Chapter 2 - Trouble Brewing
Later that day, Alec came back outside after lunch to take the Black out to the creek. He walked into the somewhat smelly stables that he was used to, went into the tack room to get the Black's halter lead, and walked past the other horses to get to the Black, who was outside.
"Hey, Jetta. Hey, Blondie!" Alec said, passing the brown-black horse and then the cream-colored palomino. He patted them on the noses quickly and then made it to the Black. "Hey boy! Ready to go to the creek?"
The Black neighed softly and let Alec hook the lead to his halter. He continued to stare out at the plain, where the herd of wild horses had run earlier that day.
"Black, what's wrong?" Alec asked, pushing the Black's head up slightly so that he could look into his eyes. The Black looked away, still towards the empty hill.
"What's wrong, Alec?" Henry asked as he walked towards them.
"I don't know... he keeps looking out at that hill where the wild horses were earlier today," Alec said, moving up to stand beside the Black's neck. He put his arm around him.
"Well, maybe he just doesn't understand what was going on. Why they were running free, you know?" Henry said, patting the Black's hindquarter.
"I don't think so. I think that he misses being wild," Alec said, a somewhat hurt expression on his face.
"What makes you think that, Alec? He loves you to death."
"Well maybe he's had enough of the domesticated life. Maybe he's changed his mind."
Henry said nothing as he rubbed the back of his neck and then looked out at the open plain.
"Well, I don't know what to tell you. Let's just drop it and we'll take he and Blondie down to the creek."
"Okay, but what about Jetta?"
"I took her earlier this morning."
"Okay," Alec said, handing Henry the Black's halter and walking in to get Blondie.
After about two to four minutes, Alec returned with the palomino on the other end of the halter and they started to walk down to the creek, the horses beside each other all along the way. The Black was a little ways behind Blondie, protecting his mare with caution, just like his wild ancestors would do.
"So when is Blondie due for delivery?" Alec asked Henry, referring to the unexpected pregnancy they had encountered a few weeks ago.
"Well, she should be due around April or maybe even May," Henry said, counting to 11 on his fingers.
"I'll bet the foal looks a lot like the Black," Alec said with a smile.
"Yeah, either that or it'll have his blood."
"Either way, it'll be a good foal. Hopefully a racer," Alec said, patting Blondie's neck softly. The Black's ears went back slightly, but he didn't take any action.
"Relax, Black, he won't do nothin'," Henry said, grinning. Alec laughed.
When they made it down to the creek, Henry and Alec held the lead ropes to the halters and the Black and Blondie stood beside each other, drinking slowly, enjoying one another's company.
"I just wish I knew what the Black was thinking about this whole thing," Alec said disappointedly with a mix of worry.
"Boy, I'm sure he's fine. It's just bringing back memories is all," Henry said, patting the Black's neck.
Alec frowned and patted the Black's neck also. Then he sat down beside him on the rough grass and the Black nuzzled his face with his wet snout. Alec chuckled and patted his nose before he moved it to start drinking again.
"Well at least he still loves me," Alec said, stroking the Black's left foreleg softly.
Henry scowled. "Of course he does, Alec! What makes you think he wouldn't?" he asked somewhat angrily. Alec looked up at him with sad eyes. Henry frowned and walked over to sit beside him.
"Alec, no matter what happens to him, he won't ever forget you."
Alec smiled. "You're right, Henry. I should just stop thinking about it and wait until it actually comes up."
"Exactly. Now... what do you mean, 'When it comes up?'?" henry asked confusedly.
Alec smiled. "When he makes his choice. Whether he wants to stay here or not."
Henry nodded his head. "Oh. Well, I'm sure he'll stay. He has a mare and you. What more could a horse ask for?"
Alec smiled once again. "But you can never be too sure."
Henry nodded sadly. "Well, let's head back now," he said, grabbing Blondie's halter. Alec nodded his head and grabbed the Black's and they started walking back to the stables.
As they walked back, the Black's ears went back again and once again he sniffed the air. Blondie did, also, and they both turned their heads towards the hill.
There was the wild horse herd, with the white stallion leading them again. The Black whinnied back, and the stallion stopped in his tracks and looked at the Black. But then his attention turned towards Blondie, and the Black's ears went back and his nostrils flared in anger. He stamped his foot on the ground, kicking up dirt. Alec and Henry pulled on the halters. Blondie started moving, but the black didn't.
"Come on, Black," Alec said, looking at the white stallion, frightened. He gave the halter another tug and the Black started moving slowly, then stopped again. One more pull and they started moving again, this time not stopping. The Black and the white stallion's eyes were locked, ears back, all the way up to the entrance of the stables.
Alec knew there was trouble brewing.
End of Chapter 2
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