I’m up extra early the next morning to prepare Finesse for another barrel‑racing competition. This time, I want to enter the intermediate level because I want to impress Daddy—it’ll be his first time seeing me compete.
After I’ve rubbed Finesse’s coat, cleaned her, and brushed her down, I head to the barn to grab her saddle. I step inside and immediately hear a strange noise coming from the loft above me.
Completely forgetting what I actually came to the barn for, I focus on the noise and climb up to the loft, realizing I haven’t been up there since I moved in. The higher I go, the more familiar the sound becomes. It’s heavy breathing.
Slightly afraid I’m about to run into some wild animal, I step onto the platform and turn slowly, suddenly wishing I had a weapon in hand. The shovel I use to clean Finesse’s stall would be perfect.
But I don’t come face‑to‑face with an animal. Instead, I see a brown face mostly covered by a sleeping bag, rising and falling with each breath. My stomach leaps into my chest. Who could this vagrant be… and how long have they been sleeping up here?
Once again, the shovel crosses my mind.
I call out loudly, hoping to startle them awake; it would give me an enormous advantage. If they’re a threat, a swift kick to their surprised face with my boot might buy me enough time to climb down the ladder and run to Daddy for help.
Tambara: Who are you? And what the hell are you doing in my loft!
The person sucks in a sharp breath before sitting up, revealing a familiar face beneath the sleeping bag. It’s Juanita. Although I’m still tempted to use it, my foot stays on the ground…for now.
I watch in disbelief as she scrambles out of the sleeping bag, then stands and faces me.
Juanita: Oh my Watcher! I’m so sorry.
My mouth opens and closes. I’m almost at a loss for words, seeing her here bumming in my loft.
My mouth and brain finally connect.
Tambara: You! What the hell do you think you’re doing up here? You scared me half to death.
Juanita frowns.
Juanita: I’m so embarrassed. I’m sorry, but I had nowhere else to go.
Tambara: Nowhere else to go? What do you mean?
Juanita: After you turned me down, I went everywhere looking for work. Every ranch said the same thing — no openings. And without a job, I couldn’t afford a room. I didn’t know what else to do, so I came up here. I just needed somewhere to sleep.
I can’t believe what I’m hearing, but Juanita hasn’t exactly been a friend. It’s hard to feel any sympathy.
Tambara: So you thought you’d bum off me? After the way you and your friend treated me at the bar, you’ve got some nerve. You really thought you’d live rent‑free? Does it look like I’m in the habit of harboring the homeless? Get your crap and get the f&*k out of here!
Juanita hangs her head.
Juanita: Again, I’m sorry. I’ll just grab my stuff.
Tambara: Damn right you will. And you’d better hope I don’t decide to call the cops on you.
Juanita hurries to her suitcase.
Juanita: *begging* Please don’t. I just need two minutes, and you’ll never see me again.
I watch as she tries to pack her bag with scared, shaky hands. Suddenly, something dawns on me as a memory pops into my mind.
Tambara: Wait… how long have you been here?
Juanita stands up at the change in my tone.
Juanita: A couple of days. B‑but only at night! I swear. I just needed a place to rest my head.
Tambara: Did you clean Finesse’s stall?
Juanita: What?
Tambara: The other day, I woke up and Finesse’s stall had been cleaned. Did you do that?
Juanita shrinks a little, like she’s bracing for me to start yelling again. She nods slowly.
Juanita: Yes, ma’am.
There’s that ma’am again. I stand a little straighter.
Tambara: Why would you do that if I refused to hire you?
Juanita: I couldn’t just stay for free. I had to do something. And I can’t stand to see a dirty horse stall.
My anger suddenly begins to fade. Juanita hasn’t exactly been a friend, but this gives me something to think about. I look around the loft and think about all the things that need to be done around here. Hiring a ranch hand from Buckaroo Ranch Services didn’t work out.
Tambara: What if I change my mind and hire you?
Juanita: I’d be incredibly grateful. But after this, why would you?
Juanita was right from the start. I need help around here, but I’m not about to admit that to her. I make it sound like it’s my idea.
Tambara: You need a place to stay, and I need help around here.
Juanita: *smiles* I’d be glad to help!
I look around the dusty loft, with hay piled in the corners. I couldn’t imagine an animal staying up here.
Tambara: I have extra rooms in the house.
It’s Juanita’s turn to stand straighter.
Juanita: No, ma’am. Staying here is just fine with me. I won’t take further advantage of your kindness. This is where I’ll feel most comfortable.
Kindness? I sort of like the sound of that. Mother would be proud.
Tambara: Okay, but you can only stay up here if you fix it up and make it habitable. Can you do that? I can give you money to purchase what you need.
Juanita: No need. I have a bit saved up. I’ll clean up and get a bed.
Tambara: *dismissive* Whatever. I have a competition to get to. You can clean while I’m gone.
I turn to leave the loft, but Juanita stops me.
Juanita: Miss Banks?
I pause.
Tambara: Call me Tami.
Juanita: Thank you, Tami.
There’s a warm feeling in my belly that I’m not very familiar with. It feels good. But I push it out of my mind and descend the ladder, remembering why I came to the barn.
I tell Daddy about finding Juanita in my loft on the way to the Equestrian Center.
Wade: You sure you want some strange squatter staying on your ranch?
Tambara: She’s not strange. And since you insisted on firing my ranch hand, I need her help.
Daddy doesn’t look very convinced, but he doesn’t say anything else about it. Besides, he doesn’t have time — it’s time for my competition.
…which doesn’t go as well as I planned. Finesse and I finish in 3rd place. Daddy is still impressed, but all I can see are the mistakes I made.
I guide Finesse outside as Daddy walks over.
Wade: That was amazing, Princess.
We share a kiss on the cheek before I respond.
Tambara: Are you kidding me? It was awful. We came in third.
Wade: Yeah, but most of the competitors didn’t place at all. Buying that horse for you was the best thing I could’ve done.
I look over at Finesse in disbelief.
Tambara: Really? Even though it caused you and Mom to divorce?
Wade: That’s what you think? The horse wasn’t the reason we divorced — I was. I didn’t respect your mother enough to consult with her about that and everything else going on in our lives. You and that horse were made for one another. You look right at home on her.
Tambara: Thank you!
I find myself thanking him for more than just the compliment.
Wade: Well, I’d better head home and get the man cave ready. I hate to leave so soon.
Tambara: It’s my fault for postponing your visit for you‑know‑who.
Daddy’s jaw tenses briefly.
Wade: Promise me you’ll visit your mom soon. She’ll be glad to see you. And she’s the perfect person to talk to about what happened with… you know.
I do know, and he’s right. And now that I have some help on the ranch, I know I can finally plan that visit.
Daddy and I say our goodbyes, and then he leaves. I’m glad he cleared things up about Finesse’s role in the divorce. Every time I climbed onto her, I felt a tinge of guilt. But now that he’s explained everything, I can ride her with pride. One less thing to feel guilty about. I tap her twice on the side, and she takes off toward the ranch.
(Generation 5 Chapter Summaries)
