Head Over Hoof

By Mara A. Miller

Briana knew she needed to give college a second try. After the death of her parents and the battle to keep her brother out of trouble, her aunt’s offer to take him while she took classes was a relief. The roommate ad looks perfect; a bed to sleep in and a roof over her head. A new friend to share an experience with in college. What could p

• Language: English
• Publisher: Kingston Publishing Company
• Release date: Nov 18, 2019
• ISBN: 9781645332244

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Copyright

Head Over Hoof is a work of fiction. All names, characters, locations, and incidents are the products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

HEAD OVER HOOF: A NOVEL

Copyright © 2019 by Mara A. Miller

All rights reserved.

Editing by KP Editing

Cover Design by KP Designs

Published by Kingston Publishing Company

The uploading, scanning, and distribution of this book in any form or by any means—including but not limited to electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise—without the permission of the copyright holder is illegal and punishable by law. Please purchase only authorized editions of this work, and do not participate in or encourage electronic piracy of copyrighted materials. Your support of the author’s rights is appreciated.

Table of Contents

Copyright

Table of Contents

Dedication

Prologue

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Chapter Eleven

Chapter Twelve

Chapter Thirteen

Chapter Fourteen

Chapter Fifteen

Author’s Note

Acknowledgements

About the Author

About the Publisher

Extras

Dedication

For Mom

You were the one who moved us to Kentucky and bought us horses…and the main inspiration for this story since you knew so much about horses. You know… Other than the relationship stuff.

Prologue

Briana

Blue Moon scuffed the dirt with one of his hooves in protest, as I adjusted the straps of the bridle around his nose.

Calm down, I soothed. You’re okay.

I swallowed thickly. I had a headache that wouldn’t go away. I’d been nauseous the night before, and was nauseous now. I kept telling myself I had to fight through it. I wondered if I was developing the flu. If I didn’t fight this headache, I wouldn’t get to ride.

You don’t look good, Cyn commented. I knew she was watching me as she brushed her horse, Rhiannon. Are you sure you want to go on a trail ride with us today?

I told you I’ll be fine, I said. I just feel a little crappy.

I sighed deeply.

As an afterthought, I added, I might be getting my period…or the flu. I’m not really sure.

Let me rephrase a little, Cyn replied, in a sarcastic tone. She pointed to Blue Moon. "Are you sure you’re comfortable riding on that horse when you’re not feeling good?"

I gasped in mock indignation while Blue Moon snorted in Cyn’s direction. I swear he glared at her, before he turned back to me and nuzzled my stomach.

He’s been calmer lately, I shrugged.

Rhiannon, Cyn’s Thoroughbred, laid one ear back and sniffed Blue Moon.

I still don’t know if I would trust him, Briana, Cyn said.

"Aidan wouldn’t let me ride him if he wasn’t absolutely sure it’s safe, I said to her. Blue nudged my hand, chewing on his bit. Don’t you be sarcastic to me, I said, pushing him away with a light shove. You know what happens when you get fresh."

He won’t get any carrots or sugar cubes.

My heart sped up when I heard a deep voice float through the air. I turned around to look at Aidan McCoy.

…And my heart promptly twisted down into my stomach, because Cyn pulled Aidan in for a kiss.

I sucked in a breath and turned around.

I couldn’t name this feeling.

I wouldn’t.

I looked at them again for a second. Her hand dipped down into his back pocket to squeeze his butt. I glanced away immediately. My cheeks flushed red—whether from embarrassment or anger, I wasn’t sure.

Hear that, boy? I cleared my throat. You won’t get any treats if you keep sassing me. Aidan’s word is law in this pasture.

I brushed Blue’s forelock out of his eyes. I smiled in triumph. That would teach him. He loved his treats and I was sure that would put him in his place, until he rudely lifted his upper lip and snorted.

You’re full of more nonsense than Aidan, I huffed.

I heard that, Aidan sang. He flashed his gray-blue eyes at me. It made my blood boil and butterflies erupt into my stomach all at once.

Lee is calling me, Cyn said. She reached up once more to kiss Aidan.

He’s on the way to the ranch, Cyn, Aidan sounded annoyed, as Cyn held up her hand to silence him.

I gripped Blue Moon’s reins tighter than necessary. He laid his ears flat and pawed the ground.

Rhiannon is good to go, Cyn said, then looked at me. You should warm Blue up, Bri.

Cyn walked away, leaving me and Aidan alone outside. His jaw clenched tight and he swallowed as he watched her leave. She continued her conversation with his cousin and didn’t spare us a second glance. He walked over to me and reached for a brush in the tack box.

Why do you keep letting her do that to you? I asked a few minutes later. I watched him carefully as he brushed his horse.

Keep letting her do what? Aidan asked. It was clear he was irritated by Cyn leaving to talk to Lee.

I thought about my words carefully. I had been struggling with this for a while. I needed to just go ahead and come out with it. I’d save everyone a lot of time and eliminate a lot of jealousy if I was just honest. I might have read him wrong, but Aidan seemed like he no longer wanted to share his girlfriend with his cousin.

I took the brush from him. I see the way you look at her every time she talks to Lee. I’d understand if you want to ask her to go back to being exclusive—

Aidan surprised me when he pulled me into his arms, sealing his mouth over mine. I tossed the brush somewhere on the ground. I didn’t see where it went. Blue Moon snorted and moved to the side. Aidan pulled me closer and I dropped the reins, relaxing in his arms.

How can you say that after this morning? Aidan laughed. He rested his forehead against mine. I …

You’re getting jealous, I said, my voice soft. Of her and Lee. I know they spend a lot of time together. I stroked his cheek. It’s okay…we can stop whatever this is we’re doing.

That’s the thing, Bri. He hesitantly leaned toward my lips again. I don’t want to.

Why did I feel so light headed every time he kissed me?

I, um, think I’m going to ride him around the pasture for a few minutes. I’m excited I finally get to ride your horse.

Aidan frowned. He didn’t let me go when I tried to pull away from him. Did you double check the cinch after you put on his saddle? He likes to hold his breath. Don’t pull on the reins too much and make sure—

I burst into giggles and pulled myself from him. I know how to ride, Aidan. I know all his tricks. I promise I’ll be careful. I just want to go on a ride with your sweet boy.

We both looked at the horse. Blue tried to grab a bit of long grass from a stray patch next to the fence. He strained his neck between rows of barbed wire, licking and nibbling strands of the grass. It must have been more interesting than listening to the humans talk. He swished his tail back and forth and tried to reach farther.

Come here, boy, I said, as I took his reins. I pulled his face away from the grass. "I promise we’ll let you graze to your heart’s desire, after we go for a trail ride."

I grabbed onto the saddle. I thought about how far Blue Moon came since I met him in August. He’d been afraid of ropes, had been too thin, and nipped Aidan too much. Aidan had spent months trying to gain Blue Moon’s trust before I met them.

Are you okay? Aidan asked. He placed his hand over mine on the horn of the saddle, stopping me from mounting. He seemed to be searching my eyes for any sense of falsehood. Cyn told me you took more medicine.

I’m fine, I said. You both have to stop worrying about me. You’re worse than Aunt Lora and Nikki.

Aidan’s eyebrows pulled together. I just don’t think it’s a good idea to ride if you aren’t feeling good, he said.

I sighed and placed my other hand over Aidan’s. I promise I’ll be okay. I reached up and kissed him once more. I loved how soft his lips felt against mine. We melted into each other whenever we kissed. Blue Moon whinnied in protest and we both laughed. I pulled away from Aidan and finally mounted the horse.

You treat her all right, you hear me? Aidan said to Blue. I’m not above shoving a carrot up where the sun don’t shine.

I rolled my eyes. You always make that threat to him, I said. I don’t care if it’s a joke because it isn’t funny.

With that, I guided the horse into the fenced pasture next to the barn. I noticed Cyn return a few minutes later. She braced her arms against the fence. I turned my attention back to riding as I cautiously brought Blue Moon to a trot. He followed my instructions with no problem. I could tell he wanted to go faster, so I slowly urged him to.

I was meant to ride.

I almost wished this one was mine as he effortlessly started to gallop around our small path in the pasture.

Aidan had one of his arms wrapped around Cyn as they watched us. I made the mistake of looking back at them. I didn’t watch the direction we were going when I pulled the reins back. Blue Moon was in such a fast gallop, fear gripped me when I realized we were heading straight for the fence. In a panic, I yanked his reins back when I realized something was running toward us underneath the fence.

The barking Border Collie mix caused Blue Moon to rise on his hind legs; I shrieked and tried to grab his mane when I fell back.

Chapter One

Briana

I clutched my laptop case to my chest as tightly as possible. I was crammed into my Aunt Lora’s truck. My brother, Kevin, wanted to help us, but he stayed home to mow the neighbor’s lawn. Mowing lawns was part of an agreement he made with Lora over the summer. We needed him to stay out of trouble.

Are you sure you don’t want to try living on the Shiloh University campus? Lora asked, as we pulled into the parking lot of my new apartment.

I did the dorm thing before me and Kevin moved in with you, remember? I asked. The dorms in BU were too expensive and I hated the communal bathrooms.

I formerly attended Boone University. My fall semester of my sophomore year of college, my parents got killed pulling off I-75 by a girl that ran a red light because she was texting.

"I just think you would be more comfortable in a dorm. You met this girl on Facebook."

The truck idled in the parking lot in front of my new place. Lora drummed her fingers on the steering wheel. She hoped she could scare me into moving into a dorm. It wouldn’t work. I’d made up my mind. I barely made things work for me and my brother before we moved to Tennessee. I didn’t want to do that—didn’t want to make things barely work.

"Are you sure you might not want to stay at home with us if residence halls are that bad? An apartment with a complete stranger isn’t that different. Trust me."

God, Lora, I said. You would think I’m moving to the other side of the country, not an hour and a half away from you and Kevin! I closed my eyes and took in a deep breath. But it’s exactly that—an apartment. I need my time away from campus. I might lose my mind if I’m constantly stuck there because I live in a residence hall too.

Lora was just trying to be protective, I told myself. She was acting like my aunt when I had given her very little opportunity to do so. Lora isn’t that much older than me. She began her teaching career as a high school chemistry teacher shortly before Mom and Dad died. I took custody of my then twelve-year-old brother, because I refused to disrupt her life any more than necessary.

I can’t help it. I didn’t take care of you both like I should have when your parents died. Lora finally removed the key from the truck ignition. She hesitated, but took my hand. "I love you. It’s not been easy this past year…it’s hard to let you move out.

I sighed in frustration. Moving out was your idea. I never would have found a roommate if I didn’t think you weren’t completely okay with it. I mean, Lora, I have custody of Kevin for the godd—

I know, Lora interrupted quickly. "I do. You have responsibilities to your brother. But you don’t have to commit yourself to raising him. It should be my job… it is my job. I’m the older one. Your dad was my half-brother. I just got used to having you around all the time…is all."

You act like you’ll never see me again. I deflated and placed my laptop back on the dashboard; quickly wiped away tears. You need to stop. You’re going to make me sob all over the place.

I took my seat belt off and hugged Lora.

I also don’t like the fact that you sold your car, Lora said, squeezing me tighter.

I couldn’t afford to keep making the payments, I sniffed. I already missed my Chevy Malibu. Mom and Dad surprised me with it when I graduated high school. I needed the rent money more.

Lora let me go and we both looked around the small apartment complex. It looked like mostly townhouses were on our street. My apartment was a converted townhouse basement with one bedroom. My roommate had sent me pictures. It was roomy enough for two, but it didn’t have an actual bedroom door. It would feel like living in a dorm, minus the ugly white cinder blocks and public showers.

I just want you to be safe, Lora said. You won’t be safe without a car.

I laughed at her. I think I’ll be fine. I walked everywhere all the time when I went to BU.

This is an entirely different state and university though, sweetie.

I couldn’t help it. I rolled my eyes. You’re too protective. I don’t need you to be, Lora. If you keep it up I’ll start getting anxious. You know how much I want to do this.

Lora sighed in defeat. "I know. I get it. I don’t think I’ll ever get the ‘strict parent’ thing down, but I do remember what it was like to be a crazy college girl. You’re turning twenty-one soon. I can’t believe you’re so big."

Stop, I laughed at her. I wiped my eyes again. You’re not that much older than me. I’m more worried about Kevin trying to smoke pot again.

Lora smiled and smoothed some of my hair from my face. I’ve got it under control. I can’t believe you trust me to keep him in line.

I shrugged. You put up with inconsiderate teenagers all day long. There’s no reason you can’t handle Kevin. It’s… I sighed. I felt horrible saying this about my brother. It’s a lot less stress, for me, since we moved to Tennessee. You’ve been a life saver, especially now that you’re going to take care of him.

Kevin got into trouble and I finally put my hands up and admitted defeat. He scared me. I needed Lora’s help. He was thirteen when he found dad’s old carton of cigarettes. I might not have cared had he been eighteen. Well, okay, he would have still gotten smacked upside the back of the head. I wasn’t worried about him at all…I told myself he was just acting out because our parents died…until I caught one of his so-called friends offering him a joint. I already struggled to pay the bills and the costs from my parents’ funeral. I had to drop out of BU so I could take care of us. The last thing I needed was for my brother to start doing drugs.

You’re right. I’ve got this parenting thing down ‘til you come home, Lora said. She didn’t sound too sure of herself. She would be great at it despite all of her self-doubts. She was a force to be reckoned with if you talked back; something Kevin tried doing when we moved in with her. Just don’t drink too much.

I laughed at her. I’m going to Shiloh University to study, not to party.

Lora smirked at me. "You say that now. Just wait till you meet a handsome guy who wants to take you out for a few drinks."

I picked up my laptop case again and giggled at my aunt. Are we self-projecting?

Lora shook her head. Never.

Just a little? I held my hand up and held my index finger and thumb about an inch apart.

Lora laughed and opened the driver’s door. I’m just asking you to be careful. I don’t want your parents haunting me from the grave when you get alcohol poisoning. I worry about you having a roommate off campus.

"You really are just being silly," I said as I climbed out of the truck.

I didn’t think my roommate was home. She had given Nikki, my friend, the key a few days ago. I guess they knew each other and that was how Nikki knew to show me her advertisement for a roommate on Facebook.

I trusted Nikki though.

When Dad was alive, he worked for Lexmark in Kentucky. Before that, we all lived down here. I had known Nikki since the first grade and always spent time with her whenever our family came back to visit. My grandfather moved to Florida after Lora turned eighteen. Nikki hunted me down as soon as she heard I moved back to Tennessee.

The first thing I noticed when I turned the light on was how there were only two windows in the entire apartment. One on the front door, the other over an air conditioner-slash-heating unit. The one thing missing in the living room was a couch.

That had been her only stipulation. I bring a couch; she would be fine with me moving in with her. A boxed up futon was in the back of the truck from Walmart that I dropped a hundred bucks on. I hoped she would like it.

I am grossly out of shape, Lora complained an hour later. She dropped a box of my clothes on top of another box, leaning against it.

My lungs burned from running back and forth to the truck. The last thing we needed to get was the futon and it was intimidating.

I shouldn’t have ever given up gymnastics, I complained.

I think we just need to take it easy on the chocolate. Lora stepped away from the boxes and stretched.

"Impossible. Come on. We need to get the futon in…I have a feeling the instructions inside of it are going to confuse the heck out of me."

Maybe we can get it put together before I need to leave, Lora said.

I started walking outside. That’s okay. I can do it myself.

I nearly walked into somebody on the way out.

A slender girl about my age stood at about five feet, five inches. She had a bright smile on her face, long red nails, and a slew of bags attached to her arm. Her rich brown hair was pulled back into a huge sock bun on top of her head. Her faded black tee-shirt hung slightly off her shoulders.

Briana King, right? she asked.

Yeah, I said. Cynthia Lesikar?

I stumbled over her last name, but she didn’t seem to mind.

Yeah! But please, call me Cyn.

I stepped to the side and let her in. She walked to the kitchen counter and put her bags down then turned to me and my aunt. She looked at Lora in curiosity.

Oh, sorry. This is Lora. She’s helping me move.

Cyn smiled wide. It’s nice to meet you.

Lora reached out and they both shook hands. Good to meet you too.

Cyn turned to me. I hope the bunk beds are okay. We can debunk them if you don’t like it that way, but we’ll have less room.

I saw the bunk beds. She left the bottom bunk empty. I took a seat for a moment and the mattress seemed nice.

We can keep them as bunks, I said.

Are you okay with the bottom? I can move my stuff pretty easy if you aren’t.

I shook my head. I’m fine, I giggled. You don’t have to be so accommodating.

Well, I’d help you guys, but I need to run to a friend’s apartment. I hope you don’t have a problem getting settled.

Lora and I looked at each other, stunned, when she walked back out the door without a second glance at us.

My aunt crossed her arms as Cyn pulled her Mercedes out of the parking lot. I don’t trust that girl.

I rolled my eyes. You’re being ridiculous. Cyn seems nice.

Lora and I went outside to the truck. Just trust me, okay, Bri? No matter how close you might get with her, she’s your roommate. This living arrangement is just that; an arrangement.

I hopped inside the truck. Just because you had a roommate with a boyfriend who always let his butt crack hang out, doesn’t mean Cyn will do the same to me.

Lora physically shuddered. Goodness, don’t remind me! I wish I never told you the story. I think seeing the two of them have sex in the middle of the night is forever seared into my brain.

"You need to stop trying to scare me into not having an apartment. I don’t have a car, and it sucks, but I’m looking forward to having some time to myself. I bent down and picked up one end of the futon box. Are you sure you’re okay with Kevin? I can take him sometimes on the weekend. Kinda my responsibility and all."

Lora shrugged and grabbed the other end of the box. That’s up to you guys, but I don’t know if Cyn will like it very much.

I’ll talk to her, I said. It’s a little hard trying to explain I have custody of my teenage brother.

I would have to tell her, though.

We carried the futon box into the apartment then set it down on the floor. I would have to ask Cyn.

You win, Lora said, when we set the box on the ground. I’ll stop trying to convince you to move into a dorm or stay home with us…but you really haven’t considered moving in with Nikki?

Do we really have to go over this again? I raised an eyebrow. I pulled my cell phone out of my back pocket and looked at the time. I’m pretty sure Kevin is going to be done mowing lawns soon.

Oh, crap. Lora smacked her forehead. She took her phone out and looked at the time. I can’t stay to help you put the couch together. I wish I could, but I promised him that I would take him video game shopping.

I looked around the apartment once more. I was ready for this, right? I could live on my own. I could keep myself from calling Lora every five minutes to check on Kevin.

I wanted her to stay and help me unpack, but I couldn’t let her. We hugged. I promised I would call her. She left, and suddenly I was alone in my new apartment.

I had some time to explore after Lora left and so I did. The apartment was small, but it looked like Cyn emptied a shelf for me.

She failed to mention the dishwasher.

If I didn’t have to start unpacking, I probably would have spent a few minutes squealing. I hated washing dishes by hand.

I checked out the bathroom next. Cyn had so many products for her hair; I wasn’t sure I knew what half of them were. I was the kind of girl who would blow dry my hair and go in the morning.

I was on the floor staring at the instructions for the futon, when she finally walked back into the apartment.

Oh, is your friend not here anymore?

I nearly gave her a strange look before I realized Lora and I almost look the same age. She’s actually my aunt. She had to go home.

Oh, cool. Cyn shrugged. I hate to seem like I’m always going in and out, but I have somewhere I need to be. She disappeared into our bedroom.

It’s okay. I laughed a little then looked down at the futon instructions and frowned. We have plenty of time to get to know each other since school doesn’t start until the twenty-eighth.

It was early August. Apartments in town near campus filled up fast anywhere you chose to go to school. I chose not to wait to find a place, and I chose wisely. I knew Cyn got at least ten other inquiries about her roommate ad before we started talking to each other. I liked the location of this apartment. It wasn’t too far, or too close, to campus.

A few