"Can you believe it's Christmas Eve already?" Sam asked. "I thought it would never come."
"Same," Jake said smugly. He wore his lazy tomcat smile as they both lay in the grass next to their horses, enjoying the peace and quiet of the river. This was their fifth "country style" date.
Sam sighed, leaning against her elbows. "Aren't I a genius?" she asked.
"What?" Jake asked, puzzled.
Sam talked, keeping her eyes on the river. "Thinking of the whole 'date on horse-back' thing. You know, I think we could really start something..."
"Naw," Jake said instantly. "I'm sure we're not the only ones who do it. I bet there's a lot of people like us who do the same thing."
Sam wasn't so sure, but kept quiet anyway. For a second she thought she heard the sound of running horses, but then it stopped, and as soon as it stopped it came back again.
Shielding her eyes from the sun, Sam stood up and looked around, not seeing anything at first.
Then, swooping down the hill at full speed, The Phantom appeared along with his band. Sam could only recognize a few. The two blood bays, a chestnut and a paint. As always, there were tons of new feisty yearlings bounding with joy by their mothers and friends. The Phantom's eyes met hers and he let out a loud, powerful whinny.
Jake gave Sam a "don't go near him" look, but Sam pretended like she didn't notice. It wasn't like they were all going to come to them anyway like a bunch of friendly golden retrievers.
"I love it when I see him," Sam said wistfully.
Before she could lay down Jake grabbed her arm and playfully dragged her beside him as he answered his cell phone.
"Hello?"
"Quick Jake, get over here Witch is giving birth!"
"Oh-okay," Jake stuttered, hanging up quickly and putting the phone back in his jean pocket.
"What is it?" Sam asked, worried.
"Mom said Witch is givin' birth, c'mon we gotta go."
Without hesitation they both mounted and ran to Three Ponies. When they got there Sam could already hear Witch's cries.
"Good, you're here!" Maxine said, running up to them. "Come on, the baby's about to be born!"
Sam and Jake smiled when they saw the familiar black mare laying on the ground in her stall.
"I see a head!" Sam exclaimed, pointing to the small, black face poking out.
"C'mon Witch!" Jake cheered, grabbing on to Sam's hand. He dragged her over to the stall and, kneeling down, managed to urge Witch on.
After a while they could see it's legs, and then it's body, until finally the newborn fell into the world. Her little face looked around, disoriented, searching frantically for her mother. Immediately Witch began licking her baby's face.
Jake looked down at Sam. "What should we call her?" he asked, half-smiling.
Sam thought for a moment. "How about...Juniper Breeze?"
Everyone seemed to like it. hahahhahahahhha