Page 48 of Buried Roots

Trinity taps her finger on her chin. “He burps real loud, but that’s actually kind of funny. I’ve been steaming mad at him for moving to Atlanta.” She mounts the horse, showing me. Then she gets off, saying, “Now you try.”

“Okay.” I repeat what she did, struggling a lot more as I mount and dismount. When I’m finished, I brush off my pants. “I’m sure you missed Owen a lot.”

“Not just me. Ma and Bailey too. I know Kayla missed him, but she wouldn’t say it.”

“Are you glad Owen’s back?”

“Yes.” She folds her arms. “I know what you’re doing.”

Uh-oh. Busted. “You do?”

“You’re trying to put off riding on the horse ’cause you’re scared.”

Phew. “You might be right about that. Let me just turn the hose off and get going.” I definitely don’t want to forget and find the stable flooded when we get back. Once I’m done, I return to find Trinity already on the horse.

I take two deep breaths before putting my foot in the stirrup and swinging myself over this massive creature. I manage to mount behind Trinity and once we’re both ready, she says, “I can feel you shivering, but don’t worry. I know what I’m doing.”

“Okay, I trust you.” I can’t believe it, but Idotrust her—this tiny, nine… ten-year-old firecracker. Well, as much as I’d trust anyone riding a beast of an animal. I flutter out a breath.

Trinity takes the reins and whistles, then Raven trots off—and I have to hang on for dear life! I manage to get my balance and a solid grip around Trinity as we enter the pasture. Trinity talks me through the ins and outs of pulling the reins to order a turn, or how to get the horse to speed up and slow down.

I don’t have much luck though, as when I put my hands around Trinity to take the reins, Raven simply halts. I end up having to hand the control back to Trinity so she can show me, again, how to make a direction change.

We head through the trees, riding onto a path along the creek that leads away from the lake. It’s so peaceful, the smell of dew and pine in the air, the only sounds the clicking of horseshoes and babbling water. With more dark clouds moving in, we weave through a thick patch of trees, a honey-dew breeze wrapping around us. It’s like we’ve entered a secret garden with birdsong, and I know why Trinity loves this so much. We pass wildflowers she identifies, and she points out the chipmunks scurrying in the brush. This is exactly what I need, and I already can’t wait to do it again.

And I love this kid.

When we’re heading back, Trinity gives me pointers on how to adjust my seat position so I’m sitting comfortably as we head uphill. Once we’ve returned to the pasture, she hands me the reins. I loosen them, lean forward, and kick Raven in the ribs, as Trinity taught me. Raven gallops off, and I let out a scream.

“Whoa, hang on, Raven,” Trinity says, taking the reins back and tugging them. “Not so fast now.”

Once she’s back to a trot, Trinity says, “You can’t yell like that, Willow. You don’t wanna spook the horse.”

“Sorry.” I can’t believe I’m getting schooled by a kid, but honestly, it’s pretty cool.

When Trinity brings us back to a fast trot, I pretend my lips are super glued shut as the evening wind rushes on my face and the nerves bundle in my stomach.

It’s a bit scary but mostly exhilarating.

I bring my arms around Trinity to take the reins again, and I try another turn as it starts to rain, gently. This time, I have a little more luck getting the horse to shift directions, which smacks a big smile on my face.

“Great job.” Trinity gives me a hard pat on the shoulder. “You did it.”

“I did, didn’t I?” I must be glowing.

When we get back to the stables, it starts to downpour—we just make it.

Owen appears, rain trickling down his face and concern in his eyes. “Trin, you git yourself home. I’ll help Willow get the horse in for the night.”

“Yes, sir.” Trinity dismounts.

“Thanks for the lesson, Trinity,” I call out as she rushes away, disappearing into the bramble that separates my property from theirs.

Owen extends his hand, dripping with rain, to help me off Raven, but I say, “No. I got this. Trinity taught me how.”

“All right.” He holds his palms up and backs away.

I swing my leg over, but as I go to jump down, my foot catches in the stirrup, and I tip over, doing a nice face plant in a fresh puddle.

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