Legacies

I wake up to a very blue, smelly, sick‑looking cat. After a quick shower and a bite to eat, I head outside to check on Juanita and let her know Maj needs to go to the vet. She’s in the garden looking like she’s dressed for a space mission. Tambara: What do you have on?…

As soon as I arrive home, I return Finesse to her stall. Judging from the racket above me, Juanita is still busy cleaning the loft. I head up to check on her progress. When I get to the top, I’m surprised to see there’s already a bed and a few necessities. I can only imagine…

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…

Udom is the first person on my mind when I wake the next morning, and just like that, I’m mad all over again. How dare he leave here the way he did, talking about being “just friends.” If he liked me enough, wouldn’t he have worked harder to keep the relationship? I enter the living…

It’s the first day of the new year, but also the end of Udom’s time here. At least for now, unless I say something that makes him stay. He’s still sleeping when I quietly climb out of bed. I slip into the bathroom for a shower, letting the hot water wake me up and steady…

After lunch, the day is still young. We head back to Chestnut Ridge, looking for something to do. Even with the light snow and the sudden drop in temperature, I suggest we check out the Palomino Junction Fair. Udom agrees, saying it might be fun. Udom: I haven’t been to a fair in years. We…

I lie in bed, trying to silence my thoughts of Udom and remind myself that I’m the director of this situation. But my resolve falters when I picture him lying in bed with his cocoa‑butter skin, that slightly crooked smile, and those soft brown eyes. I want to be in control, but of what? Isn’t…

I take Udom to the Oak Barrel Restaurant, which, as a new resident, is the only one I know of in Chestnut Ridge. The host seats us at an isolated table, giving us a little privacy. Udom: This place is really nice. I got dinner. Tambara: That’s sweet of you, but no need. Udom: You’ve…

I wake up feeling like I’m walking on air. Today is the day that Udom arrives. I check and double‑check his flight information on my phone to confirm his arrival time before heading out to take care of a few things before he gets here. My destination is the Glitter and Glamour Salon that Mom…