"What kind of horse is this?" Sara asked. She rubbed the animal's neck as it stood still, waiting for her to climb onto its back.

Bentley loosened Ella's grip around his waist. The girl was still visibly shaking.

Sara couldn't really blame her. Bentley's horse looked pretty fierce.

"That'll be the golden Akhal-Teke," he said. "I'm fortunate to have them in South Fortland. So...naturally...I shipped one here." Bentley watched as Sara flung a leg over the side of the horse.

She stroked its soft mane. "I've never seen anything like it," she said.

Trevor and Erin guided their horses closer, admiring the animal's golden skin.

"Who'd you have to shoot to get that?" Trevor asked. He leaned forward to pet Sara's horse on the nose.

Bentley tipped back his head and did his bell laugh. "Not as many people as you might think," he joked.

Erin made a face. "At least we know Sara's horse doesn't bite," she said, marveling at Trevor's bravery.

Ella sighed, dropping her forehead onto Bentley's back. "I don't know why you're all enjoying this so much? Can we just get to where we're going already? I'm starting to feel funny."

Bentley glanced behind him worriedly. "Be sure to warn me before you get sick, all right?" he asked, laughing.

Ella swatted his head, burying her face deeper into his neck.

Sara was happy she'd taken riding lessons in middle school. Most young girls in Connecticut rode horses.

Ella, however, was an exception.

Though Sara did notice Ella stared quite plainly at the golden horse. She had to admit, it was one of the most beautiful creatures she'd ever seen.

The group walked the horses slowly down the winding dirt path.

Birds chirped sweetly, high up in the trees.

Rabbits and chipmunks appeared for an instant in the underbrush, watching the group with large eyes and pointy noses.

Squirrels ran up and down the trunks of trees. They seemed quite excited that people had ventured into the woods on a quiet Sunday afternoon.

Erin's horse was in front of Sara's. Trevor rode behind Ella and Bentley.

Every so often, Bentley would turn his head, checking everyone was still with him. He'd catch Sara's eye, and grin widely, his eyes sparkling in the sunlight.

She'd give him a reassuring smile back, before looking away, embarrassed.

I can't believe he'd go to all this trouble just for me, even if it's my birthday. And not only that, but LAST MINUTE! she thought.

"You guys want to canter?" Bentley called.

Trevor gave a shout of approval.

Erin twisted around to Sara. "If Trevor breaks his neck, I'm putting his sorry a$$ on your horse," she said, cracking up.

Sara rubbed the golden mare's silky ears. "I doubt this horse will mind. She's so silent and gentle. I feel like I'm floating along this trail."

Erin gazed at the horse's face. "Yeah. I don't like it. That friggin' horse is hotter than I AM!"

Sara giggled. "She's a true beauty."

The boys' horses started to canter along the path.

"Oh no they don't. They can't leave us behind!" Erin said. She patted her horse's neck. "Come on, catch up to them. They think you're SLOW!" she told it.

Erin's horse immediately took off at a gallop. "Whoa! Fast horse! Really fast horse!" she shouted.

Sara, however, found that her horse would not canter. It seemed the horse didn't mind in the least that the group had taken off without it.

"Don't you want to catch up to your friends?" she asked it. She couldn't make herself kick the horse to get it to go. It would've been like trying to kick a unicorn.

She watched as Erin and her horse disappeared around the next turn up ahead.

"Don't worry," Sara said to her horse, as if it could understand her. "We'll meet up with them sooner or later. You just go at the pace you're comfortable with. I'll be here if you need me."

But when they turned the corner, Sara sucked in her breath. They'd reached a fork in the road.