Chosen (24 page)

I BARELY SLEPT ON SATURDAY NIGHT.

I woke up early Sunday morning, grateful that it was finally a decent time of morning. I made a cup of blueberry green tea, and grabbed a notebook and a few catalogs to start making a list of what I needed for school.

Mom, the only one crazy enough to be up, walked over to where I was sprawled out on the comfy living room chaise longue.

“Trying to keep busy?” she asked, smiling.

“Trying is definitely the key word in that question. But
this
is fun. Look.” I pointed to a poster. It was a black silhouette of a girl holding her horse's reins. The background was a bright, SweeTart pink. “How do you feel about this for my dorm room?”

“I love it,” Mom said. “It's very
you
. Remember, Lauren, Charlotte's coming home in just a few days. She'll be able to give you lots of help since she lives in a dorm room.”

In all of the craziness, I'd forgotten that my older sister would be home next week. She'd been finished with college for about a month and had been visiting friends before coming home. We weren't close the way Becca and I were, but it wasn't because we hated each other—we were just too far apart in age to really relate well to each other.

“Yeeeah,” I said. But maybe I was wrong. Maybe she'd
want
to help me with this.

Mom smiled at me for a minute. But she didn't say anything. She turned, sidestepping the coffee table, and headed toward her office.

I picked up my phone and opened BBM. I still hadn't told Taylor my exciting news yet. We'd chatted over BBM briefly, but he'd said he couldn't talk. Maybe he'd be able to now—I was sure he'd be up—he always got up early like me.

Lauren:

U awake?

I went back to my catalog, looking at clothing storage options. Storage bins seemed like the most practical option. They were largest. I knew I couldn't stuff all my
clothing into what would probably be a smaller closet, one-eighth the size of the one I had at home.

Cute
.

I put one of my color-coded sticky tabs on a page featuring coffee-colored canvas bins adorned by polka dots. Each one had lids, which made them stackable.

I checked my phone again—no messages from Tay.
He must still be asleep
, I told myself.

I turned back to the catalog, scanning for accessory storage.

Canterwood had sent a follow-up e-mail yesterday that said I'd be given my roommate's contact info later on in the summer and we'd be able to ‘meet' via e-mail. I wondered what my roommate would be like and if her style would be like mine or if she'd be totally different. Having a roommate I'd never met before was exciting and scary all at the same time!

Almost an hour later, my phone buzzed.

Taylor:

Awake now, lol. What's up?

Lauren:

Can u talk now? I rlly, RLLY have smthing 2 tell u!

Taylor:

Yeah, call me. I want 2 hear ur news
.

I picked up my catalogs, notebook, and pen and went outside to the pool deck. There was a slight coolness to the early-morning May air. I put down my stuff on a table and dialed Taylor. Unable to sit—the news too exciting!—I paced barefoot on the deck.

“Hey,” Taylor said, answering after what felt like ninety-seven rings.

“I've been going crazy waiting to talk to you,” I said, cheerful.

“Sorry.” Taylor yawned. “I was with the guys yesterday and they stayed over playing video games until really late. I didn't want to call
too
late and get you in trouble.”

“Oh.”

It stung a little that he couldn't have left his friends for a minute or two to return my call. But he was talking to me now. What was the point in being mad now? I was too excited!

“So, what's the big news?” Taylor asked, still sounding pretty sleepy.

“It's
really
big,” I teased. “Yesterday, my parents told me they were giving me a present for graduation and for getting into Canterwood.”

“So . . . what'd they give you?”

“They haven't given it to me yet. It's something I have
to pick out. They're giving me a horse!” My voice rose several octaves every time I said that.

“Lauren! That's great. You'll be completely ready for your new school now. I know how much you've always wanted a horse.”

“Isn't it the best gift ever?” I was squeaking so loud, I scared a squirrel. It darted through the grass and up a tree, stopping to chatter at me, as though it was scolding me.

“That's really awesome—like getting your first car. I'm really happy for you.”

“Thanks, Tay. I'm starting to look tomorrow—and I'm going insane attempting to stay busy.”

Taylor laughed. “I bet.”

We talked for a few more minutes before agreeing to BBM later so we could figure out a day next week to go out.

And I spent the rest of the day prepping for Canterwood in every possible way. By the time I went to bed, I had so many lists, they covered my bulletin board completely.

I fell asleep wondering what my new horse would be like.

“IS THIS IT?” I ASKED FOR THE HUNDREDTH
time.

“Yep,” Dad said, looking at his GPS. “We're here.” He made a right turn and we drove a short distance down a country road before I saw the fences.

Horses dotted the pasture. We turned down a driveway under a silver sign that said
WILDEN FARM
.

Mom had work this morning, so Dad had driven me to the stable. I'd Chatted with Brielle and Ana on the drive over, writing
@BrielleisaBeauty & @AnaArtiste Wish me luck!! 9:02 a.m
.

A new Chat symbol appeared on my phone just before we'd reached the stable.

@LaurBell *tons of 4 leaf clovers* 9:24 a.m
.

I smiled at Brielle's message. Ana was at a weekend art class, so I doubted she had her phone on. I put mine away, looking up.

“There's Kim's truck,” I said, pointing.

Dad pulled the SUV next to Kim's red truck and we got out. I'd dressed in breeches, a T-shirt, and paddock boots. I tucked my helmet under my arm, walking next to Dad as we headed for the stable's entrance.

“Hi,” I said, spotting Kim inside.

“Hi, Lauren,” Kim said. “Hi, Gregg,” she said, shaking my dad's hand. “This is Jeffrey. He owns Wilden Farm, and he's got a couple of horses for Lauren to try out.”

“Hello,” I said, offering him my hand to shake.

Jeffrey, looking surprised, shook my hand and Dad's. He was an older man, probably in his fifties, and he had a kind smile.

“Polite young lady you've got there,” he told Dad, nodding at me.

“We try,” Dad said, laughing.

“Kim told me about your experience,” Jeffrey told me. “I kept that in mind when choosing horses for you to ride. They've already been checked by a vet, I've got the paperwork to show you, and Kim's given them both a careful look.”

“Wonderful,” Dad said. “It's important that I find the exact right horse for my daughter.”

Jeffrey nodded his understanding. “Come this way,” he said, gesturing with a callused hand.

We all followed him to a large indoor arena. Inside, a groom held two horses that were already tacked up. My eyes didn't know where to look first! One horse was a chestnut mare with a stripe. The other was a blue roan gelding. Both were taller than Cricket, and my practiced eye took in their near-perfect conformation. They stood perfectly still, both flicking an ear forward as we approached.

“What are their names?” I asked, smiling at the well-behaved horses.

“The chestnut is Baylee and the gelding is Walker,” Jeffrey said. “They're both four, so they're a
little
green, but I don't think you'll have any trouble with your experience.”

“Have they competed?” I asked, unafraid to be as direct as possible. “I'm looking for a horse to show—my specialty is dressage.”

“They've both shown,” Jeffrey said. “Baylee has done more dressage work than Walker. Perhaps you'd like to try her first?”

“Okay.” I put on my helmet and walked up to Baylee.

I patted her neck while the groom offered me her reins. “Thank you,” I told him, gathering them in my left hand. I put my toe in the stirrup iron and swung into the saddle, settling lightly on Baylee's back. She stepped forward as if I'd signaled for her to go before I'd even gotten my other foot in the stirrup.

“Whoa,” I said, my voice firm.

I gave the reins a short tug, halting her.

Bayleee snorted and put her ears back, but listened. I kept my body relaxed in the saddle, mentally preparing myself for anything she might throw at me. Baylee was either having an off day, acting out simply because I was new to her, or she was a little greener than I'd thought.

The mare and I made several laps around the arena. I strained to hold her at a trot and not let her break into a canter. Her mouth lathered with foam in just a few short minutes and her neck bowed under the reins. My arms shook from holding her back.

This wasn't working. Disappointment coursed through me even though I'd known better than to expect to fall in love with the first horse I rode.

I eased her to a walk and turned her back toward Jeffrey, the groom, Kim, and Dad.

“I'm very sorry,” I said. “I don't want to put her through this anymore. We're just not clicking.”

“No need to apologize,” Jeffrey said, taking her reins so that I could dismount. “Not every horse and rider mesh. You'll find one—whether it's at my farm or from someone else.”

Jeffrey was a good guy. Since Kim recommended him, I knew he would be. Another horse dealer could have tried to talk me and Dad into buying the first horse I rode—regardless of whether or not we were a match—just to sell the horse. But Jeffrey seemed to really care about making the right match between horse and rider.

“You gave it a shot,” said Kim. “Lauren, why don't you give Walker a try?”

I mounted the roan. Walker was the opposite of Baylee. I had to ask him several times for a trot. For being four years old, he seemed to behave like a much older school horse who'd already been jaded by arena work.

Walker listened to every cue, moving through serpentines, a working trot, changing leads, and cantering around the arena.

But that was the problem. He actually felt too willing. There was no
fire
coming from him.

I eased him over to the group, patting his neck.

“He's so sweet,” I said honestly. “I think he'd be perfect for a less experienced rider—he behaves quite mature for this age.”

Kim turned to Jeffrey. “Lauren needs a horse who's a bit more of a challenge.”

Jeffrey rubbed his bristly beard. “Okay,” he said. “That's very helpful. I feel as though I know more about what you're looking for now, Lauren. I've got a few more I'd like you to consider. Would you be willing to come back later in the week and try them?”

I nodded, grateful.

“I'm sorry you had to get Baylee and Walker all ready,” I apologized to the groom. Bryan, I'd heard Jeffrey call him.

Bryan smiled, shaking his red head. “It's my job. I'm Bryan, by the way. It was nice meeting you, Lauren. Good luck with your search.”

“Nice to meet you,” I said. “I'll probably see you later in the week. How long have you worked with Jeffrey?”

“I've worked here after school for a while now—I'm saving up for my first horse,” Bryan said. “So I understand completely how important it is to find the right one.”

I liked Bryan. The adults were deep in conversation
about the next step. I was glad to have someone closer to my age to talk to.

“It's harder than I thought it would be,” I confessed, rubbing Baylee's neck. Now that I wasn't on her back, the mare was very quiet. “I feel bad saying no to any horse—I want all of them to go to a good home where they'll be treated well and be loved. But at the same time, I have to find a horse that works for me.”

“Absolutely, and don't ever worry about Jeffrey's horses. He always makes sure they're paired with the right owner. Unless you'd come back a couple more times and had amazing rides with Baylee or Walker, he wouldn't have sold them to you.”

“That makes me feel a
lot
better,” I said. “Thanks.”

“Lauren?” Dad walked over to me and Bryan. “Let's head out so Jeffrey and Kim can get back to their days. We'll come back later in the week so you can try a few more horses. Okay?”