ONE MORE DAY! Since we are just one day away from release, I’m sharing an extra excerpt this week! Here’s another glimpse into the budding relationship between Caroline and Kris:
“Can I tell you a bit more about my story? I know I told you about Dakota here, but there’s more to it.”
“Please. I’d love to hear it.”
Caroline adjusted her leg as she changed positions on the bench.
“I was a dressage trainer before I opened this place. I was highly competitive myself, like you, and I was successful, like you. People from all over wanted to ride with me and wanted me to ride their horses. I had Olympic dreams, but something always happened and I always fell short. It was such a dark time for me that even the wins started leaving me feeling empty. I almost walked away from all of it. If I couldn’t be the best, why would I do it at all?”
Caroline was hanging on to every word, recognizing that feeling Kris was talking about.
“I had one student who kept me from quitting, even though she didn’t know anything about it. But she was so talented, so gifted, that I wanted to see her through. That was Dakota’s owner, by the way. And you already know about him, and how he led me to open this ranch.”
“And how you took his story and started helping teenagers and horses.” Caroline looked over at Dakota.
Kris nodded her head. “I had to learn that there’s more to life than winning. And that sometimes, our plans and dreams aren’t what God has for us. He has His own plans, and they’re a lot more fulfilling than what we come up with for ourselves. Now, don’t get me wrong, there’s nothing wrong with competing. There’s nothing wrong with going to the Olympics. But it can’t become an idol. Does that make sense?”
“Yes. It does,” Caroline said quietly. “I think that’s what I’m guilty of. Focusing on winning, in softball and horses, at the expense of everything else.”
“God is gracious and will show us the way back to Him, welcoming us with open arms every time. He’ll send us a lighthouse that will shine in the darkness to show us the way back to Him. Dakota was mine. You just have to keep your eyes open so you can see yours.”
Released day is tomorrow! But you can order yours today!
