Willow King by Chris Platt

busy watching the wild antics of the horses that she didn’t hear the approach of another rider. It wasn’t until Grey Dancer’s head snapped up and the mare snorted a warning that she realized they were not alone in the tall grass. The mare and colt cocked their tails in the air and pranced over to the fence to greet Jason’s horse.
    Katie turned to leave. She still couldn’t face him.
    â€œKatie, please wait,” Jason called as he stepped off his horse and tethered him to a post. “This may be the last chance I have to speak to you for a while.”
    She turned on shaky legs and walked to where Jason stood. The blood pounded so loudly in her ears that she could barely hear him speak.
    â€œMy uncle in Oklahoma had a heart attack, and I’m going to move down there for a while to help out.”
    Katie reached out to stroke the gelding’s nose. Her hand shook so badly that it reminded her of a butterfly in flight. Jason expected her to speak, but she wasn’t sure the words would come if she opened her mouth. She knew he was talking about his favorite uncle. Jason must be hurting pretty badly right now.
    She was hurting, too. But for Jason she would put aside her burden and try to make his a little lighter. He was staring at her, seeming to will her to speak. She’d stick to a safe subject. “I’m sorry to hear that. I hope he’ll be okay. How long will you be gone?”
    â€œProbably a year.”
    Her heart dropped. A whole year! “What about school? You can’t just drop out of school.”
    â€œI’ll enroll down there. Gee, by the time I get back, you’ll be in high school.”
    She smiled bashfully and nodded, stuffing her jittery hands into her jeans. “By the time you get back, King will be old enough to break.”
    â€œI’d like to help—if you need me.”
    She could feel him studying her face.
    â€œKatie, I never meant to hurt your feelings. I’d like to part as friends.”
    She saw the honesty in his face and felt like a spoiled brat for treating him the way she had. How could she make him see her as mature when she acted like a child?
    Katie looked up into his eyes. This would be the last time she would see him for a while. She didn’t want to blink and miss a moment of the way he looked. “Sure, Jason. I’d like that.”
    He extended his hand over the fence and they shook on it. “You’re special, Katie Durham. I’m glad we’re friends. You keep that colt growing, and we’ll get him to the races when I come back.”
    Jason put his foot in the stirrup and mounted up. He smiled and waved good-bye, then gave his horse a poke in the sides. He jetted off across the pasture, glancing once over his shoulder before he disappeared over the hill.
    â€œJust like in the movies,” she told Jan as they sat at the kitchen table, sipping milk and eating chocolate chip cookies.
    â€œI told you you were wrong about him, Katie.”
    Katie rolled her eyes. “You never give up, do you?”
    â€œBoy. No Jason for a whole year,” Jan said.
    â€œWe wouldn’t see him anyway. He’s going to high school, remember? We’ll be stuck in junior high.”
    Jan perked up. “But when he comes back, we’ll be in high school, too.”
    â€œYeah, but that seems like forever away.” Katie sighed and looked out the window.
    â€œI still can’t believe Cindy had the nerve to lie to you about Jason being her boyfriend. Why would she do that? She had to know we’d find out the truth,” Jan said as she reached for another cookie.
    â€œI think she had every intention of making him her boyfriend. How many guys do you know who wouldn’t jump at the chance to have Cindy for their girlfriend? I think her plan just kind of backfired somehow.”
    â€œYeah, I guess you’re right. I’m glad he didn’t fall for her.”
    â€œMe