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Maggie climbed onto Raven’s back and gave Annie her distinctive look, with mouth set in a line and no expression. “Screw Chris, who changes plans with the wind. Got that? I don’t like the way he has expectations of you and none of himself.”
“Ugh, do you really think that? What did he say? Are you keeping something from me?”
“Of course not. But I will tell you that I will support you in whatever you want to do about Chris and his tribe of men over there.”
“Well, right now I’m staying in my house with Stevie and finishing my thesis, unless I’m playing hooky with you.”
“Excellent. I’ll tell Justin to tell Chris you’re playing hooky and I made you do it.”
“You’re a good influence on me, Maggie Angel. Um, Chastain.”
“I’m Maggie Angel until further notice. Okay, hold the reins like this.”
Maggie demonstrated the maneuvers she’d use to get the horse to follow commands.
“This is amazing, so high up!”
“Okay, Dale, follow me,” Maggie instructed.
She led the way, down the trail through the woods, the grazing wild horses lifted their heads to watch them pass by.
“It’s so beautiful back here.”
“You’ve been here before, Annie. But it is nice up on horseback.”
“I love Cypress Cove. I wish I had my own house though. I love Chris, and his house is great since it has everything I asked for, but it’s not mine.”
“Annie, ask him to put you on the title. It’s as easy as that. You’ve put enough sweat equity into it that he shouldn’t hesitate.”
“I sure get a lot of free rides. First you pay for my master’s degree, and now Chris buys a house that I want. Maybe I’m resisting because how much can I ask of people?”
“Look, Russ’s money is there to make life better for people I love. Justin and I don’t need a thing.”
“Well, I appreciate it more than you’ll ever know. Thank you so much. I will repay you, I promise.”
“Look to your right, between the trees,” Maggie whispered.
Annie turned and there up on the hill stood a group of chestnut horses of all sizes. It took her breath away, especially when they looked up, taking a break from gazing, and watched Annie and Maggie.
“Is that the group that comes to the cottage?”
“Yep, one of the several. I’ll never take the view for granted.”
“It’s what I want for my life. I don’t want to feel different every time I go to Chris’s, either like I don’t belong there or it’s not mine. I want to be excited and happy and proud when I go.”
“I think the only way that’s going to happen is if you make it yours, Annie.”
They rode for half an hour to higher ground and then turned around for home.
As they came out onto Maggie’s lawn on the trail, Annie looked at the dock and frowned. “Wow, I can see that my antics were visible to all from this height.”
“It was fine,” Maggie said. “You looked like an angel. Albeit a naked one, but an angel just the same.”
They roared with laughter, teasing each other about memorable pursuits when they were growing up together. Dismounting, Annie had to wait to regain her equilibrium before she took a step, patting Dale’s side.
“I’m not sure I can walk.”
“You can! You did great.”
