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He sounded genuine At least, he didn’t want to see her punished by his fa "Me too"

The horses eased down a small hill into the woods Thick trees blocked the sun Sticks and twigs snapped under the horses’ feet A sense of peace flowed through her, a balance of nature and quiet, and being with the two people she lovedokay back there?" Jiood," Tristan said

"Excellent We’re heading up this hill to the clearing Just follow me"

The other horses pulled ahead, but Bae branch and shot her a look "Co"

He snorted Ducked his head and began eating o!" She kicked and pulled the reins, but he ignored her Suddenly he lifted his head and stood stock-still A terrible s the groundtoo an to go forward, then took a sharp right

"No, not that way--this way" She tugged, but he was heading directly past a large pricker bush Tons of deadly thorns stuck out at wicked angles "Left! Go left, Bam Bam--ow!"

Her left side got dragged past the bush, the needles poking into her clothes icked darts of pain The horse gave her a sideways look and opened hisat her?

Tristan suddenly appeared before her, looking like a god on the Black Stallion "You okay?"

"No! He pooped because he keeps eating leaves, and he dragged me into a pricker bush He’sfor direction Co his horse a few paces forward, and Baap between the hi her for a fool She wasn’t stupid This horse didn’t like her "Is Becca doing well?" she asked

"She’s doing great Don’t you think this would be fun to do on a regular basis? Fresh air, fah No way "Great," she forced herself to utter "Fun things are supposed to be stressful"

"What do you ?"

The otten about that debacle! Your father had so on the Esopus and decided ca out would be fun"

Tristan shook his head The sun bathed hi hiht it would be easy but had no clue what to do Dalton fell off the raft and almost floated away"

"Yes! And youron the rocks I was so scared I just hung on to the raft and prayed to survive"

"Then the tent collapsed in thethe thunderstor cold," she added