Sapphire: New Horizons (5 page)

T
he silence was so unbearable, Emily felt like it was crushing her. She and her dad were following Uncle Rick's Suburban as he whizzed down the road, the trailer containing Max clattering a little wildly. “I said I was sorry,” she said again.

Her dad sighed. “Em, I know you didn't mean to let Sapphire out, but it's very upsetting to all of us to be late to Pa's funeral.”

She bit her lower lip against the tears stinging her eyes. Her dad never got mad at her about anything. They were on the same team, and he never got rattled. But he was gripping the steering wheel so tightly that his knuckles were white and his jaw was clenched. “They'll
wait for you, though. Won't they?” Emily asked.

“Probably.” He said nothing else. Gave her no reassurances.

She wasn't used to the silent treatment from her dad, and she shifted in her seat. “Maybe I should just stay in the car. Since everyone's so mad at me.”

Her dad shot her a look. “Emily, no one's mad at you. These things happen. We all know that.”

“Everyone seems mad at me. Aunt Debby yelled at me three times, and even Uncle Rick snapped at me. And they made us take separate cars. We could have all fit in their Suburban.”

“It's stressful. We're all upset already at the fact Pa died, and this adds to it. And it's good to give them a little space. It's a difficult time.” He patted her knee and gave her a grim smile. “But I
will
be upset with you if you don't come to the funeral. He was your grandfather, and you need to be there.”

Emily turned her head to stare out the window, watching the lush green pastures whiz by, wishing she was riding Sapphire through them instead of heading off to a funeral for a grandpa she'd never met, with the entire family hating her. “Can we at least sit by ourselves when we get there?”

“No. We'll sit with the family. It'll be fine.”

Emily pressed her lips together; she knew it wouldn't be.

 

By the time they got to the reception after the funeral, Emily was so drained, she thought she'd never survive three hours of socializing.

The funeral had been just as awful as she thought it would be. Aunt Debby wouldn't even look at her, Kyle kept whispering that she was going to be sent back to New Jersey, and Emily felt really uncomfortable being around all these people who knew her grandfather while she didn't.

People kept standing up to tell stories about him, and everyone would laugh and cry at the memories, and she felt really out of place. She actually wanted to laugh a couple times, and even got sad because he sounded like he'd been a nice guy and she wished she'd known him, too…but then felt like a fraud since she hadn't even met him. She had no idea how she was supposed to act. And when she leaned over to ask her dad…she realized he was crying.

Her dad! Crying! Emily had almost started crying herself at the sight of the tears going down his cheeks. She'd never seen her dad cry.
Ever
. It scared her and made her feel even more awkward. Even when he put his arm
around her shoulders and hugged her, she still felt weird. Like she didn't even know him anymore.

Emily sighed and leaned against a tree at the reception, watching all the people talk and laugh. There were tons of people there, which was actually nice. She was glad Grandpa had lots of friends. And his horse, Max, had even been invited, as Grandpa's best friend.

Emily glanced over at the old gray horse shoving his nose into the punch bowl as a bunch of kids shrieked with laughter. Aunt Debby and Uncle Rick had brought him to the reception and let him wander around the backyard, but Emily was too upset to truly appreciate how cool it was.

She watched Max move over and start munching the watermelon right off the platter, ignoring all the hugs everyone was giving him. One woman had even made him a new sheet that said
MAX
on it.

Emily took another bite of the cold cheese pizza she'd been nibbling on. The music was loud and upbeat (Caitlyn had identified it as country music), and everyone seemed determined to have a fun time in honor of how Grandpa would have wanted it. Aunt Debby and her dad still hadn't looked at her once. Her dad was too busy greeting all these people who used to be his friends, and Aunt Debby was sitting in the corner with
a group of women who were giving her hugs.

It didn't help that Alison was hanging out in the shade with her friends, and even though Emily had walked by six times, Alison had never invited Emily to join them. Caitlyn and Kyle had gone off with their friends, leaving Emily alone with the tree.

Granted, it was a very cool pine tree that was about ten miles high, and she could smell the sap as she leaned against it, but still. She felt completely alone and out of place and desperately wanted to leave. She'd tried to apologize to Aunt Debby twice, and each time Aunt Debby had shaken her head and said they'd talk later.

Emily took a deep breath, wondering whether she should try again. She couldn't stand the thought of anyone being mad at her. Then she saw her dad walking toward her, and she could have almost cried with relief. “Dad!”

He threw his arm around her shoulders and hugged her against his side. “You doing all right, kiddo? I know this has been a long day.”

“Yeah.” Emily snuggled against him. “I'm sorry about Sapphire.”

Her dad squeezed her shoulder. “It's okay, hon. They delayed the funeral for us, and it was a wonderful service. No harm done.”

She looked at him. “Do you think Aunt Debby will forgive me? She wouldn't let me apologize.”

He smiled. “It'll all be fine. She's emotional today, so just let her be for now, okay?”

“You're sure?”

“I'm sure,” her dad said firmly, then they both looked up as someone yelled his name. It was a tall, blond man with a lined face and sunburned features. “Jack!” A huge smile split her dad's face. “You look good for an old guy!” He glanced back at Emily. “Do you mind if I run? He and I used to be great friends.”

She shrugged and tried not to look miserable. She'd done enough to ruin the funeral, already, and she wasn't going to complain. “No, that's fine.”

Her dad gave her a sympathetic look. “Uncle Rick's leaving now to deal with an emergency. He's taking my car back to the farm to get his truck and dropping off Caitlyn and Kyle. You want him to take you back, too?”

Emily perked up, her heart jumping with relief. “Would that be okay?”

“Of course.” He hugged Emily and ruffled her hair. “Thanks for coming, Em. I was proud to have you here with me.”

She buried her face in his jacket as she hugged him back. “It wasn't so bad.”

“Okay, then.” Her dad kissed the top of her head
and gave her a gentle shove toward the door. “Go catch Uncle Rick before he leaves. I'll be home later.”

“Okay!” Emily didn't waste time sprinting for the door, so no one could see her relief at the thought of escaping.

 

The ride back to the farm had been completely uncomfortable. Uncle Rick, Caitlyn, and Kyle had talked about Grandpa the entire time. Caitlyn had even cried and so had Uncle Rick. Emily had felt like a complete intruder and had been desperate to get out of the truck when they arrived at the farm. She'd run inside to change into her jeans and paddock boots and felt better almost right away just being in her real clothes.

Emily jogged down the stairs, then stopped on the bottom step when she heard Kyle and Caitlyn talking about Grandpa in the other room,
Saddle Club
blaring on the TV in the background.

“Emily? Is that you? Come watch
Saddle Club
,” Caitlyn called out.

Emily tensed at the thought of going in there and listening to more stories that she couldn't share, stories that made her feel like an outsider. She hadn't belonged all day, and she needed to see Sapphire. To go to the one place where she could be herself and it would be okay. “I'm going to the barn.”

“Oh, cool.” Caitlyn popped her head out of the door. “We'll come out as soon as
Saddle Club
's over. About five minutes. Then we can hang out all afternoon. I can show you this tree house that Grandpa made for us, okay?”

“Um, yeah.” Emily didn't especially want to hang out with her cousins, reliving memories of the grandfather she didn't know, and who she'd never know now. She needed private time with Sapphire, time to find her space. The minute she got out there to see him, Caitlyn and Kyle would be there, too. In her space.

Emily thought of Sapphire's shiny coat and his dark brown eyes and knew she couldn't share him. Not right now. Just for a short while, she needed him.

Her gaze flicked to the living room. There was only one way she could get Sapphire to herself for a little bit. Did she dare? Aunt Debby would be furious…but if she went quickly, she could make it back before they even returned from the funeral.

Her dad would understand. He always told her to follow her heart, and her heart knew what she needed right now.

She needed Sapphire.

E
mily whirled on the stairs and vaulted back up the steps to her bedroom. She grabbed her riding helmet off the nightstand and sprinted down the stairs two at a time, moving too fast for Caitlyn or Kyle to intercept her. She grabbed an apple out of the kitchen, then leaped off the back porch as the screen door slammed behind her. She sprinted into the barn, and ran all the way to the tack room.

Gasping for air, she grabbed Sapphire's tack, jogged down the aisle to his stall, then propped it against the wall. Her hands were shaking with excitement as she yanked his door open.

She sighed with delight the moment she saw his
beautiful black face turned toward her and felt all her loneliness fade away. His neck was glossy and shining, curved with muscle, and the three white shavings stood out in his lustrous black tail. “Sapphire,” she breathed, in awe over his beauty once again.

He whickered, then immediately walked over to her and pressed his warm nose into her hand. She grinned and opened her palm so he could eat the apple. As he munched, she laid her cheek on his head between his eyes, closing her eyes at his soft hair on her face. “You're the best.”

Sapphire gave her a hard nudge and sent her flying so she landed on her butt. She peered up at him, then laughed when he shook his head and began nuzzling her hair, as if searching for treats she might have hidden behind her ear. “Okay, let's go. We have to hurry. We don't have long until everyone gets back.”

She kissed his nose, then hopped up. She ran a quick brush over him, picked out his feet, then threw the saddle on his back. As soon as she started to do up his girth, he took a few steps, and she remembered what Aunt Debby has said about hooking him up to the cross ties. “Shoot. You're supposed to be learning to be good.”

He swung his head around to look at her, his big
brown eyes regarding her as if begging her not to tie him up.

She sighed and patted his nose. “Okay, but swear you won't tell, okay?”

He bobbed his head as if in agreement, then started munching on his hay while she finished tightening the girth. Then she took hold of the bridle, and he stood patiently while she slipped it on, unlike Moondance.

She grabbed her helmet, put on her leather riding gloves, then peered out the door, her heart pounding with excitement and nervousness.

No one was around. Everyone from the barn was still at the reception.

As she led him out the door of the stall, the
plop
of his iron-shod feet on the cement sounded loudly. Emily winced with each step, glancing nervously around to see if anyone had come running.

But no one appeared as they reached the door to the outside. She led Sapphire up to the ring, gathered the reins, then climbed on the middle fence rail so she could reach the stirrup.

She paused with her toe in the stirrup. Was she really going to do this? She'd never blatantly broken a rule before.

Sapphire swung his head around to look at her, his white blaze bright in the afternoon sunshine. Then he stomped his foot impatiently.

“Okay, I'm coming.” She took a deep breath then swung her other leg over his back.

She grinned as she settled into the saddle, feeling his massive body underneath her. He was all muscle and strength and beauty.

And for this moment, he was hers.

T
he moment they were out of sight of the house, Emily nudged Sapphire into a trot. He obliged immediately, sliding into the smoothest trot she'd ever experienced. He moved like silk, his gait effortless and powerful.

She sighed with delight as she sank deeper into the saddle, feeling each step he took, listening to the sounds of his hooves as they thudded softly into the grass. His muscles rippled under his coat, and sun reflected off him, making him glisten. The sun beat down on her arms, and she could practically smell it heating up the earth, filling her with light.

A bird flew in front of Sapphire, and he jerked his
head up in surprise, jarring her. But she patted his neck, and he settled right down, giving her time to look around at the woods and fields surrounding them as far as she could see.

Surrounded only by nature and the smell of wetness and spring, no one could tell either of them what to do.

She lifted her arms toward the sky and raised her face to the warm sun. “I'm free!” she shouted to the world. “Free!”

Sapphire broke into a canter, and she let him, basking in the feel of his body coiling beneath her. He was solid power, unlike Rhapsody, who was more like refined elegance and grace. Sapphire was—

He squealed suddenly and bolted.

Emily yelped and grabbed for his mane as she almost fell off, barely managing to right herself as he galloped across the fields. His head was extended, his ears back against the wind, his feet pounding on the dirt.

Emily caught her balance, then moved into a half-seat and stretched out low across his neck, the wind whipping her face and nearly taking her breath away. Exhilaration rushed through her and she started laughing, overwhelmed by the sheer power and freedom of the experience. This was her moment. Pure joy.

Sapphire stretched even farther as he increased his
speed, and she clung to him, not even trying to control him or slow him down. Just letting him take her for the most amazing ride of her life. Running from what they'd left behind, running toward whatever surprises awaited them. No plans, no rules, no feeling bad. Just completely in the moment.

“Woo-hoo!” She let her cry disappear into the wind, absorbed by nature and the fresh air filling her lungs with freedom and energy.

They ran, nothing in the world but the two of them and the wind, the thud of Sapphire's hooves on the damp earth, the sound of his breathing as he raced the wind.

Finally, Sapphire began to slow to a less frenzied gallop, and she sank back into the saddle, breathing almost as hard as he was. She leaned forward and draped herself across his neck, wrapping her arms around his muscled neck as far as she could reach, pressing her face against his sweaty coat, bouncing with each stride. “Thank you for letting me come along. Now I know why you escape so much. It's brilliant out here.” She nuzzled his mane. “Don't tell Aunt Debby, but I love you.”

He snorted and shied sideways, and she grinned, knowing that they would forever have the bond of this ride, of sharing the flight from reality to a world where
they weren't bound by anyone or anything. “I can't imagine how I'll ever go back to dressage after this,” she told him. “This is what riding is all about.”

She realized they were heading toward some woods, so she sat back in the saddle a bit and took up a firmer hold on the reins. She didn't want him to gallop into the woods and run into a tree, but she also wasn't ready to turn around yet.

She had a feeling she'd never be ready to go back.

He slowed to an easy canter, and she sighed with delight as she settled into the saddle. He was so comfortable, his gait so smooth that her upper body barely moved with his rhythm.

She noticed a small stream in front of them, and started to slow Sapphire to a trot so they could cross it without falling on the rocks. But Sapphire grabbed the bit from her and increased his speed as his ears pricked forward, toward the stream.

“Easy, boy,” she crooned. “Whoa, whoa, whoa,” she softly chanted to him as she tugged the reins, trying to coax him into slowing down. He didn't, and at the last second, she realized he was going to jump the stream.

Excitement shot through her, and she gave him his head, rising into her half-seat as his feet took off.

“Ack!” He exploded into the air, and she got left
behind, totally not prepared for the powerful lurch of his body as he leaped forward. She lost her grip on the reins, and her feet flew out of the stirrups. Then he landed with a thump that jarred her forward onto his neck. She grabbed for his mane as she started to slide down his neck toward the ground, her heart racing as Sapphire increased his speed.

Then he dropped his head and did a little buck, and she catapulted off him onto the ground. She threw up her arms to brace herself and crashed hard. Pain shot up her ankle and shattered through her body.

She groaned as she rolled to a stop, unable to move through the pain. The thud of Sapphire's hooves faded and her heart dropped as she opened her eyes and looked around.

He was gone.