I wanted to integrate Sadie into daily life at Meadowland and give her a meaningful task.

Gillian: “The horses need regular exercise. I’ll show you how to lunge. Make sure the line doesn’t sag — the horse could get tangled. Never wrap the line around your hand. If you stand closer to the hindquarters, the horse goes faster. Toward the head, it slows down.”

Sadie: “Give it to me. I’ll try.”

Sadie clearly wasn’t into it — not the ranch work, not the horses. I let her lunge Foxy, an old, calm horse. She wasn’t paying attention, and I had to remind her over and over to shorten the line.

Gillian: “You’re doing well. Just take the line a bit shorter.”

Sadie: “Yeah, yeah. This is boring. Just running in circles — stupid work.”

Suddenly Foxy’s leg got caught in the line and he almost fell. I ran to him immediately.

Gillian: “Oh no! The line’s wrapped around his leg. Help me!”

Sadie: “I’m done. Do your stuff on your own.”

She dropped the line and walked away. Later, I talked to Jamie.

Gillian: “Foxy is limping now. The vet says it should pass. Sadie just left. I can’t do this, Jamie.”

Jamie: “Maybe she ran because she was shocked and thought you were angry. Which you are — and that’s not a good starting point. Let me try.”

Jamie took Sadie riding with Field. He had her groom him first.

Jamie: “You’re doing great with Field. He’s Gillian’s first horse — she only lets people she truly trusts ride him.”

Sadie: “And you think she trusts me? I didn’t want what happened to Foxy. I’m sorry. I’m often so full of anger because I can never please anyone — and no one believes in me.”

They rode along the Silversong River.

Jamie: “I know that feeling. At some point you lose faith in yourself — and that’s the biggest mistake. You must never believe you’re worthless.”

Sadie: “For a guy wearing a dressed-up cat shirt, you’re pretty wise. But you’re right. Acting like this is my shield. It keeps people at a distance.”

They were gone a long time. Jamie told her about his past, about leaving to find himself, about us — loving each other for who we truly are. Sadie could have that too, if she learned to believe in herself again. That evening, Sadie came into the kitchen.

Sadie: “I’m sorry about today. That was stupid of me. I hope Foxy gets better soon. Good night.”

Gillian: “He will. Good night, Sadie.”

Later, Jamie said:

Jamie: “We talked — openly. She needs time. But you’re wrong about her. Trust the wise man in the cat shirt.”

The next morning, Sadie came to the stable.

Sadie: “Gillian… could we try lunging again today? I really want to learn.”

Gillian: “Of course. Let’s start.”

A new day. A changed Sadie. I didn’t know how he did it — but with Jamie, everything always got better.