Caroline's Purpose by Erica Zaborac

Author:Erica Zaborac
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: horses;horseback riding;Equine Science;faith;God;inspirational;loneliness;relationships;softball;baseball;trials;redemption;religion;faith;friendship
Publisher: Light Messages Publishing
Published: 2020-11-19T00:00:00+00:00

Twelve

Connor was anxious all morning as he helped with chores around the ranch. He was pulling his phone out every few minutes, checking the time and looking for any calls or text messages, while he helped feed the horses and clean their stalls. Now he was sitting down to eat lunch with his parents and couldn’t sit still.

He bit off a chunk of his BLT sandwich and chewed, tapping his foot on the leg of the table. Again, he pressed the home button of his phone to check the time. 12:42.

“Connor, please. You’re driving me nuts.” His mom reached over and put her hand on his knee, a kind smile on her face. He stopped his bouncing foot and smiled back.

Connor swallowed. “Sorry, guess I’m kind of restless.”

His dad snorted. “That’s an understatement. You’ve been like this all morning.”

“Must be some midterm project to get you this stirred up.” Jessica winked at him.

“Some project indeed.” Greg laughed, setting his sandwich down on his plate.

“Alright, guys. Give me a break. Just remember what we talked about. Don’t say anything about knowing her parents. Or her.”

“We got it, we got it. You only told us a hundred times.” This time, his dad winked at him, still teasing.

“Oh yeah, our lips are sealed.” His mom pushed her lips together, turning an invisible key and throwing it over her shoulder.

Connor rolled his eyes and shook his head as he took another bite. “You guys are impossible.”

Outside, Connor heard tires on the gravel driveway. He peered out the window, recognizing Caroline’s little blue Nissan. He hurried back to the table, popping the last bit of his sandwich into his mouth. He took his plate to the kitchen as he chewed, turning on the water as it crashed from his hands into the sink. He heard his parents’ laughter from the table.

“Sorry!” he called out over the running water. “If nothing else, at least I’m providing you guys with some entertainment.”

Connor finished rinsing his dish and headed to the entryway to pull on his boots. He yanked the legs of his jeans down over the shafts and turned for the door.

As the screen door banged shut behind him, he saw Caroline bending over near her car petting their two Australian Shepherds and Golden Retriever. Their tails were wagging, and they were licking her face.

“They sure are lousy guard dogs, but they make a great welcoming committee.” Connor jogged down the porch steps and walked toward them.

“They’re very sweet.” Caroline stood up and pulled her blond braid over her shoulder. “What are their names?”

“Yeah, they’re sweet, and spoiled rotten. The Golden is Allie. The red one is Ace, and this one here is Blue, since he has blue eyes.” Connor knelt down and scratched Blue behind the ears.

“Blue ’cause he has blue eyes? That’s quite original of you.” Caroline grinned down at him.

“Hey now, I was seven. This guy has been my buddy for a long time.”

“Aww, alright. No more grief over his name.”

“Thank you.” Connor straightened and looked out across the parking lot to the barns.

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