High Hurdles

by Lauraine Snelling

  “But I . . .”

  “Go.”

  “Maybe I should spend the night here so I can ice him again.”

  “Go.”

  DJ started to follow his instructions and stopped. “If you talk to Bridget right away, maybe you can get your money back for the clinic on Saturday. Or you could go without me.”

  “No chance. I’ll talk to her—now get.”

  DJ managed to check on Major three times over the afternoon, and each time the leg looked the same. She wrinkled her nose at the smell of the liniment. The last time, Joe had applied the ice boot again, and Major looked as though he wore a padded sleeve over his leg.

  The big horse stood contentedly munching his evening ration of grain and hay. She gave him another hug and a kiss on the soft skin of his nose.

  “See you tomorrow. You be good now.” She turned to Joe. “Maybe I should—”

  “Get in the truck. Gran is waiting dinner on us.”

  DJ and Gran lost themselves in planning the horse drawings for the book. They didn’t even look up when the phone rang.

  “DJ, it’s for you.” Joe held out the receiver.

  “Oh no.” DJ knew she was in trouble. “I forgot to leave a message for Mom about where I’d be.” She held the phone away from her ear to soften the cutting tones of her mother’s voice. “But, Mom—” She couldn’t get a word in edgewise as she was reminded again about how irresponsible it was to leave the water running all night.

  Joe stood when she hung up. “I’ll take you home.”

  “I’d rather stay here.” DJ could feel her anger burning as fast as a fire built with dry kindling. “It’s just not fair. No matter how hard I try, it’s never good enough. Gran, I miss you so much.” She dropped to her knees by her grandmother’s chair and laid her head in the soft lap.

  “I know, darlin’. But you and your mom have been doing pretty well lately.” Gran stroked the wisps of hair back from DJ’s forehead.

  “Yeah, we get along really well when we never see each other.” DJ could feel the anger dwindling with each stroke of her grandmother’s hand.

  “Lindy will do better once her thesis subject is approved. She’s worked long and hard for this degree. It means a lot to her.”

  “More than I do.”

  “No, that’s not true. I know you feel that way sometimes, and I understand. But your mother loves you—she just doesn’t know how to show it.”

  “Yeah, well, yelling at me sure doesn’t cut it.” DJ looked at the folder of drawings resting on the table. “I better get home. I didn’t get my homework done, either, so I hope she doesn’t ask.”

  “That’s my fault. We were having too good a time.” Gran dropped a kiss on DJ’s hair. “I’ll tell her we need to do this all week. She’ll understand—she was just worried about you.”

  “Where else would I be?” DJ got to her feet. “Thanks for dinner. Sorry I didn’t help with the dishes.”

  “Oh, that’s nothing. Our art was far more important.” Gran walked DJ and Joe to the door. “I can always do the dishes.”

  “Or I can.” Joe winked at DJ. “I do do dishes, you know.”

  Lindy was on the phone by the time DJ walked in. She could tell Robert was on the other end by the soft sound of Lindy’s voice, not at all like the one she’d used to call DJ.

  “Night, Mom.” DJ waved and got a nod back. Too tired to do any homework, she crawled into bed and fell asleep on the a of amen.

  Because she couldn’t train Major, DJ had extra time that week to work on the drawings Gran needed. Each night they sketched, erased, and finally transferred the illustrations to stretched canvas so Gran could paint them. DJ particularly loved one they’d done of a young foal with furry ears and a brush of a mane.

  Lindy left a message that they’d be going with Robert to see the surprise on Saturday since DJ didn’t have the clinic.

  DJ was spending Friday night at Gran’s, and the two of them were working in the studio. “Why can’t Mom ask me about my schedule before she plans things for us to do? Joe said I can ride Major again tomorrow, but only at a walk. He did fine on the lunge line tonight.”

  DJ studied the horse’s head they were pairing with that of the little girl who was the heroine in the story. It made an attractive logo. If this book did well, the publisher was considering turning it into a series. “I really like this. I wish I could draw people as good as you do.”

  “And I wish my horses had as much life as yours.” Gran held up the last drawing. “You have a real gift, darlin’.”

  “Well, I got it from you. Did I tell you my teacher said I should take art lessons?”

  “No. That’s exciting news.”

  “I said no. I don’t have time right now.” At the sad look on Gran’s face, DJ added, “You know riding is more important to me than anything. I just can’t do one more thing. If I mess up again, Mom will ground me forever.”

  “Just remember, if you decide you might like to take art classes, the money will be there.”

  Joe looked up from the book he was reading. “The same goes for riding clinics, shows, and riding lessons should you need training beyond what Bridget can offer you.”

  DJ blinked a couple of times to dry her eyes. “Thanks. You two are the best.”

  Gran turned back to the drawings spread across the table. She lifted one of a month-old colt. “I think this one needs some work on that off hind leg, then we can use him for page eight. What do you think?”

  DJ picked up her art-gum eraser. “You’re right. The ears need some work, too.” The quiet of concentration came to rest on the room.

  Some time later, the phone rang.

  “It’s for you, DJ.” Joe held out the receiver. “Your mother,” he mouthed.

  “I just wanted to remind you to be back home and cleaned up by eleven tomorrow.”

  “I know.” DJ held the phone away from her face and stared at the receiver, shaking her head. “She hung up. She must still be upset.” DJ returned to the table. That I can do without. She could feel the resentment bubble. Who needs her?

  She caught the look that passed between Joe and Gran.

  “Do you know what’s going on?”

  “Robert wants it to be a surprise. We won’t spoil it for him.” Gran shook her head when DJ started to interrupt. “Nope, I won’t even give you a hint.”

  “Ah, come on, Gran.” DJ put her best wheedle into her voice.

  “No way.”

  DJ hurried through Saturday morning chores so she had plenty of time to walk Major around the soft sand of the arena.

  “You act as if you never had a problem at all,” she said, leaning forward to stroke his neck. Major moved smoothly beneath her, not favoring the injured leg in the least. DJ thought about the clinic going on up in Napa. Both Tony and Hilary had gone up for it, along with a couple of the adults who stabled their horses and rode at the Academy.

  The sun was breaking out of the early morning fog, and DJ lifted her face to its warmth. “I’d rather be riding up in the hills, wouldn’t you?” Major snorted and lifted his feet a bit higher, as if hoping she would relent and let him trot.

  “Sure would.” Joe rode up beside her. Ranger didn’t appreciate walking any more than Major.

  “Then let’s. The trail wouldn’t be too hard and . . .”

  “And you have to be ready at eleven. You know that if we got started, we wouldn’t want to turn back.”

  “I know. Am I gonna like the surprise?” DJ clutched her reins, willing herself to remain calm. She deliberately loosened her fingers and relaxed her wrists. With the release of a deep breath, she turned her head to look at her grandfather.

  “I hope so, DJ, I surely hope so.”

  DJ kept his words in mind as she put Major away and climbed onto her bike to ride home.

  Robert and the boys were already there. “No, you’re not late,” he reassured her when she glanced at her watch. “We’re early.”

  “DJ, we’s gonna see—
” Robert clapped his hands over both twins’ mouths.

  “Remember, this is a secret. A surprise.” Robert squatted down so he was on eye level with the bouncing Bs. “You promised not to tell.”

  They both nodded, blue eyes bright above his fingers. When he removed his hands, they flung themselves at DJ’s legs.

  She bent down to hug them. How could anyone resist the adoration shining in their faces? “I’ll be ready in a few minutes.” She headed for the stairs. When they started to follow her, she sent a pleading look at Robert.

  “Come on, guys, we’ll wait here while DJ dresses. She’s not used to an audience.”

  “We can help.”

  “I’m sure you can, but we’ll read a story instead while we wait.” Robert took them by the hands and over to the sofa.

  DJ fled up the stairs as they clamored for their favorite story. Strange, her mother wasn’t downstairs pacing the floor, making noises like DJ should hurry. Did Lindy know what the surprise was? Was she unhappy about it? Questions, questions.

  Robert herded the boys to the car as soon as DJ leaped down the stairs. She looked at her mother but saw nothing other than a gracious smile on her face. The headache lines were gone. With the boys buckled into their seat belts, DJ sat back and tried to unwind. She knew she could get the twins to tell her about the surprise, but that wouldn’t be fair. Robert wanted to surprise them.

  He stopped at the stop sign and turned right, the same way DJ rode every day to the Academy. They drove past the Academy, then passed Gran and Joe’s. DJ looked down to see the Double Bs with their hands clapped over their mouths. What was going on?

  A quarter of a mile beyond Gran’s house, Robert turned into a tree-shaded driveway. They stopped beside a white house with brick halfway up the front and friendly windows.

  “What do you think of it?” Robert shut off the ignition and turned to Lindy.

  “It’s a nice house, I guess.” Lindy looked up at him. “Pretty yard.”

  “Let’s go see the inside.”

  The boys threw off their seat belts and exploded out the door. At a shake of their father’s head, they ran in place until they could grab DJ’s hands and pull her toward the front door. A fan-shaped window over the door caught her eye.

  Instead of knocking, Robert unlocked the door. Strange. One didn’t go unlocking someone else’s house. They obviously weren’t coming here to visit someone.

  They entered an empty living room with vaulted ceilings—a fireplace ran clear to the ceiling on one wall, and an abundance of windows let in the outdoors.

  “What do you think?” Robert had his arm around Lindy’s shoulders.

  “It’s beautiful.” Lindy stood very still, her eyes trained on the wide stair that curved up to the second floor.

  “I thought so, too—that’s why I bought it. The place has five acres and a barn with horse stalls. Though the house isn’t large enough now, it will be by the time my men get finished with it. I figure we could move in by March . . . that is, if you think a February wedding would be about right?”

  “Robert, I . . .”

  “Let me show you the rest of the place.” He took Lindy’s arm and led her through an arch to another room.

  DJ felt as though she’d been kicked in the head by a one-ton draft horse. Robert had bought them a house! He certainly was convinced they could become a family. But her mother hadn’t said yes yet—had she?

  DJ could ignore the dynamos tugging at her arms no longer. She let them pull her up the stairs, down the stairs, out to the kitchen, and to the backyard, but she needed no encouragement to visit the barn. Four stalls, a board-fenced paddock, and a field for grazing. She turned and looked at the house. Robert wanted to make it bigger?

  “Daddy said we could have two ponies, and Major can live here, too.” The boys ran from stall to stall, opening each half door and chasing each other inside and out again.

  DJ tried to tune them out so she could think clearly. Had her mother agreed to this? She shook her head. No, Lindy had been as surprised as her daughter, DJ realized, remembering the shocked look on her mother’s face.

  “Come on, guys, let’s go see what’s happening at the house.” She turned and headed out of the barn, sure they would follow.

  “Daddy said we could have a dog here, too. Two dogs, even. You want one? I want a pony now.” The two overlapped comments as usual. “When we gonna move, DJ? You’re the best sister in the whole world!”

  DJ sensed the icy chill the moment she stepped through the sliding-glass door into the breakfast area. Uh-oh, her mother was not happy. DJ put a finger to her lips to shush the boys before they charged into the house.

  “But, Robert, I didn’t say I’d marry you.”

  “But you’ve said that you love me. This just doesn’t make sense.”

  “I know, but marriage is a big step. It’s a lot to think about, and it’s not fair to pressure me by buying this house.”

  “Lindy, honey, this isn’t pressure. I’d have bought this house even if it were just for the boys and me. It’s near Dad and Gran, the boys can have a dog and ponies, and I’m building more houses out in this area now. I can move my office out of the city and not have to commute.”

  DJ put her hands over the twin mouths about to erupt beside her. She shook her head and whispered, “Be quiet, okay?” The boys nodded, so she removed her hands and took theirs. Together, they tiptoed back outside and sat down on the redwood steps.

  So many things to think about. She stared out at the barn. She could have Major right at home with her. She wouldn’t have to work at the Academy all the time to pay for his board and keep. She’d ride over there for lessons. There was room in the field for jumps. The boys could ride in the paddock until they got good enough to ride up in the hills.

  And DJ would have a father—and two brothers. She watched the boys kneeling on the ground, studying something in the grass.

  “DJ, come here.” One of them waved to her.

  “DJ, boys, come on. Let’s go eat.” Robert stopped in the doorway.

  DJ got to her feet. Robert sure did have a knack for surprises. When DJ found her mother in the living room, traces of tears still glistened in her mother’s slightly red eyes.

  What had her answer been?

  CHAPTER • 12

  “What do you think, DJ?”

  “What do you mean, what do I think? About what?” DJ stalled for time. She knew her mother was talking about Robert. It’s not fair. Don’t ask me. I’m just a kid, remember—that’s what you’re always telling me.

  Lindy sat curled up in Gran’s wing chair, one hand propping up her head. The lamplight glinted on the auburn tints in her hair and made it shine blood bay.

  The phone rang, and DJ leaped to her feet. “I’ll get it.”

  “If it’s Robert, tell him I’m not home.”

  “Sure, she’s right here.” DJ leaned around the corner. “It’s for you.”

  “Who is it?” Lindy mouthed. DJ shook her head and shrugged.

  DJ left her mother talking and headed for her room. How could she give her mother an answer when she had no idea what she thought? And asking her daughter to lie for her? Of course, it had been Gran who had always insisted on telling the truth. Lindy had never been home.

  DJ got out her sketch book and pencil box, taking time to sharpen each tip to perfection. After building her nest on the bed, she soon lost herself in a world of lines and shading. The foal she and Gran had been working with slowly appeared on the paper. Trying to get the ears just right, she erased one and started again.

  A loud knock at the door finally got her attention. “Yeah?”

  “May I come in?”

  “Sure.” DJ heaved a sigh. Why couldn’t she be left alone to draw? Life was so much easier when all she had to think about was sketching and shading. Draw and approve or erase. No major decisions.

  “That was my boss. I’ll be leaving tomorrow morning for a three-day trip to Los Angeles. Mom said it wa
s okay for you to stay there.”

  “Great.”

  Lindy paused, as if waiting for DJ to say something else. “Fine, then. I better get packed. Good night.”

  “Night, Mom. Have a good trip.” When the door closed again, DJ thumped her fist on the pillow. “Yes!” Three days with Gran and Joe—and without her mother.

  Tuesday morning Robert called before DJ left for school. She answered the phone with a questioning look at Gran, who shrugged in return. What could Robert be calling her for?

  “You want to take me out to dinner? Why?”

  “I’d like to get to know you better. We never get time to talk when all the others are around.”

  DJ tipped her head to the side. “Well, I guess.”

  “Good, I’ll pick you up at seven, if that’s all right.”

  DJ hung up the phone and turned to Joe and Gran, who were sitting at the breakfast table. “What’ll we talk about?”

  Joe laughed. “I think you’ll find Robert is an entertaining companion, if you give him a chance.”

  “There’s a message there, darlin’.” Gran took another sip of her coffee.

  DJ picked up her backpack and slung it over one shoulder. “We gotta go, GJ, or I’ll be late.”

  Monday was the day she got to spend the most time with Major, but since his leg prevented them from jumping yet, they worked on the flat instead. DJ posted till she felt her legs turn to cooked spaghetti. She concentrated on each of her aids—hands, legs, and feet—but especially on how she held her head. She’d never realized how often she looked down or off to the side. Keeping Major going straight was one problem, but the more crucial one was her concentration.

  They crossed the cavalletti so many times she felt pole happy. Major seemed to enjoy every minute of it, striding with ears forward, neck arched, and snorting every once in a while.

  After walking him out, DJ checked the leg to make sure there was no swelling. “You’re a trooper, you are.” She stroked the horse’s neck and rubbed his ears. “We’ll probably be able to jump on Wednesday. What do you think?”