In the afternoon, Summer was being led back in to the indoor arena. Chase was already inside waiting for her to arrive.
"Hello Summer." He greeted shyly.
Summer nodded her head at him. She felt nervous. She still loved Lightning deep down, but a new love for Chase filled up inside her. Even so, she felt as if she would be letting Lightning down again.
Summer frowned and stared at the sandy floor.
"If you don't want to do this, I really don't mind. You look as though you're having second thoughts. Really, if you don't feel ready then you don't have to go through with this." Chase said to Summer.
Summer felt reassured. Chase was kind and put Summer first instead of himself.
"No, really. It's fine." Summer replied as Morgan led her closer to Chase. Now the two horses were face to face…
Summer thought back to how Lightning had yelled at her and how she had lied to him. Surely he wouldn't want her now, he'd have found another mare in the herd… 'probably Belle' Summer thought to herself.
Chase noticed Summer deep in thought. "Are you really sure?" He aked Summer.
Summer smiled and nodded. "I am." She replied.
Chase and Summer's leadropes were unclipped from their headcollars and the two girls ran outside and shut the gate to the riding school.
Chase sniffed Summer's withers and began to groom her, then he turned to face her and began to lick her nose. Summer suddenly felt strange again.
"Chase… maybe if we just got this over and done with?" She whispered to him, staring out of the gate as Sherbert walked past, ridden by a small girl. They were probably going on a hack.
As Summer watched Sherbert walk up the path, she felt Chase move round to her back…
That night, Summer lay in her stable silently, munching her hay.
"Summer?" A voice interrupted her silence.
"I didn't hurt you earlier did I?" The voice continued. It was Chase.
"No, of course not!" Summer smiled, lowering her voice so that Sherbert and Ezmerelda couldn't hear…
"Oh good. You think we'll erm…have a foal…?" Chase asked quietly.
"I don't know." Summer replied truthfully. "I hope so."
"Oh good. So do I. I don't mean to rush things Summer, but Morgan put us up to this!" Chase laughed nervously.
"Hey, it's okay. Really. Lightning will have forgotten about me now I expect." Summer replied.
"Who's Lightning?" Chase asked.
"He's the stallion I was with back in the herd. Nothing happened between us-except an argument!" Summer answered.
"Oh. I'm sorry to hear that." Chase said apologetically.
"Well goodnight Summer. I love you." Chase whispered, giving the coloured mare a lick on the muzzle.
"Love you too." Summer replied.
She settled her head down and sighed. Tomorrow, there would be more training.
Summer gave another contented sigh and closed her eyes…