50. Lily

50

Lily

I grinned as I unloaded my last bag from the trunk of my Toyota and added it to the pile.

Bull walked out of the stables...and stopped dead.

My grin faltered. “What?” I asked blankly.

He stared at my bags. “What’s that?!”

I looked down at my backpack. And suitcase. And laptop bag. And the bag for my spare batteries and cables. And the garbage sack holding pillows and blankets. “My stuff?”

He pushed back his hat and scratched his head. “I said only bring the essentials.”

“These are the essentials.” I looked at his pick up. “There’s plenty of room.”

He burst out laughing—that big, booming laugh that was as large as he was. “This is a camping trip. We’re not taking a car.” And he led Caliope and Apollo out of the stable.

I looked at the horses and then at my stuff. “How much can I take?” I asked.

“I already got food and bedding rolls. You can take one little bag. Some clothes. That’s all you need.”

One small bag?! I looked at my laptop bag. If I don’t change my clothes for the whole trip, or take any toiletries....

No. I had to face up to it: I was going to have to go a day without a computer. Glowering, I packed everything except a few changes of clothes and my wash bag back into the car.

This time, I managed to get up onto Caliope after only a few attempts and I wasn’t half as nervous. Maybe I was starting to get used to being around big, powerful animals.

I glanced across at Bull and my smile came back.