Chapter 33 [Kent Farm—A Few Minutes Earlier]
Martha hung up the phone. I'm glad Jonathan put the hay down in that stall last night. She had to smile at Dubois' comparison however. Lana does have her mother's streak with the horses all right. At least she'll be able to tend to Winter and ride her. Maybe we can all get along. What happened to this horse that she's so shy? She frowned while walking out the door.
Quiet draped the driveway and surrounding yard. Nothing seemed out of place around the barn or the adjacent fields for that matter…
…at least in that particular heartbeat…
Let's hope David can have some influence. She sucked in a calming breath and headed for the barn. Chill raised the hairs on her neck and arms.
Obsidian Flash brought the Child, Lana and Winter into the barn without warning.
Winter reared. Terror over the unfamiliar setting caused that reaction.
"Aw nuts!" He shook his head. "Ah jus' wanna help!" He kicked at the dirt.
"You're not helping!" Lana snapped at him. She turned to the scared horse. "I know. I know. It's sudden! We're in that new place! See? This is what I told you about." Soothing Energy emanated from her toward Winter.
Winter relaxed. She shuddered and backed away from him.
"Ah did nothin' to 'er! Ah care! 'Kay? Wha' she want? Spend a week in a metal box?" He shook his head. "Wha'ver. Ah'll git. S'rry." He stalked out of the barn and vanished again.
Martha looked at the door and then at Lana. "What just happened?"
Lana let out a deep sigh. She rubbed her forehead. "He was trying to save Winter a week in a trailer. The problem is she's scared of him. The transition between Wabash and here frightened her too." She stroked the nervous horse's flank. "Winter's really sensitive. Her last owners abused her." She pointed to the scars.
"My goodness!" Disbelief and Horror slackened her jaw and paled her face. "No wonder."
"She's really great once she gets to know you." Lana noticed Winter standing in the corner. "See? She needs to adjust. That's it." She edged her way over to the horse. "He's gone. It's okay. I've got a really nice person for you to meet. This is Miss Martha."
"Hi, Winter! Welcome!" Martha reached into the burlap bag on Jonathan's workbench. She brought out a carrot. "Want a snack, Girl?"
Winter's ears perked up. She sniffed at the snack. Her eyes slowly turned to Lana.
"It's okay, Girl. Go ahead. That's all yours! Then I'll show you that great place I promised with fresh hay! Tonight I'll give you some oats and everything!" Lana patted Winter's flank.
Winter whinnied. She sniffed Martha's hand. Her nose rubbed up against it.
"Thank you. I'm so glad you liked it! Come on! We'll show you that place." Martha led Lana and Winter toward the new pen. She unlatched the door. "Here you go!"
"Thanks, Mrs. Kent! Come on, Winter. Here's your new home!" Lana grinned. "We have Buttercup over there on our left. I'll bet you two get along really great! I know you miss having Rumrunner even if he's high strung. It's okay. We'll have plenty of company here for you. We care. All right?"
Winter rubbed Lana's hand with her nose as well. Contentment eased her mood.
"That's right. Wait until Jonathan meets you!" Martha rubbed Winter's flank as well.
Bonding eased the transition and welcomed Winter to her new home….