By Summer's End (Christian Fiction) Read Online Free

horses, or what’s involved in keeping one,
but…”
    “I do!  Mom and Dad gave me a horse when
I was ten.  We kept it at a stable not far from our house.  I used to visit Wind
Song every weekend and most days during the summer.  She was my best…”  Her
words dwindled and the hopeful gleam in her eyes was replaced by a flash of
pain.
    “What happened to her?” Holly asked
gently.
    “Dad sold her,” she murmured.  “One
Saturday, I got ready to visit her and Dad told me I couldn’t see her anymore. 
He told me he’d sold her because I was too attached…”
    “Oh, Brianna, I’m sorry,” Holly said
softly, her heart breaking for her sister.  She could see she had cared deeply
for her horse and had forged a deep bond.  “You know, I’ve always wanted a big
dog.  All my life I had little, tiny ones, and I loved them to death, but I’ve
always like the idea of having a big, protective dog.  I imagine taking him on
walks or even driving in my car with the passenger window rolled down.”
    Brianna actually smiled at that.  “I’d
love a dog—any size.  My parents didn’t believe in allowing animals in the
house.  Too, they traveled a lot, so they said it would be too difficult to
make arrangements for pets when they were gone.”  She gave a woeful sigh.  “It
wasn’t always easy making arrangements for me either.”
    Holly felt her heart breaking in two. 
She rose and wrapped a gentle arm around her sister’s shoulders.  “Brianna, I’m
so sor—”
    Brianna thrust her arm away.  “I’m
fine.  Fine!   I didn’t need them and I don’t need you either!”
    Holly watched her sister briefly and
returned to her chair.  She felt tears spring to her eyes.  Would her younger sister
ever allow her into her life?  Would she ever forgive her for perceived wrongs?
    Brianna was silent for along moment. 
Finally, she lifted a shoulder.  “Fine.  Let’s move.  Washington couldn’t be
any worse than this place.”
    Holly was taken aback by her
capitulation.  It was so out of character for her sister.  “Are you … sure? 
It’s a long way from here, and even farther away from your hometown.”
    The girl gave an unconcerned shrug. 
“Whatever.”

Chapter Three
     
    Holly did a final walk-thru in her apartment.  She had given it a thorough cleaning
the day before, hopeful of receiving her cleaning deposit back from her
landlord. 
    As she walked from room to room, her
heart gave a tug.  This place, though small, had been home for several years. 
She uttered a quick prayer, asking the Lord to bless her and Brianna’s move to
Washington.  She also asked Him for strength in dealing with her defiant sister
along the way. 
    “Are we leaving yet?” Brianna asked in a
bored tone.
    “In a moment.  I just wanted to assure
we haven’t left anything behind.”
    “As if you have much to leave behind,”
she said with a callous laugh.
    Holly sighed.  She couldn’t deny, her
sister had a point.  Aside from the tiny dinette set, sofa, chair, and bed, there
was little else to move.  She had considered taking the items with them to
Washington, but decided to sell them to a friend who had recently moved into
the same apartment complex.  Hopefully, Uncle Benjamin’s house was furnished,
but if not, they would just have to make do.
    “Did you get everything?” Holly asked,
struggling to remain calm and hopeful.
    Brianna nodded.  “Yes.”
    “Are you ready for a long road trip?”
she asked, smiling encouragingly.
    “Yes.”
    “Well, let’s go then.”
    Holly locked the door behind them and
detoured to the manager’s office.  “We’re leaving now,” she told the older
woman behind the desk.  “Also, Josh approved my receiving my cleaning deposit
back.”
    “Yes, he told me.”
    The woman retrieved an envelope from a
drawer in her desk and passed it to Holly with a warm smile.  “We’re going to
miss you.  Josh had to run an errand, but told me to say