The Price of Trust by Amanda Stephan Page B

friend ever." Carly stopped, catching a movement out of the corner of her eye. Joe and Todd were standing in the doorway, listening. Joe cleared his throat.
    "Are you ready? We've got everything ready to go except the food.”
    "Oh!" Penny exclaimed. "I almost forgot. Here you are." She had packed a leather backpack full of delicious-looking food. "You have fun and be careful," she called after them as they walked out to the barn. Tom came and put his arm around her shoulder.
    "You know what? They're grown up, girl. What do you think of that?" He gave Penny a bear hug.
    "I know. It sure didn't take long, did it?" There were tears in her eyes.

Chapter 8
     
    "Carly, have you ever ridden a horse before?" Joe asked as they walked to the waiting horses.
    "Is it legal to live in Texas and not ride a horse?" she teased.
    "Good. I want you to ride Ashes because I know she'll behave. Up you go." He helped her into the saddle. He adjusted the stirrups then mounted his own horse. They were all ready.
    They rode off down the dirt road single file, then out into an open field. Todd and Kelly raced, galloping across the field, while Joe and Carly followed, cantering at an easy pace.
    "We're taking you two up to Wilson's Pond, and then after we eat, we'll follow the creek back down to the farm. It'll take us all day." Joe turned from surveying the land to survey Carly. "How you holding up over there? Are you comfortable? She handling well?"
    Carly looked over at him and flashed him one of her best smiles. "I'm doing great. She's a magnificent horse, and she rides so well. Thank you for letting me borrow her for the day." She nodded to the Palomino Joe was riding. "How's your horse doing?"
    "Chessy? Oh we're doing fine. This is dad's horse. Kelly is riding Mom's, and Todd is riding his own, of course. He likes them a little more on the wild side. He likes to let them have their head and run. I'd rather take it easy and look at the scenery." He looked at Carly with a twinkle in his eye.
    She pretended not to understand his meaning. "Yes, the mountains sure look beautiful, don't they?"
    "They're all right I suppose. I've lived here all my life, so I'm used to them."
    It was a beautiful fall day to be riding. Not too warm, not too cold, just right. The leaves crunched under the horses feet, the air was fresh and pure, the company wonderful. They came to a trail in a patch of woods. Todd led the way, Kelly was next, Carly, then Joe brought up the rear. Pine trees, maple trees, elms, and oaks lined their path. Carly breathed deeply. She hadn't felt this peaceful since before her dad died.
    The trees suddenly cleared away to reveal a beautiful lake.
    Wilson's Pond.
    She hadn't expected it to be this big, she had thought it would be more like a small fishing hole, but this would be more accurately called a lake. She caught her breath at the sight. She'd had no idea that Wilson's Pond would be so beautiful. Snowcapped mountains were off in the distance, pine trees ringed the pond on three sides, and she thought the very air seemed magical and sweet.
    "It's beautiful," she breathed, glancing at Joe with amazement as she dismounted.
    He grinned and took the lunch pack off Chessy, and Todd spread a blanket on the ground next to a large boulder sitting beside the pond. Carly and Kelly emptied the lunch pack and set the food out. Cold chicken, carrot and celery sticks, ranch dip, potato chips, and freshly baked chocolate chip cookies for dessert. They all sat down, prayed, and ate until they could barely budge.
    After lunch, Kelly caught Carly's eye and motioned toward Joe.  Carly looked away, pretending not to notice, but Kelly didn't give up. She caught her eye again and motioned toward Joe more aggressively. Carly pursed her lips together and shook her head firmly.
    "What in the world are you two up to?" Todd asked, looking from one to the other. "Are you trying to swat something away?"
    "No," Kelly answered sweetly. She gave Carly another look, and