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“Want to take her out for a ride?” Lincoln asked.
I glanced over my shoulder at Lincoln. “Maybe later. I want to be ready for Piper when she gets here.”
He gestured to the other side of the barn. “Well, then would you like to help me get Buttercup ready?”
“Sure.” I placed my forehead against Star’s and ran my hands over her mane. “I’ll see you later, girl. Maybe we can go for a ride for old times’ sake.”
I moved away from Star and followed Lincoln to another stable. A beautiful Palomino horse greeted us at the stable door.
I gaped at the magnificent animal for a few seconds. “Oh my God, Lincoln, she’s gorgeous.”
Lincoln reached his hand out to pet Buttercup, smiling proudly at the horse. “She is, isn’t she?”
I approached the golden filly and ran a hand over her silky white mane. Buttercup’s tail swished back and forth as I stroked her. “How long have you had her?”
Lincoln moved over to a table nearby and grabbed a saddle. “We bought her when she was about a year old, and that was almost three years ago.”
“I bet she cost a pretty penny.” I wasn’t an expert, but I knew the prettier the horse, the more expensive they were.
Lincoln chuckled as he grabbed some saddle bags and other gear. “I like to think we got her at a reasonable price; traded one of our prized dairy cows and a couple of grand for her.”
“That sounds like a great deal.”
Lincoln shrugged. “Depends on who you ask. We didn’t really need another horse, but you can always use another dairy cow. She was just too beautiful to pass up.”
I smiled at Buttercup as I placed my hand on her snout. “Well, I think you made a great decision.”
Lincoln came over and unlocked the gate to Buttercup’s stall. I moved out of the way as he led her to the grooming station.
Lincoln held a brush out. “Wanna brush her for me?”
“Sure.”
I took the brush from Lincoln and set to work brushing out Buttercup’s mane, coat, and tail. When I finished, Lincoln saddled her up and made sure to secure all the equipment in place. Then he put on her bridle and bit.
He smoothed out her saddle pad and grinned at me. “She’s good to go.” Grabbing her reins, he led her toward the stable doors and gestured for me to follow. “Let’s get her warmed up.”
I followed Lincoln out onto the pasture next to the stable. We walked along the fence as Lincoln guided Buttercup around. The weather was perfect—sunny with a few fluffy clouds in the sky and warm with a light breeze. One of the perks of living on the coast was that a nice breeze always balanced the summer heat.
“Are your parents excited?” I asked.
Lincoln chuckled. “More excited than I’ve ever seen them. They can’t wait to meet their granddaughter.”
Just then, a car came down the dirt drive. Excited butterflies bounced around in my stomach as I watched the car park and waited for Piper to get out.
Lincoln and I headed toward the car as the Andrews stepped out. Piper looked adorable with her hair styled in two braids, plaid rodeo shirt, and pink cowboy boots.
She bounded over to us with a huge smile on her face. “Is that Buttercup?”
I couldn’t help but smile at the excited lilt in her voice.
Lincoln grinned. “Yep. And she’s ready to meet you.”
Mr. and Mrs. Andrews walked up behind Piper. “Thanks again for inviting us over. Piper has been talking nonstop this whole week about Buttercup.”
“No problem. Buttercup will enjoy the exercise. We’re so busy around here that the horses don’t get as much as they should,” Lincoln commented.
“Can I meet Buttercup now? Please?” Piper practically begged, tugging on her mom’s hand.
