When we got home, we had to park on the street. Wolf had Roc hard at work preparing the garden. Somehow Wolf seemed to have a sixth sense about when we’d be serving good food. I came into the house and found the rest of the Pearson family had joined us. Greg and his family were in the living room with Peggy and Little David. Bandit had a new fan in Kyle. That boy loved kittens. Mac saw me, grabbed my hand, and pulled me to Zoe.
“Horsey?” she asked, looking up at me with wide, pleading eyes.
“Did you make someone a promise?” I asked Zoe.
“Yeah, I think your niece needs a horseback ride this afternoon. I didn’t expect you’d mind.”
“I think Zoe just wants you to help her with her chores,” Mr. Pearson said.
“Well, I don’t mind,” I admitted. I really had absolutely no defense against two sets of innocent-seeming female eyes.
I introduced everyone to Paul, my driver and security for the day. Mom invited him to stay for lunch. I’m sure he was happy he did. Uncle John had done beef ribs and a huge brisket. Everyone else had brought something. Grandma Dawson was the star. She made homemade ice cream. I hadn’t had that in forever and had almost forgotten how good it was.
◊◊◊
After lunch, I hooked Zoe up with my grandma. They talked about Zoe working on our farm. I found out later that her dad had told her he’d pay for college, but she had to earn her own spending money. She had some money saved but wanted to make more. I liked that she knew the value of a dollar and was willing to work to get it.
Kyle wanted to stay home and play with Bandit, so I took Mac with me to Zoe’s house. I don’t know how it happened, but I mucked stalls while Zoe and Mac went for a horseback ride.
While I did that, Roc and his dad brought in the horses one at a time and groomed them as a team. Roc used a currycomb and other grooming tools while his dad checked and worked on hooves. The horses were used to the treatment. You had to groom horses daily so you could check on their general health and well-being.
When Mac and Zoe came back, it was apparent Mac needed a nap. She was a happy girl, though. I would have to warn Greg that someone would start working on him for a horse when she got older. I didn’t expect Greg was likely to be able to withstand the long and devastating little-girl siege he was going to encounter.
◊◊◊ Monday February 29
During my run, I realized that Moose was right, something had to give. I’d been pulled in too many directions lately. Baseball practice and the start of the season were the straws threatening to break the camel’s back. I thought about my schedule today, and if I added baseball, I wouldn’t get home until late. I reflected on everything I’d been doing since I came back from LA and realized I was going all day, every day, and it was all my own fault.
Even though I knew my dad could handle everything, I still met with Caryn to talk about business. I’d agreed to do the stupid play. Wasn’t one of my life goals learning to say ‘no’? They had to make allowances for me because I didn’t have time to make it to play practice. Well that, and Moose would never understand my skipping baseball to rehearse for the play.
Every bit of free time of more than a weekend seemed to be used up, either with a modeling gig or acting. I was glad that Brook had planned our spring break. If she hadn’t, I would’ve wound up doing a photo shoot that Range Sports wanted me for.
It wasn’t only the big things, either. It seemed I didn’t have a minute for myself during the day. I needed to figure out how to make time for fun. I missed hanging out and playing video games, going to the arcade, or lounging around the Andersons’ pool.
When I got home, I pulled out my calendar and looked at my commitments. Baseball would be my focus for the next few months. Somewhere in there, Pam would have our baby. If what Greg told me was true, I was really in for it then. Not for the first time, I thanked my lucky stars that my parents, Pam, and Peggy would be there to help. Even if they were, I bet I would have a serious time commitment.
This summer wasn’t much better. My movie,
All of this seemed a little overwhelming. The only bright spot was my spring break plan to travel the Caribbean, diving and catching some rays. I wanted to remember to set some time aside for fun things.
