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No problem. They could totally do this.
“Thanks for coming.” He paired Colleen Decker with a chestnut mare named Ace.
“To be honest, I jumped at the chance. This is going to be a blast.”
He and Noah continued working until all their guests formed a large circle around the arena rail, standing next to their mounts, just like at daily camp.
Beth cleared her throat and took the bullhorn Noah handed her.
“Hi, can you hear me?” Her voice was soft and swallowed by the wind.
Noah stepped up and said something to her, then made an adjustment to the bullhorn.
“Okay, how’s that?” Her voice came through clear, with maybe a little wobble of nerves. All heads turned her way. She looked to Grayson with a shy smile, and he gave her a thumbs-up. “Again, welcome to the first—hopefully annual—Trinity Horse Camp Family Camp Trail Excursion.”
A buzz of comments and returned greetings rose from the crowd.
She reintroduced herself and Grayson.
“Colleen Decker—raise your hand, if you would,” Beth said.
She lifted her arm and waved.
“Colleen’s our trail nurse—not that we’ll need one, but if you have any concerns along the way, she’s our go-to,” Beth said. “But please, the most likely issues you’ll have are sunburn or bug bites. We have plenty of sunscreen and bug spray if you’ve forgotten yours.”
The riders all nodded.
“We’ll ride out two hours, then take an hour-and-a-half to two-hour break for lunch and some lakeside exploring. Then we’ll ride another two hours to our evening campout site. Grayson will be the lead rider, and I’ll bring up any of you stragglers. If you have any issue along the trail, please raise your hand so we can hold up the line and address that need.”
Noah stepped up beside her and took the bullhorn. “I think most of you met me in the early family camp sessions, but I just wanted to take the opportunity to thank each family for jumping on board for this new offering. I can tell you that you’re in very capable hands here. You’re going to have a beautiful trip, great food, and make a lot of great memories.”
They’d just have to see how the food turned out. Beth shot Grayson a toothy grin.
Several of the participants looked his way and nodded.
He swallowed, the magnitude of the event settling over him. Noah needed this. Beth needed this. The camp needed this.
Noah handed the bullhorn back to Beth. She finished her briefing and then announced a last call for the porta potty that had been staged outside the arena and offered sunscreen and bug repellent to those who’d forgotten theirs.
The entire arena cleared to use the facilities, and a handful of riders snagged a spray of repellent or swipe of sunscreen on the way back through. Beth finished up, clipboard in hand.
“Okay, that’s everyone.” She met Grayson’s eyes across the arena.
Noah took the bullhorn again. “Would you all join me in prayer?”
Grayson bowed his head while birdsong punctuated Noah’s words.
“Heavenly Father, we ask for Your blessing over this ride. We pray for safety and opportunities for spiritual growth. Lord, we ask that You would use this ride to encourage these riders, to bless them, and to draw them closer to You. Thank you for what this opportunity brings to Trinity and for the many ways You’ve provided for us.”
Amens rumbled through the group.
“Let’s mount up and head out.” They set about ensuring the riders were settled on their horses.
Grayson returned to Maverick and led him over to Beth. “Ready for this?”
She nodded. Squeezed his hand. “This is all going to work out, right?”
“Absolutely.” The skies were clear, the families were smiling, and Robin was busy scraping together something that he hoped wasn’t going to land anyone in gastroenterology.
