Chapter Fourteen: On the Bright Side of Things

Stevie slowed Belle to a stop. They had been trotting for what seemed like hours and weren't getting anywhere. She felt dizzy, and tired. After much thought, she dismounted and led Belle over to the edge of the creek, where she drank happily.

Stevie sat down on a warm log. The sun had melted the snow off of it and it was quite dry. She yawned and fought to stay awake. She kept herself from falling asleep by watching for anyone. She wondered where Phil was.

Phil wondered where Stevie was. Their group had been walking for a while, but still had no sign of her. They had taken one of the wooded trails. Phil looked around, hoping to find a sign of her presence, but found nothing. He sighed, and picked up a trot. All this thinking had put him a good distance behind Max and Red!

Carole followed Lisa as they cantered along the creek bank. They had thought it would be less rough, and there wouldn't be so many twigs and fallen logs.

Carole sighed as they turned a corner along the creek. She always hoped that Stevie would be waiting for them around the corner, but she never was.

They cantered on for a while, soon slowing to a trot. Carole leaned back in the saddle and closed her eyes. The sun was warm on her face, and it felt good. She let the reins slacken, trusting Starlight to follow Prancer.

She heard a squeak from Lisa and slowly opened one eye. She panicked when she saw Prancer bent down, sniffing for food, Lisa nowhere to be seen. She snapped to attention.

Lisa was running towards a figure sitting on a fallen log. Her silky black horse was snuffling a pile of dead leaves, and appeared content. Carole felt her heart surge.

Stevie!

She slid from the saddle and joined Lisa in running. Stevie looked up sleepily. She smiled brightly when she saw Carole and Lisa running towards her. She got up slowly, swaying a bit from dizziness.

Just as Stevie took a step forward she was bombarded by two teen girls. Lisa was running with such force that she knocked her down and they fell to a heap on the ground. Laughing and smiling, they looked up at the sky.

"I can't believe we found you!" Carole said excitedly.

Lisa nodded and turned to look at Stevie. "We were so worried! Everyone was! Actually, Phil, Max and Red probably still are!"

Stevie scrunched up her face. "Why's that?"

Carole rolled her eyes. "When Phil got to us early this morning, he said you were stuck in the barn. When he got there with Max and Red, you weren't there!" Stevie's face turned red.

"Oh….oops." She muttered. Lisa laughed, mostly out of relief.

"Oh, it doesn't matter, we've found you now!" Lisa gave Stevie a mischievous glare. "So what'd you and Phil do? Being trapped, all night!"

Stevie's face got even redder, if that was possible. "Nothing! Honest! We played cards, and then I went to bed!" Lisa smiled and nodded, but the sly look never left her eyes.

"We'd better get back soon." Carole said. "I'd hate to make Max, Red, and Phil worry any longer! They don't know what happened to you!"

Stevie and Lisa nodded in unison. Carole stood up and helped Lisa to her feet. Stevie stood shakily, and felt herself sway on her feet. Carole put a hand on her shoulder to steady her.

"Are you alright? You don't look so good?"

Stevie's face had turned pale, and she was shaking. "Oh, me? I'm…." Stevie didn't know what to say. "I'm….not fine." She mumbled the last line, but Carole managed to catch it.

"Okay then. Why don't you ride behind me on Starlight? I'll lead Belle, don't worry!" She saw Stevie relax and accepted that as a yes.

Normally she would have made Stevie ride home on her own horse, but when Stevie needed help, she needed help. It was something she rarely admitted to, so when she did, it was usually important.

Carole mounted up on Starlight, Lisa doing the same on Prancer. With a great deal of Carole's help, she pulled herself up to sit behind Carole on Starlight.

Stevie leaned forward and rested her head on Carole's shoulder as they walked back towards Pine Hollow. Carole smiled. Stevie yawned and closed her eyes slowly. Within minutes she had dozed off.

Carole felt the other girl slump against her, and knew she had fallen asleep. She yawned herself, but kept her eyes open and kept riding. Within about twenty minutes they arrived at Pine Hollow. Phil and the group had not returned yet, and Carole reminded herself to call Max to end the search. Carole turned in her saddle and gently shook Stevie.

"Come on Stevie, wake up. We're at Pine Hollow!" Carole whispered soothingly.

Stevie groaned and opened her eyes slowly. She yawned and hugged Carole closer. Carole chuckled, but she pushed Stevie away gently.

"Come on." She slipped off the saddle and held Stevie's waist as she helped her down as well. Stevie leaned on Carole's shoulder, and Carole couldn't help but smile warmly. She turned to Lisa.

"Would you mind taking the horses in? I'm going to get Stevie to the lounge."

Lisa shook her head. "I'll get the horses, but shouldn't you take Stevie to the lounge? Then you can call Max without leaving her on her own." She turned to the drowsy blonde, a smile on her face.

Carole nodded. "Good idea, thanks Lisa!" She walked towards the office, Stevie using her for support. Once inside the office, Stevie walked over the couch where she collapsed, already half asleep.

Carole dialed Max's number. It rang three times before he picked up.

"Hello? Lisa, is this you?" Max's voice asked.

"No, Carole."

"Oh, Carole, did Stevie come back to the barn?" His voice was flooded with worry.

"Oh, she's fine. She's here in the lounge actually." Carole could almost see him relax.

"Can I talk to her?"

Carole glanced at the sleeping figure on the couch. "I don't think that will be possible, you see…"

"Why?!" Max's voice tensed up a bit.

"Oh, nothing bad! She's just sleeping!" Carole reassured him.

She heard Max sigh, "Thanks Carole. We'll be there soon!" He hung up.

Carole placed the phone back and sat down on the end of the couch. She gently pat Stevie's leg, in a protective manner.

"Huh?" Stevie's eyes fluttered open and she sat up groggily.

"Oh! Sorry! I didn't mean to wake you!" Carole apologized.

"It's okay, I probably needed to wake up anyways." Stevie looked down at her feet.

"I'm so sorry Carole."

"Sorry for what?" Carole had no idea why Stevie was apologizing.

"I-I didn't mean to be so mean earlier. I just, I don't know." She sighed. "I've been having a really bad week. But I shouldn't have taken it out on you and Lisa, I'm sorry."

Carole nudged Stevie's shoulder playfully. "Aww…it's okay! Everybody has bad days! Or weeks!" She grabbed the girl's hand gently.

"I'm just glad to still have you as my friend! Especially after what I said!" She looked Stevie in the eye.

"Oh, Carole, you know I can't stay mad at you for long!" Stevie smiled and gave Carole a hug. They remained in the brace until Carole once again felt Stevie slump against her.

Carole laid Stevie back on the couch and got up. She then slowly and quietly left the room to help Lisa with the horses.

The next chapter is the last! Oh, I'm so excited, but I'm also sad to end this. Maybe I'll do another…I don't know. Anyways, this last chapter may be a bit short, but it's just to kind of tie things together! Keep reviewing, and thanks to the people who've supported me along the way! I look forward to the end as much as you do!