Chapter 3
It was 6:00 AM on a school day, and Jessica Warren was in a hurry to get her sister Hailey up and out of bed so she could dress and get to school on time. “Up and at ‘em, Hails.” Jessica had poked her head into Hailey’s bedroom and turned on the light. “Time to get going. I have to get you to school and to the airport to meet Liz by eight.”
“It’s too early to get up,” Hailey groaned sleepily. “Can I sleep just another five minutes? Debbie said she’d pick me up for school today, so you don’t have to drive me.”
“Sorry, Hailey, I still need you to get up and get ready on time. I’m on a tight schedule. Do you need some help?”
“No, I’m fine. Thanks, Jess.”
If Jessica had been honest with herself, she would have to admit that Hailey has been taking care of herself without much help for most of the last five years since the accident that killed their parents and crushed both of Hailey’s legs so severely that they had to be amputated below the knee. At seventeen, Hailey was now a junior in high school, and about as well adjusted as any average teenager. Jessica credited much of Hailey’s confidence to the therapeutic riding program that Jessica’s dressage trainer and mentor Elizabeth Randall had started several years ago, as well as the dedication of the many doctors and physical therapists that Hailey had working on her case since the very beginning. Jessica was especially grateful for the extra help of their neighbors, the Turners, who had taken the girls under their wing after the accident. Jessica couldn’t even count how many times she had relied on Bill and Betty Turner to look in on Hailey when Jessica had to work late to keep watch over a colicky horse, or spend entire weekends at horse shows out of state.
“If you need anything, just let me know,” Jessica said.
Jessica watched Hailey struggle to maneuver her wheelchair down the narrow hallway between her bedroom and the bathroom to take a shower and couldn’t stop the overwhelming feeling of guilt that hit her like a physical blow. It was her fault Hailey was suffering, and Jess knew with every fiber of her being that she would do everything she could to make Hailey’s life better. That was the reason she was traveling to Germany - to find the horse that would help her to become an international success and ultimately through that success, earn enough to be able to support Hailey and provide for her as she deserved. Jess knew she could never give Hailey her legs back, but she could make her life better than it was right now.
When Hailey finally made it into the bathroom, Jessica started making breakfast. While Jessica fixed eggs and toast and started a pot of coffee, Hailey finished her shower and maneuvered herself back into her room to dress. By the time the food was done and the coffee brewed, Hailey was dressed and ready to eat.
“Jess, is there any way we can get me better quality prosthetics?” Hailey asked. “It’s very difficult for me to get around and into and out of the bathroom the way things are now.”
“It’s on my list of things to do as soon as I can save up the money. You know Mom and Dad only had basic medical insurance coverage, which didn’t cover more than the most inexpensive prosthetics. You’ll just have to get by with a wheelchair or crutches with your current prosthetics until I can earn some more money. The good prosthetics are pretty expensive.”
“I know, Jess. I just wanted to make sure you knew.”
“I know, Hailey. It just takes time to save that kind of money.”
“You’re right. I’m sorry, Jess.” Hailey understood that Jess was doing everything she could to make her life easier, and felt guilty that she was causing her worry once again. She decided a change of subject was in order. “So, tell me about this trip,” Hailey said. “What are you going to be doing?”
“Liz knows someone in the United States Dressage Federation who is interested in promoting me as a member of the U.S. Equestrian Team as a dressage competitor and he and the Federation have convinced a wealthy sponsor to buy an international class dressage horse for me. For the sponsor, the horse is a potentially lucrative investment, so he’s looking for a stallion that’s known to have good breeding potential. They’ve located a stallion in Germany that fits the bill, so I’m flying to Germany with Liz and the sponsor’s sister to see the horse and test ride him.”
“Wow, Jess! This is huge for you. I know this will work out for you, Sis. Liz keeps saying you’re the most talented rider she’s trained in years, and you did great things with Callie.”
“I hope so. I’m really nervous, though. I’m hoping Liz does most of the talking. She’s used to dealing with people at the highest levels of international dressage. I am not.”
“You’ll be fine. Just be yourself. You’re a great rider and the smartest, kindest person I know. On top of that, you’re beautiful. Those people won’t have any choice but to like you.” She grinned at Jess, but Jessica just rolled her eyes.
Jessica knew her sister was being kind, but she could agree that she was reasonably intelligent and always tried to be nice to people, but there was no way she could be considered beautiful. That was a bit too much. As she passed the mirror in the entryway, she paused to look at her reflection. Looking back was a 5-foot 10-inch tall, slim, twenty-six-year-old woman with shoulder-length brown hair pulled back into a ponytail, bright green eyes, gently arched brows, and a nose that, if you asked her, was just a little too big for her face. She had very few curves, and was probably more muscular than most women due to the fact that she spent her days riding horses. She admitted to herself that she was considered attractive by the guys she went to high school with, but that was long ago, before the accident that changed their lives forever.
As Jessica looked once again at her luggage sitting by the door, the fact that she was traveling thousands of miles and several hours away hit home. “Hailey, are you sure you’ll be all right by yourself for the week I’m gone? I’ll be so far away, and if anything happens, you’ll be on your own without anyone here to help.”
Hailey looked heavenward and heaved an exaggerated sigh. “I promise I’ll call you every day to check in and let you how I’m doing, and you’ve already arranged for Mrs. Turner to look in on me too. You have nothing to worry about.”
“I want your therapists to call me and update me on your progress as well,” Jessica reminded her. “If they don’t call me regularly, I’ll call them, and I won’t give up unless I can speak with them directly. Tell them that, please.”
“I will,” Hailey promised.
Just then, a car horn sounded in the driveway, and Hailey carefully maneuvered her wheelchair through the narrow front door, down their homemade wooden ramp, and into the driveway. Her friend, Debbie, got out, helped Hailey into the car, then folded her wheelchair and placed it in the trunk of her car. Both girls waved to Jessica as they backed out of the driveway and proceeded on to school.
Jessica sighed to herself. One thing down, now to get dressed and wait for Liz to arrive.