Becky’s release date came. Mom and Dad checked her out of the hospital and brought her home. Espie met her at the front door. She cried when she saw her. “I have your very favorites for dinner tonight,” she told her. “You look like you lost some weight like your mother. We need to fatten you both up a little.”
Becky stood in the open doorway to her room. “It’s wonderful to be home again,” she told Mom. After putting her things away, she walked quietly out to the barn and stood in front of Ali’s empty stall. She just stood there with tears running down her face. Mom came up behind her and put her arms around her. “Mom, I miss him so much. When can I see him?”
“How about tomorrow? We will hook up the trailer and drive up to Ginny’s place and bring him home.”
The following morning Dad hooked up the horse trailer early. Mom and Becky had breakfast with Dad and Espie and walked out to the driveway. “Is Aunt Ginny sure he’s ready to come home?” Becky asked Mom.
“Absolutely. Now let’s go get him!” They all climbed into the truck for the drive. They pulled their rig onto the main driveway at the Hartley Ranch and Becky jumped out of the truck before her parents could open their doors. Becky saw Brody and Clyde walking toward the main barn and ran to catch up with them.
“Where is he?” she asked Brody. Brody showed her Ali’s stall. Becky slid the door open and walked in, interrupting Ali’s breakfast. Ali squealed. Becky squealed in return and threw her arms around his neck hugging him for dear life. That’s how Mom and Dad found them a few minutes later. Becky had both arms around Ali’s neck pressing her tearstained cheeks into his silken coat. Ali’s eyes were closed and he had his neck turned to press her close him. Ali had her ponytail in his mouth.
Prince Ali Page 17
