Category: Writing

Caroline’s Purpose: Luna and the Wind

Caroline nodded her head. “Here goes nothing.” She led Luna toward the first cone.

Connor fell into step with her. “Remember what I said, don’t think about the wind. Lead her like you just did and it’ll be over before you know it.”

Caroline didn’t answer as she focused on the cone getting closer with each step. Just one foot in front of the other. That’s all we have to do.

That thought carried their steps to the second cone. Just as Caroline began to ask Luna to trot, the wind howled, lifting Luna’s mane straight off her neck. The filly’s head went straight up in the air as she screeched to a halt. Caroline turned, finding Luna’s gaze locked onto something behind her. The whites of her eyes showed around the black, expressing fear. Caroline looked to see what she was staring at.

The dumpster across the parking lot had blown open. Pieces of trash were racing through the air. A plastic shopping bag was rattling its way straight for Luna.

Caroline froze as the bag dove down and crinkled against Luna’s hind legs. The filly spun around. Caroline gave the rope a quick tug, but it was too late. Luna reared, standing up on her hind legs, pawing the air inches above Caroline’s head with her front hooves…

What happens next? Does Caroline regain control of Luna? To find out, order the ebook edition of Caroline’s Purpose for just $.99 on Amazon, Kobo, or Apple Books

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Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/caroline-s-purpose

Apple: https://books.apple.com/…/carolines-purpose/id1543990858

Caroline’s Purpose: Doubting God

“Connor watched as Caroline ran her fingers through Edison’s forelock. He could see her mouth moving but couldn’t hear anything she was saying. He leaned into the stall door, in awe as the stallion was already as calm as he had been with her the other day. She did have a gift. A gift that she had given up on because of fear. A gift he wanted to help her rediscover.

‘God, help me here. Give me the right words to talk to her.’ he thought to himself.

“Caroline, can I…?” Connor stopped, and cleared his throat.

Caroline looked over her shoulder at him. “Can you ask me something?” She grinned as she teased him.

“Well… yeah. Sorry. Old habits are hard to break.”

She laughed. “No worries. Do you want to come in here? Maybe hand me his grain bucket, see if he’ll eat?”

Connor nodded as he came into the stall. He grabbed the bucket and stepped over to Caroline and Edison. The stallion perked his ears, looking at the bucket with interest.

Caroline took it from Connor and cradled it in her arms. “Hungry, big guy? You can eat.”

Edison put his head down and began chewing on his dinner. Caroline looked up at Connor, her eyes the happiest he had ever seen. “So, what did you want to ask me?”

Connor reached over and patted Edison on the neck. “Remember when we had lunch in the union? You told me you used to believe in God, but you didn’t want to explain it then. Do you think you could now?”

Caroline looked away from him, her eyes falling to Edison’s ears. Connor watched her blink as she bit her lip. He took a step closer to her.

“I’m sorry. You don’t have to.” Connor put his hand on her arm.

She looked up at him again as she felt his touch. “No, it’s okay. It’s pretty simple.”

“Simple?”

“Yeah.” Caroline shrugged her shoulders. “I’ve had to deal with too much pain and loss to keep believing He cares about me or my future.”

“I can understand that. Completely.” Connor swallowed.

“You can?” Caroline wrinkled her forehead as she looked at him.

“Yeah, I can.” He had asked God to give him the right words to say to her so many times over the last few months. And now, he knew what he had to do. He had to tell Caroline about Emily.”

What happened to Emily? Get the ebook edition of Caroline’s Purpose for just $.99 all month on Amazon, Kobo, or Apple Books.

Amazon: https://a.co/d/12av3i8

Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/caroline-s-purpose

Apple: https://books.apple.com/…/carolines-purpose/id1543990858

Caroline’s Purpose ebook is available for $0.99 all month!

Remember, you can get the ebook version of Caroline’s Purpose for $.99 all month! Here is an excerpt from the novel:  

 

“Caroline? Caroline Davis?” A female voice spoke from beside her. Caroline turned, and  

all of the blood drained from her face. 

“It is you! Honey, how are you? I didn’t realize you had started riding again! Is your  

mom here, too?” The woman pulled Caroline into a hug. Caroline went through the motions  

to hug her back. 

“Hi, Mrs. Richardson,” Caroline muttered into the shoulder of one of her mother’s  

longtime clients. “No, Mom isn’t here.” 

Mrs. Richardson released her from the hug, making eye contact. “What brings you here,  

then?” 

Caroline gulped. “I’m, um, a friend of Connor Taylor’s. He invited me.” 

“Oh, how wonderful! I hear he’s a lovely young man. You’ll have to introduce me to  

him. I have a few horses I want to see, but we’ll have to catch up later, okay? I’ll be sure to find  

you.” She waved at Caroline as she walked away. 

Caroline felt cold, clammy sweat beading at the back of her neck. She looked around  

the barn, searching for the bathroom. She found the sign, right next to the feed room. 

Flipping on the light, she locked the door behind her. She grabbed a paper towel,  

wetting it with cold water from the sink. Placing it on the back of her neck, she closed her eyes 

and forced herself to breathe. 

You should have considered the possibility someone would recognize you. Why are you even  

here? 

Two faces appeared in her head as she asked herself that question. Edison. And Connor. 

Edison needed her. And she was beginning to admit to herself, she needed him, too. He  

was helping her find her way back. 

And Connor. He knew pain and how to overcome it. He had found a purpose. She  

needed him to show her how. 

They were the reasons she was here.  

Why is Caroline hiding? Find out by ordering your copy today!
https://www.amazon.com/Carolines-Purpose-Erica-Zaborac/dp/1611533929/ref=mp_s_a_1_3?crid=13A0S36ZGANVQ&keywords=caroline’s+purpose&qid=1657651995&sprefix=caroline+s+purpos%2Caps%2C137&sr=8-3

Hidden

Folded in, hiding from the outside,

Keeping everything that she can, safe.

Not just her beauty, not just her thoughts,

But her growth, potential, even faith.

The sun, heat, and wind had beat her down.

Without any sign of rain, relief,

She had given up and adjusted,

Accepting her loneliness and grief.

Then the sun shifted, clouds took the heat,

And the wind brought in the needed rain.

She was hesitant, fearful, unsure,

Worried she’d lose, before she could gain.

But the weather stayed patient, kind, sure,

Even through her doubts, her pain, her fear,

He kept peaking through, showing her love,

Reassuring her he was right here.

He saw her, knew her, through the damage,

And treasured, cherished her, and could see

Not just who she had been, or was, but,

Also, always, who she could be.

Found Poem: Caroline’s Purpose

She took a deep breath,
she closed her eyes,
to hesitate, straining to see,
to focus on the script.

Her eyes shined with tears,
identical gazes staring at him.  
She was an outsider,
between you and me.

A crisscross of light,
from a white crescent moon,
opened up his heart, to the
hurt she felt inside her chest.

Lanterns caused stones to glisten,
from the rain, from wanting to believe,
From the longing to find a way back,
from wonder turning into a sense of hope,

The first time a smile had ever reached her eyes,
Their elbows brushing every few steps,
cold drops of rain, the sense of relief,
the top of the last hill.  

Explanation! I’m teaching my students how to write Found Poetry. You flip through a book or a magazine, or anything with words really, and you make a list of phrases and words that stand out to you. Then, you arrange these phrases and words to write a poem. To give them an example, I used my book, Caroline’s Purpose. Let me know what you think!

If you want to know more about the story behind these words, order your copy of Caroline’s Purpose today!  

Alone

Alone. But always facing the sun.
Hope and strength in the unlikeliest
Place.

Broken. But always pushing though.
Beauty and grace from an unexpected
Face.

Growing. Despite the pain and fear.
Faith and courage setting a different
Pace.

Belief. Clinging to what is true.
Lies and doubts disappear, crumbling to
Waste.

Trusting. Even when it’s impossible.
Love and peace from the One who erases
Every mistake.