She sighed heavily, stroking Poppy’s mane.
“I suppose you never have to worry about things like this, spoiled girl,” she said with humour. “You’re just worried about where your next carrot is coming from.”
She yelped as Poppy’s long tongue licked her cheek, then dissolved into laughter that warmed my insides. Poppy looked over at me, and Clare followed her gaze. On seeing me, she looked a little embarrassed.
“How long have you been standing there?”
“Long enough,” I said with a smile. “And it’s true; horses are pretty single-minded. But they’re good listeners. They don’t judge.”
She smiled sheepishly. “I guess I need that right now.”
I went over and took her in my arms, kissing the top of her head. She leaned into me, and I felt the tension in her body. Poppy nickered quietly at me, and I patted her snout.
“Wanna go for a ride?” I asked.
She looked up at me and smiled. “You know I do.”
I kissed her forehead. “Get saddled up. I’ve got something to show you.”
Chapter 30
Claire
Outside, the world was white again, covered in a thin blanket of fresh, sparkling snow. The horses’ hooves made satisfying crunching sounds as we followed the western trail from Summerhurst into the woods.
“Overgrown now,” John remarked as he ducked out of the way of a tree branch on Ghost’s back. “Usually every spring, I’d go through and clear it. Two years has caught up with it.”
Poppy was quiet under me, following Ghost’s lead, but she was responsive to my every move and touch. It was easy to see why Danny said she was good for a beginner; she knew exactly what to do and was highly responsive to direction.
We rode for a long time through the forest, our path obscured by the overgrown brush. Eventually, though, John dismounted and began to lead Ghost off the trail.
“It’s off the main path,” he explained. “Not much farther.”
I copied him, leading Poppy through the trees until we reached a wide-open meadow. Tall, brown grass swayed in the winter wind,giving way to a flat area with a large, partially frozen pond that was fed by a small spring falling from a rock wall beside it. A willow tree, naked of its leaves, curved over the water.
The meadow was beautiful even in winter. Peaceful and secluded, it felt hidden away from the world—a place where one could go to escape. We led the horses to the pond for a drink, and John spread out a thick blanket underneath the barren willow tree, then motioned for me to sit with him. I settled beside him, watching the spring trickle water into the pond.
“This was always my favourite spot,” John said. “Sometimes for hunting or fishing, but also just to get away from everything. I never brought anyone before.”
I gave him a skeptical look. “Even Kimmy?”
He gave me a small, affectionate smile.
“Nope. Just you, compound girl.”
“You haven’t called me that in a while,” I said with a laugh.
“Maybe because you aren’t one anymore.”
I sighed. “Wish everyone else felt that way.”
“They will,” John replied. “But I want you to know that your life isn’t about making everyone else happy at your own expense anymore. You’re free now.”
Touched, I reached out and took his hand. “I’m just afraid of what might come. Especially once they figure out…”
I trailed off, biting my lip. Asha’s words about my fertility had been hitting me harder since the fire. The Valley needed people—babies. Being able to provide that might’ve been my one saving grace in a community that distrusted me. Worse, maybe Asha was right; maybe John would come to resent me for it.
“Figure out what?”
