by Andrea Young
Finny slid off Sky and walked him back toward the barn. Halfway there, Vel ran out of her house and up to the kids.
“Joe, Finny, I just got a call for a boarder.”
“That’s great!” Finny said.
“Gets better—they are looking for someone to work with their horse, help train her up and get her going. I told the man we have the best trainer in the state that just happens to specialize in green horses. Joe, he’s coming today to meet you and I hope you don’t mind but I told him you charged six hundred a month. That was no problem for him.” Joe’s mouth hung open in shock.
“Six hundred dollars! Joe, this could be the first of many horses to train once the word gets out,” Finny said.
“Really? Six hundred dollars to ride an already broke horse? Unbelievable!” Joe said, still stunned at the news.
“That’s per month. He may want several months,” Vel said with a big smile.
“Oh man, I gotta get cleaned up! What should I say to him? What if I don’t know what to say?”
“I’ll meet him with you. We can do it together.”
“Thank you, Vel! I’m going to run next door and shower and change. I’ll be back in twenty minutes.”
“No hurry, you got an hour.”
“Thanks again, thanks for everything!” Joe ran to the property line and snaked through the fence; in an instant he was gone.
“Vel, this is so incredible. This could be Joe’s big break,” Finny said.
“There’s a good chance of that. After the man with the horse leaves, I want to sit down with Joe. We need to get a copy of his birth certificate so he can open a bank account. Then he needs to get a driver’s license and a social security card. I’m going to offer to help him with everything if he does one thing for me.”
“Vel, I’m sure he’ll do anything.”
“I want him to go back to school.”
Chapter Fifteen
BETH WAS SITTING ON THE KITCHEN TABLE WHEN Finny walked in the door; she held the school dance flyer in front of her face and shook it.
“I know, Mom. I’m not sure about going.”
“Finny, you are going.” Beth grabbed her purse. “Steven’s watching the girls; you and I are dress shopping!”
“But Mom . . .”
“No buts. Let’s go.” Beth was so excited it got Finny excited too. She still didn’t know what to do about the dance, but her mom wanting to spend time with her, just the two of them, was something Finny didn’t want to pass up.
Beth spared no expense. She took Finny to the finest shops the town had to offer. They tried on several dresses. Beth wanted just the right look. Beauty and sophistication without dressing past age-appropriateness. During their outing Finny confessed to her mom that she didn’t know how to dance. After one quick phone call, Beth set up a dance lesson for that evening. Finny tried on the next gown. She spun around on the pedestal and loved the silky feel and the look of the dress. Midnight blue, it had a corset-style satin bodice accented with tulle and delicate beadwork. Soft beading trickled down the flowing satiny skirt that fell just below Finny’s knees. This dress was the one. She felt like a princess for the first time in her life.
“Finny, you are stunning, baby. Just stunning.”
Finny jumped down and hugged her mother. “Thanks, Mom. This is amazing.”
“My pleasure, sweetheart. And I want you to know this doesn’t count as your birthday present.”
“Oh, wow, I’m getting even more stuff?”
Beth let out a laugh at Finny’s delight.
“Day after tomorrow you’ll know.”
Finny was walking on air when she entered the dance studio. Beth had signed her up for five lessons before the dance. After the first it was obvious that Finny, a gifted athlete, had no problems figuring out the moves, her rhythm and timing perfect. By the end of the first lesson she was already confident. That gave her the confidence to finally ask Joe.
She couldn’t wait. She headed off to school running over in her head how she was going to ask him. By the time school was out, she’d gone through every possible outcome and answer and still hadn’t decided which way to ask. On the way to the buses she spotted Dale waving her over. She bit her lip. She had been avoiding him since the invite.
“I’ll give you a ride.”
“No, you don’t have to.”
“Finny, don’t be silly. I drive right by, come on.”
“Thanks, it saves like an hour. I wish I were turning sixteen instead of fifteen tomorrow so I could get a car.”
“Oh, wow, happy sweet fifteen!”
Finny laughed. “Thanks. I’m hoping there will be a sweet cell phone at least. I swear I’m the only kid I know that doesn’t have one.”
“I don’t know how you live without a phone or a car.”
“A lot of walking.”
“Well, it’s kept you in shape, that’s for sure.” Finny, embarrassed by the compliment, said nothing and willed herself not to turn bright red.
“Since I’m taking you to the ranch, I’d love to see your horse.”
“Okay, sure. Do you ride?”
“I rode a pony once when I was a kid but that was it.”
“Oh.”
“I’d love to learn. Do you think you could teach me?”
“Why, yeah . . . I could do that.” Finny was surprised he’d asked, and happy. She wanted to teach people to ride. Dale could be her first student. Finny Miller, riding instructor. She liked the sound of that. If she could teach Dale without killing him that’d prove she could do it.
They pulled into Azure Hills and parked. Finny brought Dale over to the barn. Joe was on a chair waiting. She saw him lock his gaze on Dale.
“Joe, this is Dale from the feed store and school. Dale, this is Joe. He works here and next door and is the greatest trainer you’ll ever meet.”
“It’s nice to meet someone great.” Dale stuck out his hand and Joe shook it.
“Finny’s being nice. It’s good to meet you.” Dale gave a laugh before letting his hand go. Finny went to grab Sky from his stall. She brought him out to oohs and ahhs from Dale.
“He’s really beautiful,” Dale patted Sky’s neck. “I’d love to see you ride him.”
“We’re breaking him now, so hopefully soon.”
“Great, I’ll look forward to it. I gotta head out to work. See you tomorrow.”
“Bye, Dale. Thanks again for the ride.”
Dale hurried off and Finny turned back to Joe.
“Dale wants to learn to ride. I told him I could teach him.”
Joe nodded, his face slack and unreadable as he led Sky to the ring. Finny grabbed her helmet and followed him. After a leg up, Finny asked Sky to walk forward. He did so without hesitation.
“So far so good, right Joe?”
Joe nodded but looked away.
“Should I ask for a trot?” she suggested. Joe glanced at her then.
“How does he feel?”
“Okay, I guess.”
Joe rubbed his chin and contemplated the horse. “He’s been good, but I think he’s starting to get bored, and he acts out when he’s bored.”
“Well, I’ll give it a shot.”
Finny asked for the first time for Sky to go faster, just into a slow trot. Sky jerked his body when Finny gave him a light nudge, then another. Finally a nudge and a cluck put Sky into a trot for one step before he threw a massive buck. All Finny saw was blue sky, ground, blue sky, ground before landing with a hard smack on her back. The world around her dimmed for a moment then snapped bright. Joe was by her side in an instant.
“Finny, are you okay?” Joe grabbed Finny’s hand and held it in his.
Finny gasped for breath, the wind knocked out of her. Joe put his arm around her and helped her sit up.
“Yes . . . what happened?” Finny asked when she could speak. “I was on him and now . . .”
“He bucked you off. I’m so sorry, he gave no warning.”
“I didn’t
feel any either. He was relaxed, then boom.”
“Can you walk?” Joe asked, distraught.
“Oh yeah, I’m fine, just got my bell rung a little.”
“Sit over here. I’m going to get on him.” Joe led Finny to the side of the ring under a tree, out of the sun.
“Be careful, Joe.” Finny realized she was going to see him ride for the first time.
With surprising agility and grace Joe swung up on Sky, not bothering with the stirrup. Finny was already impressed with just that. She adjusted herself against the post, trying to get more comfortable. Now that the shock was wearing off, several pockets of pain sprung up along her back and hip. Finny rubbed her backside and watched Joe walk Sky around the arena. She could tell right off he was a natural. On the back of a horse was where he belonged. Joe walked Sky in circles, patting his neck, telling him he was a good boy. Listening to Joe’s soothing tones was working on Finny too. She was starting to relax.
Joe asked Sky for a trot, with leg and voice at the same time while in a tight turn. Sky responded and moved out at a trot. Joe did the best he could to keep Sky’s mind occupied. He moved him in a figure eight pattern.
After the first fifteen seconds Joe felt Sky relax. He knew then Sky understood what he was supposed to do. Knowing he didn’t have much time because Sky’s attention span was so short, Joe gently pulled on the reins and asked the horse to come to a walk. Joe rode Sky to Finny and slid to the ground.
Finny, who was trying to be reasonable and rational, was having a hard time dealing with the fact that Joe was accepted by her horse and rode him so well after she had been instantly tossed to the dirt. She tried not to let her bruised ego show.
“Joe, you were amazing up there. Apparently he likes you.” Finny let out a sigh and rubbed another sore spot.
“Remember, it doesn’t have anything to do with like or not. He’s easily annoyed and acts out. As soon as I gave him something to think about he was good to go.”
“Thanks, Joe. That makes me feel better.” Finny struggled to get up. Joe offered her his hand, which she took.
“Finny, I’m sorry, I know I’ve said this a bunch of times but he doesn’t act like a normal horse. He’s going to be tough.”
“But you think it’s possible for him to be a safe riding horse, right?”
Joe looked sheepish and shrugged his shoulders. “I can’t tell yet. He needs to deal with pressure better. And the fact he’s so big and powerful makes it all the harder.”
“Joe, I trust you completely so whatever you say goes.”
“Okay, we’ll just take it slow. Tomorrow I’ll ride him first, then you get on.”
“If he doesn’t try to kill me it will be a great birthday present.”
Finny and Joe walked to the Azure Hills sign. Joe was waiting with Finny until her mom came.
“How are you feeling?”
“Not bad. I’ll be fine.”
“Sorry.”
“Joe, stop saying you’re sorry—it’s not your fault.”
Joe nodded but still felt bad.
“So now that you’re rolling in dough what are you going to do? And if you say pay me back I’m gonna punch you.”
Joe cracked a smile then a laugh.
“Thanks for the warnin’. I don’t know, bank account first I guess.”
“Vel said she’d help you get your birth certificate so you can get all set up.”
“Yes, she did.”
“I told you she was nice.”
“Finny, she’s the meanest woman I’ve ever met.”
“What? Why?”
“She’s making me go back to school. Said she won’t help me get a driver’s license unless I do. That’s downright cruel.”
Finny laughed, then grabbed her sore side. “Ow, ouch. Don’t make me laugh.”
A horn honked. Finny looked; her mom was coming fast.
“Oh boy, she’s in a hurry. I’ll see you tomorrow, Joe.”
Beth screeched to a stop in front of the kids. She leaned down and lowered the passenger side window. “Hello, you must be Dale. It’s so nice to meet the young man who was sweet enough to send flowers to my daughter.”
“What flowers? Mom this is Joe, not Dale. My friend Joe.”
“Oh, sorry. Let’s go, Finny. Nice to meet you, Joe.”
Beth had already looked away. Joe realized he wasn’t interesting to Finny’s mother since he wasn’t flowersending Dale.
“Sorry, Joe. My mom.” Finny shrugged her shoulders, “I’ll see you tomorrow, same time?” Joe nodded and turned away.
Joe stopped by the Silver Spur barn to check the horses. All the students had gone for the day and it was peaceful and quiet, just how he liked it. Joe walked over to one of the colts he was breaking and stroked its nose. The three-year-old warmblood blew on his shoulder and began to nibble his shirt. Joe gently removed his shirt from the young horse’s mouth. He didn’t have many clothes and needed to keep what he had in one piece. Since the young horse could no longer play, it turned away. Joe leaned his arm on the stall door and rested his cheek on his fist and watched the horses. After a few minutes he began to feel better. He wished he knew how Finny felt. He thought she liked him, but as more than a friend? Now that Dale was around, was it hopeless? He had no idea. If she did want to be more than friends, wouldn’t she have said something by now? Elsa did, all the time. No question there.
“Joe, I didn’t expect to see you here.” It was Elsa. Joe closed his eyes and steadied himself. She made him nervous.
“I live and work here,” Joe stated simply, no sarcasm intended.
“True. What are you doing here all by yourself?”
“Same as you I guess.”
Elsa let out a giggle she hid behind her hand.
“Why so sad, Joe?”
“I’m not sad.”
“For the record, you’re a really bad liar.”
Joe didn’t respond, just turned his eyes back to the horses.
“I’m sorry Finny’s going to the dance with Dale. She probably figured you didn’t know how to dance.”
Joe shot Elsa a quick wide-eyed look before he could stop himself.
“Oh gosh, you didn’t know. I’m so sorry. I thought that was why you were sad.”
“I gotta go, Elsa.” Joe hurried out of the barn, Elsa on his heels.
“Joe, wait, let me help you. I can teach you to dance. You can show her that you learned just for her. It’d show her how much you care!”
Chapter Sixteen
FINNY STARED AT THE FLOWERS DALE HAD SENT. Her mom had put them in a vase. They were a gorgeous mixed bouquet. As soon as they walked in the door the interrogation was on. Dale this, Dale that, why didn’t you tell me about Dale? The note on the flowers promised a corsage to match if she said yes to the dance.
“Dale Rutherford . . . Lance Rutherford’s son, Lance Rutherford who owns this town? His son asked you to a dance? Finny, call him right now, the answer is yes.”
“Mom, I don’t want to go to the dance with him. I was getting up the nerve to ask Joe.”
“Who’s Joe?”
“Mom, you just met him tonight when you picked me up.”
“Finny, honey, I’m sure Joe is nice but he’s not a Rutherford. Call Dale, take Joe to the next dance.”
“I don’t have his number.”
“It’s here on the card.”
“Seriously Mom, I want to go with Joe.”
“Is this Joe your boyfriend?”
“No, just a friend.”
Beth sat down next to Finny at the table.
“Sweetheart, call Dale. Go on the date. If it doesn’t work out then go on a date with Joe. Trust me, Finny, you need to learn there’s a big difference between the Joes and the Dales of the world.”
The alarm rang. Finny woke to the realization that she was fifteen years old. After a quick stretch she got out of bed and went to the bathroom. Looking in the mirror she saw no difference. She thought she’d feel different, older
, wiser, that life would be easier.
If anything, life was more complicated. She loved her mother and it would make her mother very happy if she went with Dale to the dance. Her mom was taking an interest in her again. Finny was lonely for a parent who paid attention to her. She groaned out loud. She didn’t want to go with Dale; she wanted Joe. Finny thought about putting her foot down but worried her mom would be so disappointed she’d shut her out again, just like when her dad walked out. By the time Finny made it downstairs she was miserable.
“Surprise!” rang out from kitchen. Finny’s sisters jumped up and down, hugged her, and said happy birthday no less than fourteen times. They gave her birthday drawings they had done just for her. She hugged them back, told them she loved them bunches, and proudly displayed the pictures on the fridge. Steven gave Finny a hug next and wished her a happy birthday. She was touched and happy he’d stayed home from work, knowing how busy he was with his new job. Beth smothered her daughter in a hug and a kiss, told her she was the most beautiful fifteen-year-old she’d ever seen, and that she was very proud of her. After that she told Finny to sit and served scrambled eggs and French toast, Finny’s favorites. It was a morning she would never forget.
Once breakfast was finished Beth drove Finny to school. She wished her daughter a happy day and told her again to say yes to Dale. Finny kissed her mom, thanked her for the wonderful morning, got out, and made her way to class.
Finny was in a whirlwind. She’d disappoint her mom terribly if she didn’t go to the dance with Dale. But she couldn’t imagine going with anyone but Joe.
After biology class, Finny didn’t see Dale at her locker. She found out he was home sick. She was sorry he was ill but relieved that it gave her another day to dodge the dance bullet. At lunch two girls came up to her. She knew they were cheerleaders and wildly popular but had never spoken to either one before.
“So we hear you’re going to the dance with Dale?”
“Not sure yet.” Finny, having no interest in the in crowd, brushed past them.
“Wait!” said one of the girls as she ran after Finny. “We were thinking of all going in and getting a limo, if you were interested.” Finny searched their faces for sincerity. She couldn’t tell and didn’t care. Her sudden popularly was irritating. She had been the same person last year. Why hadn’t she been good enough then?
