16

Home

I blink, then blink again. She’s still there. A gorgeous black-and-white pinto is galloping toward Larissa and me.

“Dream,” I whisper, because all the breath has gone out of me.

Dream trots up to us, not stopping until her nose is so close I can feel the warmth of her breath.

The tiny hairs on my arms stand up. I smell my Dream. I see her. She nickers. She’s real. Really real. And she’s here.

Reaching down, I half expect her to disappear when I touch her. I stroke her lightning blaze. I scratch her jaw and watch as her eyes close with pleasure. “You’re here, Dream. You came home to me.”

“How could she?” Larissa asks. I almost forgot that Larissa is here, that I’m sitting on her horse. “You’re not saying your horse came all the way here from Cameron, are you?” Larissa says. “By herself?” She glances around like she’s looking for a trailer. But the only trailer in sight is Larissa’s. And it’s stopped at the corner.

Then I notice the car in my driveway. It’s the same old car Colt and I saw when we returned home from our trail ride. It’s Mrs. Ford’s car—Annika’s mother, Grayson’s aunt.

I slide off Custer and manage to swing onto Dream’s bare back. She’s so sweaty that my jeans stick to her. I lean into her neck and hug her. I inhale my Dream. Even if they take her from me right now, I’m grateful for this second with my horse.

Mom, Dad, and Ethan come running up. They surround Dream and me.

“Annika and her mother are here, honey,” Mom says.

And Grayson, Ethan signs.

I know Dream will have to leave with them once more. And my heart will break all over again. But it still feels like a gift.

Grayson’s aunt is talking to him as they make their way up the sidewalk and out to the road. Annika trails along a little behind. When they’re close enough, I strain to hear what they’re saying.

“I want you to think about this very hard, Grayson,” Mrs. Ford says. “There’s no going back from a thing like this, you hear? So tell me now: do you mean what you’re saying?”

“Yes! I’ll put it in writing if it makes you feel any better!” Grayson shouts. “I told you a hundred times on the way over here. And Dad says I can do whatever I want.” Grayson kicks at the gravel and scowls at Dream and me. “I mean it!”

“You mean what?” I ask.

“I’ve had it with horses. Especially this one.” Grayson points to Dream.

My mind races through all the ugly possibilities of what it will mean if Grayson rejects Dream. He might turn the horse over to his father. His father could sell Dream or ship her away forever. Or worse.

“Listen, Grayson,” I begin. “Dream—Jinx—is a wonderful horse. You just have to get to know her . . . again. She’s so willing to learn and full of love. She’ll be a terrific friend if you let her. Maybe I could help. I probably should have gone to Cameron and helped you and Dream—Jinx—get used to each other. Give her another chance. Please!”

The whole time I’m pleading with him, Grayson scrunches up his face like he’s eaten something rotten. He shakes his head. “No way. You can’t teach an old dog new tricks.”

“That doesn’t make any sense,” Larissa says. “This pinto is a horse, not a dog, in case you don’t know the difference. And anyway, I’ve seen what Ellie can do with this horse.”

I’m stunned. Larissa is sticking up for me. And Dream.

“I know a lot about horse shows,” Larissa continues. “And that pinto could win ribbons for you. You should take Ellie up on her offer. She’s fantastic with horses. Ellie could help you learn—”

“I don’t want her help,” Grayson snaps. “I’m done with this backyard horse. And that’s final.” He cocks his head toward his cousin, who hasn’t said a word. “I’m giving this nag to Annika.”

“Well, I’ll be a lop-eared leprechaun,” Mom mutters.

“Did the boy say he’s giving the horse to his cousin?” Dad asks.

Mrs. Ford ignores Dad’s question. She squats down and looks her nephew square in the eyes. “I’ll ask you one more time, Grayson. Are you really giving this horse to Annika?”

“Yeah!” Grayson shouts. “How many times do I have to say it? Get the trailer and haul the beast to your house forever. Or better yet, Annika can ride it back to your house, for all I care. I’m going to wait in the car.” He turns on his heels and stomps to their car, slamming the car door after him.

I feel as if I could cry and laugh at the same time. “Annika, I’m so happy for you. I know you’ll be good to Dream. She’ll be a great horse for you. And I promise she’ll make a wonderful friend.” I scratch Dream’s neck. “I’ll help in any way I can. I can make you a list of Dream’s favorite foods too. And I’ll print out Winnie the Horse Gentler’s recipes.”

But Annika is shaking her head.

Suddenly I feel awkward. Maybe she thinks I’m trying to boss her around or something. She still hasn’t said anything. I have no idea what she’s thinking. Maybe she’s not really interested in horses after all. Maybe she doesn’t even want a horse.

“Look, Annika, I’m sorry. You don’t have to make treats for Dream. I shouldn’t have tried to tell you what to do.”

“I don’t want to give her treats,” Annika says.

“Okay.” I want to ask her why. Dream loves treats. Would it be such a big deal to make something your horse loves?

“That’s not very nice,” Larissa says. “Ellie knows some great recipes for horse treats. The least you could do is—”

“I don’t want to give Dream treats,” Annika explains, “because Ellie should give her treats.”

“I don’t get it,” I say.

“You should give Dream the treats because she’s your horse,” Annika says. “She always was. Grayson just didn’t know it.”

I stare at her. I can’t speak. I’m afraid to say anything. Maybe I imagined what Annika said.

Annika’s mother brushes a stray hair off her daughter’s forehead. “Sweetheart, are you sure?”

“I’ve never been more sure of anything. Look at her, Mom. That horse belongs to Ellie. And Ellie belongs to her. This is Dream’s real home.” She grins at me. “Besides, we don’t really have a backyard. And we all know Ellie’s Dream is a backyard horse.”

“All right!” Colt hollers.

I hadn’t even noticed Colt and Bullet standing just across the road. Behind him I spot Colt’s dad leaning against his fancy sports car.

How long have you been standing there? I sign to Colt.

Long enough, Colt answers. “Welcome home, Dream!”

Mom and Dad are falling all over themselves thanking Annika and her mother.

“Come on, Colt!” his dad shouts.

“I gotta go,” Colt says. He looks from me to Ethan and back again. “So this must be one of those miracles you guys talk about, right?”

“Sure feels like one to me,” I answer.

Colt nods and rides to his dad. Then, without turning back to us, he signs, Thank you. At least that’s what I think he signs.

“Ethan?” I ask. “What was Colt thanking us for? Or did I get the sign wrong?”

Ethan’s grin takes up half his face. You got the sign right. But it wasn’t for us, Ellie.

I start to ask him what he means. But then I get it. Colt was thanking God.

Talk about miracles. . . .

Larissa and Custer’s Darling Delight leave in the K. C. Stables trailer. Annika’s mom drives off with Grayson and Annika after Annika promises to come and visit Dream and me this summer. Mom, Dad, and Ethan run to Crazy Larry’s to pick up a cake to celebrate Dream’s homecoming.

And that leaves Dream and me alone.

But not alone. Because if I’ve learned anything, I know this—I will never be alone again.