Page 178 of Time To Learn

Movement out of the corner of my eye catches my attention, and I watch fondly as Thunder stops grazing and meanders closer towards us. He’s old, and long since retired, but he’s still got that proud air about him like when he was young. His brown, intelligent eyes meet mine, and I feel soothed by his presence like I alwayshave.

“That one’s special, isn’the?”

Gavin’s low voice makes me blink in wonder at how perceptive he is, and I raise my eyes athim.

“All horses are special,” I reply, just as quietly, “but you’re right. Thunder is kind of extraordinary.”

For a moment, I wonder if Gavin will start laughing at me, but he surprises me when he seems to be taking my words seriously.

“Yeah.” He breaks the moment between us when he shakes his head lightly and releases my hand to open the door for me. “We best get going, or Cat will wonder where weare.”

I wet my lips and look back at Thunder, eager but anxious to find out what the night will bring. When I notice the old man standing next to him, smiling kindly at me, warmth fills my insides when I recognisePapa.

He doesn’t show himself as often as when I was younger, but even now, I remember the words he whispered in my ear the day Kristian married my mum. The day he became mydad.

True love will never lead you astray, mó craidhe.

For a brief moment, the old memories—the old pain—lances through my heart, blinding me, but as soon as I feel a warm hand on my cheek, I blink, and I’m back in the present.

The boy I’ve been crushing hard on for almost a year is standing in front of me, holdingme.

It’s my eighteenth birthday.

My future is filled with possibilities.

Andlife…

Life is beautiful.

“Ailith? Is everything okay?” Gavin asks. The small line of worry is back between his eyes, and I try my best to reassurehim.

“I’m sorry. Tumbled into a wee spell there, I think,” Ilie.

The frown on his forehead recedes a little.

“You’resure?”

“Yes.” Relief bursts through me when he takes a step away at last. His hands fall from my face, and I smile in thanks when he opens the door forme.

Quickly, I get inside, and when I sit back in my seat, I turn my face to Thunder again. This time, he’s alone, and I smile lovingly at the spot where Papa was standing mere minutesago.

Then I tuck away my secrets deep in my heart.

Until the nexttime.

For tonight, though, I’m simply Ailith—a young woman who’s about to celebrate her birthday with her friends.

A girl who, despite her young age, understands how lucky she is to have grown up in a house filled with love and laughter—exactly as it shouldbe.

And next to me is a young man who I can’t help but feel is going to be a big part of my future.

I’ve never questioned the whispers the wind has uttered in my ears from time to time, or how I’ve been able to see Papa when, rationally speaking, it shouldn’t be possible. The bond I have with my horses is one I cherish, and I’m not about to start doubting my own sanity.

I know there’s more to the land in which I was born than anywhere else in the world. I take after my Gan-Gan in that regard, and that’s not such a bad thing in mybook.

TheEnd