Morning sunlight shining on my face was what woke me up. Moaning slightly and taking a look at my surroundings, I noticed that I wasn't in Spartan's stall anymore; I was in my own bed in my room.
Grandpa or Peter must have brought me up here I thought sitting up and stretching. Taking a look at my alarm clock, I was surprised to see that I had not only slept through the morning chores, but I was also an hour late for school.
"Crud!" I yelled jumping out of bed and trying desperately to find my cell-phone so I could call my adviser.
"Amy is everything okay in there?" asked Lou's voice through my door.
"No, I'm late for school and I can't find my phone!" I called looking desperately through my desk.
I heard the door open and knew Lou had entered.
"Amy calm down, I already called Mrs. Johnson, and explained the situation," said Lou making me stop in my tracks.
"You did? Well why didn't any wake me up?" I asked.
"Amy we found you asleep in Spartan's stall with your face red from crying," she replied putting an arm around my shoulders and steering me toward my bed. Pushing me gently to sit down, I complied, and she sat down next to me. "Amy what happened?"
I sighed. It wasn't a big secret that Ty's leaving had effected me deeply; well what would anyone expect? I loved him but obviously he didn't feel the same way. "Ty was here yesterday," I replied.
"And?" she asked. "What happened?"
I shrugged my shoulders. "I don't know, I was just so hurt and angry at him, I . . . I smacked him and told him to leave," I replied.
Lou sighed. "Amy, I know it's hard to forgive him, I found it hard to forgive Carl after what he did, but . . . did Ty try to talk to you?" she asked.
I exhaled. "Yeah, but I wouldn't listen," I replied. "It's not like he has anything to say anyways."
"You never know, men are a curious breed, they do things they think is right, and yet, it does more harm than good," she replied. "And, I have a question, besides school, did you have anything else planned for today?"
"Yeah, Ashley asked me to come over at one o'clock today to look at a horse," I replied.
"Is it anything serious?" she asked.
I shook my head. "Just a case of a girl's parents not knowing anything about horses and forcing her to ride a horse that is too much for her," I replied.
"Ah, well if you want you can still go," she replied. "I have an interview with a potential applicant today at three so . . . take your time."
"Alright, thanks Lou," I said.
"Okay, there's some breakfast in the oven for you when you come downstairs," she said, standing up, and leaving.
After showering and changing my clothes, I walked downstairs, took out the plate of breakfast from the oven, and placed it in the microwave to heat it up.
Alright, since you have the day off today from school, I can at least focus on one of the problem horses I thought. I'll ask Mallory to exercise Jasmine today and for the next three days to see how she handles it before we start switching back and forth. Solly needs a lesson on being led around by the halter and then I'll go check out Starlight I thought as the microwave beeped letting me know it was done heating my breakfast.
I took the plate out of the microwave, grabbed a fork, and ate my breakfast as the door opened and Mallory stepped in.
"Oh my God, Amy are you alright?" she asked walking toward me.
"Yeah, I just . . . saw someone yesterday is all," I replied.
"Who?" she asked. "Cause all I know is, I came back from my errands and you were asleep in Spartan's stall with tears running down your face. You looked as though you saw a . . . wait . . . you mean . . . Ty was here?"
I nodded. "Yeah," I replied, suppressing the knot in my throat.
"Did he say anything?" she asked.
"Let's not talk about it right now okay?" I asked. "Cause I need your help today and for the next three days."
"Let me guess, you want me to ride Jasmine and then we'll start switching?" she asked.
"Yeah . . . how'd you guess?" I asked.
"Amy I've been helping you with some of the problem horses and ponies for like . . . a year, I think I know when it's time to start testing a horse or a pony," she said.
"Yeah, I also need to work with Solly before heading over to Briar Ridge," I replied scraping the last of the food on my plate into my mouth before placing the plate and fork in the sink.
"Why are you going over there?" she asked.
"Ashley wants me to take a look at Starlight," I replied. At the confused look on her face, I continued to explain. "See Fiona's parents have fired Frank De LaBlanc and . . ."
"Frank De LaBlanc? Are they nuts? He practically abuses horses plus he sent that one horse to slaughter just because he couldn't get the horse to submit to him," she said voicing my very own opinion.
"Exactly, well apparently she thinks that if I take a look at him and give my thoughts about what is needed, they'll get rid of LaBlanc," I replied. "Or something . . . I don't know . . . this is Ashley she's crazier than a fruit loop sometimes."
"Not exactly the words I use but then again that's just my opinion," she replied. "Anyways, all of the horses have been fed, let out into the pasture, and the stalls have been cleaned out. Plus the aisle's been swept and mopped."
"Wow, did anyone help you?" I asked.
"No, Caleb still hasn't shown up and I already miss Sarah," she replied. "Oh and speaking of which, I was gonna ride Sonya in the ring this afternoon. I was gonna ask if you wanted to make a video to go with the ad, but since you're busy today, it will at least give me an opportunity to feel how she goes."
"Alright, well how about this, you'll do the flat-work and I'll do the jumping part when it comes to the video?" I asked.
"Sounds good to me," she replied. "I'll go get Jasmine ready to go for a ride," she adds and leaves.
I chuckle. "Okay Mallory," I say, rinsing off my plate and fork, putting them both in the dish rack, and went to go put my boots on.
Considering it was ten o'clock when I actually started working, I actually got more accomplished than I thought I would. Jasmine still gave Mallory some problems, but with Mallory's calm encouragement, Jasmine started settling down, ending the session on a good note. Solly, a dark-bay Thoroughbred colt that I was training to learn the basics using my mom's remedies, did really well being led by the halter around the ring. Tomorrow will be his first time being led to the pastures and back.
All too soon it was twelve o'clock and it was time for me to drive over to Briar Ridge.
"Be careful alright, don't step on another trainer's toes," said Grandpa as I made myself a sandwich to go.
"I will Grandpa don't worry," I replied. "All I'm doing is checking him out, that's all," I add. "Good luck with the interview."
"Yeah . . . Amy about that . . ." he began looking uncomfortable.
"What is it?" I asked.
He sighed and shook his head. "Never mind, don't worry about it," he said. "You just focus on this fancy Arabian Mallory was talking about yesterday and Lou and I will take care of things here while you're gone."
"Okay," I replied kissing him on the cheek. "See you later," I add and left.
The drive to Briar Ridge was uneventful as usual, but my mind kept replaying the conversation I had with Grandpa. What was so special about this job interview that he couldn't even finish a sentence? So we'll have a new person taking over Caleb's job while Caleb is off traveling.
It's probably because Caleb will be gone for a whole year instead of for six months said the voice in my mind.
Don't be ridiculous, it's probably because I don't know who's applying for the job I thought turning onto the driveway that led to Briar Ridge Stables and drove toward the parking lot.
Ashley was waiting for me, waving her arms above her head.
I shook my head at her attempt to get my attention, but parked the truck next to her and cut the engine. "Hey Ashley," I said taking the keys out of the ignition and stepping out of the truck.
"Hey I'm glad you came," she said.
"Well I did say that I would come," I said.
"Alright, he's over in this barn," she said and led the way to one of the many twelve stall barns the Stantons owned.
I followed Ashley and entered the cool, dim barn.
Looking around I still marveled at the beautiful, majestic horses that Ashley, her mom, and some of the riders owned. Taking a look around, I saw horses that were worth over half-a-million dollars; Warmbloods and Thoroughbreds, even one that looked like a combination of both.
Walking down the aisle, I saw grooms and stable hands doing the usual afternoon chores.
"He's over here," said Ashley stopping in front of a stall that held the beautiful gelding.
Looking inside I expected the gelding to be alert and quite possibly moving around, or at least doing something. However, all he was doing was standing by the half-open door to his stall in the back, looking outside.
"He's always doing that, I suggested to Fiona that she let him out into one of the pastures, but she said she doesn't need him to get loose and dirty," explained Ashley.
"So he's basically kept in his stall all day except when she rides him?" I asked.
"Yep, the groom is too busy to give him much attention," she replied.
"May I . . ." I began when a voice rang out.
"Excuse me but what are you doing near my horse's stall?" asked a female voice.
We turned around to see Fiona standing behind us, her hands on her hips.
"I was . . ." I began not knowing how to respond to that. How exactly can I explain that I was checking on her horse when she didn't even know that I was supposed to be there?
Thankfully, Ashley came to the rescue.
"Oh she's here to visit me, we were walking toward Apollo's stall and she wanted to see how you and Starlight were doing," she said.
"Well as you can see he's doing fine," she said stepping up to the stall.
"Well . . . actually he looks as though he could use some time outside, why don't you lead him out into the pasture?" I suggested innocently.
She scoffs. "Maybe that's okay for your little Warmblood, but Starlight is a purebred Arabian; he's come all the way from Saudi Arabia from the Sheik of Sheiks," she said.
"Well from the look of things, he's too much horse for you," I said. "And I hear your parents have hired Frank De LaBlanc?"
Her face faltered just a bit, but soon the cold indifferent mask came back up. "Yep, he's gonna help me and Starlight get ready for some shows," she said.
I nod my head. "Good luck," I say. "Hey Ashley you said Apollo has been cribbing right?" I ask praying she would take the hint.
"Huh . . . oh yeah . . . we've tried all kinds of those anti-cribbing sprays and he just keeps chewing on his stall," she replied.
"Alright, well let's go take a look and we'll go from there," I said as we walked away from Fiona.
When we were safely at Apollo's stall, Ashley turned toward me.
"Alright, we'll hang out here until her lesson and then we'll watch the lesson," said Ashley.
I nod, taking a look at Apollo. The gelding was alert and was happily munching on his hay. The perfect picture of a happy, healthy horse.
We didn't have to wait long before we heard a French accented voice coming into the barn.
Ashley and I looked at each other.
"He's here early," she said.
"Let's go watch for a bit," I said walking down the aisle.
As we reached Starlight's stall, I saw Fiona, her parents, and a man who must be LaBlanc standing in front of the stall. LaBlanc was going over Starlight's papers, making notes in a notebook about the gelding.
"Alright, lead him out, let's see his conformation, see if there are any defaults with him," said LaBlanc.
Fiona grabbed the lead rope that hung next to the stall, opened the stall door, and walked in. "Come on boy, let's go for a little walk," she said nervously.
"Be stricter girl!" yelled LaBlanc. "He's a horse for crying out loud not a puppy!"
Starlight began snorting and the whites of his eyes showed.
"This is not good," I whispered to myself, watching as the gelding backed away from Fiona. Fiona was trying to corner Starlight which would make him not only frightened, but more likely to . . . BOLT!
Fiona screamed as Starlight charged at her, making her and everyone else jump out of the way as the gelding raced out of his stall, spun around on his hindquarters, and race away toward the open doors.
"Loose horse!" one of the grooms shouted.
I raced back to Apollo's stall, ran into his stall, leaped onto his strong back, and urged the gelding after Starlight.
"Amy!" yelled Ashley as I raced past her.
I knew what I was doing was wrong, but the way Starlight was going, if no one caught him soon, he could run all the way to the road and get hit by a car.
Leaning low over Apollo's withers, I urged the gelding a little faster until I caught sight of Starlight, still galloping toward the open road.
"Come on boy, we need to catch that gelding," I whisper to Apollo.
Apollo snorted and lengthened his stride starting to catch up to Starlight.
As we closed the gap between us, I stuck a hand out and grabbed hold of Starlight's halter, pulling both geldings to a halt.
Starlight whinnied but slid to a halt when Apollo stopped.
Hopping off of Apollo's back, I checked Starlight over to make sure he hadn't been injured during his gallop; feeling nothing wrong with an initial check, I checked Apollo, knowing Ashley would kill me if anything happened to him. He was alright as well, but only time will tell if they had strained anything.
Instead of riding, I walked, leading both geldings back to the barn where LaBlanc was talking to Fiona and her parents.
"Completely disobedient, I will need to start from the basics with him," he said and I felt hot, white anger surge through me.
"He only ran out because you keep him locked up in his stall all the time," I said, surprising not only myself but apparently everyone else as well.
"Excuse me little girl, but I think I know more about horses than you do," said LaBlanc sneering at me as though I was a kid not worthy of his time.
I ignored him and turned to Fiona. "How many times do you ride him a week?" I asked.
She cleared her throat. "Three times for lessons," she replied.
"What's this about?" asked Mr. Langsley.
"Owning a horse isn't just like owning a car, you need to take care of it and ride it almost everyday unless you have someone else riding him for you," I said. "Look at the difference between him and Apollo; I know Ashley rides Apollo nearly everyday and he's more loyal and obedient then Starlight here."
"And you think you can turn him into a champion?" asked LaBlanc.
"I trained and competed both Champion and Storm didn't I?" I asked. "Champion and his owner are now on the 'A' circuit, while Stuart Forest wants to try Storm tomorrow."
Okay, I know I was speaking boldly, especially since they had already hired LaBlanc, but I just couldn't let Starlight go to him, especially after hearing about all of the horrible stories about him.
"Okay little girl, you think you're the better trainer, then why don't you try him?" asked LaBlanc. "That is if anyone wants to hire a young girl who's only trained two horses," he adds chuckling.
I looked at Fiona. "It's your call," I said.
"You can help us win shows?" she asked.
"Only if you're willing to work with me and do what I say," I replied.
"If you accept this Fiona, you're paying for it," said Mr. Langsley. "I've already spent enough money on this animal and I refuse to throw away more good money if he can't return the investment."
I looked at Fiona and . . . I almost began to feel sorry for her. From the look of things, her father was always going on about repaying him back for any money he spent on her, while her mother just stood by and did nothing.
"Alright, when can we begin?" she asked looking at me.
"How about Wednesday?" I suggested.
"Alright," she replied while her parents gave exasperated looks to each other.
"Amy," said Ashley coming out of the barn with Apollo's lead rope. "Is he okay?" she adds clipping the lead rope to the gelding's halter.
I let go of his halter. "Yeah, he just needs some rest," I replied.
"Alright talk to you later," she replied and left leading Apollo around to cool him down.
"Let's get this boy back into his stall and we'll settle the arrival date," I said to Fiona, leading the gelding toward the barn.
She followed, keeping some distance between herself and Starlight as though afraid he would bite.
After rubbing Starlight down, we went out to my truck, and I grabbed the organizer that Lou made me start keeping. Looking at the date for Wednesday, I noticed that, besides putting up both the ad, the pictures, and the video of Sonya, I was pretty much gonna be doing what I normally do during the week.
"Alright, I'm free Wednesday morning so why don't we make it Wednesday at eleven o'clock?" I asked.
"Sounds good," she said. "By the way, thanks for catching him."
"No problem," I replied. "Plus also, I'm gonna need every bit of information you have on him."
She nodded. "Sure, no problem," she replied. "See you Wednesday."
"See you," I said getting into my truck and drove away, wondering how the heck I was gonna tell Grandpa that I had taken on another horse to train.
But this horse really needs help, otherwise it'll be destroyed beyond repair I said to myself.
But if these two aren't a compatible match, there's not much we can do said common sense.
I sighed. We'll see, it might be because her parents are always pressuring her I thought turning into Heartland's driveway.
As I came up to the main house, I noticed a truck parked next to the barn. That's strange, I don't remember expecting anybody I thought turning off the ignition and getting out of my truck.
The front door opening and closing caught my attention and I turned around to see . . .
Oh you've gotta be kidding me what the hell is he doing back here?
Grandpa stood on the porch. Standing next to him was the one person I'd rather be anyone, even LaBlanc, then Him right now.
Ty.