Page 58 of Stick Around,
Paul nodded. “The ranch is beautiful, and the horseback riding yesterday was fantastic. Kellan was our guide, and he’s quite the entertainer.”
“The only thing is,” Marcus said, glancing at the kids who were now circling me like tiny sharks, “we wish there were more structured kid-friendly activities. The horseback riding was great, but it was one hour, and then...”
“Then they’re bouncing off the walls of our cabin.” Paul laughed. “We were wondering if there might be any of those stick horse classes or something similar? The kids haven’t stopped talking about it.”
I nearly choked. “Classes? For hobby horsing?”
Everly clapped her hands together. “Could we make our own? With glitter and ribbons and everything?”
Liam jumped in place. “And then you could show us how to do the tricks!”
“I... um...” My brain struggled to catch up. People wanted to learn hobby horsing? From me? The woman who’d only picked up a stick horse a month ago after a bad breakup and too much liquor?
This was the second time someone had brought up a workshop or training. But what would that even look like?
“We’d be happy to pay extra,” Marcus added. “I’m sure other families would be interested too. There are at least three other kids around their age staying here this weekend.”
I nodded before my brain had fully thought things through. “You know, that could be fun. We could decorate the horses, practice, and then have a little show afterward.”
The kids erupted in cheers, and their excitement was contagious, even if the idea of teaching hobby horsing felt utterly ridiculous. But so did having a Leprechaun break into my classroom every March, but I still always did it anyway.
“When?” Everly was jumping up and down. “Can we do it today?”
“Please, please, please?” Liam joined in, both of them giving me puppy dog eyes that would make Walter jealous.
I glanced at my watch. It was only nine. “I’d need to check with management, but I can call or text you? There aren’t any supplies here either.” My teacher brain was already kicking in, mentally listing craft materials we’d need. I could print out some certificates so that they could name their horses too.
As the family headed out, I stood in the suddenly quiet lodge, wondering what I’d signed myself up for.
I stuffed the hastily written list into the back pocket of my jeans as Reid and Enzo rode up outside the stables. They’d finished doing whatever it was they’d been doing; I had honestly lost track of everything they did on a daily basis. I wondered which one would be the harder sell on my idea.
They both dismounted and led their horses inside the stables, completely unaware of the sparkly chaos I was about to unleash.
I stopped a safe distance away. “Do you guys have a minute? Some guests would like me to do something with hobby horsing, and I wanted to discuss it.”
Reid looked over his shoulder as he came to a stop with his horse. “Like a class? When?”
I tried not to look as sheepish as I felt. “Well, I was thinking... today? Maybe this afternoon?”
“Today?” Enzo’s voice was skeptical. “As in, a few hours from now?”
“Or tomorrow morning.” Checkout time for the cabins was eleven, but that should be enough time if I had to do it then. “The kids were so excited, and there are a few other kids who might be interested as well.”
Reid rubbed the back of his neck. “That’s pretty short notice for organizing something.”
“I know, but it’s not like we need to rent a venue or hire caterers. Just some craft supplies and a little space in the indoor arena. I could even do it in the lodge, but glitter will be involved.”
“Glitter?” Enzo began removing his horse’s saddle. “I’m not saying no, but adequate planning prevents poor performance.”
I rolled my eyes. “Did you print that on a motivational poster for your office?”
Reid snorted, earning a glare from Enzo. The corner of Reid’s mouth twitched upward, and Enzo’s eyebrows drew together even further, his jawline tensing. I watched the silent exchange between them, fascinated by how much they could communicate without words.
I stepped closer now that the two horses were aware I was there. It was crazy that a few short weeks ago I had been scared of them, and now I was stepping between two powerful animals like we were besties. “I’ve run enough art projects to handle this. All I need is a quick trip to the store for supplies and some help setting up a table or two in the arena.”
Enzo sighed, his resistance visibly crumbling. “Fine. But what if some kid gets glitter in their eye or stabs someone with scissors?”
What kind of art projects had he experienced as a child? “I’ll be supervising, so those things shouldn’t happen.” I couldn’t promise it though since I didn’t know the kids who would be coming.
