Melanie's POV
The next day, the sky was a blue so clear it felt transparent. I took Trista to a horse ranch on the outskirts of town.
As I stepped out of the locker room in my sleek riding gear, I caught Trista with her back to me, eagerly bragging to the instructor. "My dad and one of my aunties are like, pro riders. They look so cool on a horse. It's a bummer they're too busy to come today..."
I paused at the doorway, choosing not to burst the bubble of her tiny vanity.
The instructor noticed me first and stood up with a polite nod. "Ms. Willis."
I gave a small nod in return.
He glanced at the horse I was leading and asked tentatively, "Would you like me to arrange an assistant to shadow you, ma'am?"
"Yes, please. That would be great."
The truth was, I knew how to ride. It was ju
