A Laurel Rowan Story
by
Laurel Rowan is excited and scared at the same time when she is offered a position of working student at a prestigious Three Day Event stable in Cornwall England, training under Olympic rider Suzy Wish. It will be a great learning opportunity, a chance to see her friends in Cornwall, and spend time with her long-distance boyfriend Coll. Chance Cullen her long time friend in Canada is not so enthusiastic about the idea. Laurel loves working with the event horses and soaking in the experience. An accident sends her on a totally different journey than the one she expected. Adding to the drama is the fact Laurel realizes it is time to make a choice between staying in Cornwall with Coll or returning to the ranch in Alberta with Chance. Pulled in both directions it will take a major revelation to help her make the choice.
In less time than Laurel expected they reached the long beach that ran from Marazion to Penzance. The waters of Mounts Bay glittered in the early morning sun, a faint mist shimmering over the waves. The sand glowed in the slanted rays, and best of all, most of the sandy beach at the edge of the water was empty. Karma shifted under her, muscles gathering. The mare was familiar with the location and clearly anticipating either a good gallop or a swim. Miriam took the lead and rode into the shallow water. Laurel let Karma pick her own pace, the mare stepped into the sea undeterred by the waves splashing up her legs. The mare snorted and pawed the water sending huge sprays of water everywhere. With little urging from her rider, the chestnut plunged into the deeper water, wetting Laurel to her thighs. She licked the salt from her lips and let the chose their way through the waves.
READ MOREThe other horses spread out around her, Fiona and Miriam in the deeper water where their horses swam with their heads parallel to the water, lips drawn back.
“C’mon, Laurel.” Fiona waved a hand in her direction. “Karma loves to swim, don’t worry.”
“Okay, girl. Let’s go for it.” Laurel leaned forward and took a handful of mane, letting her legs drift out behind her as the mare surged forward. The salt water had considerably more buoyancy than the Old Man River and less current.
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