VII.

"This is Blaze and her foal Phoenix. On the left there's Oscar, the white one, Tess' horse, and Eagle, Claire's gelding. Meg's and Jodi's horses are Star and Tucker, the two brown ones that stand so close together. And the chestnut is mine. It's name is Yarrick." Becky smiled. "And then we have the cattle and the sheep, so there is lots of work for us each day. But maybe Claire lets you ride one of the new horses until your horse is fit to go back in the race." said Becky and pointed out the horses she was talking about.

Alyssa listened and looked at the horses with a very content smile. "They all look good. I love horses…guess I've spent more time with my horses than with other people. I've started training the horses on my father's farm when I was 4. I've trained Rahima myself. I know that she doesn't look like being in a good condition, but she was… I've also worked with her foal, Navarro until he was taken away."

"Where is he?" Becky asked, curiously.

Alyssa quickly changed the subject. "And what about the other horses?"

"We also have horses for training here, like dark brown Cassino, Beltane over there and chestnuts Brave Jay and Rocket. Claire and Alex train them and I have to say, they're doing a good job. You'll see, in a few months, everyone around here wants to have his horses trained by Claire and Alex." Becky continued, pretending not to have noticed the little change in Alyssa. "And you've trained horses, too?"

Alyssa did not answer but let her gaze travel over the paddocks and horses and the trees on the horizon.

Becky knew better than to ask further. "Well then, you should go to Tess and let her take care of the mess you call hair. No offence, but have you looked at yourself lately?" Becky smiled and Alyssa understood that she really was intending to place offence.

"You think so?" Alyssa said and almost laughed. She carefully brushed through her hair and sighed. "I think you're right. Are you sure that Tess can help?"

"Yeah! You can come back and help me with the sheep afterwards."

Tess grinned when Alyssa came to her. "Yeah yeah, guess I know why you're coming. Sit down. Would you like a cup of coffee?"

Alyssa nodded thankfully. She sat down on a chair in front of the large wooden table and folded her hands in her lap.

Tess put the cup with the hot black liquid down before the blond girl and sat down next to her. She eyed her carefully and when Alyssa turned her head, Tess smiled. She put her head to one side and began to speak.

"So…what happened to you?" Tess was always very direct.

Alyssa tilted her head and stared down.

Tess was quiet for a moment and then came a little closer. "Please, Alyssa. Something has happened to you and I just want to help. We all just want to help. You can trust me…"

Suddenly the girl looked up sharply. "I don't want to talk about it, ok?" she hissed. "I can't…"

"I know, you already said that…But please understand, it is pretty difficult for us to…to…well, to help you when you keep it all inside." She put one hand on the girl's shoulder and changed the subject. "Well, take all the time you need, ok? Now, are you ready to have your hair cut?"

About one hour later, Tess finished with Alyssa's new haircut and let her go back to Becky. Her blond hair was now cut shorter than before. But Becky was nowhere to be found. Didn't she say that she would need help with the sheep? But neither the blond girl nor the sheep were to be seen anywhere. Alyssa searched around the property and finally ended up at the paddock where Phoenix was. The chestnut coloured foal was tall for her age and had the same beautiful head like her mother Blaze. She would be a good stud mare and a good cutting horse in a few years with the good training that she would receive by Claire and Alex. Coming to think of Alex, Alyssa was very unsure of what to think of him. There were mixed feelings, fright, anger and something that came close to a passionate thought of affection for that man. But there was too much in her head, too much that weighed heavy on her soul and heart, that could not be forgotten so easily, if not never at all. But then, he was a man, and most of the time, men were pigs.

Phoenix trotted towards her and put her reddish head against Alyssa's tender hand while she scratched her neck and patted her inquisitive nose which was searching for something to eat. Alyssa laughed and pushed the curious horse back a little. Rahima had been like that when she was younger, the girl remembered. The mare was in quiet a bad condition and it was all her fault. But there had not been any other way. Lost in thoughts, it was not long before she now heard Meg shout that dinner was ready.