Innocence

“I promise, punkin’. I wouldn’t suggest it if it wasn’t to protect you.”

“Thank you, Dad.”

He squeezed me and I relished the moment. “Get some sleep. We’ll head out tomorrow after lunch. Do a father-daughter road trip. I think Sparkles should go with you.”

“Really?” Being able to spend more time with Dad prior to staying in Colorado helped ease the guilt of my decision. Having Sparkles with me was even better.

Dad stood, “Really.” He kissed my forehead and for the first time in four years, I felt peace. As Dad made it to the doorway, he added, “London, I agree with Millie. There’s something more to what happened that night. I don’t think you would have deliberately done that. It’s never made sense.”

“What if it is the truth?”

He took another deep breath. “I still love you. The guilt of what happened will stay with you, regardless. But, I think there’s more to the story. Your mom did too. But, we never were able to find anything. All any of us can do is to spend the time we have left making the world a better place.”

The door closed. Mom believed in me too. Maybe, there was more. The Colorado sky might allow me to think clearly, remember something—anything to piece together the mystery of what happened.

A SIGN FOR THE MCCOLE ranch hung above the entrance after being on the road for two days. A security gate opened as Dad crept forward. The black iron bars reminded me of prison in a sense. Would this be my new prison? I wasn’t able to stay at home, forced to leave. My heart ached at the thought.

I kept a pleasant smile on my face. The last thing I wanted was for Dad to feel guilty about me having to leave. It was safer for him.

Driving up a long dirt road, wooden fences framed in the land on each side while horses grazed. I rolled down the window taking in the fresh mountain air. Colorado was beautiful. Majestic mountains stood in the background creating a breathtaking view. For now, I focused on the beaut

y and not the reason I was here.

No one knew me here. It was a clean slate. That was the positive to all this. This is good, London. This is what I need. At least, that was what I willed myself to believe. My mind was a mess with all the change in such a short amount of time.

I took a quiet, deep breath. A large state-of-the-art barn sat off to the left. There was room for over forty stalls judging from the size. It was exciting to get to do one of the things I loved—taking care of horses. The buildings surrounding the main stable were like a miniature city. The place was grander than I’d imagined, even after hearing my parents talk about it.

The McCole’s were involved in rehabilitating injured horses. In addition, they hosted the annual McCole Classic—a jumping event which brought riders and horses of the highest caliber. I was in awe of the beauty and operation and I hadn’t left the vehicle yet. It was still family-owned even with many offers to buy them out from what Dad mentioned.

“What do you think?”

I glanced over at Dad. “It’s amazing. Sparkles is going to think she’s at a resort.”

Dad chuckled. “She probably will.”

A truck met us coming the opposite way. Dad rolled down the window to greet an older man with peppered-color hair and a day’s worth of stubble. “Hey, Levi. Good to see you.”

“You too, man. Saw you in the camera at the gate. Thought I’d meet you to get your horse settled. Maybe let her run around while we have dinner.”

Dad nodded his head. “Sounds good. It’s been a while since you’ve seen her, but this is London.”

Levi smiled, no malice in his eyes like I was used to over these past few years. “You’ve grown up a lot since I’ve seen you, London. Welcome to our place. Look forward to your help.”

“Thank you for having me, sir. I look forward to working here.”

“Just Levi will do.”

I nodded feeling a bit of the tenseness leave at his laid back manner. Turning into the large open area, Dad parked the truck. The ride had been long, but worth it. Stretching, my limbs popped as I walked to the back of the trailer. Sparkles was restless as I unloaded her. I was glad she was here with me. I looked out onto the green pastures as I led her to the gate Levi gestured toward. She nudged me to go quicker. “I know, girl. It’s beautiful. I’ll be back after dinner to put you up.”

At the gate I released Sparkles and she took off, burning through the pent-up energy. In the middle of the field, she looked directly at me before neighing and taking off again. Sparkles loved it here.

I took a deep breath and gazed out onto the land. Colorado was rejuvenating. Maybe I would finally be able to move forward . . . remember what happened that night.

Dad and Levi retired to the front porch to smoke cigars. I was in the kitchen with Pam McCole, Levi’s wife, finishing the dishes. Earlier, she’d insisted I call her by her first name. As I’d gathered information on our trip, Dad mentioned they were in their late sixties. The McCole’s aged well. Levi had that Robert Redford look.

Folding the dishrag, I asked, “Is there anything else that needs to be done?”

Looking at me, Pam gave a gentle smile. “I think we’ve got everything done. Thanks for your help.”