"Amy!" Soraya shouted when Maggie dropped her off, squealing and running toward Amy who pulled her into a hug.
Marion headed out of the barn and over to the car to check in with Maggie.
"Is she okay here for the next few hours?" Maggie asked.
"Absolutely. Just grab her after dinner sometime. We're having stew if you're hungry." Marion replied.
"Hey, is that Lisa's SUV…?" Maggie asked looking in the direction of the grey Porsche in the driveway.
"Yup." Marion nodded. "She was here helping me work with Aztec this morning. And she's coming on the trail ride."
"Ooh!" Maggie trilled, "So things are going well?"
"Yeah," Marion replied, "you know I've really come around to her. Lisa's really grown on me."
"I know that," Maggie said, sassily. "I meant with her and your dad."
Marion laughed, "You were not wrong. There are definitely sparks." She said emphasizing the word definitely.
"Told you so." Maggie said. "Keep me posted!" And she kissed Marion on the cheek and headed out.
"Hi, Marion!" a voice piped up behind Marion as she watched Maggie drive off. "Hi, Mallory." Marion said without turning around.
"How did you know it was me?" Mallory asked.
"I have eyes in the back of my head." Marion deadpanned, turning around with a grin.
"Not uh!" Mallory said, her jaw hanging open as her face broke out in a smile.
"I'm excited for our ride today. My mom told me I could come as long as I cleaned my room, which I did this morning at 5 AM. I don't think my mom wanted to be woken up that early." She pursed her lips.
Marion laughed, Mallory was an odd child. She'd always been precocious for her age. "Alright," Marion said, taking Mallory by the shoulder, "Let's get started then!" And she led her over to the barn. "You're going to be riding Copper, remember?"
"I'm ready." Mallory said, her cheeks dimpling with her smile. "Plus, he's my favorite!"
Marion smiled down at her. "Mallory," Marion said, walking her into the barn, "of course you already know Amy and Soraya and my dad."
Here Mallory cut in with a wink and a wave, "Hi, Jack!"
Marion continued, undeterred, "But I'm not sure if you've met Lisa Stillman."
"The bougie horse breeder." Mallory deadpanned.
Lisa choked down a laugh, as Amy and Marion both said, "Mallory!" simultaneously.
"What? That's accurate isn't it." Mallory said, earnestly.
"I'm fairly certain I've been called worse things." Lisa said with a smile, "It's nice to meet you Mallory."
Mallory grinned, "You know you seem really nice for a rich woman. Nothing like Val Stanton."
Again Amy and Marion chorused, "Mallory!" And Jack and Soraya had to turn their heads to hide their laughter. Lisa herself hid her laughter behind her hand.
"What?" Mallory whined, shrugging.
"Mallory," Lisa cut in, "I am fairly certain you and I are going to get along just fine." And extended her hand for Mallory to shake.
"Alright, guys!" Marion said enthusiastically, "Dad you're on Paint. Amy on Fancy. Mallory on Copper. Soraya on Pete, he's the little dun gelding over there. I'm taking Marley. And Lisa, you'll be on Gizmo, the little bay Arabian that you groomed earlier." Lisa nodded, "Any questions about where tack is, ask me, Amy or my dad. Let's get these guys ready and head out!"
Everyone hopped into action and got their horses tacked up. Lisa, Amy and Jack were ready first, as Marion was helping Soraya and Mallory tack up their horses. So Lisa and Amy hopped up on Gizmo and Fancy and rode them around while they waited. Jack stood holding onto Paint and watched them.
"Amy, that mare's looking really good." Jack called as they warmed up.
"Thanks, grandpa!" Amy beamed at him from where she was trotting on Fancy. "She's coming along really well. I'm really pleased with her progress."
As Marion, Soraya and Mallory came out of the barn, Jack mounted Paint and rode over to where Lisa was. "How's he handling for you?"
"Everything's great so far." Lisa said, smiling at him. "Marion's right, he rides really well off the seat and legs. And I could definitely see him getting quick with someone that balanced on their hands. But he's certainly a catty, athletic little thing."
"He looked good when you guys were working around there." Jack said, "Really stayed under your seat nicely." He added, blushing a bit.
"Yeah. He's got a nice cadence and stays right under the rider's weight." Lisa agreed.
"It can be hard to find sensitive horses homes though." Jack said.
"Don't I know it." Lisa laughed.
"Yeah, come to think of it you would. Working primarily with Thoroughbreds…" Jack agreed, laughing.
Mallory looked from Jack to Lisa, a huge grin on her face and looked at Marion excitedly. Marion shrugged and watched as Mallory hopped up on Copper.
"Soraya, you okay with Pete?" Marion called.
Soraya nodded, "He seems really sweet."
"He really is." Marion said. "But let me know if you need a leg up."
"I think I've got it," Soraya said, and put her foot in the stirrup and climbed on.
Marion easily swung up on Marley and addressed the group, "Okay, everyone! So we've got two more experienced horses with us, Copper," Mallory raised her hand from her horse," and Paint," Jack raised his hand, "Soraya, Lisa, if either of your horses get up or bothered, try to get to Copper or Paint. Amy and I will do what we can, but our horses are a bit green too."
Everyone nodded their understanding. So Marion continued, "I will be taking the lead if all goes well, and I can get Marley here to cooperate. And I'll try to let you guys know if we're changing gait to a jog or lope. If you have trouble, let us know, so we can pull up! Any questions?" Marion asked.
No one piped up, so Marion said, "Let's get this show on the road, then!" And walked Marley in the direction they were going.
Mallory fell in next to Marion, since Cooper knew his job. And Amy and Soraya followed them, chatting about Jesse and Tommy, the boy that Soraya currently had a crush on.
Jack fell in next to Lisa and Gizmo. "Is he gonna be okay in the back?" Jack asked, looking at the peppy little Arabian.
"We'll see," Lisa said, "but it'll be good for him not to lead, since I get the feeling that's what he'd most like to do." She laughed.
Jack smiled sideways at her, and said, "You're probably right."
She smiled and said cheekily, "I usually am," before adding, "Plus, I like the company back here."
Jack caught her eye and was struck again by just how otherworldly blue her eyes were. He really could not fathom that a woman that beautiful could really be interested in him. And yet she definitely seemed to be.