertly urges Sparkle over the log, the pony clearing it with inches to spare. She turns back towards us with a victorious, toothy grin.

“See? Easy peasy!” She trots back, her confidence filling the meadow like sunlight.

Tate releases a breath he’d been holding, and I squeeze his hand, whispering, “She’s going to be giving you riding lessons soon.”

He laughs, the sound rich with love and admiration. “She already does. Every day, Piper. Every day our amazing little girl teaches me something new.”

Cordelia doesn’t wait for more accolades; she’s off again, looping around a cluster of wildflowers, her laughter echoing off the trees.

“As fearless as her mother,” Tate murmurs, watching her with a blend of awe and slight anxiety.

“Thankfully, she has your brains, or we’d really be in trouble,” I tease back, allowing the peacefulness of the morning to seep into my bones.

We continue riding, the occasional sound of Cordelia’s distant chatter with Sparkle drifting back to us. It’s in these moments, simple and unadorned, that I realize how much we’ve grown—not just Cordelia, but Tate and me. From two people unsure about the future, to a family bound by more than just love—by a shared life full of challenges, laughter, and endless rides.

“I wouldn’t trade this for the world,” Tate says, as if reading my thoughts.

“Me neither,” I agree, knowing that these trails on our large property, this life, these moments with him and Cordelia, are exactly where I belong.

As we meander along the sun-dappled trail, the sound of Cordelia chattering to Sparkle melts into the backdrop of chirping birds and the gentle rustle of leaves. Her youthful exuberance is a vivid splash of color in the tranquil greens and browns of the forest.

“She’s something, isn’t she?” I watch our daughter circle back towards us, her small face alight with the sheer joy of riding.

“Something? She’s everything,” Tate corrects with a laugh, his gaze softening as he watches her. His admiration for her is as clear as day, and it tugs at my heartstrings every time I see it. He’s the best girl dad a woman could ask for. “I mean, look at her. She rides better than I ever will.”

Cordelia overhears him and pulls up alongside us, her expression playfully smug. “It’s okay, Daddy. You’re good at other things. Mommy says you make the best chocolate chip pancakes.”

“And your mom is an expert on my pancakes,” Tate winks at me, then shifts his attention back to Cordelia. “How about you lead us for a while? Show us some of your favorite spots.”

Beaming with pride, Cordelia doesn’t hesitate. “Follow me!” she commands before kicking Sparkle into a gentle canter, leading the way deeper into the woods.

As we follow, the path narrows, and the shadows grow longer. Cordelia points out a rabbit darting through the underbrush and a hawk circling above. Her delight in every little discovery is infectious, and even Tate, who usually prefers tech over nature, can’t help but get caught up in her enthusiasm.

“Did you see that, Mommy? Did you see the hawk?” she calls over her shoulder, making sure I’m as engaged as she is.

“I saw it, honey. It’s beautiful,” I reply, my voice layered with genuine interest and a hint of awe for her sharp eyes.

Cordelia’s energy seems boundless, and she soon spots a narrow offshoot from the main trail, veering towards a small clearing. “This way! There’s a stream up ahead, and sometimes you can see deer!”

At her words, Tate exchanges a look with me, an unspoken agreement passing between us. We’d follow her anywhere, it seems, and not just through the woods. Her spirit, so bold and adventurous, pulls us along like a current we’re happy to be caught in.

As we reach the clearing, the scene that unfolds is like something out of a storybook. A gentle stream trickles through, bordered by wildflowers, and true to her word, a pair of deer glance up from the far side, their presence a serene blessing on our little adventure.

Cordelia dismounts with the ease of a seasoned pro, patting Sparkle before sitting down on a large rock near the water’s edge. Tate and I join her, dismounting and leading our horses to a patch of lush grass.

“Isn’t it perfect?” Her eyes grow wide with wonder as she takes in the peaceful beauty around us.

“It’s more than perfect, it’s magical.” I slip an arm around Tate’s waist as we join her to gaze at the tranquil water.

“Do you think we could have a picnic here next time?” Cordelia’s voice is hopeful, already planning future visits.

“Absolutely,” Tate responds, his tone warm with the promise of many more family outings like this one. “We’ll bring some of your mom’s famous chocolates.”

“And sandwiches!” Cordelia adds enthusiastically, already bouncing from one idea to the next. “And grapes!”

We spend a few moments in comfortable silence, watching the deer cautiously return to their grazing. It’s a slice of peace, carved out of time, where nothing else matters but the gentle breeze, the soft murmur of the stream, and the company of each other.

“I love you guys,” Cordelia suddenly declares, her voice earnest and sweet, filled with the pure, unguarded love only a child can give so freely.

---