“Hold the reins tighter, kiddo!” Hosea laughed a throaty laugh as your horse bucked you off for the second time this snowy morning. “Calm it down first, then you can get on and try again, alrighty?”

This morning, as an early Christmas gift, Hosea promised to teach you to ride your horse. Only, due to the heavy snow the previous night, your horse was agitated and kept bucking you off.

“Can your little legs even get onto the horse?” The old man gave a warm chuckle, his eyes crinkling. “Have I gotta get those little steps Jack uses to get onto his pony?” He teased you.