“No.”
Okay, so defiance would be the order of the day. “Right behind you is a pretty steep cliff.”
“I know that.”
“Do you?”
She dared a quick look behind her. “No. Actually I have no idea where I am or what I’m doing.”
“I get that more than you could possibly understand.”
“But you know where you’re headed,” Ava said. “You’re leaving the farm.”
“I am. But I don’t have to leave your life. We can still be friends.”
“My mom is going back to Texas. My dad is gone. And now you and Uncle Miller are broken up.”
I couldn’t argue with any of that. “You’re really worrying me with the cliff thing. Why don’t you come down here and we can talk about everything that’s on your mind.”
“I’m not getting off Dash.”
I wondered how far away the others were and if they’d have any better luck with Ava. “All right. Stay there then.” I took a few hesitant steps. “But I’m walking to you.” Bolstered by no sign of Ava reversing course and bolting, I continued until I stood at her side. “How about we talk from here?”
“What’s there to say?” Ava’s teenage voice sounded so young and innocent through her tears. “I’m sick of it.”
“Of what?”
“Of all of it.”
Fair enough. “How about we start with your mom.”
“She’s leaving.”
“But she’ll be back.”
“For months I’ve been afraid she wouldn’t. I’m sick of worrying about everyone. I can’t lose another parent.”
“You won’t,” I said gently. “The hard part is over. As I understand it, your mom will return to the base and wrap up her last few months. Then she’ll be right back here with you. How does that make you feel?”
Ava ran her hand down Dash’s mane. “Like I’m afraid to trust it.”
I couldn’t help but smile at a wisdom that belied Ava’s years. “You’ve been living with that fear for a long time. It’s going to take a while to let it go, to not put it on every morning after you wake up and evening before you go to bed.”
“Is that what you did when your dad left?”
“Yes,” I admitted. “I used to stay awake at night after my mom and brother had gone to bed and listen for intruders. With my dad out of the picture, I felt certain our security was gone—not that Buck was there much. So I’d stay up and listen for anything out of the ordinary so I could sound the alarm. I didn’t sleep a lot those first few years.” Not until my mom married Shep and he became my new security. “How did you feel when your dad left?” I asked. “Do anything silly like I did?”
She sniffled and blinked against tears. “I don’t want to tell you.” Her horse became unsettled beneath her, stomping his feet. “What’s he doing?”
“Dash probably senses your sadness.”
“I’m upsetting him?” That seemed to bother Ava just enough to give me an idea.
“Let’s help Dash together, okay? I’m about to give you some very advanced-level instructions. Do you think you’re up for it?”
Dash shook his head, his red mane flopping.
“I guess.” Ava was clearly uncertain, but she climbed down anyway.
