I wrinkled my nose. “Yuck, Colt. Leave it!”
After a couple more hurried nibbles, he backed away and gave me a look as if saying, “Why did you make me stop? These are so yummy!” His tongue swiped his lips, and he sprinted to the house.
“I know what you want.”
He stared at me.
“Breakfast?” I picked up his food bowl.
He blinked, and nodded with each pant.
I patted his head. “Me, too. Let’s eat.”
I ate my cereal one piece at a time, chewed it three times, and took one sip of my orange juice. This only made breakfast last ten minutes. I had hours to go before my party. I stayed at the table and watched Mom eat, and chatted with her as she sipped coffee. Everything happened in slow motion.
Dad hid behind the newspaper for a few minutes and then announced. “Uh-oh. That second tropical storm could turn out to be a hurricane and may come in earlier than expected. It could hit the coast sometime tonight. This one they’ve named Billy.” He smiled and pulled the paper away from his face. “At least the rain and wind we’d get should hold off until later tonight or tomorrow. You should have perfect weather for your party.”
Mom looked at me. “So what are you going to do to stay busy?”
“I guess I’ll do some homework, have a Colton practice session, and maybe clean my room.” I sighed. “But that still leaves hours before the party.”
The minutes got stuck somewhere around twelve o’clock. I dressed in my bathing suit and filled my beach bag with necessities. Colton took a nap. If I at least picked up my clothes, that would kill some time. Then I could start reading a new book or sketch a picture of Colton.
Dirty clothes went to one corner. Towels lay in another pile next to the door. My phone chirped.
I lost my breath seeing the caller ID. “Hey!”
Chase sang, “Happy Birthday.” I giggled at his voice. After our basic chatter, he paused and gave me an order. “Don’t ask any questions. Turn on your computer.”
Rushing to my desk, I clicked it on.” Okay. It’s coming up.”
“Go to your emails. When you find the one from me, open the attachment.”
A surge of excitement exploded through me. “I’m sorry you couldn’t be here. We’re having a pool party.”
“I’m disappointed, but it’s just too far for me to make it with Logan needing my help. So I sent you my present. Are you watching?”
I sat in front of the computer wide eyed. “Yes, it’s opening. Oh, Chase! I see the sand dunes. You’re at Edisto.”
“Yep. The weekend after Labor Day.”
As I stared at the screen, my fingers to my toes throbbed, waiting for the video. “Oh my! They’re precious. So tiny! Baby turtles! Is it from our turtle? When did they hatch?”
“Dad received an email telling us a nest would hatch sometime around those days. Don’t know if it is the same nest you and Sarah checked on each day. I took my camera and planned to send you their pictures. Happy Birthday!”
“I leaned in closer to the screen. “What a cool present. Thank you! Look at how many! Over a hundred I bet. Oh, this is so exciting. I’ll share this with Sarah.”
“Peyton is sending this to Sarah now. I wanted it to be a surprise, so he waited until you saw it first.”
My eyes stayed glued on the babies. “Did you see them swim away?”
“Yep. Keep watching.”
“Oh, you helped that little guy. Those birds were hoping to have dinner. Did they all make it?”
“With the crowd protecting them, they all made it to the water, and then they were on their own.”
“Oh!” I sighed into the phone. “I hope next summer we get to watch another turtle lay her eggs. We were really lucky on our first night.”
We talked for a while, dodging the subject of my party. After a long moment of silence, Chase asked, “So who’s coming to your party?”
“Sarah, Morgan, Jessica, Annie, and Wesley.”
“Wesley?”
His questioning tone stabbed my heart. “He’s just another dog trainer in our class.”
“Hmm. Maybe I need to become a Puppy Raiser?”
“You could do that.”
Chase paused for too long.
I cleared my throat. “Are you still there?”
He quietly breathed into the phone and changed the subject. “Logan’s been saying new words, and he’s so happy. Sydney opens Logan’s drawer, gets his socks and underwear out, and nudges him awake. Logan gets up happy each morning and ready for school. The teacher is a dog lover and invited Sydney to attend class with Logan. She’s worked with PAALS and knows how to work with service dogs.”
“Wow, Chase! That’s awesome! Hearing how good he’s doing, makes me happy I’m training another dog. There are so many people needing help. You know, we could use your experience on weekends when we train new puppy raisers. It would be one way of seeing each other.”
He inhaled. “Really?”
“Yes, I’ll say something to Ms. Jen. Thanks for my fun present. I’ll think about you today.”
In a low voice, he groaned. “I hope so. Miss you.”
After hanging up the phone, my heart sputtered. All I could do was think about our times together. I clicked on the video two more times.
Once I finished folding my clothes, I sat cross-legged and put Colton’s toys in his basket. Chase’s video replayed in my head.
Footsteps approached the door. Mom called. “Are you ready, Trina?”
Colton and I flinched. I bounced to my feet and yanked the door open. “Are you kidding? This has been the longest day. Until, I got the best present, ever!”
Chapter 27
Mom, Dad, Colton, and I strolled up the path as I chatted about Chase’s surprise video. I wanted to run, but I contained my excitement and tried to act fourteen. Mom and Dad’s voices grew more excited and couldn’t ask enough questions. I had no more answers, but I enjoyed sharing my wonderful surprise.
We talked so fast, I wasn’t paying attention to Colton. Off leash, he bounded in and out of the woods but came back when I called him. At the gate to the pool area, Mrs. Brown’s purple banner, HAPPY BIRTHDAY, swayed in the breeze.
Wandering in, we set our towels and beach bags on patio chairs, and I waited for someone to scream, “Happy Birthday!”
I glanced around and my heart sunk. “Where is everyone? They did say they were coming.”
“I don’t know.” Mom looked over the fence for my friends. “Let’s walk over to the barn. Maybe they’re with the horses.”
I attached Colton’s leash and we went to the barn. Three horses stood in the middle of the barn, saddled, and wearing bridles.
“SURPRISE!” Shouted Morgan and Sarah.
Mrs. Brown’s grin made me laugh. Morgan wore her riding clothes, and Sarah wore jeans and a pair of brown half-boots with a small heel.
I blinked and did a double-take. “Are we all riding?” Before anyone could answer, I gazed at Sarah. “Sarah, are you going to ride?”
She lifted her head. “Morgan and Mrs. Brown promised me it’d be easy, and she wouldn’t let go of the leash.”
Morgan poked Sarah’s arm with her elbow, laughing. “Not leash, silly. Reins.”
“What-ever! I’ll give it a try. Just for your birthday.”
“Wow. This is really special.” I beamed at my parents. “You knew all along, didn’t you? What about the others coming?”
Mom laughed. “I told them to be here at three-thirty.”
Seconds later, Mr. and Mrs. Neal walked in clicking their cameras.
Mom pulled the bag off her shoulder. “Here. Go change. We’ll meet you at the pool after we see Sarah get on Sonny and ride.”
Giggling all the way to the tack room, I changed and rushed Chancy to the ring in time
to watch Mrs. Brown lead Sonny to the stool for Sarah.
“Okay. Sarah. First rule. You must always get on the horse from the left.”
Sarah interrupted. “Why always on the left?”
Mrs. B quickly added, “Ask Trina later. Now, put your left foot in the stirrup. That’s it. Hold onto the reins, and some of his mane. Pull yourself up and swing your right leg over his back.”
After three attempts of swinging up and over, Sarah groaned. “This is harder than you said.” Her nervous laughter grew louder.
Sonny threw his head over his shoulder. His stare meant, “What are you doing back there?”
Sarah tried one more time. “I’m on! I’m on! Oh Mrs. B, hold him still. I’m a long way from the ground. Oh. My. Gawd. This feels weird.”
“You’re doing great.” Mrs. B cackled and tried to sound encouraging in between her words. “Sit up. Now hold the reins in front of you. I’m going to walk him. Let you get a feel of his movement.”
“Whoa! Not so fast!” Sarah wobbled to the right and to the left as Sonny stepped with each opposite leg. Her eyes grew larger and larger. Her voice shrieked. “I’m going to fall off.”
Morgan bent over, laughing.
I snorted with giggles. “You’re riding!” I choked out. “I’m so excited to see you on a horse. After all this time, you finally decided to try. Thank you!” I walked Chancy along Sonny’s side. “So. What do you think?”
“It’s—it’s okay.” Then Sarah grew quiet. Her head never moved. Her face showed no expression and paled blonder than her hair.
Mrs. Brown, patted Sarah’s leg, “Honey. Breathe. That a girl. Now blow it out. Breathe again, hon. Okay. Now I want you to know how to steer him. Take the left rein and pull slowly to the left. See how he goes left. Now pull the right rein. That’s it. Okay. Pull both reins toward your stomach. Pull hard. That makes him stop.”
Sarah pulled, and Sonny stopped. Her smile spread from ear to ear. Some color returned to her cheeks. “I’m getting the hang of this. I’ll try again.”
Mrs. B stretched taller and smiled. “That’s the spirit. Now wrap your legs around his stomach and press with your thighs. Give him a little kick with your heels and make him move.”
Morgan and I rode along each side of Sarah while Mrs. Brown held on to Sarah’s reins. We walked our horses, giving Sarah compliments. When Mrs. Brown let go of Sonny’s reins. Sarah swayed on Sonny’s back, and managed to ride along the fence.
After two trips around the ring, Sarah moaned. “Okay, guys. My butt’s numb. Let’s go swimming.” She pulled her reins to the left and moseyed over to the stool.
Mrs. Brown coached her on getting off. “Lean forward. Swing your right leg behind you, and step onto the stool. That’s it!”
Sarah walked toward the fence like there was a small horse still under her. “I’ve heard about sea legs, but I’ve never heard about horse legs.”
Morgan hooted and galloped off. I followed. We needed a more aggressive ride. Mrs. B held Sonny’s reins, and Sarah watched. After a hard ride, we let our horses set their own pace, and they strolled back to the barn, ready for their cool down.
I slid off Chancy’s back. “After a ride, Sarah, we remove their sweat and give them a good rub.”
Sarah complained as she attempted to hose Sonny and scrape off the excess water. “You guys are crazy to want to do this much work every day.”
Morgan grinned. “It took me a while to understand all of Knight’s needs, but because of Trina, now it’s routine. She was right about him becoming a friend.”
Mrs. Brown finally shooed us out of the barn. “Go. Get out of here. I’ll finish. Heather’s on her way.”
Hot and sweaty, we changed into our bathing suits and talked about the turtle video. Morgan asked about the turtles and who sent the video. I made Sarah promise not to mention Chase in front of Wesley. She smirked. “For someone that didn’t want to like boys, you’re learning quick.”
My face heated up. “They’re both just friends. I can have boys and girls as friends.”
“Uh-huh.” Sarah nodded and smiled. “I say, good for you.”
When we arrived at the pool, Annie, Jessica, and Wesley were screaming “Marco! — Polo!” Our parents lounged with drinks in hand, having some kind of discussion. Sarah went to the pool steps, Morgan did a cannonball, and I jumped in. Colton ran around the edge of the pool, barking.
Mrs. B told Colton to swim. Playing tag while Colton dogpaddled was a challenge. When he panted heavily, I rushed over and put my hand under his body so I could lead him to the steps. That day, he learned how to get in and out of the pool.
During our water games, Wesley decided he was the captain and shouted orders. As everyone tired of his commands, we took a break and laid our towels on the grass to rest. Of course, Wesley put his next to mine before anyone else had a chance to open theirs. I smiled, but felt a rush of warmth go up my neck. I grabbed my sun lotion and rubbed my arms and legs. Wesley offered to rub my back. Crashing waves banged the insides of my stomach.
I shook my head. “No, thanks. I’m fine.”
He stared at me, and neither of us spoke. The awkward silence lasted for an eternity until Annie started telling funny stories about Sasha. Then Jessica shared stories about Tanner, and Wesley talked about Kaiser’s antics. I told them the story about the little boy at the grocery store. I glanced up and noticed Morgan and Sarah had moved to the table under the umbrella, having their own discussion. I leaned in and watched them laugh and smile. After a couple minutes, I stretched my neck like a satisfied cat and turned my gaze back to my other guests.
The wind picked up and dark clouds floated in, hiding the sun, so Mom summoned the group. “We better hurry and do presents and cake. We’re running out of good weather.”
The cake, decorated with a chestnut horse that looked like Chancy, made me smile. I’d fallen in love with Colton, so I thought Mom would’ve put Colton on this cake. But she still believed I wanted to be a great rider.
I received a pretty bottle of leather cleaner from Mrs. Brown, and a new grooming brush and shedding blade that also worked as a water scrapper from Morgan. Wesley wiggled and beamed as he plopped a cardboard box in front of me. “This is from the three of us!” The group grinned and slid forward to get a closer look. Inside lay a lavender stuffed dog with a squeaker in each leg, both ears, and tail.
After hugging the dog and thanking everyone, Sarah handed me her package. I unwrapped a tee shirt with a black Lab on the front. It looked just like Colton. I nodded, leaned my head sideways, and we smiled at each other. She still knew me best.
Mom and Dad surprised me with a new pair of gloves and a homemade coupon for one free riding lesson anytime.
When I started to put the gloves in their box, Mom tapped my hand and grinned. “Please try on the gloves and see if they fit. I wasn’t sure about your size.”
I caught a sparkle in her eyes. Dad had the same electrified expression. I slid my hand into the left-handed glove. Something hard blocked my hand from going inside. I opened the glove and peeked in. I screamed. “Oh, yay! Yes. Yes!”
I pulled out my new cell phone with a purple case. “Now, I’ll have reception anywhere I go, and I can listen to music.”
Sarah laughed. “And GPS. Don’t forget that.”
“That’s okay with me. I don’t ever go anywhere that’s a secret.” I hugged Mom and Dad. “Does it work now?”
Mom smiled. “Yep. Same phone number, too. You’re old phone is retired.”
Mrs. Brown excused herself. “I don’t like what I’m seeing up there. I’m going to check on the horses. The weatherman reported a while ago the storm may be changing to a Category Two hurricane. I wish they’d make up their minds. If that happens we could have tornadoes blowing in our area. Let’s hope it doesn’t get too bad.”
Minutes later, the wind propel
led my Happy Birthday banner up and down until the strings popped on one side. It twisted around and around, and with the next gust, it freed itself, and took to the sky.
Everyone filled their arms with as many items as they could carry and rushed to the barn. Mom shielded the cake, Dad and Mr. Neal hefted the cooler and card table, Mrs. Neal grabbed presents and totes.
Once inside the barn, Dad set up the card table in the tack room, and Mom cut the cake.
Just like dogs, horses catch a scent in the air when there’s thunder and lightning before we ever know a storm’s brewing. Sydney had shivered as a young pup, and I was relieved when he conquered his fear at Edisto. Colton sat and panted without even a hint of uneasiness. That was a great sign for becoming a secure service dog. I rushed to the stalls to check on the frightened horses.
Chapter 28
Pine trees swayed and tall hardwoods leaned sideways. The wind wheezed through the woods, plucking off freckled leaves from each limb. They swirled in the sticky air until the wind stilled and coasted to the ground. In a few short minutes, the beautiful day became creepy and cool. The bright, blue sky disappeared under billows of angry, gray clouds.
Annie’s parents had driven Jessica to the party and returned earlier than planned from shopping. Soon after their arrival, Wesley’s parents joined the group. Worried about driving south to Columbia, everyone scurried into their cars, ready for a wet and windy drive home.
Mrs. B flew into the barn, her face creased with worry lines. “The weatherman says it is definitely a hurricane and is coming ashore somewhere around Charleston.”
I pictured Edisto and the older houses along the shore. “Oh, no! I hope Edisto’s okay.”
She stopped for a second and made eye contact. “It’s been years since Edisto’s been hit by a storm. It’s tucked in more than Charleston. I do remember when Hugo hit Charleston and traveled all the way inland. I don’t want to take any chances. The horses are getting nervous. Let’s get everything put away and meet back in the barn as soon as y’all can.”
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