A New Way of Seeing Things Pt. 02 Ch. 09

"Doubtful," the young woman snorted. "I really don't do well around people—I would much rather be around horses and financial statements. And I'm really, really, sorry for dumping all this on you, but like I said, you just remind me of my riding instructors—you love your horses just like they loved theirs, I love horses, and I would talk to them when something was really bothering me. Marvin's the only other one I ever talk to about important things."

"Is Marvin a friend?"

"Marvin's my horse. Drury's Farms' Marvelous Magistrate. He's at a stable in Palm Beach right now, near my Mom. She always calls him Marvel—thinks it sounds more regal, but he's not regal. He's just Marvin. He's down there because Daniel and I couldn't afford to board him up here, and Mom said she'd take care of it for now. Anyways, thank you for letting me ride today. Both you and Tigger have been a huge help. Tomorrow's going to be a test, but at least I can go to work on Monday."

"We can ride tomorrow, too," Gwen quickly offered, a plan escaping her lips before the Lady could intervene. "Have dinner with Tim and me tonight, stay here, and tomorrow morning we can take a ride around the other side of the ridge.

"Oh, Gwen, that's very nice of you, but I can't impose like that. You and Tim—"

"Weren't doing anything tonight anyways. Have dinner with us, you can sleep in Ali's room, and tomorrow we pack a lunch and take a longer ride."

"I didn't bring a change of clothes or anything. I really should get back to the apartment and see what my husband—my ex-husband," Cricket declared—"took."

"If he took it, it will still be gone when you go back tomorrow," Gwen reasoned. "You probably haven't eaten or slept since, this..." The older woman remembered how disruptions in her daughters' love lives had almost always been announced via crying fits, sleepless nights and a lack of appetite. Gwen had not consoled Ali or KD much during those times, believing that it would make them stronger to muddle through on their own, to understand how boys were; she knew now that had been a horrible mistake and was determined to not stand by while the woman next to her was forced to do the same. "Between what Alison didn't take with her and my own things, I'm sure we can get you squared away with something to wear tonight."

"That's really very nice of you, but—"

"But you're staying. That's final." Gwen spurred Dart into a gallop, cutting off any objection as the young woman was left ten yards behind.

The pair broke into the field above the house a half-hour later. Gwen watched with satisfaction as Cricket began to unsaddle and groom her mount, then excused herself for a moment and headed to the house.

Tim answered his phone on the third ring. "Hey, honey."

"Hi Tim, I'm glad you're still out."

"I miss you, too!"

"That's not what I meant. I need you to pick some things up for dinner on your way home. Kristen is staying with us tonight. She's having problems at home," Gwen said before lowering her voice despite being in the kitchen. "Her husband left her and she's got no one to talk to."

"Well, that sucks," Tim agreed. "Sure, of course, what do you need? Is she just staying for dinner?"

"Staying the night if I have my say. I'll take her riding again tomorrow to get her mind off things."

"Sure, OK, of course." Tim took the list from her and promised to be home as soon as possible. This was turning stranger by the minute. Gwen had always been a 'charity begins at home' type of person, never involving herself in the affairs of others, even staying out of her daughters' intimate lives unless it was absolutely necessary. Ali and KD had known that as well, going to Natalie or their father with anything of a personal nature. Hell, it had been him, not Gwen, that KD had come to with her pregnancy scare. And yet now his wife appeared to be playing mother—or at least, older sister—to the young woman at their house. People do change, Tim told himself, people do change.