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Maggs wrinkled her nose. “What stuff? I mean, I know about the dad and Mary ‘Pain in my Ass’ Howard, and then there’s Ava.”
“You don’t think they constitute enough bad stuff happening?” Piper was not elaborating. The things Dylan had told her about Ava and Charlie were for her ears alone, and she wasn’t sharing, even with her best friend.
“I guess so.”
“I put an offer in on the house today, Maggs.”
Her friend screamed so loud the horses got fidgety.
“One day you’ll nearly be my neighbor, so I can borrow sugar from you and steal cookies that you make for Grace.”
“Always a plus, but that house is a while away from me living in it, Maggs.”
“Sure, but it’s exciting.”
They ambled along the trails, not really caring where they rode, just happy to be out there and enjoying the peace and solitude.
“How’s your love life, Maggs?”
“I’m taking a break.”
“From?”
“Men.”
Maggs wore a soft blue sweater, jeans, and ankle boots. Her riot of red hair was pulled back in a bandana. Style was what her friend had, in many forms.
“Maybe you’re trying too hard?”
“Maybe, but time’s on the move, Piper.”
“And you think you need to find a man now before all the good ones are taken?”
“Put like that, it sounds pathetic.”
“Yeah, it does, but enough about that. Let’s head back. I need to make a pitcher of margaritas and get them chilled, then order the pizza for tonight.”
“Before we do, Pip, I just want to say again, I think you should try to make it work with Dylan. At least give it a go if you feel so much for him.”
She didn’t answer Maggs because she’d urged her horse into a gallop, heading back up to the stables. Seconds later she was trying to stay on Rae’s back as she hunched and bucked.
“Piper!”
She wrestled with the reins to stop her, but the horse was determined; seconds later she felt herself flying over her ears. The impact when she hit the ground jarred every bone in her body.
Piper heard her friend’s shriek, and then Maggs arrived at her side.
“Christ, Pip!”
She couldn’t speak, the wind knocked out of her, but put up a hand to grab the one Maggs held out. Squeezing it, she reassured her friend she was okay.
“That was weird. I’ve never seen Rae do that before.”
“Me either,” Piper wheezed out. “Help me up.”
She would be stiff and sore for a few days, but there was no major damage, Piper thought, moving her limbs slowly.
Looking around, she found the horse, eyes wild, trembling. Something was very wrong.
