“Sam?” Tor called out into the night. She had left him in the barn as she marched out, deep in thought.

“Yeah?” she whispered back.

“What’s wrong, honey?” he asked, walking up to her.

“Nothing,” she said firmly, attempting to blink back tears.

“You sure?”

“Yeah,” she said softly.

“Okay, then,” he said, walking into the house. “Coming?”

“I’m going to stay out for a couple minutes,” Samantha replied, smiling weakly.

Tor watched her for a moment, unsure. “Okay,” he said. “Don’t take too long, hon.”

Samantha nodded and walked aimlessly around to the back of the cottage. There she sat down on the soft grass and cried. She cried for the loneliness she felt aching in her heart, she cried for the family and friends she had left behind in Kentucky.

I just can’t take it anymore. It’s not fair, she thought, breathing deeply to soothe her sobs.

But what can I do? She thought wildly, breaking into a new round of heartbreaking tears. She wept unrestrainedly into her hands, washing out some of the loneliness she had felt over the past few days. But as the tears stopped coming, Samantha realized how unfair she was being. Was living on one of the most well know eventing and racing farms in the world really all that bad? Am I just being unreasonable? She asked herself, knowing the answer.

“I am,” she whispered to herself. It’s good here, really. Tor is happy, we’re living well, and there are horses all over. I may be a little lonely, but there is nothing I can do.

Samantha stood and brushed off her jeans. She headed back to the house slightly calmer, but disgusted with herself. I’m so lucky, yet I complain all the time, she thought angrily. I should be thankful, not complaining!

But she knew from experience, no matter how much she pretended, the lingering ache in her heart would not go away.

The next day was typical, as were the few that followed. Samantha woke up early to ride Dream and Mem in their workouts, and would sometimes ride Lucky for Tor. She stayed businesslike with the horses, not wanting to become attached only to have them taken away. Still, she couldn’t help but feel forlorn. Tor was constantly off working with the eventers, leaving her either in the barn or in the house; on her own either way.

“Hey, Tor,” she called from the kitchen one evening, where she was making pasta sauce for dinner.

“Yep?” he answered from the living room, momentarily taking his eyes off of the television.

“I want to get a dog.”

“Huh?” Tor called back. “I thought I just heard you say you wanted to get a dog, but I must have been hearing things.”

“I do, really.”

“Why, exactly?” Tor said curiously, flicking off the television and coming in.

“Well, see,” she started.

“Yes?” Tor prompted.

“Well, you know how you’re out with the eventers most of the day? I’m pretty much left alone.”

“So let me guess, you need someone to keep you company?”

“Exactly!” Samantha grinned.

“Well...” Tor hesitated.

“Well, what?”

“It’s a big deal, getting a puppy. I mean, we’d have to train it, and feed it, and all that stuff,” Tor said.

“Yeah, but that’d be easy enough,” Samantha smiled.

“I suppose if you can train a horse, you can train a dog…” Tor trailed off, thinking. “I guess I don’t see why not,” he said. “The thoughts of a cuddly ball of fur are just too tempting,” he grinned.

“Excellent!” Samantha exclaimed excitedly. It was just what she needed, a friend who would stick by her side throughout the day. A friend she wouldn’t have to worry about losing, a friend for life.

Later that evening, Samantha was alone inside. Tor was out with some eventer that needed extra work, and Samantha was left alone. She was flipping through dog breed books, trying to narrow it down, and the phone rang. Samantha picked it up curiously, hoping it was someone interesting to talk to, and not just a telemarketer.

“Hello?”

“Hey!”

Samantha could recognize Ashleigh’s voice anywhere, and she was delighted to hear from her friend.

“How is everything?” Samantha asked, settling down on the couch again.

“Great, as a matter of fact,” Ashleigh said. “Shining had her foal!”

“Seriously?” Samantha exclaimed.

“Yes, really! It’s a girl, an adorable filly, and she’s a lovely bay.”

“Oh wow! So now I suppose we need a name?”

“Of course, any ideas?”

“Well…he’s by Glory, so something combining their names would be nice. How about Glimmering Glory or something?”

“Glimmering Glory is cute, we could call her Glimmer for short.”

“Glimmering Glory it is then!” Samantha said. “How’s Shining doing?”

“Wonderful,” Ashleigh said. “Don’t you worry about her, she’s doing great.”

“That’s awesome. How’s everyone else?”

“Fine, fine. We’ve got American Glory pointed towards the Triple Crown now, we’re hoping he can beat the Juvenile jinx.”

“What?” Samantha asked.

“Uh, he won the Breeder’s Cup Juvenile, you know. Didn’t you watch?”

“Sure I did,” Samantha started defensively. “It’s just that Dream colicked in the middle of it, and I missed the end.”

“Oh,” Ashleigh said, still sounding disgruntled. “Who’s this Dream, anyway?”

“Oh, he’s just a horse here I’ve been riding,” Samantha hesitated. She still felt silly about the supposed ‘connection’ she felt towards Dream.

“Really now? He any good?”

“Not exactly,” Samantha laughed. “He’s rather terrible as a matter of fact.” She then recounted the entire story of Dream throwing her, and his bratty temper. But all too soon, Ashleigh had to go.

“I’ve got to go now Sam, I’ll call you during the week, okay?”

“Sure, that sounds good, bye!” Samantha said, wishing the call could have been longer.

It didn’t even sound as if she missed me that much, Samantha thought sadly. Oh, stop being an idiot, she told herself. You were imagining things. Of course she misses you, she’s your best friend!

But it didn’t really matter. Samantha still felt very much alone.