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“You’re riding.”

Her head snaps toward me before she looks down at Honey, and a smile spreads across her face.

Big.

Proud.

Alive.

“I’m riding.”

“Yep.”

“I’m actually riding a horse.”

“Knew you could.”

She looks at me, and for a second that smile is aimed entirely at me.

I find myself smiling back before I can help it.

“Don’t get cocky. We haven’t left the yard yet.”

Her smile drops.

“What?”

I walk toward Hades.

“Trail’s waiting.”

“Jude!”

I hear her behind me and smile.

“Come on, Cowgirl.”

“I am not a cowgirl!”

“Whatever you say.”

“Jude!”

Hades nudges my shoulder as I reach him.

“Yeah, yeah.” I rub his neck. “I know.”

I’m in trouble.

We leave the ranch at a slow pace, Honey following Hades like she’s taken this trail a thousand times before.

She probably has.

Nora, on the other hand, looks like she’s concentrating on staying alive.

“Stop looking down.”

“I need to see where we’re going.”