Chapter 50

'I saw your run yesterday.' Ty commented to Jessie as they sat around the dinner table for breakfast the next morning. 'Quite impressive.'

Jessie nodded, pausing to finish eating her mouthful of food before she replied. 'Thanks but I can't take all the credit. It's all Warrior. I'm just along for the ride.'

'Kit was saying you're going to be quite the contestor.' Caleb looked up from his plate, helping himself to another slice of meatloaf. 'She's really quite impressed.'

'Your definitely going to do well.' Amy added. 'You and Warrior make a great team.'

'Thanks guys.' She could feel her cheeks were red from her blushing and she looked down, slightly embarrassed. She felt a hand on hers, glancing over to see it was Jack's. He smiled reassuringly at her and she smiled back at him then turned to the others at the table. 'It means a lot having your support.'

'No problem Jessie.' Mallory took the last of the potatoes, glaring down at her phone as it started ringing.

'Are you going to answer that?' Jack asked after a moment, getting tired of listening to her ringtone.

'It's Jake.' She replied, picking up her phone as she left the table. 'I'm ignoring his calls.'

Jack shook his head, seeing the questioning glances the others were giving him. 'Long story.'

'Hey, you think you'll have time today to help me with Venture.' Amy asked, looking at Ty.

'Sure, yeah. I can do that.'

'Not right now you don't.' Jack replied. 'I need you to do a supply run with me.' He saw the look Amy gave him and continued. 'I'll get him back as quick as I can.'

Jessie sighed as Jack left the dinner table, picking at the remainder of her breakfast on her plate. She'd hoped to be able to tell everyone last night that Scott was her brother but it hadn't happened and now it hadn't been able to happen again. Now that she was ready to tell everyone, the opportunity just hadn't come up.

'Something wrong Jessie?' Lou glanced over at her. 'You've been awfully quiet this morning.'

'Just got a lot on my mind.' The girl replied, taking a deep breath then quickly blurted her next sentence out while she still had the gumption to do so. 'I just found out a couple of days ago that Scott is my half-brother.' The room went so dead quiet you could have heard a pin drop as all eyes turned on her. She heard Jack walking back in, glancing up at him then back at the table as everyone sat in stunned silence. 'Yes, you heard right. Scott is my half-brother.'

'So Scott's your half-brother?' Mallory questioned, brushing down Copper across the aisle from Jessie and Warrior. 'Wow.'

'Yeah.' She chuckled in amusement. 'That was everyone else's reaction too.'

'But how?'

'We've got the same mother but different fathers.' Warrior nudged her, blowing on her cheek as she untangled his mane. 'And there's about twenty years age gap between us.' She paused in thought for a moment, her hand hovering over the stallion's neck. 'It's going to take some getting used to I might add, having a brother.'

'I'd say.' Mallory agreed. 'I certainly wouldn't like to find out twenty years from now I have a sibling I never knew about. That's just so weird.' She looked over at her. 'Does that mean you'll have to go live with him now?'

'No, he already assured me that I can stay here. He's happy for Jack and Lisa to remain my guardians, things won't change except that I'll probably go spend time with him at his place when I get to know him better.'

'Sleepovers with big brother hey?'

She smirked, turning back to finish brushing Warrior's mane. 'Something like that.'

'He'll be around a lot more too, that's going to be a hard pill for Lou to swallow.'

'Yeah, she was a little-' She couldn't think of the word that best described Lou's reaction to her blurting out her secret. 'Well, Lou is Lou.'

Mallory snorted. 'That's one way of putting it.'

'You got time to help me this morning Jessie?' Amy asked as she walked into the barn, hanging up a halter she'd been carrying. 'With Venture?'

'Sure.' She shrugged as she finished grooming Warrior and untied his leadrope. 'I'll just go turn this boy out then I'm free to help.'

'Thanks.'

'Come on boy.' Warrior nudged her shoulder with his muzzle as she led him out of the barn, taking him to the big pasture where Paint, Pegasus and Spartan were grazing. Slowly they'd been introducing him to the other horses that stayed at Heartland, integrating him in with the geldings. The stallion enjoyed being with the other horses, he'd adjusted well into their little group. She smiled, running her hand over his shoulder as she closed the gate behind him, the stallion snorting softly in excitement. 'Yes, yes. One moment.' She unbuckled his halter, turning him lose. He nudged her gently, sniffing her pockets for treats and she laughed. She'd forgotten all about the sugar cube she'd hidden there as his treat. 'Here you go.' She pulled the sugar cube out, the stallion taking it from her eagerly. 'There you go.' The sugar crunched as he ate it then he sniffed her pockets again. 'That's all I've got. Go on, off you go.'

She smiled as the stallion moved away from her then galloped off down the slope to join the other horses. Paint and Spartan lifted their heads to look at him, returning to grazing as he joined their little group under the shade of the oak tree. Glancing over her shoulder at him as she walked back to the gate and out to the ranch yard again her smile widened, watching him playing with Spartan. Despite being a wild stallion he'd found himself a new herd.

'What would you like me to do?' She asked Amy, walking back into the barn. 'I'm all yours.'

'Venture's stabled out back in the pens, let's go work him in the round yard for a little bit while we wait for Mrs. Bell.'

'Sure. You want me to grab him?'

Amy grabbed Venture's halter and leadrope, passing them to her. 'Your welcome to try.'

'I'll give it a shot.' She headed out the back door of the barn, making her way to the back pens. Venture was nibbling at some grass growing at the bottom of a post as she walked up, lifting his head to look at her when he heard her open the gate. Slowly and cautiously she walked in, closing the gate behind her. 'Hello Venture.' The halter and leadrope were coiled in her hand as she stood just inside the gate, watching the gelding's body language. Venture snorted, his ears flicking back and forth. He was alert but relaxed and she took another couple steps closer to him. 'How are you doing boy? Hey?' His ears flicked again at the sound of her voice and he took a step towards her. He extended his head towards her as she stood just out of his reach, letting him look her over. 'See, I'm not scary.' The gelding took another step towards her and she slowly placed her free hand out for him to sniff. He sniffed it gently and she watched his body language carefully. He relaxed after a moment and nibbled at her gloves. She chuckled. 'You like me do you?'

Carefully she placed the leadrope around the gelding's neck so he wouldn't move away while she haltered him and she waited a moment before slipping the halter on him. Venture didn't move, infact the gelding sighed as if he were bored with the whole proceedings. 'Good boy.' She did his halter up then gave then patted his neck. 'Good boy.'

Venture calmly followed her as she led him out of the pen, walking him around the barn to the round yard. The sound of a ponies hooves coming up the drive caught her attention and she looked up to see a little white pony pulling a little cart. She tied the gelding up, patting his shoulder as Amy walked out of the barn.

'Mrs. Bell, nice to see you.'

'Whoa, whoa.' Sally pulled Sugarfoot to a stop. 'My hips a bit sore, but other than that, I'm right as rain. Thanks for asking.'

Jessie chuckled, giving Venture one last pat as she joined Amy. 'That's a cute pony.'

'Well thank you my dear.' She replied, hopping out of her cart then she looked at Amy. 'And whose this young lady?'

'This is Jessie. Jessie, this is Mrs. Sally Bell.' Amy replied with a smile, placing her arm around the girl as the lady walked over. 'She lives here with us.'

'Hello my dear.'

'Hi.' Jessie smiled, looking up at her. She looked like she was a really sweet old lady and she instantly warmed to her. 'What's your pony called?'

'Sugarfoot.'

'That's so cute. Can I go give him a pat?'

'Sure.'

'Thanks.' She walked up to the pony, crouching down so the pony could see her properly. 'Hi Sugarfoot.' The pony ignored her outstretched hand and nuzzled her cheek, tickling her skin with his whiskers. 'Oh hello.'

Sally laughed. 'He likes you.'

'It would appear so.'

'How about we unharness Sugarfoot and we'll have a look at those herbs hey?'

'Yes, we should unharness Sugarfoot.' She agreed. 'Then I'll give you some stuff for that horse you were telling me about.'

Jessie chuckled again, stepping back to let the lady unharness her pony. Amy gave the lady a hand for a moment then, turning Sugarfoot loose to graze and Sally led her around to the back of her cart.

'I've given him Star of Bethlehem for the initial shock of the accident.' Amy explained to her as the lady started going through the herbs in the back of her cart. 'And then lavender to help him relax.'

'Here's lavender. It'll relax him. And your mother swore by Star of Bethlehem.'

The girl caught the look Amy made and chuckled inwardly. That was exactly what she'd given the gelding already, and she'd just told her that.

'Oh, and I have some red chestnut oil too.' Sally added, handing her a glass bottle. 'It can help with anxiety.'

'Thank you.' She replied then glanced over towards the gelding. Venture was nibbling at Sugarfoot's mane. 'Oh wow, look.'

'Sugarfoot's found a friend.'

'Mrs. Bell, do you think I could borrow Sugarfoot for a little while?'

'Sure my dear.'

'I can get Lou to drive you home if you want for a couple hours and then I'll get her to bring you back to take him home.'

'That would be lovely. Lou and I could have some tea together too.'

'I'll keep an eye on these two for the moment.' Jessie offered, smiling as she watched the pony and the gelding interact. 'They're so cute.'

'I'll be back in a moment.'

She nodded as Amy started towards the house with Sally, walking over to the horses to join them. Sugarfoot knickered, sniffing her boots as she picked up his leadrope, giving the pony a pat. 'Your so cute.' The horse nibbled the ponies whiters again, Sugarfoot nibbling Venture's front legs back. He was so tiny compared to the big black yet the two of them had hit it off immediately.

'Alright.' Amy exclaimed, joining her at the horses again. 'Lou's going to take Mrs. Bell home for a couple hours, let's see what we can get done in the meantime.'

'Sure. What do you want me to do?'

'Well, we'll leave them here for a moment and go set up in the big pen out back.' She tied Sugarfoot up, leading the way to the pen. 'Hopefully Venture will follow Sugarfoot through the water.'

'Venture is a nice horse.' Jessie exclaimed, helping Amy carry some jumping poles into the middle of the pen as they started to set up for the horses lesson. 'I haven't seen that he's mean, not to the extent of what the constable was saying.'

'No, I know what you mean.' They went back for another couple of poles from the stack next to the barn. 'He was pretty nervous when he arrived here yesterday but he's pretty calm now. If we can just get him to follow Sugarfoot I think he'll be able to get over his fear of the water.'

'Maybe it's got something to do with his rider too.' She added, placing the poles down. 'I mean, most of the time it's not always the horse's fault, it can be the rider too. At least that's what I've been taught and observed.'

'He didn't seem to be too concerned that Venture might have to be retired from the mounted police if we can't help him.' Amy looked around for a moment then pointed to some hay bales that had gone bad and were waiting to be given away as garden mulch. 'Let's grab these too.'

'Okay.' She agreed, following her over to the bales. 'So, if we get him to go through the water, what's next?'

'Riding him through, but that's after we work on saddling him. Constable Rodrigues said he didn't want to be saddled either.' They dragged a couple bales into the pen then went back for a couple more. 'I think this should be enough.'

'Alright, you want these two on this side?'

'Yep. We'll place the poles on top of the bales.' She placed the bales where she wanted them on the opposite from where Jessie was working. 'So Jessie, you gave us all quite the surprise with what you told us at breakfast.'

'Yeah.' She chuckled, placing a pole on top of the hay bales then went back for another one. 'It was kinda a spur of the moment thing. I was going to tell everyone last night but that didn't happen. I think everyone will survive the shock though.'

Amy laughed, placing another pole into position. 'Just when we think we're getting to know you, you come out with yet another surprise.'

'Serves to keep you all on your toes.' She grinned then turned thoughtful. 'I hope I don't get any more surprises. I've had more than enough things to deal with at the moment.'

'These last couple months haven't been easy.' She agreed. 'Sorry Jessie, I shouldn't have said that.'

'Its okay Amy, don't worry about it.' The girl glanced around for a hose. 'We ready to fill the ditches up yet?'

'I think so.' She stepped back for a moment to have a look at what they'd set up then nodded. 'Yep, let's fill them up and bring them in.'

'Okay. How about you fill them and I bring the horses?'

'Sounds good to me.'

Jessie headed back to the horses as Amy grabbed a hose to fill the ditches up, patting Venture as she untied him and Sugarfoot. 'Alright boy, let's see if Sugarfoot can help you go through the water.' Sugarfoot jogged to keep up with Venture's stride as she led them around to the pen, waiting just inside the gate till Amy had finished filling the ditches so the horses didn't get spooked by the hose. 'Who do you want me to lead?'

Amy coiled the hose up, glancing over at her as a thought came to mind. 'Your pretty good with horses Jessie, how about you take Venture and show me what you can do. Maybe you can help me with other client horses in the future if you're up to it.'

'Sure.' She agreed with enthusiasm, happy that Amy was giving her a chance to prove herself. She was good with horses, thanks to Robert. Despite what had happened after Lillian had died, before everything had gone pear shaped, he'd taught her everything he knew about horses. She rubbed Venture's forehead, waiting for Amy to join her to take Sugarfoot. 'I'd like that.'

'Alright then.' The girl handed Sugarfoot's leadrope to her and she started the pony forward. 'I'll take Sugarfoot through a couple times so Venture can see that it's safe then you can try to follow me with him.'

'Okay.' Jessie led Venture over to where the guide poles started, watching Amy as she led the pony through the water. Venture's interest was pricked for a little bit, his attention on the pony then he sighed as if he were bored by the proceedings.

'Alright, let's take him through this time.'

She waited till Amy had started leading Sugarfoot through the water again then started forward with Venture. They reached the water and the gelding stopped, sniffing at the water. Out of the corner of her eye she could see Amy had stopped the pony and was waiting for her. 'It's just water boy.' She assured him, letting him take the time to see that it wasn't dangerous and he could go through it. 'Don't you want to join your buddy?'

Venture sniffed at the water for a little longer then cautiously placed a hoof in. The girl stood back, letting him take his time and the gelding started to paw at the water. She laughed as her jeans got soaked. 'Okay, enough mate. I don't want a bath.'

Amy chuckled watching them. 'Alright, try and bring him though now.'

'Let's go Venture.' She encouraged, walking through the ditch. The gelding sniffed at the water one more time then cautiously walked forward, joining Sugarfoot in between the two ditches. 'Good boy.' She rubbed his shoulder. 'Good boy.'

'I'd call that a success.' She smiled. 'Let's do it again.' She started forward with Sugarfoot again, looking back to watch Jessie as the girl led Venture through the ditch. 'Good work.'

'See boy. Nothing to be worried about.' She grinned, patting the gelding again. 'How about we see if he can do it by himself? He doesn't need me now.'

'Sure, let's give it a shot.'

'Okay then.' She tied the leadrope around the gelding's neck so the horse didn't trip over it. 'Your on your own boy.'

'Come on boy.' Amy led Sugarfoot to the water, enticing him across with some oatcake treats she'd gotten for him. Venture followed, only pausing slightly at the water and she smiled, glancing at Jessie. 'You were right, he doesn't need anyone to show him.'

Jessie chuckled. 'When am I wrong?'