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chestnut.”
    “The white spot on his nose is adorable
and his eyes are so big and brown,” said Lauren as she admired the
finely etched head and large expressive eyes.
    “Yeah,” said Kjerstina. “He has an
Arabian face. And he doesn’t snot on people!”
    “Yes, he does,” said Charity.
    “Who’s this?” asked Lauren, turning to
the buckskin gelding. She touched the soft black muzzle. “Is he
Aunt April’s?” The gelding sniffed at Lauren’s hand, then pointed
his ears forward, whinnied low in his throat and lowered his head
so she could stroke his golden face.
    “No,” said Kjerstina. Her voice sounded
strained to Lauren and she turned to look at her cousin.
Kjerstina’s face was contorted and Lauren realized she was trying
not to grin.
    “Is he Uncle Chris’?” Lauren asked with
a puzzled voice.
    “No,” said Kjerstina and shut her mouth
tightly.
    Then Aunt April’s voice came quietly
from behind Lauren. “He’s yours, Lauren.”
    “What?” Lauren couldn’t believe her
ears. “Mine? Really? He can’t be! Mine ?”
    Kjerstina and Charity laughed. “Yeah,
he’s yours,” said Kjerstina. “All yours. Your dad sent the money to
buy him!”
    Lauren didn’t know what to say. Words
didn’t seem enough. With a trembling hand she took the lead rope
that Kjerstina offered.
    “I knew you’d like him,” said Charity.
“His name is Trooper and he’s a Thoroughbred/Morgan cross. He’s an
awesome jumper and he’s won a ton of ribbons. He’s twenty-four
years old, but he doesn’t look it, does he?”
    “He’s wonderful. Totally perfect,”
breathed Lauren. She leaned forward and rested her forehead against
Trooper’s face, then inhaled deeply. “He smells nice too,” she said
after pulling away. Trooper whinnied and nuzzled her with his nose
and Lauren leaned back into him.
    “Do you want to go for a ride?” asked
Charity.
    “I’d love to!” said Lauren, still
breathless with the wonder of having her own horse. “Can we? Are we
allowed?”
    Kjerstina laughed. “Of course we can.
That’s what the horses are here for. Come on.” She led Coyote
toward the gate to the paddock and Charity fell in behind her,
leading Orion.
    “Wait a minute, Lauren,” said Aunt
April. She walked to Trooper and started to untie the sheet that
was hanging around his neck.
    “What’s the sheet for?” asked
Lauren.
    Aunt April glanced at her daughters,
leading their horses away. “That’s Stina’s attempt at a bow, I’m
afraid,” she whispered as she pulled the sheet from around
Trooper’s neck.
    Unexpectedly, Lauren felt the prickle of
tears in her eyes. She blinked quickly to chase them away. “Thank
you so much, Aunt April,” she choked. “For everything.” She flung
her arms around her aunt’s ample waist.
    Aunt April’s arms closed warm and soft
around Lauren’s shoulders. “You’re very welcome, sweetheart. You
know we love you.”
    “I love you too,” said Lauren. “I can’t
believe you would do all this for me.”
    “Your dad is the main one. We’re only
supplying the place for Trooper to live,” said Aunt April.
    Lauren pulled away. “Can you hold him
for a minute? I have to phone Dad. I can’t wait until tonight.”
    “Sure, Honey.”
    But all Lauren got was the answering
machine. He’s out catching the
stalker , she thought after leaving a quick message. He’ll call tonight and I’ll tell him
how wonderful he is. Tell him how useless his hint was. And tell
him all about Trooper.
    She bounced back down the back porch
stairs and took the lead rope from Aunt April. “Thanks, Aunt April.
Trooper, we’re going to have a wonderful time this summer,” she
said to the buckskin and turned toward the barn. Trooper nickered
and nuzzled her with his nose as they walked. Charity and Kjerstina
stood outside the new barn with their horses, waiting for her.
    It’s a
dream come true , Lauren thought. I guess I am glad I came to Misty Lake. Amazingly glad.
Stina’s right.