Ginny grinned. “Sound like fun. We could make the circles with strips from a cereal box.”

Ideas popping, they strolled back up to the house, with Addy stopping every once in a while to throw the stick of choice for Spook. Today it was a small length of split wood. “Crazy dog, you get splinters in your mouth, don’t come whining to us.”

* * *

Ginny noted that Addy was up earlier than usual on Saturday morning. “You’re up early! Happy birthday, dear Addy.”

“So that after chores, I could groom the pony and donkey,” Addy explained while Ginny made breakfast. “Then I tied ribbons in their manes and brushed off that hat with the holes for the donkey’s ears.” She reached for Ginny’s phone on the table. “Today is a perfect day to go riding.”

“That it is. Omelets will be ready in a couple of minutes.” Ginny pulled a pan of blueberry muffins out of the oven and turned them in the pan to cool.

“Wow, how come?”

“A birthday girl deserves a special breakfast too.”

She grinned as she punched a number. “Andy, are you up yet? Good. I decided that I want to go riding on my birthday and I want you to go with me, so either ask Dad to bring you over or get on your bike and get over here. No, we are going to do this, hear me? This is your big sister talking.” She snorted. “Tough. So only by one minute makes no difference but for right now.” Her voice softened. “Please, Andy, for me, for us. And to top it off, Grandma baked blueberry muffins. I’m sure there are enough for you too.” She paused and listened, nodding, a smile spreading over her face. “Thank you, Andy.”

She sniffed and turned to Ginny. “He’s coming. Can you make him an omelet too?”

“You can bet your sweet smile I will do that. We could keep this one warm and we’ll eat together. How soon?”

“Five minutes. Dad’s bringing him. He wouldn’t come last week to go riding, but he will today.” She leaned into her grandmother’s warm hug. “He’s coming. That’s the best birthday present of all.”

“It is.” Ginny snagged a tissue, blew her nose, and pulled the ham out of the fridge. “You beat up four eggs while I chop, oh, and get out the half-and-half too.” Between the two of them, they had the batter ready to pour into the pan when Spook did his family’s coming bark.

“Our early warning system.” Ginny pulled the omelet pan back on the hot burner and proceeded to put the omelet together.

“Wow, something sure smells good.” Sam ruffled Spook’s ears before the dog left him and leaped for joy around Andy, who knelt and hugged him close. When his face was thoroughly cleaned, even to his ears, he pushed the dog away and stood. When Ginny spread her arms, he went to her and nearly fell into her embrace. “I’m sorry, Grandma.”