was going to do about Josh.
I was already exhausted as I dressed for the show and prodded Cessie to get ready too. With plenty of time before our first performance, I asked Mom what else I needed to do.
“These boys are a mixed blessing. You’re fired up to help and yet late when I need you most.” She extended the shade over the stage.
“I’ll try not to be late again. I’m watching Josh this time. I’m still working on fixing things. He’s almost over being mad at Noah and he doesn’t have any family to come watch him at all for his first real horse competition.”
“All right. Just be back on time.”
“We will.” I grabbed Cessie’s wrist and headed out, crossing the field to the bleachers.
“I thought I would get more time around the horses.” Cessie settled in beside me on a bench. “You guys promised.”
“Maybe tonight we can. You weren’t feeling good last night so that’s not my fault. They’ve been getting ready to compete so they’ve been busy.”
We arrived before Josh and his group entered the arena. It wasn’t like Noah’s competition where they performed one at a time. All the competitors came in at once and it was like follow the leader around the arena. Maybe it would finish early enough so I could watch the award ceremony. Josh gripped the reins and was rather intense while he kept rubbing his other hand on his thigh.
Josh spotted me when he passed by and he smiled a little. He was close to coming around again when he adjusted in the saddle to sit up taller, pushed his shoulders back, and relaxed his hands. Bree and Rachel were fidgety in their saddles too. I leaned forward to see who was nearby that might have straightened up Josh.
Noah stood next to the fence with Ezra behind him as he watched Josh intently. If it weren’t for Ezra and all the other horses nearby, I would have gone over to say hi. I kept an eye on him until he looked over at the bleachers and I waved once he finally did. He waved back briefly before he focused his attention on Josh again.
I leaned back on the bleacher bench behind me to get comfortable.
Bree’s horse sidestepped away from the fence. She struggled to get her horse back in line. Josh was behind her and had to slow his horse. Keeping his cool, he passed Bree while she fought to get her horse under control.
I sure wished I knew more about horse competitions. I couldn’t tell at all what the judges were looking for. I only hoped for the best for Josh.
At the end, all the competitors lined up their horses side by side. It was quiet for a long time while the judges walked stony faced around each horse and spoke to each rider before going to the next one.
They finally started giving out awards to the eight riders in the arena. They started with sixth place. It went to Rachel. Cessie grabbed onto my arm as they read out fifth and fourth. Then third. They called Josh!
He was completely surprised as they handed him his ribbon. They never called Bree. She sat stiff in her saddle as she kicked her horse to leave the arena with the others. Even though she had been mean to me with the pictures and videos, I felt bad for her.
I was torn. I wanted to go tell Josh congratulations but there were too many horses. A text would have to do and I needed to head back for the show.
13
We returned to watch Noah compete after the show. He was in the arena with a group this time and there was no Kelly. We stood near the bleachers because we were late. I spotted Josh sitting on one of the benches, talking to a couple. The man resembled Noah and the woman had Noah’s dark hair with long lose curls. My heart pounded in my ears and I took a step back so Josh couldn’t spot me easily.
I kept glancing over at them. They were tense and very caught up in what Noah was doing. I pulled Cessie against my chest and hugged her to contain my excitement. He had to be doing well by how Noah’s parents and Josh were creeping closer and closer to the edge of their
I was already exhausted as I dressed for the show and prodded Cessie to get ready too. With plenty of time before our first performance, I asked Mom what else I needed to do.
“These boys are a mixed blessing. You’re fired up to help and yet late when I need you most.” She extended the shade over the stage.
“I’ll try not to be late again. I’m watching Josh this time. I’m still working on fixing things. He’s almost over being mad at Noah and he doesn’t have any family to come watch him at all for his first real horse competition.”
“All right. Just be back on time.”
“We will.” I grabbed Cessie’s wrist and headed out, crossing the field to the bleachers.
“I thought I would get more time around the horses.” Cessie settled in beside me on a bench. “You guys promised.”
“Maybe tonight we can. You weren’t feeling good last night so that’s not my fault. They’ve been getting ready to compete so they’ve been busy.”
We arrived before Josh and his group entered the arena. It wasn’t like Noah’s competition where they performed one at a time. All the competitors came in at once and it was like follow the leader around the arena. Maybe it would finish early enough so I could watch the award ceremony. Josh gripped the reins and was rather intense while he kept rubbing his other hand on his thigh.
Josh spotted me when he passed by and he smiled a little. He was close to coming around again when he adjusted in the saddle to sit up taller, pushed his shoulders back, and relaxed his hands. Bree and Rachel were fidgety in their saddles too. I leaned forward to see who was nearby that might have straightened up Josh.
Noah stood next to the fence with Ezra behind him as he watched Josh intently. If it weren’t for Ezra and all the other horses nearby, I would have gone over to say hi. I kept an eye on him until he looked over at the bleachers and I waved once he finally did. He waved back briefly before he focused his attention on Josh again.
I leaned back on the bleacher bench behind me to get comfortable.
Bree’s horse sidestepped away from the fence. She struggled to get her horse back in line. Josh was behind her and had to slow his horse. Keeping his cool, he passed Bree while she fought to get her horse under control.
I sure wished I knew more about horse competitions. I couldn’t tell at all what the judges were looking for. I only hoped for the best for Josh.
At the end, all the competitors lined up their horses side by side. It was quiet for a long time while the judges walked stony faced around each horse and spoke to each rider before going to the next one.
They finally started giving out awards to the eight riders in the arena. They started with sixth place. It went to Rachel. Cessie grabbed onto my arm as they read out fifth and fourth. Then third. They called Josh!
He was completely surprised as they handed him his ribbon. They never called Bree. She sat stiff in her saddle as she kicked her horse to leave the arena with the others. Even though she had been mean to me with the pictures and videos, I felt bad for her.
I was torn. I wanted to go tell Josh congratulations but there were too many horses. A text would have to do and I needed to head back for the show.
13
We returned to watch Noah compete after the show. He was in the arena with a group this time and there was no Kelly. We stood near the bleachers because we were late. I spotted Josh sitting on one of the benches, talking to a couple. The man resembled Noah and the woman had Noah’s dark hair with long lose curls. My heart pounded in my ears and I took a step back so Josh couldn’t spot me easily.
I kept glancing over at them. They were tense and very caught up in what Noah was doing. I pulled Cessie against my chest and hugged her to contain my excitement. He had to be doing well by how Noah’s parents and Josh were creeping closer and closer to the edge of their
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