Total pages in book: 76
Estimated words: 70629 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 353(@200wpm)___ 283(@250wpm)___ 235(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 70629 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 353(@200wpm)___ 283(@250wpm)___ 235(@300wpm)
She jumps up and down now as I walk into the stall. “This is better than the tractor,” she says and then looks up at my grandfather. “I still like the tractor." She tries not to hurt his feelings, making him laugh.
"Now you are going to behave," I tell the horse once I throw the saddle on her back. “And you are going to be gentle with her or else," I whisper to her, and the horse looks at me as if she knows what I’m saying. “No funny tricks."
"Is it ready?" Sofia asks, and I look at her and walk out with the horse. Grandpa places her behind him in case the horse bucks or kicks her.
"She’s pretty," Sofia says as we walk out. She walks over and slips her hand in mine. “What’s her name?"
"I don’t know,” I say as we walk toward the fenced area. “What do you think we should call her?”
"Caramel,” she says. “’Cause she looks like the caramel candies Momma gives me."
"That’s a perfect name," my grandfather says.
"Let’s go,” I say, walking into the fenced area with her. "I’m going to put you on, and I want you to hold on tight,” I say. She raises her arms for me to pick her up and put her on the horse. "You good?" I ask her, and she holds the front of the saddle, smiling. “Now I’m going to walk her around, okay?" I walk her around two times, and by the third time, I can tell that she wants to pick up the pace. She is my daughter, after all. I never was one to have patience.
"I knew I’d find you here." I look behind me to see my father coming in. He’s dressed in jeans and a shirt, his hands filthy. “Is that the new horse?"
"She’s Caramel," Sofia says to my father, and she smirks at him. He looks up at her, smiling and then looks back at me.
"I’ll take her out there,” my grandfather says, taking the reins from me. "Let’s go and work her out."
"Not too fast," I tell my grandfather, and he just smiles at me.
I watch my grandfather walk the area with Sofia as he explains things. "Son." I hear my father. “Is there something you need to tell me?" he asks, and I wonder if he noticed that she smiles like me.
"I don’t know what you mean,” I say, avoiding his eyes. “I’m helping Hazel." The lie eats at my stomach. I hate lying, always have. But then to lie about what she is to me, that is just … I fucking hate it. There are no other words to describe it.
"You haven’t been around kids," he says as we stand against the fence watching.
"She’s five,” I say. “She is basically babysitting me."
"She’s a natural," my father says, watching Sofia on the horse now after my grandfather handed her the reins.
"Must be the country girl in her,” I say, walking into the area before my father asks more questions. I have to walk away from him before I lie to him.
"I can gallop," Sofia tells me, smiling. “Can we go fast now?" I look over at my grandfather, who shakes his head.
"She’s been asking me this for the last ten minutes,” he says.
"Okay," I say, putting my foot in the stirrup and getting on the horse with her. “Why don’t we take her out?”
“See you two later,” he says, walking to my father. Both of them watch me. I lock her in and start for the trail when my phone rings.
“Hello,” I say when I answer it.
“Hey.” I hear Hazel’s voice, and a smile fills my face. “It’s me."
"Hi, it’s me," I joke with her, and she laughs.
"Where are you guys?" she asks, and I hear the car door shut.
"Going for a ride,” I say. “Sofia named my horse."
"Oh, good God," Hazel says, laughing. “Do I want to know?"
"I’ll let her tell you,” I say as we ride out of the area.
"Well, if it’s okay with you, I’m going to go home and bake Amelia some scones, and then I’ll come by and get her,” she says.
"Yeah, that’s fine,” I say. “I’m going to take her for a ride anyway."
"Um, okay," she says, hesitating. “If you need anything …"
"I’ll call,” I say. “See you later, Hazel." I hang up now and get up to tuck the phone in my pocket. “Okay, you ready?” I say, and she just smiles up at me and nods her head. I kick the horse with the side of my foot. “Get,” I say, and she opens up and races. The whole time, I have Sofia in my arms. I ride until I can feel Caramel is tired, and the sun is soaking through my T-shirt. I pull it over my head now. “We are going to need a shower after this." I look down at Sofia, whose eyes sparkle with happiness. "Let’s get back and see if Grandma will give us something to drink and a snack. My favorite is chocolate chip muffins."