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swamp she never wanted to endure. Instead, horses
roamed the foothills and sauntered her on their backs,
with no care for schedules and traffic circles. Indeed,
this was a transforming place… yet never transformed
itself.

It was the pasture that called to her now. Karyn
longed to ride through the night, leaving her cares and
nightmares far behind. Since her childhood days, riding
offered her a solace few other things could. She felt in
control and free at the same time. While sitting astride a
horse, she felt completely alone and yet so much more a
part of the family of nature than at any other time.
Karyn remembered the very first time she went riding
through these woods. She was a scared teenager,
frustrated with the world and herself. She didn't have
direction or a clue who she should be, what she wanted,
needed, loved, or feared. But, during that summer spent
riding, she found herself and discovered what she truly
loved about herself and the world. She found purpose
and passion that summer. She needed desperately to
regain that lost feeling of serenity and freedom, if only for
a few moments.

She glanced back at the house upon the hill and
considered for a moment that perhaps she should have
asked Jacob to join her. The still darkened window
showed her that he remained tucked in perfect slumber.
She cast a long look toward his bedroom window,
thinking it was probably just as well. Though a big part
of her longed for his attention, she also enjoyed this brief
time alone with nature.

Spirit, an Arabian gelding, neared the fence and
softly snorted his welcome. Karyn stroked his muzzle
gently, losing herself in the softness of his fur. It reminded

Diana Kathryn Plopa 12 A Tryst of Fate