Chapter Seven

After a long week that consisted of Jocelynn, Ava, and Oliver training every chance they got, Lynn decided it was time to change things up a bit and go have fun on their day off that Saturday. She had been making a few calls and arranged with Richie that Ava didn’t have to go back to Heather’s until the next day. Things were moving fast for the girl and her horse, they had an obvious connection and so they deserved a treat.

“Ava come on. Time for your surprise!” Lynn yelled as she entered the main house. Footsteps were heard from the stairs and soon the young girl, clad in jeans, boots and a tee shirt, was in front her and looking expectantly. “Let’s go outside. I’m sure you’ll have an idea by then.”

Richie had appeared behind his daughter and grinned. He had known the plans for a couple of days now and was sure his daughter would be ecstatic.  The teenager squealed as she opened the door and rushed outside. A horse trailer was behind the Hummer and in it was Oliver. His tack was in the trunk of the massive car and Ava turned around in shock.

“Where are we going?”

Jocelynn smiled. “There’s a ranch not far from here, they have great Quarters and a massive piece of land that’s fenced so a perfect place for a first trail ride with you and Oliver.”

She explained and Ava’s eyes went wide. “Everything we need is already in the car so let’s go.”

Ava grinned. “Dad letting you drive the Hummer?” Jocelynn nodded proudly. Richie was more than a little anxious when it came to someone driving his car so he and Lynn had been doing a few test rides around the block when Ava was in school. Jocelynn thought Ava was exaggerating when she told her about her dad’s tendencies but she was actually right. After a couple rides he muttered ‘Fine take it on Saturday’ and here they were. Dangling the keys from her index finger she grinned at the man in the doorway.

“I’ll take good care of her Rich.” She winked and Richie grumbled under his breath as the two women got into the car.

“Let’s go ride!” Lynn exclaimed as they drove through the gate. The ranch had assured her they had a calm and gentle horse who was very experienced in trail rides to guide Ava and Olly.

“Wow that’s a beauty Lynn!” Ava said as Jocelynn mounted the buckskin mare. Jocelynn grinned and clicked her tongue to get the horse to lead the inexperienced youngsters around the terrain. Today would only be a walking trip, everything was already exciting enough for both Ava and Oliver so this should be enough for the time being.

“Left or right?” Lynn asked as the sandy path split into two directions. Choosing the left path they let the horses walk side by side and chatted away as they watched Oliver check out over single bush and tree. He was relaxed as if he’d been doing it for years. The hills were stunning and soon enough they reached a peak and stopped to watch over part of the city.

“Don’t you love this Lynn? It’s so pretty.” Ava sighed as she gazed around. She was wearing her head protection but luckily also sunglasses or she wouldn’t be able to see a thing with the brightness that came from the massive bulb of fire above them. “Will you teach my dad to ride sometime?” Ava then asked.

Lynn grinned. “If he wants to, sure. You think he’s up for that?” They were now strolling back down the hill whilst chatting.

“I think so, he just might be a bit apprehensive to ask.” She replied smiling. “I think he likes you.”

Lynn’s jaw dropped and her eyes widened. She quickly composed herself and looked around the bushes. “Why would you say that?”

Ava noticed the change in her expression. She likes him too. “He’s nice to you, polite even. At times anyway. And I saw how he looks at you. He never looked that way at Denise.” She brought up the ex. Now Jocelynn was beet red and trying not to worry about the words of the teenager.

“Hey Ava let’s take a right here? That looks like a nice path.” Ava got the not-so-subtle hint and nodded as he followed Jocelynn and the Buckskin Quarter. Then out of nowhere a deer appeared from the bushed and ran two feet in front of Oliver. The elder horse stayed calm but Ava had trouble hanging on to Olly. He took off running in a full gallop and Ava tried her best to get him to slow down, although when she did, he bucked up his rear end following by rearing. Ava held onto the knob on the saddle but as he raised up higher she was unable to hold on and fell backwards onto the hard sandy ground.

Jocelynn was already next to Oliver, hoping the elder horse could calm him down but it was already too late. Ava was squirming on the ground and groaning in pain. Lynn jumped off the horse and grabbed Oliver’s reins. The poor horse was as shocked by his rider falling as the rider was herself and didn’t dare to move an inch. “Ava are you okay? Where does it hurt?” Lynn asked as she tied both horses to a nearby tree and kneeling next to the blonde girl.

Ava groaned as she tried to sit up and groaned. “My chest, I think something’s wrong with my ribs and my head hurts.” Lynn nodded and pulled out her phone. Ava was a tough one and had fallen off before but never was she not able to get up again. Calling the owner of the ranch with their location and asking him to come pick Ava up with the truck she winced as she saw the youngest facial expression turn sour.

“Head protection can only protect so much. You might still have a concussion. Jason is on his way with the truck. Just try to stay still. We’re gonna take you to the hospital. Let me call your dad real quick. ” Handing her a bottle of water from a saddle bag she smiled slightly. “Drink a bit.”

“Thanks. Do you have to call my dad?” Ava asked quietly, wincing as she swallowed the water.

Lynn nodded. “I’m afraid I do. He won’t be pleased if he finds out something is wrong when I get you home in a cast.” She grinned. Ava nodded and handed Jocelynn her phone.

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“How is my babygirl? What happened? How did this happen? I thought they were ready for this?”

Lynn sighed and stared at the floor. “Richie I’m sorry, they were totally ready and everything was going just fine until a deer came out of nowhere and spooked Oliver. He was real sweet after she fell though, wouldn’t leave her side.” She spoke and slowly looked up to meet his eyes.

Jon appeared behind his friend and laid a hand on his shoulder. “Do we know anything already?” Lynn had brought Ava into the E.R. about fifteen minutes ago and the doctors had taken her for all kinds of scans, not telling her anything. She had been sitting in an all white waiting area with people who were crying and looking around nervously. Even the most laid-back person would be freaked out by this atmosphere.

The woman shrugged. “Not too much. She’s been taken for scans to make sure nothing is broken or bleeding on the inside. She showed no signs of any serious damage though. She might have a concussion and bruised ribs.”

Jon smiled. “See man, your baby girl is a tough one.” He motioned for the guitarist to take a seat and sat down beside him. “Are you okay too?”

Both sets of blue eyes met and Lynn nodded. “I’m fine, just worried about her. She was making so much progress, I just hope she won’t be scared to get to riding once she’s better.”

“Even with a cast she’d go riding.” Richie spoke with a slight grin. “Girl is stubborn.” His hair was all over the place and there were lines of worry rounding his eyes but with a dimpled grin he looked like he did twenty years back.

“Wonder who she got that from.” Lynn chuckled and Jon laughed. Richie just shot her a look as a middle aged man in a white lab coat appeared next to them.