Beachcombers (2010) by Thayer Nancy

Author:Thayer, Nancy [Nancy, Thayer,]
Format: epub
Publisher: Random House, Inc.
Published: 2011-01-14T19:07:31.265000+00:00

30

Abbie

When Abbie arrived at the Parker house, she found Harry in the living room, on his father's lap, while Howell read to him.

"Abbie!" Howell's eyes held a warm smile especially for her. "I'm going mad with this cast thing. Can't drive anywhere. I've got to get out. Will you drive me and Harry somewhere?"

She laughed at his desperation. "Of course. Where would you like to go?"

Howell said softly, "Anywhere you'll take me."

She felt herself blushing. "I was going to take Harry out to r-i-d-e today. You could come watch. Or we could hit one of the beaches."

"I'd love to watch Harry ride," Howell said.

Harry began to dance up and down with excitement. "Horses! Horses!"

"Let's get your sneakers and socks, buddy," Abbie told the little boy. "You can't ride barefoot."

Abbie had already checked with her friend Shelley to be sure it was a good day for a visit. She helped Harry into his booster car seat. Howell leaned on her as she helped him negotiate his ankle into the backseat next to Harry. Her spirits were flying. As she drove out to Hummock Pond Road, she sang silly songs that made Harry giggle, and in the rearview mirror, she saw Howell's eyes resting affectionately on her face.

They arrived at Shelley's farm, parking behind the house in a wide dusty yard opening to a barn and a corral. Shelley came out of the barn to greet them, wearing faded blue jeans and an even more faded tee shirt. She led a white horse spotted with black and brown toward them.

"Hi, guys! Harry, meet Slappy."

Harry was frightened now that he was faced with a real-life, head-tossing horse. He clutched his father's hand and huddled next to him.

"It's okay, buddy," Howell said, bending down to reassure his son. "You can do it."

"He's big, but he's an easy rider," Shelley promised. She fished a bit of carrot out of her pocket and gave it to Harry. "Hold this flat on your hand. Slappy loves treats."

Abbie knelt behind Harry, wrapping her arms around him and enclosing his hand in hers as he held out the carrot. The horse craned his humongous head, pulled back his lips, and snatched up the carrot with his humorous long teeth. He snorted in gratitude and tossed his head around. Harry's eyes were wide.

Shelley laughed. "Come on, Harry. Let's get you up on Slappy's back. I use a western saddle for the kids so they can hold on to the pommel. I'll keep hold of the reins."

Abbie lifted Harry and settled him in the saddle. Harry clutched the pommel.

"Give him a pat on the neck," Shelley instructed Harry. "Tell him he's a good boy. He's just like the rest of us, happy to be complimented."

"You're a good boy, Slappy." Harry's voice was flute-like and tremulous. Abbie was proud of him for not being paralyzed with fear.

"Okay, here we go." Shelley led the horse into the corral and began to walk him around the ring.

Howell and Abbie leaned against the fence, watching.

"Look at his face," Howell said.

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