Here she was. Back at Raintree again.
"Hey, Kris?" said Todd. "Want to go out to the barn and see Wildfire?"
Kris smiled a little. That was the best thing about having her family back: no matter what was going on, there was always someone who knew what she needed.
"I think I will," said Kris. She got up.
"Don't get up on his back," said Pablo. "You already have a concussion."
Kris laughed a little inside. Then her mind froze again when she realized how completely ordinary this seemed. It was as if she'd just gone to the hospital for a while and now she was home and everything was back to normal. But in reality, it was anything but.
Kris walked into the barn and whistled for Wildfire, just like she always had. He poked his head out of the stall and his ears pricked up. When he saw Kris, he tossed his head and neighed for her. "Sorry, boy," said Kris. "I've got no carrots this time."
Wildifre tossed his head impatiently. When she got close enough to him, he nuzzled her shoulder. Then he stopped and just looked at her as if to say, "Where'd you go?"
"Hey," said Kris. "I promised you I'd be back! I just never thought it would be this soon. Kris sighed deeply and put her head down on the side of the stall door, letting Wildfire quietly nuzzle her chest, Junior's confession of undying love for her ringing in her ears. Especially her last words to him before they ran away: "I choose you".
Kris looked out the door into the arena. Matt and Pablo were standing at the rail together. Matt was holding the stop watch. A horse breezed past them being ridden by an exercise rider. Pablo and Matt said something to each other, Pablo nodded, and then he went into the ring to say something to the rider. It was somewhat nice to see her two favorite horse trainers working together again, but at the same time it was such a normal everyday Raintree scene that Kris felt like she was viewing it from behind a thick wall of glass.
"He's gone, Wildfire," she said. "I will never see him ever again. He will never be ever again." She still wasn't comprehending the enormity of that fact. She wasn't sure she wanted to.
Up in the house, Jean, Todd, and Dani were in the kitchen. "Thanks for the cookies, Mom," said Todd.
"You're welcome," said Jean. "Hey, why don't you take some down to the riding ring for Matt and Pablo?"
"Sure," said Todd. "Should I go bring some to Kris, too?"
"Sure, that's a good idea," said Jean. "But leave her alone unless she clearly wants you to stay with her."
"Okay," said Todd. He left.
"Do you want some cookies, Dani?" asked Jean. "Dani?"
Dani was sitting quietly at the table, tears in her eyes. She stood up, shook her head, and walked out the door.
Half an hour later, Dani and her van were at Davis Farms. She punched in the security code and walked in the door. "Dad?" called Dani.
No answer.
"Dad? It's me, Dani."
She looked around. In the dining hall. In the living area. Even in his bedroom. Then she heard a small grunt coming from the office and headed towards it. Of course. Where else would he be? "Dad," called Dani. Then she opened the door and walked in. Of course. There he was. His face was wet with tears, but other than that, he looked like his normal, businesslike self.
"Dani," he said coldly. "Come in. I was hoping I'd see you today."
Suddenly, she felt a little afraid. She walked in slowly and sat down in front of his desk. "I'm sorry I haven't come to visit you since Junior died. I've just...I guess I've been avoiding it."
"It's all right," said Ken. "I understand. We can talk all about it in a little while. But first, we have some business to discuss."
Dani rolled her eyes. "I already told you, Dad. I may consider racing Tigress Eye with you someday. But not right now. And in any case, you're not getting me to come back here. Davis Farms is all yours."
Ken raised his eyebrows. "Really? That's not what Junior's will says."
Dani's mouth dropped open slightly. Her jaw hit the floor when she read the words, "I, Kenneth Walter Davis Junior, of sound mind and body, wish first and foremost for my non-existant debts to be paid off by my estate. I leave my most prized posession, my porshe, to my sister Danielle Maria Davis, along with my entire share in Davis Farms, which is fifty-four percent. To my best friend, Matthew James Ritter, I leave everything in the two bottom drawers of my dresser. I leave everything else I own to my father, Kenneth Stratford Davis Senior. Lastly, I wish that nothing I own of any financial or sentimental value whatsoever be given to my mother, Isabelle Matiya Ferris, for reasons which are well known to her."
"He...he must have written this long before yesterday afternoon!" said Dani. "No! No way am I taking back over half of the shares in this place! I'm signing these shares back over to you, Dad. You're on your own!"
Ken looked a little sad when she said that. But all he said was, "Fine. Go ahead. What are you going to do in another decade when I kick the bucket?"
Suddenly, Dani froze. The reality of Junior being gone, already starting to set in for her, reached up and smacked her across the face.
"That's right, Dani," said Ken. "You're the only one left. Like it or not, in the end, this place will be all yours."