Page 10 of Heartstrings & Horizons
“Sorry, Mommy. I was just so excited.”
“I know, honey. Next time, let Uncle Cade come to you, okay?”
“Ok, Mommy,” she says, giving my sister an innocent smile.
“Want me to take her?” I offer. Julie has her hands full helping organize the booths and, to be honest, I love hanging out with my niece.
“You wouldn’t mind? I could really use the break.”
“Not at all,” I say, “What do you think, Maddie girl? Wanna come hang out with me?”
Maddie jumps up and down then wraps her tiny hand around 2 of my fingers, tugging me towards the growing crowd. I look back over my shoulder towards my sister, who is waving as we walk away. Stopping near some of the kids' activities, I crouch down so Maddie and I are at eye level. “Ok, kiddo, what do you want to do first?”
“Hmmm,” she says, tapping her little finger on her chin as she purses her lips in an adorably contemplative expression. Maddie’s nothing if not dramatic. “Pony rides?”
“You got it! Let’s go talk to Mr. Hayes.”
Russell Hayes owns the biggest ranch in town and runs a riding program for kids. His family has offered pony rides at the fall festival for as long as I can remember. A few years back, they started hosting it right here at the ranch.
“Well, if it isn’t my favorite cowgirl!” Russell says as we approach the corral where a dappled gray pony nudges Maddie from over the gate.
“Looks like Misty here likes you, Maddie!” Russell says, gesturing to the mischievous pony in question.
“Oh my goodness,” Maddie says, her hands flying up to cover her cheeks. “She’s so pretty. Can I ride that one?”
My niece doesn’t have a shy bone in her body — she effortlessly befriends everyone she meets.
“Sure thing, little lady.” Russell gestures for Maddie to take his hand and he leads her towards the gate, looking back in my direction for approval. I nod.
“Well, if it isn’t Mr. Cade Brooks.”
I turn to find Evelyn, Russell’s wife, at a booth off to the right of the enclosure. I hand her the $5 for the pony ride and stuff another $10 in the donation jar. Evelyn has a private therapy practice here in town specializing in mental healthcare. Every year she raises money for kids’ mental health services in conjunction with the local elementary school.
“Hey, Evie. Good to see you. Russell roped you into manning the booth again, huh?”
“Every year, but I do enjoy getting out of the office to see some familiar faces.”
Glancing around the area, I notice a weathered brown cowboy hat on the chair beside her. It only takes a few seconds of consideration before I make up my mind and ask to borrow the hat. She eyes me warily for a moment before passing it to me, giving me a knowing grin. Evelyn is as kind hearted as they come, but she’s also very perceptive.
Taking out my phone and putting it in selfie mode, I walk a few paces out of direct sunlight, placing a large oak tree to my left making sure the pony rides are visible in the background. Setting the cowboy hat on my head, I snap a few shots, then type out an accompanying text.
Cade: Save a horse…
I head back over to the booth and return the hat to its previous position, giving Evelyn a quick thank you. Maddie has been safely mounted onto Misty’s saddle and she’s grinning ear to ear as one of the teenage volunteers guides them around the pen.
“She’s a natural,” Russell says from the other side of the fence. “Julie brought her out for a lesson last week and she’s taken to it like a duck to water.”
“I don’t doubt that for a second,” I say, smiling at Maddie who waves with her free hand, the other one held in a firm grip around the reins. A moment later, my phone buzzes in my pocket.
Paige: Is that another pickup line, Cowboy?
Cade: It could be.
Flirting with Paige is a terrible idea, but I can’t seem to help myself. She’s burrowing herself under my skin and I’m content to let her. When I look up from my phone, Maddie is back on solid ground practically radiating happiness.
“You’re like a real cowgirl, Mads!”
“I know, right?”And modest, too.
