Tech glanced at his watch. It said, '12:01.' He wondered where Cassidy was. She had asked him to meet her at the outdoor ring at lunch time. He heard hoofbeats behind him. Much to his suprise, he saw Cassidy leading Phantom to the ring. Cassidy smiled at him. "Hey, Tech! I have something I want to show you."
Cassidy walked into the ring. Phantom followed her without hesitation. Tech's eyes widened. The last time he saw Phantom walk into there, Cassidy nearly landed on the ground. Cassidy mounted Phantom and urged her into a trot. They trotted around the ring several times. She then pointed Phantom at one of the jumps set up in the ring. Phantom flew over it easily. Cassidy brought her to a halt in front of Tech. She slid off of the mare. Tech put his hands up. "Well! And I thought I saw everything!" He laughed. "How in the world did you do that?"
"All thanks to you." Cassidy smiled at him.
"Me? What did I do?"
"What you said the other night, about facing my fear. You were right. And not just about me, but also about Phantom. We both needed to try. And thanks to you, Phantom's now enjoying doing what she loves. Competing."
Tech was silent, having no clue what to say. Cassidy led Phantom out of the ring. She hooked her free hand through Tech's arm and the three walked into the barn. After putting away Phantom's saddle and bridle, Cassidy came out of the tack room carrying Tech's jacket. She handed it to him. "You..uh, forgot your jacket the other night."
"Thanks." He took it from her.
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Meawhile, Duck was in Shadow's stall, brushing him. Shadow enjoyed this. He had missed Duck while he was on the trail ride. Mr. Boswell walked over and peeked over the door. "He really seems to like you." He commented.
Duck turned around. "Yeah, he kinda does."
"Well, it's around the time that he was halter broke." Mr. Boswell entered the stall, carrying a tiny foal halter. "Would you mind helping?"
"Okay." Duck hugged the foal's neck, keeping him still long enough for Mr. Boswell to slip the halter on his head. When Duck let Shadow go, he tilted his head to the side, trying to see what was on his face. Then, he tried to rub it off on Duck. After a few minutes, Shadow gave up and pranced around his stall, as if nothing happened. Duck smiled.
"Why don't you let him out in one of the pastures to let him stretch his legs?" Mr. Boswell suggested.
"Sure. Come on, Shadow." Duck called to the black foal. Shadow followed Duck outside, sticking right next to him. Duck opened the gate to an empty pasture. Shadow looked at Duck confusedly. "Go run." Duck shooed him in. Shadow hestitantly stepped in. Finding nothing to be afraid of, Shadow took off, giving several small bucks. He attempted to turn around, but, being uncoordinated, he tripped over his long legs.
"Ouch... Doesn't that hurt him?" Duck asked.
"A little bit. Foals are a lot tougher than they look."
Shadow picked himself up and continued to run. After a few minutes, he began to tire. He spread his spindely legs apart so his head could reach the ground. He began to nibble on the grass.
"He's trying to eat solid foods. Good sign." Mr. Boswell nodded.
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"Knock, knock! Anyone home?" Rev called. He was standing outside of Rachelle's room, wanting to see if she was okay.
Rachelle opened the door. "Hey, Rev. What's up?"
"I just wanted to see how you were feeling. Are you okay?"
"Better. I don't feel like I'm going to throw up anymore."
"That's great! Uh, have you been told of the dance after the show?"
"Yes. Why?"
"I was wondering if you...maybe... wanted to go with me...if you wanted to." Rev blushed.
Rachelle smiled. "I would love to. It sounds like fun."
"Do you want to go get some lunch?"
"Sure." Rachelle grabbed Rev's hand and the two walked to the kitchen.
(end chapter 17)