Chapter Ten
A few hours later after she stopped crying, Wolf looked out the window. The sun was just rising above the trees, meaning it was almost time to get up. Suddenly without warning there was a knock on the door.
"Come in," Wolf said picking herself up and hoping her eyes weren't red.
Parillee came in holding Wolf's new clothes, "I just finished them last night dear, here you go," Parillee said setting the new garments on the bed. She then walked out to give Kaitlynn her new clothes too.
Wolf looked at the new clothes. A few moments later she was dressed. The long-sleeved, plaid shirt was a perfect fit. The pants were a few inches longer so she would be able to grow into them. She rolled the edges up to her ankles on slowly put on her old, warn-out boots. Wolf began to walk down the hallway to the kitchen.
She sat down at the table and waited for everybody else to get up. Soon enough she heard Chase and Mattie bounding down the hall. Chase had his right arm in a sling, and his backpack in his left hand.
"Hiya Wolf, good morning, " he said plopping down beside her.
"Good morning," Wolf replied quickly. She wasn't in the mood for talking and she dreaded the beginning of the school day to begin.
"Thanks for helping Whiney last night. Dad told me this morning. I was so worried about him, " Chase informed her gratefully.
"No problem kid," Wolf said smiling.
Chase got the feeling that Wolf didn't want to say anything more, so he went off to play with Mattie.
Kaitlynn came in a few minutes later. When she saw Wolf's face she was worried. This happened every year near this time.
"You ok?" She asked already knowing the answer.
"Yeah, I'm fine, just a little tired," Wolf answered.
Kaitlynn sighed and thought to herself, she won't talk to anybody. She really should. I don't know how she can keep it all bottled up.
As they took off to school Wolf lagged behind. Kaitlynn was worried about her but didn't say much. Wolf liked being left alone when she is like this.
When Wolf was out of earshot Chase asked Kaitlynn, " What's wrong with her? Why's she so sad?"
" Well, she's just having a bad day today. She'll be fine tomorrow," Kaitlynn replied.
When they reached the school they were a tad late. Wolf walked into the schoolhouse. She looked for an open seat and found one next to Redd. As the lesson proceeded she noticed that Redd followed it real well. When everybody was set to work Wolf began to read the 65 page of Hattie Big sky, there was a word on the page she didn't understand. It was quite long to Wolf and she couldn't brake it into parts. She looked around her to see where Kaitlynn was, she was clear across the room.
"Need some help?" Redd asked startling her.
"um… yeah, what does this say?" Wolf asked embarrassingly.
"Charades, it's a game we play were you have to act out what your thinking but you can't say anything," Redd replied, reading the word.
"Thanks," Wolf said quietly and then began reading again.
When the bell rang all the kids hustled outside. Wolf, Kaitlynn, Redd, and Jason went to the giant oak tree.
"Hey, today is our day off work and we were wondering if you wanted to go riding with us somewhere," Kaitlynn said. She then looked at Wolf to see if she approved.
Wolf nodded her head slightly and they then both waited for the boy's answers.
" Sure, why not. Where do you guys want to meet?" Redd replied.
"Where we were going to meet last time," Wolf replied smiling.
Redd humorously remarked, "Will there be any run away horses this time."
The whole group laughed together, and for the first time that day, Wolf didn't feel so bad.
When the group departed home after the school day they left in a pack.
"I don't like how long it takes to get home, isn't there another way?" Kaitlynn replied.
Wolf thought to herself then merrily said, "Actually there is."
"What is it then Wolf?" Kaitlynn inquired.
Without speaking Wolf put her two index fingers in her mouth and whistled a loud shrill whistle.
Redd then curiously asked, "What was that about?"
"Wait for it," Wolf said smiling to herself.
Suddenly there was a galloping of hooves and four horses appeared through the trees. Milky Way and Andromeda were in the lead, but behind them were two other horses. Wolf recognized Redd's horse and then assumed the other horse was Jason's.
"How did our horses know to come?" Jason asked questioningly.
"Actually I really don't know," Wolf replied in a puzzled voice.
"You know what, since we already have the horses why don't we go right now," Kaitlynn smartly rplied.
"If it's alright with you guys," Wolf said.
" Yeah, well we don't want to worry our parents," Jason said seeming uncertain.
"Come on Jason, stop spoiling the party, you know mom won't mind," Redd replied smiling.
"Well then its settled, we're going right now," Wolf replied to everybody.
"What about us Wolf, " Chase said behind her.
"Do'ya want a ride then," Wolf said turning around.
"Yeah! Yeah! Yeah!" Mattie said jumping up and down with joy.
So when the four set off Mattie was riding on Kaitlynn's lap and Chase was holding on to Wolf.
So what do you say to a quick riding then huh everybody," Wolf asked looking around her.
Everybody nodded their heads, Chase and Mattie tightened their grip. Wolf urged Andromeda into a canter and everybody else followed. When the small group got to the beginning of the Mueller's driveway they let Chase and Mattie off.
"Thanks, for the ride, I'll tell mama you guys are going for a ride," Chase said turning to the group.
"You do that, and tell her we will be back before dark," Kaitlynn cheerfully said.
As the four horses took off, Wolf turned around and watched as the two kids waved goodbye. Wolf and Redd were in the lead, While Kaitlynn and Jason were ten paces behind them talking, about school.
"Why in the world are they talking about school? We just got out of it, so why talk about it?" She asked to Redd.
Redd shrugged and replied, "Sometimes there are people who enjoy school. Why don't you enjoy it Wolf?"
Wolf looked straight ahead and then replied, " I don't enjoy school because I can't read as well as anybody my age, Redd. I was out on the streets most of my life and didn't worry about an education."
Redd nodded his head, unable to do anything else.
As the group of four entered the small field Wolf heard Redd and Jason gasp in amazement.
"How did you guys find this place?" Jason asked from behind Wolf.
"Luck I guess," Kaitlynn replied.
The group got off their horses and let them graze on the lush green grass.
"Hey, you think this is cool, follow me," Wolf said beginning to walk to the top of the waterfall.
When they got up to the top the boys were even more amazed.
"It's as if you can see the world from up here," Redd replied.
Wolf sat down near the water. The gurgling of the stream was peaceful and Wolf enjoyed listening to it. It was there where Wolf found Redd's and Jason's secret.
Redd grabbed Wolf by the arm and lead her back down the hill to the willow.
"What?" Wolf asked curiously.
"I need to talk to you, Wolf. You need to keep it a secret though," Redd said in a low Voice.
"Ok, I'll keep it a secret," Wolf replied.
"Promise," Redd remarked looking her in the eyes.
Wolf didn't look away from his eyes as she replied, "I promise."
Redd looked around making sure Kaitlynn and Jason couldn't hear and quietly said, " Wolf we aren't just farm boys, we are the princes' of this land. We aren't aloud to tell everybody because Jason and I don't enjoy all the attention and pampering. We just want to be treated as equal. I'm telling you this because I know you didn't believe me when I told you I was a farm boy."
Wolf was amazed at what she just heard, Redd, a prince.
After that Wolf asked many questions that popped in her head about the way you are treated at the palace. She was surprised that he answered all of them. Most people she knew would tell her to stop asking questions after the first few questions. Reluctantly the group left. As Kaitlynn and Wolf went down the driveway Kaitlynn asked, "So what were you and Redd talking about?"
"School," Wolf said, it was the first thing that popped in her mind.
"Wolf, you hate school so why would you talk about it?" Kaitlynn said obviously realizing Wolf was lying.
"Look Kait, I can't tell you," Wolf said
"Fine then, so what do you want for your birthday Wolf?" Kaitlynn remarked trying to change the subject.
Wolf looked up just then she realized her birthday was on Sunday. Then she replied, "Kait you know I don't celebrate my birthday." After all she never got a present from anybody anyways.
"Come on, Wolf, we have started new, we have a family now, Today is Friday so we still have time to tell Karl and Parillee," Kaitlynn replied.
"I don't want to tell anybody okay!" Wolf said annoyed.
Kaitlynn sighed and decided to drop her idea.
"Hey, you two ready for dinner, your right on time." Chase said poking his head through the front door.
As they all sat around the table they talked about their day and school. Wolf was quiet most of the time. She didn't like talking much, she thought to herself, "why talk anyways, I always seem to make a fool of myself."
Wolf drew herself away from her thoughts when Kaitlynn said, "Do you mind if I have some friends over this weekend?"
"Sure dear, but who?" Parillee asked getting out of her chair to clean her room.
"Melissa, and Alex," Kaitlynn replied.
Wolf looked up from her plate in amazement. Everybody knew Melissa and Alex were the richest and snobbiest kids in school.
"Of course they can come over dear," Parillee replied from the sink in the kitchen.
As everybody finished eating Wolf pulled Kaitlynn aside and asked her, "When did you become friends with them?"
"Well, I … they are head of the school committee and they are actually quite nice," Kaitlynn replied smiling.
Wolf looked at her uncertainly. She didn't know what to say and thought to herself instead, those two girls don't seem like Kaitlynn's type.