Bella Prologue- Two-and-a-Half Months Ago

Watching Sadie laugh and seeing her smile as she rode around the ring on Indigo, my American Quarter Horse mare, made me feel lighthearted. Indigo was her favorite, I think, because she was the one Sadie first learned to ride on. The difference learning to ride made in her was amazing to see.

Like many kids and even adults who came to me, whether for pleasure riding or actual equine therapy, you could see how amazing the horses were at making connections and changing their lives, it was one reason I loved horses. You give them attention and love, and they give it back to you at least tenfold. Growing up like I did, animals, especially horses, were my friends and companions.

It was my love for them that led me to buy a couple of them four years ago when I left South Dakota and moved to Tenillo, Texas. It was a good thing that I did because they led me to create my own business. I started out just offering to teach people to ride. Two years later, it was by accident I met Adara Lancaster, now Dickerson, who was a mental health counselor. We got to talking, and the next thing I knew, we'd created a joint effort, which became me taking my many hours of working with horses and other certifications I had and molding them into becoming an equine therapist. It had been slow to start, but as my name spread, the more people I had coming to me. Now, I have people coming to me to learn how to duplicate the program in their areas of Texas and even the country. This blew my mind.

"Look, Bella," Sadie called out as she waved at me. I waved back. That was progress. When she first started, she had a death grip on the reins and was petrified of the horses. It took a while for her to loosen up, but when she did, she found they followed her commands easily. If you were nervous or scared, the horse knew it and would act accordingly.

"Looking good, Sadie. Give her a trot," I called back.

She nodded, then clicked her tongue, and Indigo picked up her speed. They flew around the corral. I swear Sadie's smile got bigger, and even Indigo seemed to be smiling a horsey grin.

"It's a wonder I get her to come home," a soft voice from behind me said.

Turning, I winked at Diane, Sadie's mom, and my friend. It was a friendship that had developed over the past couple of years since she began to bring her daughter here. Sadie was one of my first equine therapy students.

"It's all part of my evil plan for world domination. Sadie is going to be my partner, and we'll infect everyone with horse-loving fever. Once it happens, there will be no more anger or trauma for people to work through. Didn't she tell you?" I teased her.

She laughed as she put her arm around my shoulders and hugged me. "She did, actually, but I told her she has to graduate high school first, then college, before she can take over the world."

"See what a wonderful influence I am, Diane?"

She snorted, "Yeah, you child stealer. I swear she loves you more than she does me."

I sobered up fast. "You know that's not true. She adores you. You're a fantastic mom, and she knows it. So do the rest of us. I'm lucky I have aunty status, though."

Her smile came back, and she nodded. Diane had been hurt badly by her ex-husband, Sadie's dad. Her hurt had left scars on the inside she still hadn't healed from, even after all these years. I'd never met the man, but if I ever did, I'd have a few things to say to him, and some of them would likely be said with my fists.

"Mom, Mom, look at us. Indigo's my favorite," Sadie yelled from the opposite side of the corral. Diane waved and smiled at her.

She was my last lesson of the day, so she had the whole place to herself. This was her usual allotted time, and many times, she was the last student of the day, so she could stay longer, which helped out Diane. She didn't need to leave work at her hair salon as early this way. Sometimes, I could pick Sadie up after school, and when I couldn't, she caught a bus. There was a bus stop at the edge of town a couple of miles from where I had the horses. Most of the time, I'd run up to it and get her so she didn't have to walk.

"She told me she wants a horse of her own," Diane told me as she gave her daughter a thumbs-up sign.

"Really? Why? She knows she can always ride one of mine. I have plenty to share. Did you tell her how expensive they can be?"

"I did, but she's determined. I told her we'd have to wait and see."

"Di, I'll talk to her. There's no sense in you spending money. If she wants the next one I buy, I'll let her help pick it out, and she can name it so it'll be hers." They didn't have a lot of extra money left over to blow, and her ex didn't pay child support, the lowlife bum.

"You're so sweet. How did I ever get so lucky to have you as a friend?"

"Shh, don't say that sweet crap. Someone might hear you, and my rep will be blown. I'm a tough bitch, remember? Besides, I'm the lucky one for hoodwinking you into being my friend and giving me Sadie, too."

She laughed and gave me another hug as I kissed her cheek. It was so great to have people I could call family. I might not have a bunch, but the ones I did have were the best.