England-Manor

Jess walked out of her bedroom.

“Hello.” Julie said.

“Hi.” Jess answered.

“Are you ready to go riding?” Julie asked.

“Yes ma’am.” Jess answered.

“In that case I have something for you.” Julie said offering her hand to Jess. Jess hesitated but then took it. Julie lead Jess back into her room and over to one of the wardrobes.

“I got these for you. A couple of weeks ago. I hope you like them.” Julie said pulling out a riding outfit (gray riding pants and white polo shirt, a black vest, a pair of leather riding boots and a black riding helmet) Jess’s eyes lit up.

“Wow. You got these for me?” Jess said.

“Yes I did. Here why don’t you go put them on and we’ll go riding.” Julie said.

Stables

Julie walked in hand in hand. Julie was showing Jess the different horses.

“And this is one is yours, his name is Webster.” Julie said, pointing to a white horse with a blond mane.

“His mine?” Jess asked still shocked at the with this side of Julie that she had never seen before.

“You have one at home you might as well have one here.” Julie said.

“Thanks Grandmother.” Jess said hugging Julie around the waist.

“Let’s go watch your, cousin Mary jump while Homer gets Webster and Goldy saddled.” Julie said.

“Okay.” Jess said taking her grandmother’s hand again.

Mary was 16 and had been living with her grandmother since she was 10 when her mother and father were killed in car accident in Rome. Mary was quite the accomplished rider. Jess climbed up on the fence to watch.

“Jess.” Julie said.

“Yeah?” Jess replied.

“I want to apologize for trying to take you away from Bette.” Jess looked at her.

“It’s okay. I know you were just trying to do what you thought was best.” Jess said repeating what Bette had told her.

“I want us to be close.” Julie said.

“What do you mean?” Jess asked still watching Mary.

“I would like for you to spend more time here with me if you want to. I want you to have a home here to.” Julie answered. “Would you like that?”