Chapter 8
Amy got Sundance, and mounted while holding on to Spartan's lead rope. She went back on the trail she came and soon they were on their way back to the Safety of Heartland.
When she got back she found Ty at the front barn grooming Jake, a large Clydesdale gelding. "Amy! You found him! That's incredible! Where was he?" Ty quizzed. "Yes I know I found him up by big river, but he has zero energy and his feet are all cut up and he could really use a brushing." She explained looking over the dull eyed horse. Ty came over and gave Spartan a pat on the neck, "Been rough for you, huh boy?" He said. He looked up at Amy knowingly, "See. I told you, you can't think you can't do it Amy. You of all people should know, you're too stubborn." Amy laughed. "Well thanks." She said dismounting and hugging him. She felt him kiss the top of her head. "Oh yeah, Ty, um Lou somehow found out about..well us." She explained, and she felt Ty's laughter rock her. "Well, one less person to tell right?" She laughed and turned back to Sundance and Spartan. Ty took Sundance's reins and led him towards his stall. "You take care of Spartan, and call Scott too." Suggested Ty. Amy nodded and went to work with Spartan. First she gave him a good rubbing down getting all the dirt and mud out of his normally shiny black coat. She gave him a last splash of water, and went on to untangling his man and tail. She got the twigs out of him mane by hand and then brushed it out with a comb. As for his tail, she had to do everything by hand. But she didn't complain. She was just glad to have him back. When she was done his feet she looked him over. He looked just as good as before. Except that he still had zero energy and was dozing. "Come on boy." She said softly leading him back to his stall. His ears pricked at the sound of his friend Pegasus whinnying in greeting at him. Spartan gave a small neigh back happy, but lifeless. They touched noses when spartan went into his stall next to Pegasus, glad to have his friend back. Amy smiled to herself as she mixed his morning feed. She added in some oats and a teaspoon of honey-his favourite. "Here, look what I have boy." She said bringing his bucket to him and placing it in the in-stall bucket holder. Jack had taken the liberty to change the usual-hang-the-bucket-on-the-nail routine after several buckets would fall off and the feed would spill everywhere. Spartan ate greedily and soon he was nosing at his bucket to see if there was anymore. He looked up at Amy as she passed by with some tack, with pleading eyes. She laughed, and after cleaning the tack, turned him out with Pegasus in the front paddock. They grazed together and Amy looked peacefully at the scene in front of her. She went back to the tack room and cleaned the rest of the tack and saddles until they were all clean and shining in the early afternoon sun. She then went down to the farmhouse and kicked off her shoes and ran into the living room excitedly. "Lou! Grandpa! I found Spartan! Up at Big River!" She said racing to the kitchen to call Scott, their long time equine vet. "Amy that's amazing!" Exclaimed Lou from her laptop. "Now, I told you he'd be fine." Grandpa said in a I-told-you-so- voice. Amy rolled her eyes as she dialed Scott's number, he answered on the second ring. "Scott here." He said, "Scott, it's Amy Fleming at Heartland. Spartan went missing two days ago, meaning he went through that storm. He has some pretty bad cuts on his legs, could you come over and take a look over him? Just to be safe?" She pleaded. "Sure thing. I have a call not far from you, so I'll stop by after that. Maybe by twelve?" He asked. "Sure" Agreed Amy. She put down the phone and turned to Lou and Jack. "Scott's gonna stop by at twelve." She informed them and they all nodded in agreement, it was for the best. Throughout the day Amy checked on Spartan while exercising the other horses. Soon noon rolled around and Amy saw Scott's jeep bump up the Heartland driveway. She ran and greeted him as he got out of his car his kit in hand. "Hi Amy. Is Spartan in the front?" Amy nodded and followed him eagerly. He opened Spartan's stall door and gave him a pat. "Hey boy." He said softly picking up his right front leg. He checked over his legs and back with skilled care. He took a step back. "Well besides having a few minor cuts I'd say he's pretty much okay besides being really tired. You should let him rest for a day and change the dressings I'm going to give him." Amy nodded and stroked his neck and hugged him. "Go to sleep now boy." She told him after Scott dressed his wounds. She shut the door and thanked Scott as he picked up his kit. Lou just then came out with the phone in her hand. "Amy, phone. Oh hey Scott." She said smiling. "Hi Lou." He said beaming back as Amy took the phone from her sister. "Would you like to have a coffee?" Lou asked trying to hide her eagerness. "Sure." He agreed and they walked in the house together. Amy put the phone to her ear. "Hi this is Amy." She said. A strained voice answered. "Amy, I need your help."
Well, what do ya think? Sorry! I know I haven't updated in like FOREVER and I'm super sorry. I've been getting caught up in other stuff and stories and I always forget that there are other ones needing attention! Well I'll try and do the best I can to try and keep this going! Also, sorry it was so short. I just really wanted a cliff hanger so i put one in! R&R please!
~Writinggurl101
