by Lynn Steward
“I thought Amanda was going to be here,” Dana said, stepping into the living room.
“She will be soon,” Mark said, kissing Dana on the lips. “Her plane from Ithaca was delayed, and LaGuardia is jammed up with Friday evening traffic.”
Dana took a deep breath. “I’m really nervous,” she confessed. “I thought I’d meet Amanda for the first time at Claremont, where my presence wouldn’t be so … well, conspicuous. I’d be just another rider, and she’d see us as friends and would have time to warm up to me a bit.”
Mark took Dana in his arms and gave her a reassuring hug.
“No need to be nervous,” he said, “you’ll do fine. Just be yourself. What’s not to like?”
“What did she say when you told her I was joining you for dinner?”
Mark couldn’t help but laugh. “She said ‘That’s nice.’”
“That doesn’t sound very enthusiastic,” Dana said.
“No, but that’s Amanda being an aloof teenager.”
“What if she doesn’t like me?”
“And what if she does? Either way, be patient and give it time. And try not to over-think the situation.”
“Okay,” Dana said. “I’ll trust my instincts and—”
The doorbell sounded before Dana could finish her sentence.
Mark admitted Amanda, who dropped her brown leather travel bag in the hall and hugged her father while kissing him on the cheek.
“I called Paul yesterday,” Amanda said excitedly. “He said we can start tomorrow morning at nine o’clock. I’ll have to be picked up at six. I was thinking that—”
Amanda stopped short, noticing Dana standing in the background.
Mark turned and extended his arm, inviting Dana to join them.
“Sweetheart, I’d like you to meet Dana McGarry. Dana, my daughter, Amanda.”
“I’m so happy to meet you,” Dana said as she walked towards them and held out her hand. “I was sorry to hear about your delayed flight.”
“Nice to meet you,” Amanda said, taking Dana’s hand and looking back at her father. “It’s okay. We’re used to it, right, Dad? No on-time flights at LaGuardia.”
“Only one more to go and you’ll be home for the summer.”
“Speaking of summer,” Amanda said, “Mom made me promise I’d talk to you about staying here when I’m not in Muttontown. She’s going to Italy for a couple of weeks before the Classic, and she wants you to be around.”
“Sure, but we can talk about that later. Why don’t you put your bag in your room and settle in. I’ll have dinner ready in half an hour.”
“What?” Amanda said with a pained expression on her face. “You’ve got to be kidding me. Tell me you didn’t cook.”
“I didn’t cook,” Mark said with a laugh, looking at Dana. “That wouldn’t be the best way to impress our guest.”
“Dad attempted to make pancakes one morning when we were in the middle of a blizzard, and we used them as hockey pucks,” Amanda said.
“You’ll be happy to know,” Mark continued, “that Sal sent over a salad and your favorite baked ziti when I told him we couldn’t make the eight o’clock reservation. They were packed for the rest of the night.”
“Good,” Amanda said. “I’m starved.”
Amanda looked at Dana as she grabbed her luggage and disappeared down the hallway.
Dana sat on the couch in the living room, elbows resting on her knees, her head cradled in the palms of her upraised hands.
“Penny for your thoughts?” Mark said.
“Amanda was fine. I’m the one feeling awkward. Dating someone’s father is a role that I never envisioned. I want to get it right, but I’m not quite sure what to do. It’s one thing to get along over dinner, but do you think Amanda is ready for you to have someone in your life?”
Mark sat beside Dana and took her right hand in his. “Honey, we have to take one day at a time. You’re brand new in her world right now, and it’s normal that she be tentative and a little jealous. I’m her father, and she’s always wanted me all for herself. Plus she’s an only child, so the bond she has with me and her mother is very strong. She may need time to understand you’re not going to interfere with my relationship with her. She’s also still a moody teen, so don’t be upset if she appears unfriendly at times.”
“I’ll be sensitive to her feelings, Mark. As a daughter who adores her father, I can relate. I know it can’t be easy.”
“Here’s my advice. Stop worrying about what she’s thinking. Just be yourself. There’s such a thing as trying too hard.”
Dana cocked her head towards Mark. “So true. I’ll try to be a little more relaxed.”
“That’s really all you can do. I’ve got to check on dinner, so just sit back and let the evening unfold.”
• • •
Dana, Mark, and Amanda sat down to dinner in the dining area by the casement windows, the city lights sparkling in the distance beyond the park.
“What courses are you studying at Cornell?” Dana asked. “Your dad says you’re in the veterinary medicine program.”
“ Biology, zoology, and animal physiology. I’m minoring in French.”
“What a lovely diversion. Are you fluent?”
“Not quite, but I held my own when we were in France last summer, right Dad?”
“You did better than that. I thought I was traveling with a native.”
“Maybe we can go to Quercy for a few days after the Classic,” Amanda said, focusing all her attention on her father. “You said you wanted to go there.”
“I would like to go there,” Mark said tuning to Dana. “It’s the land of truffles and foie gras. Historic inns along the Dordogne River. Beautiful countryside for riding and dining.”
Interrupting, Amanda said, “Mom wants—”
“And speaking of riding,” Mark continued, “Dana is starting lessons tomorrow with Larry.”
Amanda rested her fork on her plate and stared at her father. The look on her face was that of disbelief. “Claremont?”
“Where else?” her father said with a laugh. “I don’t think she’s ready for show-jumping lessons with Paul, but I think she’ll quickly pick up the basics. You know, Dana’s also a very good tennis player. I think you’re well-matched.”
Amanda smiled thinly and said nothing in response. Her tone became subdued for the rest of the meal, and she asked to be excused before dessert.
“That didn’t go well at all,” Dana said as she helped clear the table. “Her entire demeanor changed when you brought up Claremont. Listen, I think I should go home early and let the two of you talk.”
Mark nodded. “It’s probably for the best. I have an idea what’s bothering her, but I want to make one thing perfectly clear. I’ll do everything I can to respect her feelings, but she’s nineteen and can’t expect me to live like a hermit or a monk. I’m not putting you on the back burner, and I’m not going to let Amanda control our relationship, Dana. She’ll come around when she gets to know you better.”
Mark kissed Dana, rode down in the elevator with her, and saw her safely into a cab.
• • •
Mark knocked gently on Amanda’s door. “May I come in?”
When there was no answer, he opened the door a crack. “Hello? Amanda?”
“I’m studying, Dad,” said Amanda, who was seated at her desk in the corner.
Mark opened the door wider, entered, and pulled up a chair next to the desk. “Can we talk?”
“I’d rather not.”
Mark paused before speaking. “Look, I know what’s on your mind, but I’d like you to tell me so that we can talk this over. Just for a few minutes. What do you say?”
Tears formed at the corners of Amanda’s eyes. “Are you going to invite Dana to come with us to Quercy? That was going to be our riding vacation.”
“It still is, and I won’t ask her if you don’t want me to. Besides, that’s still a few months away.”
“Okay, but w
hy does she have to take riding lessons? Why can’t she stick to tennis?”
“Amanda,” Mark said slowly, “the riding lessons were my idea. When people date, they naturally share things that interest them. Besides, riding wouldn’t be nearly so important to me if it weren’t for the time you and I have spent on the trails together, and that won’t change.”
Amanda turned to face Mark squarely. “But that’s just the point, Dad. I feel it already has. It’s not going to be just the two of us anymore.”
“I was thinking that Dana could come with us once in a while, but not every time. I’ll always make sure that we still have our private time together.”
Amanda remained quiet as she digested her father’s words. “Okay, but it’s still going to be hard to get used to. It’s … well, it’s the principle of the thing.”
“What you’re saying is that the very idea of Dana’s riding automatically puts her into our own special world. Like I’m giving away part of something that belongs only to us.”
“Yeah, something like that.”
Mark sighed and chose his words carefully. He understood exactly what Amanda was feeling. “Sweetheart, all I can say is that Dana will never take your place in my life. It’s just not possible. But riding is a part of my life and always has been, even before you were born, right?”
“Right.”
“So it’s naturally something I want to share with Dana because it’s who I am. Does that make sense?”
“Yes, but you could have chosen something else to share with her. Why not climb a mountain with her or something?”
Mark laughed, drew closer, and put his arm around Amanda. “Not too many mountains here in Manhattan except the man-made brick and mortar kind. Horseback riding is a bit more accessible.”
Amanda wanted to laugh at her father’s humor, but she suppressed the urge.
“Listen, sweetheart, I know this will take time to get used to, but there’s no deadline and no rules other than being congenial when she’s around.”
“Okay.” Amanda sniffled. “Dad?”
“Yes?”
“I still don’t like her. I mean, I’m sure she’s a nice person, but I can’t make myself warm up to somebody on command.”
“Will you give her a chance? For me? Once you get to know her, I’m sure that—”
“You’re sure that I’ll really like her. She’s never going to replace Mom, but I might one day get to be friends with her. Is that the rest of the speech?”
“Pretty much. But you haven’t answered my question.”
“I will.”
“Thanks, sweetheart,” Mark said, kissing Amanda on the forehead. “It means a lot to me.”
Mark rose and left the room, closing the door behind him. The evening hadn’t gone as smoothly as he’d hoped, but he thought that he made progress in the last few minutes. Only time would tell.
Chapter Twenty-Eight
Dana had no desire to begin her riding lessons on Saturday morning, a beautiful warm day in April. Amanda had grown pale at the mention of Claremont, and Dana was smart enough to recognize territoriality when she saw it. And jealousy. She felt foolish for going to Miller’s and accepting the riding outfits from Mark, for how could she not have seen this coming? Mark had often talked about his time on the trails with Amanda, as well as her show jumping. Of course she wanted Dana excluded from that part of her life. Any child in her situation would feel the very same way. Dana called Mark at eight in the morning, telling him how she felt and that she wanted to return the clothing purchased from Miller’s.
“Let’s not be too hasty!” Mark stated. “I had a good talk with Amanda after you left last night. She said she understood why I wanted to share riding with you and that she would try to give it a chance.”
“It?”
“You and me. It’s not easy for her, but she loves me enough to know that I deserve some happiness, too. There’s no reason to change our plans.”
Dana remained hesitant. “I don’t know, Mark. It doesn’t feel right. Maybe in time.”
Mark was clearly exasperated. “There’s never going to be a right time, Dana. We can wait six months to re-introduce you to Amanda, but she would still feel the same way then. She has to get past the idea that I’ll never share things with anyone but her. Am I supposed to wait until she’s in her twenties or married before I date or enjoy myself? I’m not willing to put my life on hold, especially now that you’re a part of that life. And the same goes for your riding lessons. We can put them off, but you’re going to feel the same way whenever we decide to go to Claremont, whether it’s today or next year.”
Dana was silent.
“Let me put it another way,” Mark continued. “Last December, you decided to divorce Brett. It was painful, but it needed to be done and there was never going to be an opportune time to do it. We have to live our lives without giving power over them to anyone else.”
“I can’t argue with that logic,” Dana admitted. “I surrendered my plans to Brett for too many years.”
“I gave Amanda all the reassurances she needs to know that my relationship with her won’t be affected by the simple fact that I’m dating, and that’s all I can do for the moment. Besides, it’s not fair to Amanda to conduct our relationship behind her back. We’re not doing her any favors by avoiding these issues.”
“What do you mean? I’m not following.”
“She’s nineteen. She’s still got a lot of maturing to do, but life is filled with obstacles, and she has to learn to deal with them.”
“And she’s okay with my taking lessons?”
“Yes, so put on those breeches and get over here. You have a nine-thirty lesson.”
“Okay. I’m convinced.”
“Good. See you soon.”
• • •
Claremont Stables was located at 175 West 89th Street on the Upper West Side. A former livery stable converted to a riding academy, it was a multi-story barn with several floors connected by ramps. An indoor riding ring gave the academy a unique and homey feel despite being located in Manhattan.
“I pictured something larger,” Dana said as she looked at a few riders and their trainers in the crowded ring.
“It’s all the space you need to learn the basics,” Mark said. “The rest of the building stables one hundred and thirty-nine horses. About half are boarded by owners, and the others are rented for the bridle paths just a block and half away. Here’s Larry now. He worked with Amanda when she was just starting.”
Larry Cuthbert was one of Claremont’s fifteen trainers. He was a tall man in his fifties and walked with a slow easy gait that spoke of someone quite comfortable around horses. He wore jeans, boots, and a blue work shirt, although he spoke with a New York accent.
“Hi, Mark. Good to see you. This must be Dana. Pleased to meet you, Ms. McGarry.”
“So what have you picked out for Dana?” Mark asked.
“Follow me,” Larry said, leading them to stalls on the second floor. “This is a Tennessee Walker, a chestnut mare named Macy. Pretty gentle and the ideal choice for a beginner. She can rack, foxtrot, and canter, but all you want to do at first, Dana, is follow me while I walk her around the ring downstairs. Let her get to know you. I saddled her just before you arrived.”
The three of them took Macy to the ring, Dana walking next to Larry as he led Macy around the circuit a dozen times.
“She’s used to your being near her now, Dana, so it’s your turn,” Larry said. “Take the lead rope, but don’t hold it too close to the halter underneath her chin. Loop it around your hand but don’t ever wrap it tightly in case a horse decides to get ahead of you. With a gentle horse like Macy, give it some slack. Now stand even with her head, click your tongue, and start walking. I’ll be right beside you every step of the way.”
Dana led Macy around the ring several times, Macy stopping and shaking her head only once.
“Nothing to worry about,” Larry said. “It’s not a tug of war, so just
stop and wait. When she’s steady again, click your tongue and resume walking. You’re doing great.”
“I’m proud of you, honey,” Mark said from the side of the ring.
Dana blushed. “I don’t feel like I’m doing anything.”
“Sure you are,” Larry said, “but it’s time for you to mount.”
He showed Dana how to climb into the saddle as he held Macy’s reins. “The first thing you need to learn is the correct posture. You want to be able to imagine a straight line from your ear through your shoulder and hips and all the way down to your heel. That’ll help you keep balanced. I’m going to lead you around the ring a few times, but don’t lean left or right. Just stay in alignment. Above all, breathe easy and stay relaxed. Horses can sense the slightest bit of tension in a rider. That’s what I want you to take away from today’s lesson. The correct sitting position and staying calm.”
“You look terrific,” Mark commented. “Aren’t you glad you came? You look like a natural.”
Dana smiled. “I feel pretty comfortable. And I don’t feel so intimidated anymore.”
“Then the lesson has been a success,” Larry declared. He stopped the horse occasionally to adjust Dana’s feet in the stirrups. “Don’t dig them in all the way. You’re walking, not jumping,” he said with a smile. He continued to instruct Dana whenever her body came out of alignment, but Macy, Dana, and Larry circled the ring, with Larry moving farther away with each circuit until the lesson was over.
“It gets easier,” Larry said as he helped Dana dismount. “I can tell you like animals, and so can Macy. You did really well, Dana. I look forward to our next lesson. We can take her out on a trail, and I’ll ride alongside.”
“Let’s go into the park,” Mark said as Larry brought Macy back to her stall. “We’ll walk the short bridle path that goes around the reservoir. It’s such a beautiful day.”
“I’d love to,” Dana replied. “We have the entire weekend to ourselves. Let’s make the most of it.”
• • •
They strolled along the bridle path in Central Park, a place for horseback riding, jogging, and enjoying nature. The trees and shrubs were just starting to display varied shades of green as Mark and Dana walked, hand in hand, beneath the path’s lush canopy.
