Chapter Five. Gentling.
After breakfast Monday morning, Nick and Heath returned to Nick's room. "Is there any good reason I can't go to work today?" Heath asked.
"Just one. Mother."
"You don't need me here to babysit you."
"Darn tootin' I don't."
"Then why don't I just go?"
Nick shook his head. "You don't want to cross Mother."
"I got a feeling I'm gonna end up doing precisely that. And soon." Heath paced the room. "C'mon. We're not gonna sit in this room all day. Let's go to the stables and visit that stallion."
"Sounds good to me."
Once downstairs, Nick glanced around nervously.
Heath slapped Nick's left arm. "C'mon. Hurry," he said conspiringly. "Let's git while the gittin's good." He quietly opened the large door, and they both darted through.
They stopped in the stables first. Nick visited with his Appaloosa—mainly just laying his head on the animal as though gaining strength—while Heath brushed Gal. Then Heath grabbed a bucket and filled it with treats for the stallion, being sure to spoil Gal as he walked by.
At the corral, Heath again sat on top of the fence while Nick stood next to it, leaning on the top rail. The stallion, on seeing them, charged at the fence, then reared.
Nick jumped back.
Heath didn't flinch.
The stallion stopped just short of Heath, then took a couple of steps back.
Heath grinned at him. "See? I trust you. How 'bout an apple? Would you like that?" He took a bite from the apple first so the horse could understand it was a treat, then held it out.
The stallion pawed the ground, but then grabbed the apple. He backed off and ate the apple in the distance. Then he ran around the perimeter of the fence, coming nearer to Heath with each round.
Heath glanced at Nick. "He's gonna be easy to train. Good horse. Really good horse."
"What are you going to name him?" Nick asked.
"Ain't my place to name him." Heath picked out a carrot and held it out.
"Why not? He's your horse, ain't he?"
Heath looked at Nick. "I got no right to claim him."
"You have every right to claim him."
The stallion bucked in the center of the corral, then raced towards Heath, again stopping inches from the man. And, again, Heath didn't flinch.
"You sure got nerves of steel."
"It's just a game he's playing. He wants to see if I trust him or not." Heath continued holding out the carrot. "I can't expect him to trust me if I don't trust him, can I?"
Nick shrugged. "Guess not."
They silently watched as the stallion neared again, grabbed the carrot, then darted off.
"Charger," Heath said.
"What?" Nick asked, taking his eyes off the horse to look at Heath.
"Charger. That's the horse's name."
Nick smiled. "Good name for him."
Heath glanced quickly at Nick. "Can I really keep him?"
"Of course you can. He's yours."
"Thanks," Heath said, his lop-sided grin growing. "He's gonna make a great companion."
Heath continued handing treats to the horse one at a time. Charger had less hesitation with each treat.
"It's lunch time," Nick said suddenly. "We better get in the house before Mother knows we're gone."
"I'm sure she's already figured it out," Heath said.
Nick led the way into the house.
Victoria was in the living room and looked up as they entered. "Where have you boys been?"
Nick stuttered.
"Outside," Heath answered firmly. He met her look with a raised eyebrow that dared more questioning.
Her eyebrow flashed, but she said nothing.
The brothers ran upstairs to clean up, then came down to lunch. Silas had made hot turkey sandwiches covered with mashed potatoes and gravy. Heath had never seen such a thing. He watched Nick to see how to eat it.
Nick just cut off pieces of the sandwich with his fork, dipped it in the potatoes and gravy, and ate it.
Heath imitated him. "Boy howdy, this is good."
"It's one of Nick's favorites," Victoria said.
"Heath claimed him a horse today," Nick said while chewing a big mouthful.
"You did?" Victoria asked with a smile.
Heath glanced at her. Okay, maybe she was over her anger. He nodded. "Charger. Wild stallion."
"You won't believe the way he's breaking that horse. He just sits on the fence and gives him treats," Nick said.
"It's called gentling." Heath took a drink of water. "It allows the critter to build up trust. I'll have him eating sugar out of my hand within the next couple of days. Maybe get a saddle on him by the end of the week."
"Do you mind if I come and watch tomorrow?" Victoria asked.
"You do that," Nick agreed. "It's something to watch."
After lunch, they went back out to the corral. Heath took a bag of sugar cubes with him. He took his position on the fence while Nick leaned against it again. And, again, Charger charged at them. This time, Nick didn't flinch either. Charger stepped back and pranced around as though proud he'd converted Nick.
Heath picked up a carrot but put it higher on his arm this time. Charger didn't hesitate but came and grabbed the treat.
Heath then put a sugar cube in his hand and held it out. Charger came up to investigate. He sniffed the offering, then gently took it.
With his famous crooked half-smile, Heath looked at Nick. "Did you see that?"
"Yep."
"I'll let him do that a few more times, and then I won't give him one until he lets me touch him."
"Okay, little brother. Go right ahead."
Heath smiled. Nick calling him "little brother" felt like a warm hug.
Charger pranced over the corral, but quickly came back for more sugar. Heath held a cube out to him. "Notice how gentle he takes it? I mean, for a wild stallion?"
Nick nodded.
Soon, Charger was back. "Okay, buddy," Heath said quietly. "Will you let me touch you? I won't force it." He held a sugar cube in his left hand close to his body so Charger had to lean in to get it. While the horse thought about this new situation, Heath slowly moved his right hand near Charger's ear. The stallion bolted.
"That's good," Heath said.
"It's good he took off?" Nick looked confused.
"It's good he didn't try to rip my hand off."
"I guess it's always good when you don't lose a hand." He looked at his cast. "Or an arm."
Within the hour, Charger allowed Heath to scratch his ear. By the time the ranch hands were coming in for the day, Heath stood in the corral with Charger, rubbing his neck.
"Will you look at that!" one of the men shouted.
Charger took off, kicking and bucking.
Heath sighed and climbed over the fence. "That's probably long enough for today, anyway."
The men all gathered around Nick and Heath, asking questions and commenting on the stallion. Nick relaxed at the opportunity to catch up with the men. Heath had noticed before that Nick truly enjoyed being with the men—and they seemed to like being around him as well. Nick had a different personality around the men than he did around his family.
Heath chewed on that thought for a few minutes, but then the answer came to him quickly. The men respected Nick and showed their respect, while his family—at least Jarrod and Victoria—belittled Nick and treated him like a child. And that needed to stop.
On Tuesday, Charger allowed Heath to brush him. Victoria came out to visit, and she was as surprised as Nick. "This is a wild stallion?" she asked.
"Yep," Nick replied. "Definitely wild. But he sure likes Heath."
Heath was in the corral talking softly to Charger, brushing him and giving him ample treats. He looked up at Victoria and smiled.
She returned the smile. "He sure has a way with horses."
"Darnedest thing I ever saw." Nick shook his head.
On Wednesday morning, Heath put a saddle blanket on Charger. The stallion didn't even try to shake it off. In fact, he seemed proud to have it, as though it were a trophy of some sort. Before leaving for lunch, Heath put a saddle filled with carrots and apples in the corral. Next to the saddle, he placed the cinch, bridle, reins, bit, and stirrups. He didn't plan to introduce all of them to Charger yet, but he wanted the horse to get used to the equipment. "You sniff around and see that saddle ain't gonna hurt you none," Heath told Charger while scratching his ears. "We'll see about putting it on you after lunch."
After lunch, Heath brushed Charger, gave him several treats, then put the saddle blanket on. After a few minutes of Charger prancing around with only the saddle blanket, Heath held the saddle next to him. "Now, you'll feel the weight of this but it won't hurt ya. Just relax. If you don't like it, we'll take it back off and give you a while to get used to it, okay?" He scratched the animal's ears. "You're a smart young fellow, ain't ya?"
Heath moved to be in front of Charger, and again showed him the saddle. "You ready, big fellow?" Heath walked to the side and lifted the saddle over the horse's back.
Charger took off, trying to throw the weight off him. Heath didn't move. He just stayed in the corral, waiting for Charger to calm down and return to him. And he soon did. After again talking to him softly and showing him the saddle, Heath tried again. He had the same result.
Heath walked to Nick.
"You gonna give it up for a while?" Nick asked.
"Nope. I think I'm gonna go get Gal and let him see me saddle Gal."
Nick grinned. "Boy, you are something else." He walked with Heath to the stables.
Gal was happy to see Heath. He brushed her, then put a bridle on her, and led her out to the corral. He looked at Nick. "Do you think I should put her in the corral with Charger, or keep her out here?"
Nick shrugged. "I never did this before." He studied the stallion. "I think Charger is calm enough that he won't hurt Gal."
"They actually met last week when I was visiting him," Heath said. "He didn't try to bother her then."
"Why don't I go in the corral with you?" Nick suggested. "Then, if Charger gets aggravated, you can calm him while I get Gal out of the way."
Heath considered. Victoria would have a fit if she saw Nick in the corral. He gave a small smile. "I think that's a great idea! You feel up to it?"
"Sure beats standing around twiddling my thumbs."
Heath led Gal into the corral while Nick opened and closed the gate, coming inside with Gal.
Charger watched but kept a distance.
Heath brushed Gal, put a saddle blanket on her, and then, making sure Charger was watching, put the saddle on her. He tightened the cinches and released her, allowing her to parade around unhindered in the corral. She went toward the center area, trying to figure out what her owner was trying to do. Charger approached Gal.
Heath's heart pounded. He did worry Charger, a much larger and younger horse than Gal, would attack the old mare. But Charger just sniffed around.
Heath whistled softly, and Gal trotted to him. "Good girl," he said softly, nuzzling her muzzle. Heath continued talking softly to Gal and petting her. He led her around the perimeter of the corral, then returned near the gate where Nick waited.
Again giving Charger time to pay attention, Heath mounted Gal. He leaned forward and scratched her ears, then took her for a trot around the perimeter. Charger watched. Then Heath urged her into a gallop. This time, Charger charged toward them.
"Heath!" Nick yelled.
Heath nodded. He slowed Gal to a trot, guiding her gently as he kept an eye on Charger. "Open the gate when I get near," he called to Nick. "But don't let Charger out."
Nick held the gate open for Heath and Gal, closing it after them so Charger couldn't escape. But Charger charged the gate, knocking into it, throwing Nick to the ground.
Heath hopped off Gal and ran to the gate. "You okay?" he asked Nick.
"Yeah," Nick answered, getting to his feet and dusting himself off.
Heath turned his attention to Charger. "It's okay, boy," he said softly to Charger. "Calm down there." He climbed onto the fence and sat atop it.
Charger was not happy, though, and he reared back, coming dangerously close to Heath. But Heath still didn't flinch. He just talked calmly to the horse, trying to maintain eye contact with him. "Nick," Heath said without taking his eyes off Charger. "Get me some sugar cubes."
Nick left Gal to get the sugar. He gave some to Gal as he passed before he handed the rest to Heath. "I hope you know what you're doing," he said.
"Nope. Not a clue. All new territory," Heath answered, taking the sugar. He waited until Charger had calmed, then held the treat out to him.
Charger approached and took a sugar cube. He paced away, looking contrite.
Heath hopped off the fence and went to Gal. He took the saddle off her and threw it over the fence.
Charger trotted over and pushed at the saddle with his muzzle.
Heath looked at Nick. "I think he wants me to put the saddle on him."
"Just be careful," Nick said. "He was pretty agitated there a couple of minutes ago. Remember, he's still a wild animal."
Heath nodded. He jumped into the corral and stood next to the saddle. Charger came to him.
Heath pet him until Charger's breathing calmed. Then he took the saddle off the fence and held it next to Charger. Then, in one smooth motion, he put the saddle on Charger. Charger pranced happily.
Heath looked at Nick and shrugged.
Charger walked to Heath and stopped.
Heath tightened the cinch and allowed Charger to take another trot around the perimeter. When the horse came back to Heath, he nudged Heath. "What do you want, boy? You want another treat?"
Charger continued to nudge him.
On a lark, Heath went to the side and hopped up onto the saddle. The horse had no bridle or reins.
Heath forced his body to relax, and he spoke softly to the animal.
Charger trotted around the perimeter of the corral, his head held high.
Nick watched nervously, not sure what to do.
Heath shrugged at him, but stayed on the horse, speaking softly to him. Charger continued parading around the corral for over half an hour. He finally went to the fence and stopped, allowing Heath to dismount.
Nick shook his head. "You okay?"
"Yeah. A little shaky, but fine."
"I don't think my heart has beat since he took off with you. What possessed you to jump in that saddle—without a bridle?"
"Just a feeling." Heath faced Nick. "I think he was jealous that I was riding Gal. I think he wants to be my horse."
Nick laughed.
"I'm serious." He started to head over to Gal but stopped. "Maybe you better put Gal up. If I go over there, Charger might get cranky again."
"You want me to wait while you get the saddle off him?"
"No. I think he'll be fine now. Just don't do anything to hurt your arm. If you just put Gal in the stable, I'll come in and brush her."
Heath whistled, and Charger trotted over to him. Heath smiled and looked at Nick.
Nick raised his eyebrow in appreciation, then took Gal to the stable.
Heath gave Charger a carrot, then loosened the cinch and took off the saddle. He grabbed the brush he'd left by the gate and brushed the stallion, talking quietly as he did. Charger nuzzled Heath.
"Yep," Heath said, "You and me are gonna get along just fine. We understand each other, don't we?" He spent some time with him. "Can't wait to see what you do tomorrow, boy. Can't wait to take you out on some trails."
When Heath finished, he turned back to look at Charger. Their eyes met, and Heath could feel his soul reaching out and joining that of Charger's. He smiled and maintained the eye contact until Charger finally turned away.