Tuesday afternoon found Maddie back at the stables, waiting for Elizabeth's arrival after school. Mika was off doing her allocated work and she'd already taken Dakota for a short ride in the indoor arena while she waited for Elizabeth to get there. With nothing else to do to pass the time she scrolled mindlessly through Facebook, watching a couple videos here and there that came up on her page.

Finally, Elizabeth's car pulled into the parking lot. 'Sorry I'm late.' Elizabeth apologized as she stepped out of the car. 'Got caught up with some friends. I'm here now though.'

'That's alright.' Maddie assured her with a smile. 'No problem.'

Opening the door behind the driver's seat she pulled a bag out. 'I'll just head to the house to get changed. Meet you at the paddock?'

Maddie nodded, Elizabeth heading up the drive to the house as she started over to Diablo's paddock. The stallion, hearing someone coming over, lifted his head from his grazing to see who it was. A moment later he started towards her, walking calmly over to the fence to say hello.

As the stallion reached over the fence to sniff her, Maddie smiled, giving him a gentle pat on the forehead. 'Hey boy. How have you been?' He sniffed her gently, his whiskers tickling her cheek. 'Hey...'

She waited, Elizabeth finally arriving after a time.

'Got myself some new riding jeans.' Elizabeth remarked as she joined her at the fence, Diablo's halter and grooming kit in hand since she'd detoured through the barn on her way over. 'What do you think?'

'Those are nice. Where'd you get them?'

'Boot Barn across town, they had a sale on. I can see the appeal the western style has, these are so comfy.'

Maddie chuckled at that. Who would have thought the prim and proper Elizabeth would start dressing as a cowgirl? 'So, we gonna see you barrel racing any time soon?'

In answer to that question, Elizabeth just looked at her. 'I might start wearing western jeans and boots but no, I'm going to stick to English competing. Besides, I don't think my grandmother would be very impressed with me if I turned Diablo into a cow-pony.'

'No, no I don't think she would. Doesn't mean that you can't have a play around from time to time to break up his training though, horses thrive on variety. They need something different here and there.'

She nodded. 'Mika said something along those lines too.'

'I'm glad to hear you two seem to be getting along well.'

'Yeah-' Elizabeth offered Diablo a piece of carrot from her pocket. 'We-we're getting there. She's been great working with the two of us. I wasn't happy when you suggested I work with her but I'm thankful I did.'

Maddie smiled. 'I'm glad you two have worked things out.'

'Slowly. We might even be on the team together if Diablo and I can get back to competing. Do-do you think we might be able to compete again?'

'Honestly, I don't see why you guys can't. I mean, if you take it slow and easy and at his pace, don't push him, you should be able to.'

Elizabeth grinned at that, still rubbing Diablo's forehead as he munched away on his treat. 'Would be great to be able to get him ready for the fall season. We've missed out qualifying for the summer comps but do you think he'll be ready to compete this fall?'

'Maybe. It needs to be at his pace though. Don't push him. Returning to that level of training and competing is going to take time. You want to do this right.'

'Sure, of course I do. We don't need to run into those problems we had a couple months ago again, do we boy?' She chuckled as Diablo nudged her gently with his soft muzzle. 'Alright, so, what are we going to do today?'

'Think you're up for riding?'

'Maybe... I don't know.' Elizabeth took a deep breath. 'I mean, I want to but at the same time...' Her voice trailed off.

'I get it. We won't try it if you don't feel comfortable. There's no rush to any of this.' Maddie assured her. 'Get him groomed and we'll go see if there's a round yard empty.'

Elizabeth nodded and picked up the halter again, sliding through the fence into his paddock. Diablo stood calmly to be haltered and after tying him up, she began grooming him down.

Maddie observed the two of them quietly, reading both their body languages. Both of them were calm and relaxed, Elizabeth showing her confidence had come back in the way she groomed him. She was comfortable with him again and Diablo was thriving with their new relationship.

With the stallion groomed they headed out of his pasture and over towards the arena, making their way to one of the empty enclosed round yards. Maddie closed the gate behind Elizabeth, the girl leading the stallion into the middle of the round yard.

'What do you want us to start with?' Elizabeth questioned, Maddie sitting with her arms resting on one of the steel rails as she looked in the round yard.

'Show me what you two have been working on.' She replied with a smile. 'I just want to see where you two are at.'

With a nod Elizabeth untied the stallion rope halter and slid it off his face, the stallion following her back to the gate where she handed it through to Maddie. 'Can you pass me the whips please?' She motioned to the two dressage whips close by.

Handing them to her, Maddie sat back to watch them work.

Elizabeth started back into the center of the round yard, Diablo keeping pace with her beside her shoulder. When she reached the middle she stopped, lifting the whip in her right hand and she clucked for Diablo to walk on. The stallion calmly started into a small circle around her, slowly increasing in diameter as she urged him out with the pressure from her whip.

Maddie smiled, watching them work together. Diablo was cantering a circle around Elizabeth now, the stallion tossing his head here and there out of enjoyment. The two of them were like poetry in motion, both of them so connected it was like Diablo knew what Elizabeth wanted even before she asked.

After they finished with circles Elizabeth practiced asking Diablo to back up, both sending him back while she stood still and also going back with him as she stood at his shoulder. When they stopped she offered him a treat then went straight into a disease towards her.

They continued on, demonstrating everything that both Maddie and Mika had shown them. They had just started learning how to do a Spanish Walk and Elizabeth went over that with Diablo a couple times before finally bringing their liberty performance to an end.

'Well done.' Maddie complimented as Elizabeth gave her stallion another treat and a pat. 'You two are really looking great together.'

Elizabeth smiled, offering Diablo one last sugar cube 'Coming from you, that means a lot. I found your liberty routine with Dakota at the makeover this week, that was something beautiful to watch. I can see why you two won, you both have such a connection. I don't think Diablo and I would ever be able to match it.'

'Don't sell yourself short Ellie, you and Diablo have made great progress. Besides, every partnership is different. Do you enjoy what you're doing with him?'

Elizabeth nodded.

'Then that's all that matters.' Maddie told her. 'I think you are ready to start riding again. Want to give it a try?'

At that, Elizabeth let out a nervous chuckle. 'I-I guess... I should go get his gear then-'

'No, no tack.' Maddie interrupted. 'Just you, Diablo and your halter.'

'Oh, I don't know about that...'

'Trust me. Just give it a try, okay? You can just sit on him for a few moments and call it a day if you wish but no saddle, no bridle. Straight back to the basics.'

'Alright...' Elizabeth still didn't sound convinced but she came over to the gate to grab her helmet and halter and after haltering Diablo once more, grabbed the mounting block nearby and took it into the round yard.

'Take a few deep breaths.' Maddie encouraged as Diablo began walking around the mounting block Elizabeth was standing on. 'Diablo is feeling your nerves. Just take a moment to calm yourself and calm him. Once he's standing quietly, give him some pats then step down and repeat.'

With a nod Elizabeth did as instructed, Diablo coming to stand quietly beside her after a moment. After a couple pats she stepped down and waited for a second then repeated.

Maddie watched them repeat the exercise a few times, both of them calm again after the seventh time they'd done it. 'Alright-' She started as Elizabeth stepped up onto the block again. 'if you feel ready, this time, hop on.'

'Alright...' Taking a deep breath Elizabeth gathered up the lead-rope and took hold of the stallion's mane, swinging up onto his back. Diablo lifted his head feeling her weight but didn't move, standing quietly as she got herself settled.

'How does that feel?'

'It feels good.' Elizabeth replied with a nervous smile. 'He feels calm, relaxed.' She ran her hand down his neck. 'Good boy.'

'Ask him to bring his head around, both sides. See how he responds.'

With a little pressure on her makeshift reins, Elizabeth asked Diablo to first bend to the left then to the right. 'Like that?'

'Yep. Same exercises you did with Dakota. Good, good. How's he feel?'

'He feels light on the rein, I'm not fighting him to ask him to bend.'

'Great. That's what you want. When you're ready, ask him to walk on.'

Elizabeth nodded, taking another deep breath then gently nudged him with her heels. Diablo stepped calmly forward, walking out to the round yard rail.

'Good.' Maddie encouraged with a smile. 'Looking good. When you're ready, practice halting him. We want to make sure you have control, that he's listening. Seat aids first, then rein if he doesn't get the memo.'

'Alright, let's give this a go...' Elizabeth lent back just a little, giving the stallion the cue to stop. 'Woah boy.' Diablo stopped instantly, bowing his head as he stretched his neck. She smiled, giving him a pat. 'Good boy.'

'Good work.' Maddie said as they started forward again. 'If you feel up to it, ask him to trot.'

Elizabeth nodded, tapping him again with her heels. Instead of going into a trot, Diablo started into a gentle canter. It took her a couple strides but she found her seat, a huge grin starting to stretch across her lips as they made their way around the round yard.

'Yeah! That's a girl!'

Elizabeth began to laugh, urging him on a little faster. 'Oh Maddie this-this is awesome!'

'Now you know why I love riding tack less. There's nothing better than you and your horse working as one.'

'Yeah, yeah, I agree!' Starting to feel a little gamer since her stallion was going so well she dropped the lead-rope across his withers, slowly extending her arms out either side.

Maddie smiled as she took a video of them working. 'Go Ellie!'

'I feel like I'm flying.' She laughed, completing another lap of the round yard. 'Good boy, good Diablo.'

'Now you know what it feels like to be free.'

'Best. Feeling. Ever!' Elizabeth replied, asking the stallion for just a little more speed. 'This is amazing! He feels like a different horse.'

'He is, because you and him have a connection now. Your work has paid off Ellie. You two can do anything if you set your mind to it.'

After cantering around a little longer she finally picked the lead-rope up again, bringing the stallion back to a halt near Maddie. 'Oh Maddie...' She lent down to give her horse a hug. 'That felt wonderful. You and Mika have worked a miracle with us.'

'It wasn't us Ellie, it was you. We just gave you both the tools. You were the one who made it happen.' She replied as Elizabeth hugged her horse again, her smile stretching from ear to ear. 'There's nothing more I can teach you now, you guys are ready to go on your own.'

'Are-are you sure?'

'Ellie, you have to believe in yourself. You and Diablo can do anything. Just remember what got you here, keep the bond between you two. Take it slow and easy and you'll be ready for the show circuit again before you know it.'

Elizabeth nodded as she sat up again, running her hand down Diablo's neck. 'Thank you Maddie, for everything.'

Maddie smiled again. 'It's been a pleasure teaching and watching two.'

'So... This is it then?' She asked sadly after a moment as she realized that if Maddie said she was ready to go on her own, Maddie wouldn't be coming by anymore to give her a hand. 'I mean, I've really enjoyed you coming over to teach us.'

'I'll still come over to see how you guys are doing but you're ready to go back to your normal trainer now. I don't have the experience to help you get Diablo ready for showjumping and that, western events and liberty are where my skills are.'

'Fair enough.' Elizabeth replied with a soft sigh. 'We-we're still gonna be friends right, even if you aren't teaching me anymore?'

'Of course Ellie. We'll still be friends. Just because I haven't got anything else I can teach you doesn't mean we won't stop being friends. I mean, when you feel ready for it, we should go trail riding together. The three of us, Mika included.'

She smiled at that. 'I'd like that.'

'Alright. Why don't you two get back to work then?' Maddie suggested, bringing her phone back out to take another video of them. 'See what else you two can do.'

With a wide smile on her face, Elizabeth started Diablo forward into a canter once more.

Before Maddie knew it, the weekend had arrived once more. Her week had been busy to say the least, having spent most of her time down at the stables with her horses and her friends. She'd tried to keep herself as busy as possible, doing her utmost to try and forget what the coming Friday would bring.

The start of her chemotherapy.

For now though, she wanted to forget all about it.

Prom was on Thursday and she couldn't wait.

She and Colton had gone on a picnic date during the week on one of the half-days he'd had, taking the moment to catch up and enjoy each other's company. With things settling down with both their families after the aftermath of the Walker/Davidson dinner they hoped that things may have finally come to an end.

It didn't seem likely but they could hope, couldn't they?

'Bout time you two showed up.' Maddie teased, sitting out the front of the house in her wheelchair as Mika and Elizabeth stepped out of their car. 'Been waiting here for like, forever.'

Mika rolled her eyes. 'Yeah yeah. You all set to go?'

'I was born ready girl.' She laughed. 'Ellie-' She smiled as Elizabeth gave her a hug. 'Glad you could come along.'

'Well, I did have to shuffle a couple things around but you know I can't miss out on a good shopping trip. Looking forward to Prom?'

'Getting nervous more like.'

Elizabeth chuckled at that. 'Oh, I can't wait till my prom next year. What about you Mika? What was your prom like?'

'Ah well, my date didn't turn up till late.' Mika replied with a sigh. 'And when he did, he was with another girl.'

'Oh... Yeah.' Maddie cringed. 'That wasn't nice.'

Mika shrugged. 'Me and another guy who's girl stood him up spent the evening together so in the end it turned out.'

The front door opened, Abeline coming out to join them. 'Morning girls.' She greeted with a smile, giving Mika a hug before turning to the other girl standing with her and Maddie. 'Elizabeth, it's nice to finally meet you.'

Elizabeth smiled. 'It's nice to meet you too, Maddie speaks about you all the time.'

'Does she now?' She questioned with a laugh, placing her arm around her granddaughter.

'Course I do, Mawline.' Maddie replied as she looked up at her. 'Augie almost ready?'

'He'll be out in a minute.' With her saying that, August emerged from the house. 'Alright, let's get a move on then.'

The morning passed by quickly as the four of them searched the stores for a suitable dress for Maddie, Augie tagging along with them from time to time when he'd finished looking at what he was interested in in the shopping centers. After stopping for a break to have lunch they headed to another shopping center across town, Maddie finally finding a dress that she liked. With her dress purchased they set about finding her a few other things that she would be needing and once that had been done, Mika and Elizabeth left to head back to the stables for an afternoon ride.

After the two girls had left, Abeline and Maddie headed in with August to check out a music store he wanted to go look at, Maddie stopping to look at a new guitar that caught her eye.

'Thinking about ditching the piano and taking up guitar?' Abeline asked August as she followed him through the store, Maddie coming after them a short time later.

'I don't know.' He stopped to look at one guitar then kept walking. 'You know, with the band officially disbanding for the summer, I think it's time to try something new.'

'You've grown so much this year. With everything that's going on... losing the ranch, your dad's work, Maddie and... you haven't complained once.'

August scoffed at that. 'I don't know about that one.'

'Well, you were a pain in the neck about letting your collarbone heal. But, um... I'm very proud of you.' She told him as he stopped again to look at a different guitar.

'Thank you. So, does this mean you'll, uh... help me out?' He questioned as he motioned to the guitar he was standing beside.

'Oh, that's pretty.' Abeline took a look at the price tag on the guitar then raised her eyebrows and shook her head. 'Oh, no. No, no.'

'There's more on sale over there.' A young teenage girl with blonde hair interrupted as she came over to them.

'Sorry, what?' August questioned, taken by surprise.

'Guitars. I heard you guys talking. Couldn't tell if you were looking for a guitar player or teacher, but either way...' She held out a business card to him. 'My social handles. I'm Kit.'

'Thanks.'

'Look, don't just stand there,' Abeline said after the girl had walked away, taking a look at the business card she had given him. 'pull up her social handles.'

'Okay, okay.' He replied, pulling his phone out from his pocket.

'Augie's got a girlfriend.' Maddie teased as she joined them again, having seen the little exchange that had taken place.

August groaned and sighed. 'Maddie...'

'Alright, alright, I get the memo.' She said with a giggle. 'I'm not gonna tease ya but I will say this. She's cute.'

Abeline chuckled with amusement. 'Well, if you two are ready to go, how about we head home? It's getting late and I need to get dinner started.'

'Yeah, I'm ready to go.' Maddie replied. 'But Augie might want to spend some more time with his girlfriend-'

'Thought you said you weren't gonna tease me.' He interrupted.

She just grinned at him as she started to the door. 'You should know by now I just can't resist teasing you.'

August rolled his eyes as they followed her out the door. 'Yay... Lucky me.'