Three days passed by, Maddie slowly but steadily began to show signs of improvement. Though she still had the ventilator in, they had begun to wean her off that as her body once more became strong enough to take over her breathing. The doctors were hopeful that she would continue to improve and were pleased with how she was progressing.

Those days though were some of the longest Maddie had ever had.

The night she had woken up had been the worst and she was thankful that her father had been there with her when she'd woken. Everything was still a little foggy and blurry to her, Cordell having explained to her what had happened. She'd been in a coma for over a week, it was now two weeks since she had gone in for surgery to remove the brain tumor. It felt like only yesterday that she had gone under, though her memories of that morning were foggy at best. Having him walk her through what had happened helped make things a little easier as she understood and processed what she was going through but it still wasn't a walk in a park.

It was like being trapped in a living hell.

She couldn't talk or communicate in any way other than blinking or managing a couple words written into someone's hand. Her mind was active though still a little foggy but the worst part was being completely helpless, unable to do anything.

Her family all came in to see her the next morning and she could read clearly how relieved they were to see her awake. There were tears shed all round as they greeted her, Maddie wishing she could speak to them. Though her mind was still catching up on what had happened she could see that they had been through one hell of a time, especially if how her Dad looked was anything to go by.

Mika was the first person other than her family to come in and see her, the two of them both shedding tears as they reunited. Though it tired her to do so, she managed to speak with her for a short while by tracing on her hand. Mika showed her photos of her horses, Hope was over two weeks old now and thriving under her care. Maddie was relieved to know that her horses were doing well and it was a huge burden off her mind knowing they were being looked after.

It was in the quiet moments though at night when everyone was gone and when Cordell was asleep that Maddie's thoughts took over her. Though no one had said it directly, she had the feeling that she was lucky to be alive.

Slowly, things had begun to sort themselves out in her mind and vaguely, she could recall hearing her family speaking to her while she had been in the coma. Though it was foggy and she couldn't recall everything, she felt like she had been somewhere else, watching on.

She could remember her mother being there and while she couldn't remember it all, she felt at peace with the loss of her mother for the first time in her life. It was almost like she had been given the chance to say a proper goodbye to her in her dreams, weird as that was to think about. It had to have been a dream but it had felt so real…

She had seen her family coming to say goodbye and had heard them say their goodbyes to her. Colton… She remembered Colton being there to see her.

He still cared for her.

For now though, her only concern was for her family.

Though what they'd been through had been rough, Maddie had a feeling that the days ahead were going to prove to be twice as hard.

On the fifth day after Maddie had woken from her coma she was finally strong enough to breath on her own and the doctors took her off the ventilator. She was so glad to have the tube out of her throat but though it was out she still couldn't talk. They said it would take her time to be able to speak again and not being able to communicate was really frustrating her. She couldn't use a pen and paper to write, so weakened that she couldn't hold a pen. The doctors told her she needed to have patience but she was getting annoyed with her limitations.

She hated being helpless.

Abeline was reading an article out loud to Maddie from one of the Horsewyse magazines that Mika had brought it later that morning when a knock sounded on the door. 'Come in.' She invited as she looked up, Maddie glancing over too as the door was opened. 'Jenny, Rose.' Abeline smiled, placing the magazine aside. 'Nice of you to drop in.'

'Good morning Abby.' Jenny replied then turned to Maddie. 'Good to see you doing better Maddie.'

Maddie smiled at her, nodding slightly to acknowledge her before looking down at Rose. The girl was hiding behind her mothers legs shyly, her big blue eyes watching her closely. She smiled at her then managed to pat the mattress beside her weakly, inviting the girl to climb on up beside her.

Rose looked at her for a moment then up at her mom for reassurance.

'Go on honey.' Jenny encouraged her gently. 'It's okay. Even though she can't talk right now she's still the Maddie you know.'

Maddie smiled again at her and after hesitating a little longer, Rose slowly walked over to the bed and climbed up beside her. Though it tired her to do so, Maddie managed to place her arm around the little girl and Rose snuggled up tight against her.

Abeline smiled sadly at them, watching as Maddie gave Rose a soft kiss on the head. 'Would you two like some time together alone?' She questioned and after a moment, Maddie nodded. 'Alright. If you need us, we'll be just outside. Think you can come get us Rose if Maddie needs me?'

'Yes ma'am.' Rose replied softly. Abeline and Jenny stepped out of the room a moment later, closing the door behind themselves and after a moment she looked up at Maddie, her eyes watering. 'Maddie…'

Maddie kissed her head again gently, tears coming to her own eyes. God she wished she could speak to her, to be able to reassure her and let her know it was going to be okay. A moment later she gently reached for Rose's hand and made her open it, beginning to trace a message onto her palm.

I'm okay.

'I-I was so worried about you.' Rose sniffled, snuggling closer to the elder girl. 'They-they said… Mama said the doctors said you were gonna die.'

I know… She wrote slowly. But I'm still here.

She nodded as she wiped her cheeks dry. 'I-I prayed everyday that you'd be okay.' She paused for a moment. 'Even used my birthday wish too on you.'

Maddie smiled sadly at that. When was your birthday?

'Last week.' Rose sniffled again.

So you're a big girl now then?

'Yeah…'

Silence fell, Maddie pressing another kiss to Rose's head. I'm gonna be okay little one. She wrote after a moment. It's gonna take time but I will be okay.

'You… you will?'

I'm gonna do my best to get better, okay? I might need your help though, if you think you're up to it.

Rose nodded sadly. 'What do you want me to do?'

Just be the sweet, happy little girl I know. I don't like to see you sad.

'I think I can do that.'

Maddie smiled. Great. Now why don't you tell me what you've been doing with your pony lately?…

When Abeline and Jenny stuck their heads into the room a little later, Rose had launched full on into telling Maddie what Mika had been teaching her. Seeing them both smiling and Rose laughing at what Maddie wrote into her hand warmed their hearts. It brought them hope that in time, things would be okay.

Cordell walked down the hallway to Maddie's room that night after getting off work, stopping at the closed door for a moment to regain his composure. The past weeks had taken their toll on him, on all of them. They had to be strong though, they would get through this. Maddie needed them now more than ever…

With a sigh he rested back against the wall behind him, his hat in his hands. How much longer would he be able to keep this up? James had been willing to give him as much time off as he needed and even though he was utterly exhausted, he had to keep working. Had to keep busy. Being busy kept him from having time to think about the road ahead.

Though Maddie had pulled through for now, had they just delayed the inevitable? The chances of her exceeding the doctor's life expectancy expectations were slim at best. Maddie would die. It was just a case of when.

He hated that his daughter was sick.

Hated seeing her lying there so weak and fragile.

Why?

The one question that he hadn't been able to find an answer for the whole time.

Why?

Why Maddie?

Why did it have to be her to go through this?

Taking a deep breath he wrestled his thoughts and emotions under control once more then turned to her door. Maddie, Stella, August and Liam all looked over as he walked in. 'Afternoon y'all.'

'Hey Dad.' Stella replied as she rose from her chair to give him a hug.

'Hey Butterbean.' He said as he hugged her back then gave August a fist bump. 'Buddy.'

August smiled. 'Work good?'

'Yeah, yeah… It-It was great. Maddie girl-' Cordell turned to her, Maddie smiling as he gave her a hug and a kiss. 'You have a good day?'

She nodded and he offered her his hand to write on. Rose came to see me. She wrote. Beat Uncle Liam at three rounds of chess too.

Cordell laughed at that and looked over at his brother. 'Maddie creamed you at chess today I hear.'

Liam chuckled. 'Yeah, yeah she did.'

Maddie grinned smugly, writing into Cordell's hand again. Still got it. You and I have a game?

'What? So I can lose to you too?' He teased back, taking a seat in the empty chair beside her bed. 'Maybe later honey.'

Scaredy-cat. She wrote on his hand. Don't wanna lose to me hey?

'Well-' Liam stood and stretched, looking at the time. 'Think it's time for us to be going, you two.' He remarked, turning to Stella and August. 'We'll come back after dinner.'

'Alright.' Stella agreed and stood, first giving Cordell a hug then one to her sister. 'I'll see if Augie and I can smuggle Bubbles in to see you soon.' She whispered softly in her ear. 'We're on the roster tomorrow alone for a couple hours, we'll try to bring her in then.'

Maddie smiled at that, motioning that she wanted her hand. Thank you. She wrote into Stella's palm. I'd love to see her.

'We'll be back soon.' August added, giving her a hug as well. 'Might see if Mawline knows where that horse board game of yours is for us to play.'

Sure. She wrote into his hand after he'd held it out to her for her reply. Good idea.

'Maddie-' Liam came over as Stella and August said goodbye to their father and left. 'Try to rest before we come back honey, you look tired.'

I am tired. She admitted as she wrote on his palm. But happy. It was good to see Rose again.

'Just try to get some rest, okay?'

Okay.

Liam left the room and Cordell stepped out for a moment too to go speak with him, Maddie casting a look to the closed door before she opened her mouth. For the last couple of days when she had been alone she had been attempting to speak but without much success, much to her frustration. She wanted to talk again but it was like she'd forgotten how.

Figuring out how to talk again was the very least of her problems. With how weakened she was from being in bed for so long her muscles had wasted away. It would be a long time before she recovered to the point of being normal once more, and a lot of physical therapy. The worst part was that she had to rely on others for everything. Absolutely everything.

She couldn't even take care of the most basic human needs, much to her humiliation.

She hated feeling like a burden.

Though the nurses looking after her were kind, she couldn't help but feel this way. She was a girl with a lot of pride after all and it was hard to be accepting of help at the best of times. Right now though, she didn't have much of a choice.

Maddie kept trying to speak while Cordell was out of the room and finally, a squeak sounded from her throat. She waited for a moment then tried again, something simple. The word Dad. It took her a couple tries but after a little while and though it was barely audible, she finally managed to say it.

Just the simple thing of being able to say Dad once more felt like a huge win for Maddie and she rested back against her pillow again, conserving what was left of her energy. Though she was feeling better as time progressed it was going to be a long time before she was strong again. At least she was alive though. She couldn't complain.

She'd had more scans done earlier, Abeline thankfully being allowed to stay with her while they carried out testing. The doctors said she was doing better and the swelling had reduced to where they were happy with it. The tumor too for the most part was gone as well, no signs of cancer showing up on the scans just yet. That was another thing to be thankful for, she guessed.

This wasn't the end of it though. No. This was just the beginning.

They had said that once her body was stronger and she'd be able to handle the treatment, chemotherapy and radiation was next on the agenda. It wouldn't be until she was stronger though and that could be anywhere from a few weeks to a couple months.

The next few months weren't going to be easy at all, on any of them.

The door opened again and Cordell walked back inside, taking a seat in the chair beside his daughter once more. 'Liam is right.' He remarked softly, tucking a lock of Maddie's hair back behind her ear. 'You do look exhausted sweetheart.'

Maddie reached for his hand and he held it out to her. I'm okay. She wrote on his palm. A little tired, yes but I'm okay. How was work?

'Work was work. Cassie's gonna come by to see you tomorrow. Wants to know if there's anything she could get you.'

She thought for a moment. Horse books from the library? I love the Heartland series.

'Heartland?' He questioned just to be sure he got it right. Maddie nodded. 'Alright, I-I'll let her know and she can see if they've got any.'

Maddie nodded again, silence falling once more. After a time she gently took his hand again, beginning to trace another message. Dad… She paused for a moment then began to write again. Are you okay?

'I-I'm alright sweetheart.' He did his best to reassure her, still stroking back what was left of her hair. 'Getting along as best I can…' He sighed softly. 'You had us all so worried, little one.'

She looked at him closely for a moment then opened her mouth, speaking in an almost inaudible whisper. 'Dad… It-' She paused for a moment as she struggled to make the words she wanted to say come out. 'It… It's o…ok-okay.'

'Maddie honey…' His eyes watered with tears hearing her speak again, as faint and weak as her voice was. 'You-your talking again baby girl.'

Maddie nodded, a sad smile on her lips as she began to write on his hand again. I'm trying Dad. I'm trying to get better.

A smile came to his lips as he squeezed her hand gently. 'I know, baby girl. I know.' He pressed a kiss to her forehead, being careful not to touch the staples she still had in her scalp. 'You're doing so well honey. My little warrior girl.'

She smiled again at hearing him call her that. I'm worried about you Dad. She wrote on his hand after a moment. I know you've all been struggling with me being sick.

'We… We're doing okay sweetheart.'

Dad… Their eyes met then Cordell looked away after a moment. We're gonna make it through this.

Cordell nodded, swallowing the lump in his throat. 'Yeah… Yeah we will sweetheart.'

Maddie smiled sadly back at him. Now how about you losing a round of chess to me?

Two more days passed by and to Maddie's relief, she slowly began regaining the use of her voice. By the time that the week had gone by she was able to speak clearly once more and the doctors were speaking about her being able to go home soon.

That week ended and slipped into a new week, a month having gone by since Maddie had first gone into surgery. It was hard to believe that a month had already passed but for Maddie, being stuck in the hospital bed, the time she had been awake and conscious for the last two weeks felt like an absolute lifetime.

She would be so glad when they finally let her go home.

Maddie was awake before Cordell was as Monday morning dawned, the teen having been awake for most of the night thinking. Things were coming back to her from when she'd been in the coma and the pieces of the dream that had returned completed the puzzle. She remembered it all now, being in a strange place and her mother having been there. She could recall Emily being there with her too and not just Emily, the little girl Amber.

She remembered everything.

With those thoughts falling into place she realized just how close she had come to dying. She could remember every single word that had been spoken to her while she was in that coma. Colton too she remembered having come in but since she had been awake, she hadn't heard from or seen him.

Why did he stay away?

She did forgive him. She didn't hold what his family had done against him. It hadn't been his fault.

Should she contact him?

What would he say?

As she was pondering those things, Cordell began to wake. 'Morning Dad.' She whispered softly, her voice slowly strengthening over the last few days. 'Sleep well?'

'Well enough.' He replied, giving her a kiss. 'What about you?'

She shook her head. 'Not… Not very well.'

'What's on your mind sweetheart?'

'Just… things…'

'You-you want to talk about it?' Cordell questioned softly.

'I… I came close to dyin…' She finally said after a long and thoughtful pause. 'Didn't I?'

He nodded after a moment, stroking back her hair. 'We thought we were going to lose you sweetheart.'

'I know… I… I remember.'

Cordell frowned a little and after a moment, Maddie began to explain.

'I could-I could hear you all. Saying goodbye.' She started slowly, trying to think of a way to put her thoughts into words. 'But it was like I was watching from this strange place, I could see everything happening down here. I-I was trapped there. I wanted to come back but I couldn't.' She paused again for a moment. 'My mom was there and someone else was too.'

'Who?' He questioned with curiosity.

'Emily.'

'E-emily?' Cordell stuttered with surprise. 'My wife Emily, Emily?'

Maddie nodded. 'I-I spoke to her.'

'Wow…' He didn't quite know what to say. 'I mean… Wow.'

'Yeah…' She sighed softly. 'It had to be a dream but it felt so real. I mean, I could see what was going on down here and I could hear you all, what you said to me.' She paused again then shook her head. 'I don't know. It was all just so strange.'

'It must have been.' He agreed, tucking her hair back behind her ear.

'I-I had to make a decision too.' Maddie continued after a time. 'Whether to stay there or come back. I wanted to stay with my mom but I-I couldn't leave you all. I-I chose… I chose to come back.'

Cordell didn't know what to say to that.

'I got to say goodbye to Mom.' She said as he kept stroking her hair. 'I-I finally feel at peace, with her going. I know it sounds strange-' She shook her head again. 'But it's like I've been able to accept it from being able to say goodbye to her.' She paused for a second then sighed again. 'Sure was a lot for this early in the morning.'

'Yeah…' He let out a sad, soft chuckle. 'Yeah, it was honey.'

'Sorry…' Maddie apologized. 'It-it's been playing on my mind.'

'It's alright sweetheart.' Cordell assured her with a smile. 'I don't mind listening to you at all.'

She smiled sadly. 'Thanks Dad.'

'Do you-do you want to talk about anything else?'

Maddie shook her head. 'Not… Not right now. I-I'm okay.'

'Okay.' He tucked another lock of her hair back behind her ear. 'I-I'm gonna have to go…'

'I know. You don't want to be late for work.' She replied, knowing that Cordell had to go home and shower and eat breakfast before he headed into work. 'I'll be okay.'

Cordell stood, tenderly pressing a kiss to her forehead. 'I'll see you tonight, alright?'

She smiled up at him as he pulled back. 'Alright. Have a good day.'

'You want me to hand you anything before I go?'

'Ummm, my Heartland book I'm reading through?' He handed her over the book she'd been reading that Cassie had picked up for her from the library. 'Thanks.'

'Love you.'

Maddie smiled at him. 'Love you too.'

Cordell left and after he had gone, Maddie let out a huge sigh, resting her head back into her pillow. While she'd revealed a little of what had been playing on her mind she hadn't mentioned what she'd really been thinking about. About just how close she had come to dying.

Her dream, being there with her mom and Emily in that place, it all had felt so real. It hadn't felt like a dream at all. It felt like she had actually lived through what she remembered. She had been somewhere and that somewhere had been between life and death. She'd been given a choice. A choice to live or to die.

Coming that close to dying and still living brought a new perspective on life to her.

Life was such a fragile gift…

More than anything, she wanted to live.

She had seen her family go through enough agony already.

How would they have coped if she had died?

Now, more than ever, she was glad she had chosen to live.

Her past was in the past now, her future was ahead.

She was at peace with losing her mother and though she knew that she'd always miss her and think of her, there was no pain anymore when she thought of her.

Being able to say goodbye meant that she was finally able to let go.

Now, she just hoped she would be strong enough to be able to face the coming days.

Home.

There was no sweeter word.

She was finally going home.

It was just a little over a week later that the doctors were satisfied with the progress she had made and today was the day they were finally releasing her from the hospital. Maddie could hardly contain her excitement as the doctors carried out one final examination and some other tests. She was going home.

She'd dreamed of this day since she'd woken from the coma, having had enough of hospitals and nurses and the poking and prodding from day one. The sooner she got home the happier she'd be.

Now, finally, that day had come.

With the last of the tests finally completed she was taken back to the room that had been hers for over the last month, definitely not at all sorry to be leaving. Abeline had everything of hers already packed and moved out the day before, now she just needed to wait for her father to come pick her up.

A nurse helped her change into the clothes Abeline had left for her and she was thrilled to be in her own clothes once again. With a glance down at her watch her excitement grew. It wouldn't be long now till Cordell got off work and she sure couldn't wait for him to arrive.

She waited.

Finally she saw her father walking up the hallway, more than ready to go as he walked into the room. 'About time Dad!' She exclaimed. 'What took you so long?'

'Got held up at work.' He chuckled as he gave her a hug. 'Ready to go?'

'Am I ever! If I could do cartwheels out the door, I would.'

'Alright. Let's get you out of here then. Up you come pumpkin.' Easily he picked up her small frame from off the bed and gently placed her down in the wheelchair beside the door. 'All set?'

'Mmhmm. Let's get out of here!'

Cordell laughed at her enthusiasm as the two of them headed out of the room, a few nurses saying goodbye to them as they left. When they reached his truck he gently lifted her into the passenger side then placed the wheelchair in the back, Maddie buckling up her seat belt as she waited for him to get in.

'Can we make a quick detour before going home?' Maddie requested as Cordell got in the driver's side. 'I really, really, want to go see my horses.'

'How did I know you were going to ask that?' He remarked with a chuckle as he started the ignition.

'You just know me too well Dad.' She replied with a grin. 'So, can we? Please? Pretty pretty please with a cherry on top?'

'Oh, alright.'

'Yay! Thank you Daddy, thank you!'

Cordell smiled at her. 'Bet those girls of yours will be just as excited to see you as you are them.'

When they arrived at the Equestrian Center, Cordell picked Maddie up once more out of the truck and gently set her down in the wheelchair, pushing her across to the barn. As they made their way through a few of the other workers stopped to say hello and exchange pleasantries, Maddie thanking them for their concern and kind words.

When they came to Bel and Dakota's stalls, they were both empty. 'Mika's got them out in pasture five.' She read from the chart hung up on the side of the stall door and let out a sigh as she looked up at her father. 'Guess I won't get to see them after all, we can't take the chair up there.'

'That-that's an easy fix.' He remarked, picking her up once more. 'I'll just carry you.'

Maddie sighed and nodded, resting her head against his shoulder as her arms were wrapped around his neck. 'I hate being so helpless.' She remarked as they started out of the barn towards the turnout pastures. 'I just want to be able to be normal again.'

'I know, baby girl.' He pressed a kiss to her head. 'But you heard what they said. It's going to take time for you to get your strength back.'

'I hate being a burden on you all-'

'You-you aren't a burden honey, believe me.' Cordell interrupted gently. 'Remember what was in my promise to you when I became your father? In sickness and in health, I will be here. I will never walk away.' He paused for a moment. 'I know… I know you are struggling, with-with everything… But I'm here for you. We-we're here for you. You aren't a burden sweetheart. We are happy to take care of you, that's what family does.'

Her eyes began to water a little at that reassurance. 'Thanks…' She looked up at him. 'Thanks Dad. That… that means a lot.'

He smiled at her. 'You-you will get better, you've just got to be patient. In the meantime though- let us help you. Okay? We-we want to help you as much as we can honey.'

Maddie let out another little sigh, forcing back her pride. 'All…Alright.'

Silence fell as they carried on their way, finally reaching the paddock that Bel and Dakota, as well as the foal were turned out in. The two mares and the foal were down grazing at the old oak tree when they stopped at the wooden fence, Cordell lifting Maddie up to sit on the old fence post. 'Think they're going to notice we're here?' Maddie remarked to him with a little chuckle.

'I don't know, you might have to call them.' He replied with a laugh.

Sticking her fingers in her mouth she let out a shrill whistle, two heads raising from their grazing instantly at the sound. A moment later Bel and Dakota came cantering across the paddock towards them, little Hope bounding alongside them. Maddie smiled as the horses slowed and it was Bel who reached her first. 'Hey-' She held her hand towards the mare. 'Hey Bel. Hey darlin. You missed me?'

With a soft whinny, Bel pressed her forehead against the hand offered her, Maddie's grin spreading from ear to ear as she patted her mare. 'Hey, hey baby girl…'

Cordell smiled as he watched their reunion and took his phone from his pocket to grab some photos of them.

Dakota came over to join in and demand attention, Maddie patting them both at the same time as she spoke to them in soft and gentle tones. Hope stood back a little ways, trying to make sense of this new strange human but at Bel's encouraging knicker, stepped a little closer.

Tears came to Maddie's eyes as she stroked her horses. 'Oh I've missed you guys…' She said softly, sniffling. Her horses were the most important part of her life after her family and she had missed them so much. She sniffled, swallowing the lump back in her throat as Dakota nuzzled gently at her cheek. 'Hey… Hey, I've missed you too my darlin.'

After a time, curiosity got the better of the little foal and she slowly approached, stretching out her little muzzle to sniff at her boot. Maddie smiled, sitting as still as possible so she didn't frighten the foal. 'Hello Hope… Hello little one.' Hope began to nibble at her boot and she let out a soft chuckle, seeing her father recording a video of them out of the corner of her eye. Slowly she went from patting Dakota and held her hand out to the foal, letting Hope sniff it for a moment then gently placed her hand on her head. Hope snorted a little but didn't move and as Maddie began to scratch behind her ear, the foal began to lean into it and really enjoyed it.

'I thought I heard you had dropped in.' Mika exclaimed as she walked up. 'Hey Sis.'

'Hey.' Maddie smiled, her horses forgotten for a moment as she hugged her friend. They held onto each other for a long moment, Maddie breathing in her presence then she finally let her go. 'The girls… They look wonderful.' She said, motioning to the horses behind her. 'Thank you for taking such good care of them.'

'I promised they would be in good hands, didn't I?'

'You did.' Maddie agreed. 'I'm so glad they are in such great condition. They look great, don't they, Dad?'

Cordell nodded. 'Like Maddie said, thank you for looking after them.'

Mika smiled. 'It was the least I could do and besides, it kept me busy.' She turned back to her friend. 'How are you going?'

'I'm okay.' She replied, her hand on Bel's forehead once more. 'Now that I'm out of the hospital we'll have to catch up sometime this week. Have a girls evening.'

'Sounds like a good idea.' Glancing at her watch she reached for Dakota's halter and lead rope hanging up on the fence. 'I came up to take these guys back in, is it okay if I quickly do that now?'

'We're going to have to go anyway.' Cordell replied before Maddie could get a word in. 'It's getting late Maddie, we need to get you home.'

Maddie let out a long sigh and nodded as she ran her fingers through Bel's mane. 'Alright. Can I just grab a quick photo on Dakota though before we go? Please?'

He thought about it for a moment then nodded. 'One quick photo then we need to go.'

'I'll catch her for you guys.' Mika offered and entered the pasture, Cordell getting the gate for her after she had caught the mare and she led her out. 'When will you be able to ride again, Maddie?'

'I don't know.' She admitted as her father picked her up and carried her over to her mare, placing her gently on Dakota's back. Dakota turned her head to sniff her boot and she smiled as she lent down to give the mare a hug.

'The doctors haven't given her a time frame.' Cordell told Mika as Maddie hugged her mare. 'It depends on how quickly she recovers.'

Mika nodded, looking up at her friend. 'How is she doing?'

'She'll be better now being out of the hospital.' He replied softly so his daughter couldn't hear their conversation. 'It'd be great if you could spend some time with her, get her mind off things.'

She nodded again in understanding. 'I'll see if I can shift around a couple things with work to free up some time.'

'Thank you. I appreciate it and I know Maddie will.'

Mika turned back to him, smiling. 'That's what friends are for.'

'Family.' Cordell corrected. 'With everything we've been through these past few weeks… You're family now Mika.' She smiled again at that and he turned his attention back to his daughter, taking a couple of photos for her. 'Alright Maddie-.' He exclaimed as he returned his phone to his pocket. 'Time to get you home baby girl.'