Near to Me

CHAPTER 1

It was a glorious morning with the sun shining bright overhead. Bees were buzzing, the birds chirping, and a herd of rabbits were gathering in the field. Dew clung to the grass and there was a chill to the air. Farther across the field by the small pond, the horses were wandering for lush grazing.

I hope you had your fill Sage. We’re going back to the barn to gear up. Kendra spoke as she walked next to Sage back to the house. Kendra had taken the mare out this morning into the longer grasses. Dressed in a long sleeve t-shirt, jeans, her brown cowboy boots and faded jean jacket Kendra was already perspiring. The slight wind offered small relief. With just a hand flat against the mare’s neck, Kendra guided the way and Sage obeyed. She would wait to ride Sage ‘til Trent put the saddle and stirrups on the mare; Kendra would never ride her bareback. Sage was touchy and overly traditional. Trent worried Kendra wouldn’t be able to control the horse without the equipment.

Kendra smiled as she caught sight of a family of ducks in a row waddling back toward the pond. She loved being out here. Though it was only around the bend and a short distance from the house, it took her to a whole other place. When she was still in school, she would come out here on the weekends and sit where the horses grazed. The beams from the sun would bounce off the lake and she’d point to the minnows as she spoke quietly to Sage. Kendra stayed particularly close to Sage since it made her feel close to her mother. Her mother had loved the little mare.

Now that Kendra had just graduated from high school Trent wanted her to get enrolled in college right away. She didn’t know if that was what she wanted, but Trent thought she should do something with her life besides stay here on the farm like he had. As the oldest, Trent had taken some small business management classes to help run the farm with dad.

As she neared the barn, Trent was packing a small bag of granola and fruit just inside the door. Leading Sage through, Trent followed them over to where the horse gear hung on the wall. Kendra gestured to indicate Sage, She doesn’t get the granola. We wandered over to the lake this morning.

Getting some good grazing, eh? Trent placed the small bag atop the wooden shelf, then began taking down the saddle and bridle equipment to tack Sage.

She’ll have her feed later when I come back home. Kendra reiterated.

That might be a long while sis. Trent gripped the bridle at Sage’s muzzle and pet the soft hair there. He knew, even without supervision that that the horses were safely confined in the pasture. Anything beyond the perimeter they would have to ride out to track for the missing animal. You sure you want to wait till later? Doesn’t seem fair, does it sweetie?

Don’t go putting ideas in her head. Kendra chided her brother, though she didn’t fault him for going soft on Sage. He liked to talk sweet to mom’s beloved. Kendra suspected that Sage had come to know she was adored by them both after so long.

After showing affection, Trent decided to save a handful of fruit for Sage for later and stuffed it into his pocket. Then came back around to boost Kendra. Up you go, Trent said.

As he helped Kendra get seated and secure in the saddle and stirrups, he handed her the reins and walked with her to the round pen behind the barn. Trent opened the gate and let Sage through before closing the door. The circle was mainly for training, and allowed the horse to walk a few times in each direction to stretch, exercise and strengthen their side and back muscles. Kendra would have Sage walk the circle to get her muscles warmed up, then she would take her for a run out on the gravel road. Trent liked to make sure she was always being safe with the animals.

Don’t go too far, Kendra called over her shoulder to her brother. I’ll need you to open the gate again in a little bit.

He nodded in acknowledgement as Kendra nudged the horse forward.

***

Trent never had to pretend that he enjoyed watching the horses, or that he was happy when his sister had a smile on her face. He could be content with entertainment from the horses all day. He loved this farm and the work that was put into it daily. He hiked his leg upon the railing and leaned forward to rest his elbows. Watching Kendra bond with the animals was pure joy. It was a wonder watching his sister growing from a child and reflecting his own appreciation of time spent with the horses; cherished from his heart to hers.

The chestnut Saddlebred mare and Kendra had both been pretty young when mom brought Sage to the farm. Kendra had been four, nearly a toddler still, whereas Trent had been eleven at that time. It was coming upon fifteen years since mom had died. Trent remembered mom looking extremely pale in the hospital room telling Trent to take care of her baby girl. The day Mom died, Dad was in a mood. Trent could remember the drive back to the house; the atmosphere in the truck had been stretched a little too thin. Dad had worn circles in the kitchen floor that night as his fist clenched and unclenched on a small snow globe mom had bought the family as a gift that past Christmas. In a fit of rage had thrown the thing against the wall, stormed into his bedroom and slammed the door. Water and beads trickled down the wall and into a puddle on the floor. Things had changed dramatically since that day.

Kendra seemed close to mom somehow; she was always confiding in Sage like a friend. Watching Kendra astride Sage, Trent saw the true gift his mother had purchased before her last breath: her daughter’s happiness and the childhood that Trent could chaperon. Kendra might not remember or realize the significance, but Trent knew and he could see with clarity on this very day and this very minute that Sage belonged to his sister just as much as Kendra belonged to the horse.

Kendra set Sage at a trot around the circle. Leaning forward, she whispered to the horse and pet her neck. The friendship and the trust between the two was evident as Sage whinnied in response. Cueing the horse in a left hand circle, Sage transitioned into a trot seamlessly. After a few rounds Kendra turned Sage to the gate that Trent was holding open for them.

Thanks Trent. I’m heading to Caitlin’s. I’ll see you tonight. Kendra called over the horse’s shoulder, and almost immediately in agreement Sage danced impatiently at the gate as though she knew the words.

Sure thing. Be mindful of the time. Trent pat Sage’s muzzle. Holding the reins, Trent directed Sage around the gate door and faced her out toward the gravel driveway and beyond.

Reaching to pat the horse’s belly, Kendra nudged the animal forward with a press of her ankles. Sage began a slow trot heading for the gravel driveway, and Kendra waved back to Trent as they exited the yard.

CHAPTER 2

Kendra had Sage at a well-paced canter down the road when she spotted a car she’d never seen before turning to the West. The sun glinted off the windshield and the iridescent blue paint job, catching her eye. She raised her hand to shield the glare as her breath caught at the magnificent picture made as the vehicle rounded the corner and she caught the side view. There was no way to see who was driving, but it had her pulse spiking. When she neared the corner two blocks up she glanced to her left and down the road, yet there was nothing lingering but a dust trail.

The Swensen’s property was three blocks further to the East with vast farmland in-between, and when Sage trotted up the drive, Kendra passed the horse over to a Caitlin’s dad at the stables. His shaggy gray hair belied the youth of his facial features. Ms. Kendra, how are you this morning?

I’m good. Where is everyone? Kendra smiled and looked around.

They all had better be finishing their breakfast by now.

I’ll make sure to go kick them into gear. Kendra laughed as she ran up the front steps to the house and walked into the kitchen.

Hey! Tom said, raising his coffee cup as he saw Kendra at the door, then turned down the hallway. Caitlin you have company.

She’s still in her room. Ben mentioned as he flipped through a magazine at the table. Man, this looks sweet.

Kendra feigned disinterest in the guy, though Ben’s looks always left her breathless. Ben was in his mid-twenties, one year older than her brother Trent. His blond hair was styled in spikes, he had stubble on his jaw, and his blue eyes flickered with reflection of the sunlight streaming through the kitchen window. Kendra stepped forward to look at what he pointed to. It was a design for his new belt buckle, a silver eagle with its wings spread, the American flag laying crosswise with the right wing, and the words ‘True Country’ engraved below. She wondered what Ben’s collection of belt buckles included. It was an admirable hobby as a cowboy and purely enhanced his ego. All the vintage designs were silver-plated, hand-crafted in the heart of the country, and were meant to be displayed with pride.

It looks really nice. Kendra commented, trying to ignore the scent of his cologne. Are you guys doing anything today?

Going to Farmer’s Market to buy meat for the week and drop off some barrels of produce to sell. There might be cattle to bid on. Might be something to add to the stables. Ben shrugged.

Cool. Good luck. Have fun. It would add value to the farm, Kendra reasoned. Then filed the information away to mention to her dad later.

Tom came back through the hallway and banged his fist against Caitlin’s room door when he noticed Kendra still standing in the kitchen. Caitlin’s response was muffled from behind her door. Tom’s boots clomped against the wood flooring as he walked back to the kitchen fixing his shirt, then settling his hat atop his ear-length golden waves and guzzling coffee in the other hand. Let’s go Ben.

Yep. Got it. Ben shoved his chair back from where he lounged at the table, picked up the sunglasses lying next to the magazine and headed outside to Tom’s pickup.

Kendra closed her eyes as she inhaled Ben’s scent breezing past her out the door.

She shouldn’t be too much longer. Tom stood at the sink rinsing his mug, then turned on his heel and proceeded to the door. See ya Kendra.

Bye. Kendra responded.

As soon as the screen door slammed shut, Caitlin came bounding out of her room. Hey Kendra, you’re here.

Yea I just got here a few minutes ago. Your brothers just left to Farmer’s Market.

Yea, if it’s not that then it’s another thing. The guys stay busy, but they don’t let daddy hear them complain. Daddy would whoop ‘em if he ever caught them slacking off. He don’t have to worry about that none. He’s got enough sons to see that responsibilities get done. Caitlin pat stray hairs down at her temples from her long blond French braid and swung the tail over her shoulders so it trailed down her back.