Free Comeback by Jessica Burkhart Page A

that flanked a dirt trail. “It’s like everyone
     knows everything that’s going on with each other. Like
     sometimes we’re all a bunch of gossipy older women I’ve seen at salons,
     sitting under dryers with their wet curls.”
    â€œUm, I have never, nor will I ever, sit under a dryer and
     gossip,” Drew said. He raised both eyebrows, shooting me a glance. A smile tugged
     at the corner of his mouth. It made my palms a little sweaty against the reins.
    Clare, Lex, and I giggled at his pretend offense.
    â€œWe’re not including you in our gossipy olds count,”
     Khloe said.
    Drew put a hand over his heart, neck-reining Polo. “Whew. So
     relieved you don’t see me that way.”
    Clare and Fuego and Khloe and Ever entered the trail first with Lexa close
     behind, followed by Drew and me.
    â€œUp for a new trail, LT?” Khloe asked.
    â€œOui!” I said.
     “Always.”
    â€œGuys, is the one following the creek to the meadow okay?”
     Khloe asked.
    â€œPerf,” Clare said.
    Drew added a yes, and we kept walking through the woods. We walked the
     horses under a canopy of trees, and I took a mental snapshot of the scenery. The light
     filtered through the trees, casting shadows of all shapes and sizes onto the dirt
     trail.
    â€œIt’s so gorgeous,” I said to Drew. “Look at the
     way the sunlight reflects on those leaves.”
    I tilted my head toward some maple leaves, and Drew followed my gaze.
    â€œI like how you notice those things,” he said.
     “You’ve got this attention to details that no one else sees.”
    I blushed. “I’m definitely not the only one—”
    Drew shook his head, stopping me. “Try to let me finish my
     compliment. You’re way too humble to say anything, but I want to.”
    I looked at Whisper’s mane, then back up at him. “Okay, okay.
     Go.”
    Drew smiled, satisfied. “I didn’t even look at the leaves, but
     once you pointed them out, I took a closer look. You notice the beautiful things,
     Lauren, that I think most people walk right by.”
    His words silenced me. I forgot where I was, what we were doing, and who I
     was talking to for a second. Then Isnapped back to reality, staring
     at him. “Wow. No one has ever said anything like that to me before. Thanks, Drew.
     That was so sweet.”
    â€œJust calling it like I see it,” he said.
    I grinned and looked ahead, seeing that Lexa had slowed Honor so she was
     closer to us. I was so calling her on that later. Eavesdropper! But I wasn’t
     mad.
    â€œRight at the next fork,” Khloe called.
    We made the turn, and the dirt trail widened so we could ride side by
     side.
    The woods were peaceful, and I couldn’t imagine anything else
     I’d rather be doing.
    â€œWant to play games while we ride?” Drew asked. He was still
     next to me, with Clare on his right, then Khloe. Lexa had ended up to my left.
    â€œTotally!” Clare said.
    â€œI miss games!” Lexa said.
     “Remember when those actually counted as a lesson?”
    â€œIf only we could convince Mr. Conner that passing the flag or an
     egg-and-spoon challenge was a good lesson,” I said, giggling.
    Khloe frowned. “I always dropped the eggs. Once, when I was in Pony
     Club and competing against another chapter, I lost so many eggs that they ran out ! How does that happen? One of my most embarrassing moments ever in the horse world!”
    â€œWe’re so doing that one day,” Clare said.
     “We’ll get a bunch of riders together and play. Khlo, maybe we’ll glue
     your egg to your spoon or something.”
    Khloe nodded, patting Ever’s neck. “Done. I’m so not
     above that.”
    We approached the fork in the trail and veered to the right. The path was
     free of debris, minus a few branches, and it was wider than the path we’d been