“Their mom cried about the differences the pony and the horse had already made.”
“You remember,” she said softly.
“You had tears in your eyes when you told me. That’s kind of hard to forget.”
Her hopeful heart wanted to cling to that and pick it apart, but she’d only turn it into something more than it was meant to be, so she continued telling him her story. “I’ve seen kids and horses millions of times, but something clicked inside me that day. That’s when I started reading up on equine therapy.”
“You mentioned that to me a while back.”
Another nugget she wanted, but refused, to pick apart. The song changed to a faster one, but they continued swaying slowly. “Anyone who has horses knows they make a difference in people’s lives. But once I started researching and learned more about the ways in which even groundwork with horses could help people who are suffering from all types of illnesses, I knew I’d found what I was meant to do. That’s when I came up with the idea for Rising Hope. I want to work with miniature horses so they can go into hospitals and nursing homes, and I’ll dress the horses up as unicorns. I also want to offer kids’ parties, because that’ll be fun and I’ll need to keep income coming in while I train the minis as therapy horses. I might work with regular-size horses, too, wherever I set up my business, to offer therapeutic riding in addition to groundwork. Buttercup is ready for that.” Buttercup was a six-year-old mare she’d raised from a foal.
“She has the perfect temperament. This sounds right up your alley. You’d be great with kids. Now the unicorn thing makes more sense.”
He didn’t say it with amusement, and she appreciated that. “What’s more magical than a unicorn? I think it’ll bring even more joy to kids and maybe even to some adults. We all need a little magic and hope in our lives, right? I have so many ideas, Nick, and I know it’ll take about two years to get it off the ground with training the horses and lining up contacts with hospitals, nursing homes, rehab centers, and other organizations.”
“Two years sounds about right for the training,” he agreed. “The minis will need to learn to adjust to a wide array of environments—stairs, elevators, sights, sounds.”
“I know. I plan to continue working on our ranch, and I’ve got savings. I’ve got my eye on a farmette in Meadowside that may be going into foreclosure later this year.” Meadowside was a neighboring town to Oak Falls. “If that doesn’t pan out, I heard that another family I know is thinking about subdividing their farm.”
“Really?” Surprise rose in his eyes. “You’re going to buy a place?”
“Only if I can get one at a good price. I already talked with Beckett about getting a loan.” Trixie had grown up with Beckett Wheeler, who’d made it big in finance and was now a private investor.
“Why not run the business from your parents’ ranch and save the money? I’m sure they have the space.”
“They do, but you know how my brothers are. If I set up on my parents’ property, I’ll always be fending off their jokes, trying to prove that what I’m doing is important. I don’t want to deal with that even though they’re only kidding. I want to be out on my own, Nick, driven by the vision I have for the business, not by a need to prove something to someone else. I’ll still help at my family’s ranch, but I need to do this. I want to bring light and hope into people’s lives through the animals that I love. I’m sure bringing minis to birthday parties sounds a little silly to you, but it’s a start while I’m training the horses, and I know I can make a go of this.”
“It doesn’t sound silly at all. I believe in equine therapy, and I know your brothers do, too, despite their bullshit comments. But have you looked into the business side of all of this? Can you make a living and pay a mortgage when you’re starting out?”
“I believe I can. Insurance is expensive, and I know I won’t earn anything like what you’re used to. You train horses that are used in movies, and I can’t imagine you’re earning peanuts for your exhibitions and competitions. But this is a totally different type of business, and I’m a simple girl. I don’t need luxuries.”
He cocked a brow. “You are not a simple girl.”
“Okay. I’m a pain in your ass, but I live simply.”
“I’ll buy that. Have you thought about doing shows to supplement your income? You could earn a pretty penny that way. You’re a great trick rider and a fantastic trainer.”
Nick didn’t lavish people with praise unless he meant it. It was one of the things she liked about him. “I learned from the best.”
“That you did,” he said arrogantly.
“But I think I want to focus on getting the horses trained and building a therapy business rather than putting my energy anywhere else, except my parents’ ranch, of course.”
“That makes sense. Have you thought about buying minis that are already trained for therapy?”
He always listened, tried to help, and made her feel smart and validated. She was glad she hadn’t tried to pry information out of him about his type of women. His friendship fulfilled her in ways nothing else ever had, and it would have been stupid to push him when nothing would ever come of it anyway.
“Yes, but they’re really expensive, and I want to train mine from the start. It’ll be a lot of work, but I know it’ll be worth it. Do you think that’s a mistake?”
“Nope. I’m just making sure you’ve covered all your bases.”
“Thank you for not laughing at me, Nick.”
“I’d never laugh at you, only with you.” He chuckled. “I’ve got an idea. My buddy Travis Helms breeds the best stock of minis in the tristate area. If you’re serious about this and about not buying trained therapy horses, he’s the one to get them from. And you know my cousin Tempest is a music therapist.” Tempest was Ty’s older sister, one of Nick’s six cousins who lived in Peaceful Harbor. “I bet she can give you the rundown on the best approach to take with hospitals, nursing homes, and maybe even places you haven’t thought about yet.”
“I forgot about Tempe. She’s a great resource.”
“I have an idea. Why don’t you come stay at my place for a few weeks, do some research, set up a real business plan, get your horses. You’ll probably want to visit with the horses over multiple days to be sure the temperaments are right for therapy. How many horses are you looking at starting with?”
“Three or four, I think.”
“Then you’ll want to also make sure they’re accepting of each other before you buy them. And you know if you buy young, they’re not going to be used to being away from their mamas. You’ll need to treat them with kid gloves. I’ll help you get them acclimated and help with training if you’d like, and you won’t have to dodge any well-intentioned ridiculing from your brothers.”
She couldn’t believe how much he was offering. When it came to horses, he was the most knowledgeable person she knew. Her family were cattle ranchers. Her brothers might break wild horses, but they weren’t trainers in the way Nick was. Nick trained horses that were used in movies filmed on the East Coast, and he did it with a velvet touch. He was authoritative in a patient and kind way that demanded and gave respect. He was the same way with people. She’d learned so much from him about working with horses, his offer felt like the best gift she’d ever been given.