Total pages in book: 79
Estimated words: 74698 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 373(@200wpm)___ 299(@250wpm)___ 249(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 74698 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 373(@200wpm)___ 299(@250wpm)___ 249(@300wpm)
The sight of the expansive estate, with its majestic barns and the historic house peeking through the oak trees, sends a rush of yearning through me. I remember days spent running through these fields, the laughter of the Blackburn kids—my forever friends—echoing around me, the safety and warmth of a family that wasn’t my own.
My first ride on a horse was here, a gentle saddlebred that seemed as tall as a mountain to a frightened girl from a troubled home. Riding became my escape, a passion that got me through the toughest times.
A flood of sharp, clear memories hits me so strongly it robs me of my breath. Tears prick my eyes for the loss of all that happiness when I left. I try never to think of those times and yet I can’t seem to stop myself from spiraling down into a memory rabbit hole.
The late-afternoon sun cast long shadows across the rolling pastures of Blackburn Farms as I sat tall on the chestnut gelding. I’d been riding here for the past four years and this particular horse Tommy Blackburn put me on was being a little difficult. But the smell of fresh hay and leather filled the air, mingling with the earthy scent of the horse beneath me, and I knew there was no place I’d rather be. Mr. Blackburn, with his kind, patient eyes, watched me intently as I guided the horse through the last few minutes of my lesson.
“That’s it, Holland. Keep your heels down and your hands up,” he instructed, his voice firm but encouraging. I adjusted my posture and felt the horse respond to the subtle changes in my body language, doing exactly what I asked of him.
As I approached the large gate that led outside, I saw Kat Blackburn. Her dark hair was tied back in a messy ponytail and she had dirt smudged on her cheek. She stood on the fence, leaned over it, her green eyes sparkling with anticipation. “Come on, Holland! Hurry up, everyone’s waiting!”
My head twisted to see Mr. Blackburn, hoping he wouldn’t be mad at the interference. I was on lesson time and that meant my time was with him, but he merely chuckled as he shook his head at his oldest twin daughter.
“All right,” he said as I halted the horse next to him. “Good job today. You’re getting better with each lesson.”
“Thanks, Mr. Blackburn,” I replied as pride swelled in my chest. My parents never complimented me on anything. I swung my leg over the saddle and dropped to the ground. Even though I just turned ten, it was still a long drop for my short legs, and I was always proud when I stuck the landing.
Kat was there to meet me. “Come on,” she whined.
Kat and her twin, Abby, were younger than me by two years but we became close friends when I started riding at Blackburn.
“I have to put Chester up,” I said, taking hold of the reins.
Mr. Blackburn took them from me, winking at his daughter. “I’ll handle his tack. You girls go on ahead and have fun.”
“Thanks, Daddy,” Kat crooned at him and grabbed my hand, pulling me out of the barn. I managed a wave back to her dad and then we were running through a sun-drenched pasture, the grass tickling our legs. We made our way down to the pond, the main place we all hung out during the warm months. Trey, Wade and Abby were there waiting for us, the still waters shaded by the surrounding oak trees that swayed in the gentle breeze.
Trey and Wade had fishing poles in hand, casting from the bank while Abby sat on a blanket with a picnic basket that had been put together by their housekeeper, Miranda. She made the best chocolate chip cookies and I hoped there’d be some in there.
“About time you got here,” Trey called out, his longer black hair falling across his green eyes as he cast his line into the water. He was older than me by four years and the leader of our motley gang. “The fish are biting.”
“Yeah, we were starting to think you’d forgotten about us,” Wade said with a grin. He and I were the same age, although he was a lot taller than me.
“Shut up, you two,” Kat retorted, sticking her tongue out as she joined Abby on the blanket. “She was finishing up a lesson on Chester and she did amazing.”
I dropped down beside them, my heart swelling with happiness. Not only did I have a very good ride that earned the praise of Mr. Blackburn, but this place, these people—they were my safe haven, a world away from the chaos at home. “What are we eating?” I asked, peeking into the basket.
Lunch at my house would have been a bologna sandwich I would have had to make myself because my mom was too busy watching soap operas.