Chapter 16, enjoy! This chapter took a bit of time to get back in the groove of writing and this story, so thank you for your patience.


The days after Phoenix's injury were simpler and repetitive. Wake up, do chores, work at Fairfield, tend to Phoenix, eat supper, spend some quality time with Quinn, then off to bed. Although she went to bed at the end of the day, she didn't always sleep. She tossed and turned, the worry of if Phoenix would heal eating her up inside. Eventually, she would exhaust herself and fall asleep. And her work at Fairfield failed to ease her mind, instead it amped uo her anxiousness to compete. She would glance out the office window and see the trainers working with Lisa's horses and feel the urge to ride.

Today was one of those days that her urge to jump a course was strong. She was paying feed bills in the office at Fairfield when a flashy chestnut filly caught her eye in the arena within view of the office window. She watched as the agile filly leaped over each jump. Georgie longed to get back in the saddle with Phoenix. It had onky bene three days since his injury, but it had been a long three days.

On top of having to watch Lisa's jumpers practice in the arena conveniently placed within view of the office, Georgie had to listen to Quinn ramble about Fiona when she asked about his day. It was his job and he enjoyed it and she was happy for him; however, it had recently become hard for her to listen to him talk about his other trainee while she was unable to compete.

The office phone ringing tore her from her thoughts.

"Fairfield Stables, this is Georgie," She answered in a formal tone just as Lisa had taught her. She conversed with person in the other end of the line, jotting down bits of information on a bright pink sticky note that she would later relay to Lisa.

When she hung up the phone, she peel the sticky note off the pad and stuck it on the large calendar and notepad combo that sat on the top of the desk. Coincidentally, she placed it on the box for tomorrow's date: the day she had asked to take off so she could compete in the Hudson 3 day show this Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. She made a mental note to tell Lisa she wouldn't be needing the day off after all.

She returned to the task she had abandoned: paying huge feed bills for the numerous stallions, mares, fillies, geldings, and colts that resided at Fairfield Stables. Every once in a while she would glance out the window, but she tried to not lose focus and stare as it only made her miss riding Phoenix and think about the show she would be missing.

Towards the end of her work day, her phone buzzed with a text from Lisa. "I've gotten caught up at the track, go ahead and leave. But would you lock up the office and grab my bag?" Lisa's text read.

Georgie gathered Lisa's things as she was instructed. She reached over the desk from behind the chair to turn off the monitor when the neon pink sticky note from her earlier phone call caught her eye. She peeled the sticky note up and placed it in Lisa's bag, glancing at the calendar reminded her to inform Lisa of her new availability the next day.

Georgie made the trip to Heartland and left Lisa's things in the kitchen of the ranch house. She the proceeded to the barn to check on Phoenix. The grey gelding was patiently awaiting the arrival of his owner.

"Hey boy, how are you doing today?" She asked as she petted his velvety nose. She tended to his wounds and then returned to the house for supper. Lisa had finally arrived home and Quinn had just joined the group as well. Georgie took the opportunity to inform Lisa of her new availability.

"Lisa, I can work tomorrow, I had taken off for the show but now Since…" She trailed off. "I don't need off anymore."

"Oh Georgie, it's no big deal. Keep your day off, go watch the show or enjoy yourself," Lisa replied.

"No I can work."

"Georgie, I gave you the day off so keep your day off. Go have fun."

"Okay," Georgie finally agreed. "I'm going back to check on Phoenix for the night," She announced. She and Quinn wandered off to the barn to check on Phoenix one last time.

"So I was thinking," Quinn started once she was in Phoenix's stall. "What if you come watch the show tomorrow and then we go out to eat, and celebrate."

"What are we celebrating? Phoenix is hurt, I can't compete what is there to be happy about?" Georgie's words felt like a punch to Quinn's guts. Tomorrow they'd have been together 6 months. As he watched her worriedly caring for Phoenix the pain went away, she had been distracted, of course she forgot.

"We don't have to, it was just an idea," He replied, sensing her raging emotions and not wanting to upset her even more.

"I'm sorry Quinn, I didn't mean to snap."

"It's fine, you've got a lot on your plate right now. We can talk about this first thing in the morning, the show doesn't start until later in the morning."

They said their goodnights, exchanged a kiss and hug, and went their separate ways ti bed. Each of their minds raced as they trued so hard to fall asleep. The worry of Phoenix's injury weighing heavily on both their hearts and minds, s the pain of Georgie's words still lingering in Quinn's ears, as well as the stress of tomorrow's show as Fiona's coach. Their minds were full and their bodies restless.


i hope you all enjoyed! sorry for the delay, I was on an 8 day trip and had to get my creative juices flowing again! Please leave a review or shoot me a pm, I'd love to hear feedback!