'Morning Bel-' Maddie started as she walked up to the mare's yard, chuckling softly as the mare trotted over to the gate to meet her. 'Hey, hello...' Bel was begging for pats and a wide grin was on her face as she gave the mare what she asked for. 'Well, aren't you just the friendly one this morning?' She questioned with a laugh. 'Hey? You miss me or something?'

Bell knickered softly, nudging her coat pocket.

The girl laughed again as she reached inside and pulled out a sugar cube then held it out to the horse. 'Yeah, yeah. That's all you wanted hey? Just want the treat girl...' Bel quickly devoured the sugar cube then began to nudge her for more. Gently she pushed her muzzle away. 'No more, you know the deal.'

Moving her back from the gate so she could enter the yard she headed in and started her morning chores. Bel was right with her, watching her every move as she mucked out the shelter and replaced the sodden straw and topped up her water. Her feed trough and hay net however she left empty since she was going to do some more work with the mare before feeding her.

Heading into the tack room adjoined to the shelter she soon returned with what she needed, placing the items down beside the fence when her phone began to vibrate. She smiled as she saw it was Colton and quickly answered the call. 'Hey Colton.'

'Hey Maddie. I haven't got you at a bad time, have I?'

'No, no. I've just finished with morning chores. What's up?'

'It's Rocky.' Colton explained. 'Looks like he's injured himself somehow. Would you have time to come take a look? Grandma had to go out of town and I'm looking after the horses by myself... I tried contacting the vet but they're too busy and won't be able to come out for a few hours.'

Bel came over to her again and nudged her pockets once more, Maddie pushing her gently away. 'I can come take a look now if you want.'

'That'd be great. I'll come pick you up now. See you soon.'

'Bye.' She hung the call up and returned her phone to her pocket. 'Sorry girl, we'll have to do our session a little later.' She apologized, giving the mare a rub on the neck. 'I'll be back soon.'

After heading to the barn to grab some first aid supplies she headed into the house to grab a quick drink while she waited for Colton. With Christmas being only a couple days ago most of the Christmas decorations were still up.

'You were quick with training Bel this morning.' Abeline remarked as Maddie walked into the kitchen. 'How'd she go?'

'Haven't done anything with her yet.' She replied, pulling a cup out of the cupboard. 'Colton just rang, Rocky hurt himself so I'm going to go over and take a look. That's okay, right? I just realized I should have asked you first...'

'It's fine.' She assured her. 'You don't want any extra help?'

'I'll see how bad Rocky is first and if I need help, I'll let you know.' Going over to the sink her Grandma moved aside to let her reach the tap. 'Dad around?'

Abeline shook her head, adding another dish into the drying rack. 'He got called into work a little while ago.'

'Do you know when he'll be back?'

'No idea.' She glanced down at her. 'I haven't heard you practicing for the Eisteddfod the last couple of days.'

'Um... You kinda need two people to do a duet and considering August is out of action...' She sighed as she placed the empty cup with the rest of the washing up. 'There's always next year.'

'I was having a look over his part this morning,' Abeline continued. 'Doesn't look too difficult.'

Maddie raised an eyebrow. 'You play piano?'

She chuckled softly. 'Who do you think taught Liam and August?'

'You.'

'Correct.'

'And you'd be willing to play with me in August's place in the Eisteddfod?'

Abeline nodded. 'If you want me to.'

'Oh thank you!' Maddie gave her a hug and she laughed.

'I will warn you, I might be a little rusty though.' She said as she returned to the dishes. 'I haven't played in years.'

'I'm sure you'll do just fine.' Maddie encouraged. 'Besides, three weeks is plenty of time for us to put it together. We can do some practice this afternoon.' The sound of a vehicle pulling up outside made her glance over to the window. 'That's Colton. I'll be back soon.'

'Don't forget your scarf and gloves-'

At Abeline's timely reminder she backtracked to the counter and picked the items up with a chuckle. 'Thanks.'

Colton was waiting in the truck as she walked up, having had to take a slight detour to collect the first aid supplies. 'Sorry to keep you waiting-' She apologized as she climbed into the passenger seat. 'Had to go back to get a few things.'

'No worries. Thanks for this.' He replied as she closed the door and they headed down the drive back to the Davidson ranch. 'So, how was your Christmas?'

'Pretty good actually...' She couldn't help the grin on her face. 'I um... I got adopted. Cordell adopted me.'

'Really?' Colton asked, glancing over at her. Maddie nodded. 'That's great news.'

'Still don't think it's really sunk in though.' She continued. 'Part of me still can't believe he actually adopted me. I mean... like, he actually adopted me. I've never had a family except for my mom but now I've been given a chance to have a family... I don't know, it's still a bit hard to get my head around.'

'That's what you wanted though, right?'

'Yeah...' Maddie nodded. 'yeah I did. I just didn't let myself hope for it, you know. I never had the courage to mention it because I was scared he wouldn't have felt the same way I did. In my mind, he only got custody of me cause Bonham and Abby were rejected. I... I've been let down too many times by the person who was supposed to love me the most. My father. Now though... Well, it feels good to be wanted. Like, really wanted. That's more then enough of my crap though-' they both chuckled. 'How was your Christmas?'

Colton sighed heavily as he parked the truck near the horse pasture. 'Okay, I guess. Mom and Dad have gone away for a couple days together so that's something I guess.'

'They still talking divorce?' She questioned, hopping out of the truck.

He nodded as he got out, joining her walking over to the pasture. 'Yeah. Guess I'll just have to wait and see what happens.'

'I hope they work out their differences, but if they don't, remember they both still love you. You've got good parents and just because they split doesn't make them any less good.'

'You sound like you're speaking from experience.' Colton remarked as he picked up Rocky's halter and leadrope from in front of the gate.

'My father...' She paused, biting her lip and he turned to her, waiting for her to continue. 'He walked out on my mom, on me, when I was six. It was my sixth birthday actually, that kind of thing doesn't make for great memories but yeah... Different circumstances. My mom, she was a good mother. My father though... He um... He wasn't so great. Hit the bottle a lot and was involved in the wrong crowd. Living with him wasn't easy, I'm grateful for what I have now. When you hit rock bottom and have nothing it makes you value what you do have...' Her sentence trailed off and she chuckled nervously. 'I um... I didn't intend to share that much. Guess it's been on my mind a lot lately.'

'No, it's cool. I don't mind.'

'You sure?'

'Yeah. I mean, what are friends for, right?'

Maddie smiled. 'Well, if you ever need an ear, you've got my phone number. Now-' She turned to the pasture. 'Let's go see what this guy has done to himself.'

'Here, you might have better luck catching him.' Colton handed her the halter and lead rope after they'd entered the pasture. 'He wouldn't let me near him this morning.'

'No pressure then?' She joked. 'Alright you rascal-' Rocky lifted his head as they walked closer, Maddie hiding the halter and lead rope behind her back. 'You going to come say hello?'

After a moment, the gelding started over to her with a sigh. She chuckled softly, Rocky sniffing at her pockets to see if she had anything hidden in them for him. 'Hey boy... hello...' She gave him a scratch beneath his chin then placed the lead rope around his neck. ''There we go... good boy.'

With Rocky caught Colton came over to join Maddie and she handed him the lead to hold. 'When I came out this morning his rug was off and I found this.' He exclaimed, motioning to the gash in the gelding's shoulder. 'What do you think?'

'Looks kinda deep...' She remarked as she carefully looked over the wound. 'I think it's going to need to be stitched up, I definitely think he needs to be seen too by a vet. How long did you say one would be?'

'Five hours or so.'

'Alright, well, we better give it a wash out at least.' She decided, taking the lead rope back from him. 'Then we'll put him into the yard till the vet can see him.'

After giving the wound a thorough washing out with running water, they turned the gelding into the sheltered yard. Once he was settled in and had been given food and water, there wasn't much else they could do and so they headed back to the Walker ranch so Maddie could work with Bel while they waited for the vet.

Bel was more then happy to see them, whinnying a greeting as both Maddie and Colton walked over to the fence. 'Yes, yes. I'm here now.' Maddie chuckled as the mare trotted over to the gate. 'Look who's with me. You remember Colton right?'

The mare was too busy investigating Colton's pockets through the gate to take any notice of what she was saying.

'She can smell I've got a couple sugar cubes left.' Colton remarked as he gave the mare a pat. 'Is it okay if I give them to her?'

'Go right ahead.' She nodded and smiled as Bel took the sugar cubes he handed to her. 'There's a good girl.' She gave her a pat on the neck as Colton rubbed her face. 'She must really like you.' She remarked as Bel sniffed his cheek then nibbled gently at his jacket collar.

'Didn't you say the way to a horse's heart was through their stomach?' He replied with a grin, still patting the mare. 'How's her training going?'

'Good, really good. I hope to start riding her soon but we'll see how we go. Today I want to see how she'll go with being brought out of the yard. Grampa finished fixing up the paddock for her yesterday so today I'm going to turn her out for a bit.'

'Why can't you just put her in with the other horses?'

'I don't want to at this point in time,' She explained as they walked over to the shelter so Maddie could grab what she needed for training. 'I'd like to get some more training done with her first before putting her out with the herd. Besides, she can still see other horses over there,' she motioned behind the yard to the other pasture where a few horses were out grazing. 'so she's not completely isolated.' As they walked back out of the tack room Bel was waiting for them at the gate. 'When I feel she's ready, I'll introduce her to a couple of the older mares.'

Colton seemed satisfied with that answer and lent against the fence to watch as Maddie started work with Bel. She started off at liberty as she always did, the mare playfully tossing her head as she trotted after the running girl. When she was happy that the mare was with her and in tune with her at liberty, she placed her halter on and ran through her other exercises on the lead.

'Want to see a couple tricks I've been teaching here?' Maddie asked as she brought the mare to a halt, letting her have a break for a moment.

'Sure.'

'Alright-' She pulled a couple feed cubes from her pocket then gave the mare the cue to smile.

Colton laughed as the mare 'smiled', Maddie chuckling as she gave the mare her reward. 'That would make for a great photo.'

'Go ahead then, I'll get her to smile again.' She replied and he drew his phone from his pocket. Bel was more then happy to cooperate especially since there was food involved and he got quite a few good photos of the two of them. 'That's not the only trick I've taught her,' She started a moment later. 'Bel can bow too now.' Giving the mare the cue, Bel went into a bow and Colton began to clap, Maddie laughing as Bel 'smiled' again.

'Oh that's a great photo.' Colton remarked as Maddie got Bel to stand again. 'She seems like she's enjoying this.'

'She does enjoy being the center of attention.' She gave the mare a good scratch on the neck as another reward then led her over to the gate where she had left her whips. 'I'm happy how she's progressing, she learnt both those tricks in only a few lessons.' She explained as she picked up the dressage whip.

Bel snorted, pulling back on her lead as the whip came into view.

'Easy... easy girl.' She soothed as she went with the horse, only lowering the whip once the mare had stopped. 'It's okay, it's okay girl.' Bel was snorting and tossing her head but Maddie made no fuss over her reaction. 'You're okay. You're alright.'

She waited for Bel to relax and calm before she placed the whip on the ground and approached her to give her a pat. 'That's a girl... good girl.' She soothed as she rubbed up and down the mare's face. 'It's okay. It won't hurt you... good girl.'

Knowing that Maddie had her attention fully on Bel, Colton stayed silent as she stepped back to pick the whip up once again.

'Good girl-' Bel threw her head up as she stood again, the mare snorting warily. 'It's okay. That's a girl. You're all right.' She kept speaking softly to her as she held the whip in her hand. 'It's not going to hurt you. You're okay.'

Bel's nostrils flared as she tucked her head in, pawing the ground.

Maddie stood still, not reacting to the mare's nervousness but instead letting her have a moment to express herself. 'You're okay girl.' She watched as an ear flicked back towards her direction. 'Good girl. It's okay. It won't hurt you.'

After a short while, Bel seemed to relax slightly and began to lick her lips.

The teen withdrew from the mare to take the pressure off, letting her have a moment to take a break. Honestly, she wasn't surprised at the mare's response to having the whip around but she was pleased that her reaction hadn't been worse. 'That's a girl.' She spoke gently as she approached her slowly again, Bel lifting her head once more but didn't step back.

'Good girl.' Maddie stopped a couple feet from the mare, reaching over with her free hand to give her a pat. 'It's okay. Good girl...' The mustang relaxed slightly as she kept rubbing her neck and she took another step until she was standing beside her. 'Alright, I want you to take a look at this, okay?' Still speaking softly to her she slowly brought the whip over closer to her and held it towards her muzzle. Bel threw her head up and took a step back but she didn't move and just waited for her to calm again.

The mare eyed the whip for a good moment then her curiosity got the better of her and she cautiously extended her nose forward to sniff it. Quickly she pulled back but the object didn't move and a moment later she sniffed it again then gingerly began to explore the whip with her lips.

A smile came to Maddie's face. 'That's it girl... See? It won't hurt you. It's only an object Bel, just like your feed bucket or halter. It's not scary. It won't hurt you.'

Bel knickered then took the whip in her mouth, tossing her head. The teen chuckled softly as the mare threw the whip onto the ground then sniffed it for a moment before picking it up again.

'It's not that bad, is it?' She questioned as she took the whip from her, wiping the grass and horse slobber off the handle. Bel watched her closely as she wiped her hands in her jeans then Maddie held the whip out to her again. The mare sniffed at it for a moment and gently she brushed the whip over her muzzle.

Bel threw her head up, taking a step back in surprise from the touch.

'It's okay darlin, I'm not going to hurt you. Easy... It's okay.'

The mare stopped, snorting gently.

Maddie approached her slowly again and brushed the whip over her muzzle once more. The mare was wary but didn't bolt backwards and as she persisted, she slowly began to calm and relax.

'I will never hurt you with this.' She promised softly as she kept presenting the whip to her, rub it against her then take it away when she was calm. When she was satisfied that she had done it enough, she dropped the whip on the ground and began to rub the mare's forehead. 'You have my promise Bel, you won't ever be beaten again.'

Bel whinnied softly and placed her muzzle in the girl's hand. Their eyes met, Maddie's eyes beginning to mist as she continued to gaze into the mare's brown eyes. Bel's eyes were soft and kind. Trusting.

It was at that moment Maddie could say without a doubt, she had finally earnt the mare's full trust.

'You're my girl Bel.' She whispered softly as she rubbed the mare's forehead again. 'You're my girl.'

Bel blew softly on her cheek and she smiled then turned to lead her to the gate. She jumped as she saw Colton at the fence and chuckled. 'Oh my God, I forgot you were watching!'

Colton laughed as Maddie led Bel over to the gate, the girl leaning the whip up against the post. 'That was really something Maddie. She's really starting to trust you.'

'Yeah... she is.' She smiled, patting her again. 'Well, I think that's enough for her lessons this morning. Would you mind getting the gate for us?'

'Sure.'

'Just give us a little space, I'm not sure how she'll go with being outside here.'

He nodded as he opened the gate wide, stepping back to let them through.

Bel stepped out with her head up, ears pricked as she looked around. Maddie brought her to a stop as she waited for Colton to close the gate up and then the two of them started to the new paddock. 'That's a good girl.' She praised softly as they walked across the snowy lawn. 'Good girl. Hey Colton-' She glanced back at him. 'would you mind taking a video for me?'

'Not a problem...' He replied as he opened the other gate and closed it again once Maddie had led the mare in.

Bel started to get excited as Maddie loosened the halter, tossing her head as she pawed at the ground. 'Easy... easy... I know you're excited...' She calmed her softly then slid the halter off the mare's face. 'Alright, off you go-'

The mare needed no second invitation for she bolted off at a full gallop, bucking and kicking with glee.

Maddie wore a smile as she walked back to the fence to join Colton, the two of them watching Bel stretch her legs. After he finished recording he returned his phone to his pocket and turned to the girl. 'You've done wonders with her Maddie.'

She felt her cheeks warm slightly at the complement and chuckled nervously. 'I don't know about that-' Her voice trailed off as Bel slid to a stop, rearing and tossing her head. Quickly she pulled out her phone and started taking a video as the mare kept playing in the snow. When the mare settled down she ended the recording and turned back to him. 'I mean, we still have a long way to go. I knew it wouldn't be easy but I wouldn't have it any other way.'

'Alright, off you go...' Maddie said as she slipped the halter from the mare. 'Go on. Off you go.'

Bel snorted then bolted away, the girl chuckling softly as she placed the halter and lead rope over the top rail and lent back against the fence. Over the course of the week the mare had really been progressing by leaps and bounds with her training and she had been impressed by how the mustang was going. The day prior she'd been able to have the equine dentist come see her when he had finished with the Davidson's two horses. With Bel's teeth having been done she was ready to start being mouthed when she felt she could take that next step. Not only had her teeth been fixed but she'd had bodywork done to release a few tense muscles and adjust a couple joints in preparation for her first ride.

With both her teeth and bodywork done, she was ready to have that next step. Being mounted for the first time.

The vibration of her phone interrupted her thoughts and she sighed as she read the text message. It was from Jane, a reminder that applications for the Mustang Makeover closed within the week.

With everything that had been going on, she hadn't even given the Makeover a second thought.

Guess I need to make up my mind now... She thought with a sigh as she returned the phone to her pocket and looked back to her horse. Bel was prancing around in the snow, the mare enjoying her turn out time immensely and she chuckled softly as the mare laid down to roll.

'How'd she go with her training today?' Bonham questioned as he joined her at the fence, resting his arms on the top rail.

'Good, really good.' She replied with a smile then laughed softly as Bel leapt up from the snow, bucking and prancing. 'I think being able to have turn out time has really helped her.'

'She sure looks like she's enjoying it.'

'Yeah, she is.' Maddie agreed. 'I hope to ride her in a couple days.'

Bonham raised an eyebrow. 'You think she's ready for that?'

'I won't get on her if I don't feel she's up to it. I've been laying over her and putting my weight on her and such, I just haven't actually sat on her yet.'

'Well when you want to have that first ride, just make sure someone is here with you when you do it.'

Maddie nodded. 'Promise.' She turned back to the mare, watching as Bel started pawing away the snow to get to the grass beneath. 'Grampa, can I ask you something?'

'You just did.'

'Oh haha.' She rolled her eyes as he chuckled. 'Very funny.'

'What's on your mind Maddie girl?'

'The Mustang Makeover... I just... I don't know if I'm good enough to compete. I mean, I'd be the youngest trainer there if they accept me. Everyone else will have a lot more experience then me. I don't know what to do...'

'I think you do.' He replied after a moment. 'What do you want to do?'

'I'd love to compete, I'm just worried I won't be good enough.'

'Maddie, you've got to get rid of those doubts. You can't live life second guessing yourself. Don't worry about everyone else, just do you. You've been doing great with Bel and at the end of the day, it's not about winning. It's about having a go and learning from the experience.'

'I know...' She sighed softly as she looked down at the fence.

'It's the past bothering you again, isn't it?' Bonham questioned gently.

Maddie nodded after a moment.

'You can't let those fears hold you back Maddie.'

'I know. I just don't want to make a fool of myself.' She admitted sadly. 'I guess too I'm getting worried cause it's getting close to the Eisteddfod too...' She sighed again. 'I want to enter but I'm just scared of failing.'

Bonham placed a hand on her shoulder. 'If Bel is anything to go by there is no way you could fail. It doesn't matter if you come first or last. If you don't enter, do you think you'll regret it down the track?'

'Yeah. Yeah I would.'

'Then that's your answer, isn't it?'

Maddie smiled a little as she looked up at him. 'Guess it is. Only thing though is I need three letters of recommendation to go along with my entry. Entries close this weekend, I might have left it too late to get those letters-'

'You let me worry about that, alright? I can be one and with a couple phone calls, I'll have the other two lined up. I ran into the guy we sold Copper to in town the other day, he couldn't stop talking about how impressed he was with the training you did with him. Just get your other things organized and I'll get those letters for you.'

'Thank you Grampa.'

Bonham chuckled as the teen gave him a hug. 'Well, now that that's sorted, how about you get to those chores you've been putting off?'

Maddie made a face. 'Do I have to clean the chook pen?'

'Maddie-'

She giggled. 'Yes sir, I'll get to it right away.'