Connor rubbed the crescent moon on Luna’s forehead. “Caroline, can I ask you something?”
Caroline lifted her eyes to his as she continued working on Luna’s coat. “Yeah, go ahead.”
“Back in the classroom, when we started our presentation, it seemed like you couldn’t do it. You started to talk, but nothing came out. Then all of a sudden, you flipped a switch, and you were fine.” Connor paused, taking a breath.
Caroline stared at him. “I guess I’m waiting for a question?”
Connor laughed. “Right. Well, I guess I’m just wondering how you did it.”
A slight hint of red came across Caroline’s cheeks as she looked back down to Luna’s coat. “If I tell you, you’ll either laugh at me, or think I’m crazy.”
Connor grinned. “What if I promise to do neither?”
Caroline rolled her eyes. “I don’t think you can make that promise.”
“I think I can. I won’t laugh. I just want to know.”
Caroline looked at him, her eyes doubtful, her cheeks still red. “Alright, I’ll hold you to that.” She slid the curry comb off her hand and reached for the lead rope. “Do you want to get her other side?”
“Sure thing.” Connor handed her the rope as he slid the curry over his own hand. He started working at Luna’s shoulder.
Caroline sighed, running her fingers through Luna’s forelock. “In high school softball, we were the Colts. That was our mascot. Our coach put a horseshoe on the wall by the entrance to the bullpen. When we got to the field for practice or a game, we would touch it. It was our way of leaving everything from our day outside, so we could focus on what we needed to do. Just a little mental trick. Obviously, I needed to focus on our presentation, so I pictured the horseshoe and touched it in my head.”
Connor watched as her cheeks turned a deeper red. Caroline wouldn’t look up at him. She just kept running her fingers through Luna’s forelock. “Hey, I’m not laughing,” Connor reassured her as he put the curry comb away and reached for the stiff bristled brush.
“True, but you have to think I’m crazy…”
*Remember you can pre-order now! Release date is January 5th!
One Word at a Time 