“She misses Daddy,” she agreed. “But he wasn’t the sort of person who’d want her to grieve forever or spend the rest of her life alone. He was always doing things for other people. Always.”
“I wish I could have known him, Teddie,” he said solemnly.
“Me, too.”
“You’re doing very well at riding, you know,” he said after a minute.
“I am?”
He smiled at her enthusiasm. “Very well, indeed.” He grimaced. “But you may not think so when we get back.”
She didn’t understand why, until they were at the stable and he reached up to lift her down. She stood on her feet and made a terrible face.
“You need to soak in a hot tub,” he told her. “It will help the soreness.”
“Mom never said it was going to hurt so much,” she groaned.
“It only hurts when you haven’t done it for a while,” he explained. “Riding takes practice. You’re using muscles you don’t normally use, so they get stretched and they protest.”
“I see.”
“It will get better,” he promised.
She drew in a breath. “Okay. If you’re sure.”
“I’m sure. Go on in. I’ll unsaddle Bartholomew for you and rub him down, okay?”
“Thanks!”
“No problem.”
She walked like an old woman all the way to the house. Katy was waiting on the porch and she made a face.
“I’m sorry, honey,” she said. “I should have told you.”
“It wouldn’t have mattered. Honest. I’d have gone anyway. Parker said I’m doing great! I didn’t fall off or spook Bart even one time!”
She laughed. “Good for you.”
“He said I should soak in a hot tub, so I’m going to.”
“Good idea,” she replied. “Want me to run the bath for you?”
“I can do that. Thanks, Mom.”
“You’re welcome.”
She hesitated and grinned wickedly. “He likes you,” she said, and walked away before her mother had time to react.
* * *
Parker stopped at the steps where Katy was standing. “I’ll be over Thursday about six to take you guys trick-or-treating,” he said. “That okay?”
She smiled. “That’s fine. Teddie will be looking forward to it. She loves Halloween.”
“Me, too,” he said with a grin. “I like anything to do with fantasy creatures, although I’m partial to dragons. But giant spiders and bats are okay.”
She rolled her eyes. “You and Teddie,” she mused. “I always decorate for all the holidays, but my favorite is Christmas.”