The first thing I did when I got up the next morning was check my phone. I wanted to be sure that I didn't miss anything important last night. On the screen it said that I had missed two calls from Dr. Reed and there was one new text from Jennemann about what we were doing in in class this week. I looked at the text from Jennemann first.
'This week in class' it read 'We will be doing Chapter 20 Reading Guide, learning about Ionic and Covalent Bonds, Oxidation Numbers, and how to write formulas. You will need your books so please bring them with you.'
After checking the text from Jennemann I listened to the messages Dr. Reed left me.
'Hey Amy, it's Dr. Reed. I was just calling to tell you the results in the tests for Ebony. His leg is stronger, but I found a small splint in his x-ray. It's nothing serious but it concerns me a bit.I will bring some Anti-inflammatory lotion by sometime tomorrow and I will tell you what you need to do. Sorry for the scare. See you tomorrow Amy. Bye'
After I finished checking my messages I texted Tye.
'Hey Tye. Where are you?'
I set my phone down on my bed and went downstairs to eat breakfast.
"Have you heard from Tye yet?" My mom asked as she walked into the kitchen
"No, not yet. I texted him before I got down here so hopefully he responds."
"Do you know where he is?"
"Mom!" I said "If I knew where he was, I wouldn't be freaking out right now."
"Okay, okay! No need to get snippy with me. After all, I am still your mother."
"Sorry mom. I'm just worried about Tye. That's all."
"It's okay Amy. I know how much you care about him."
"Thanks mom. I think I'm going to work with Snowflake for an hour before class."
"Okay. Sounds good. I'll come get you in an hour."
I walked out of the house and out to the barn. I slide the barn doors open and walk straight for Snow's stall.
"Hey pretty girl. Today is going to be a short session. I have to class today. Jennemann's orders."
I put her halter and lead line on and lead her to the arena to start working with her.
"Snow, Corto!"
She looked at me and went into a Corto.
"Good girl Snow. You're doing good." I said to her softly. "Okay let's try something else. Snow, Largo."
She looks at me in the eyes, and walks toward the arena gates.
"Hey, hey! I don't think so! You don't decide when you get to quit. That's my decision." I said to her pulling on her lead line to make her walk to me.
"Amy! It's time to get ready to go to class." mom called from the barn
"Okay mom! I'll be right there!"
I walked Snow into her stall and walked toward the house to get my things for class.
"Did he say we needed our books?" I asked myself trying to make sure I wouldn't forget anything.
Looking back to the text he sent I packed everything that I needed to be prepared for class. I quickly ran out hte door and to my car.
"Bye mom!" I called from my car
"Bye Amy! See you in a few hours!"
"Love you mom!"
"Love you too sweetheart."
I backed out of the driveway and headed off to school. I got to the stoplight at the school entrance when I felt my phone vibrate. I was hesitant at looking at my phone because the last three times it vibrated it wasn't who I was hoping it was. Looking down at the screen I got excited. Tye had FINALLY texted me!
'Hey Amy. Sorry I didn't get to your calls or texts yesterday.'
'You had me worried! Where are you?'
'I'll explain everything later. Again, I'm sorry. Right now I can't talk.'
'Is everything alright? Were are you?'
'Yeah, everything's okay. Amy, I have to go. I'm sorry. I promise to explain everything later. Bye Amy!'
"Okaaaaay then. That was weird."
i put my phone in my bag and pulled into my parking spot.
"Hey Amy!" My friend Lou called from her car
"Oh, hey Lou! How have you been?"
"Good. I haven't seen you since the accident. Is everything okay?"
"Yeah, I'm getting used to not having dad around, but other than that I've been doing fine. Mom got me a new Paso Fino. She's gorgeous too!"
"Really?! What's her name?"
"Accented With Snow. She's perfect!
"She sounds perfect. What color is she? Grey? Or white?" Lou asked
"She is white with a black stripe on her back left hoof."
"You think I could come check her out sometime?"
"Yeah Lou, come by whenever you want. I'm always in the barn so if you do stop by just come on out to barn two."
"Okay. Well we better get to class before Jennemann finds out we are not there." Lou said.
We walk up the steps to the Science Building and head to room 308. Lou looked in the window to see if Jennemann was in the classroom yet.
"Looks like we still have some time before he gets here." Lou said to me
We walk into the classroom and take our seats. A few minutes later Jennemann walks in and sits down at his desk.
"Okay." He said with his smooth quiet voice "Today we are going to do our Chapter 20 Reading Guide. So I hope you brought your books with you."
Lou turned around in her chair and looked at me. I look over at Jennemann and he is staring at us from his desk.
"Did you bring your book with you?" She asked
"Yeah. I'm guessing you didn't?"
"No. I kinda forgot it. I had it on my desk and didn't grab it on the way out of the house this afternoon."
"Okay. I'll let you use mine."
"Thanks! You're the best!"
Jennemann comes around and passes out the Reading Guide and tells us it is due at the end of the hour.
"WHAT!?!?! ARE YOU SERIOUS JENNEMANN!?!?!" I asked in amazement
"Yeah. You have plenty of time to work on it. So get to work Amy."
He walked back to his desk and graded papers we had turned in last week.
"So Amy. Did you find the answer to number 3?"
"Ummmm....Let me check." I flipped through the reading guide and found number 3. "Yeah it is Copper."
"Thanks."
"Jennemann!" I yelled
He looked up from his papers he was grading and looked at me with the death stare.
"What do you need?" He asked annoyed
"What do we do when we are done?" I asked him
"Turn it in to the tray. You can't honestly be done already are you?"
"Yeah. I am. Why?"
"No reason at all. So that means you will do well on the test Tuesday right?"
"Yeah. Totally."
I look back at Lou and roll my eyes at her.
"What was that for?" she mouthed to me
"I totally am not ready for this test." I mouthed back to her
I walk back over to my desk and start helping Lou so she can get it finished.
"Okay, why is an ionic bond called an "ionic' bond?"
"Is it because it is between ions?" She answered skeptically.
"Yeah. What is the next one you need?"
"That is all. Thanks!"
Lou closes my book and walked up to Jennemann's desk to turn in her reading guide.
"So isn't Snow and Ebony a lot to handle?" Lou asked
"No, not really. Tye helps out a lot."
"Ooooh. Who's Tye?"
"He's the stable hand that helps my mom out."
"Just the stable hand?" Lou asked
"Yeah."
She gives me a dirty look and tries to get information out of me.
"Weellll....We kind of had a thing, but it didn't work out."
"Who ended it? You or him?"
"I did. I didn't need the distraction of him when I was working with Snow."
"I understand that. When can I meet this Tye?" Lou asked
"Well...I haven't seen him for a while and I got a weird text from him before I got here. So I don't know when you get to meet him. I'll text you if he ever comes back home."
"Okay. Sounds good to me."
Wednesday, March 4, 2015
Chapter Eight
The next morning I got up and texted Tye.
'Hey Tye'
I walked away from my phone to take a shower. When I got out I went back to my phone. There was no response from Tye.
"He might just be asleep still." I thought to myself
I walk down to the kitchen and find mom cooking breakfast on the stove.
"Have you seen Tye?" I asked mom
"No, not this morning. Why?"
"He's not answering his phone and I'm starting to worry."
"Well, Amy, don't worry about it. If I see him your way." mom said
"Thanks mom!"
I walked toward the barn when I felt my phone vibrate in my pocket. I took it out hoping it was Tye. I looked at my phone screen, and felt disappointment fall upon me. It wasn't Tye, it was my college science teacher Mr. Jennemann. He had sent out a reminder to the class saying there was a test Friday.
"Uggh! Thanks Jennemann! You got my hopes up! I thought it was Tye! Grrrr!" I said to myself
I put my phone back into my pocket and continued toward the barn. I walked over to Ebony's stall and went in to check his leg. I rubbed up and down his leg. Starting at his hock and ending at his cannon bone. I felt to make sure there was no swelling or heat in his leg. Ebony kept tossing his head and trying to kick me.
"You kick me, I'll kick you!" I yelled at him
I continue to check his leg. Trying to calm him down so I could see if it is getting better or not.
"Easy boy. You're okay. I'm almost done."
I finish up checking his leg and I had a burst of excitement. I felt no swelling or heat in his leg. I run to the tack room and get Dr. Reed's number to call her.
"Hello, this is Dr. Reed." She said as she answered the phone
"Yes, Dr. Reed. I would like to know if you could come and look at Ebony's leg."
"I'll be over as soon as possible."
"Thank you so much!"
"No problem Amy. See you soon."
I ran back to Ebony's stall, put his halter and lead line on and tied him to the outside of his stall. I walked back to the tack room, grabbed his tack box and walked back over to him. I took out the curry comb and started to groom him.
"I want you to look your best for Dr. Reed today boy. This could possibly be your last appointment with her for your leg."
I finished brushing and picking his hooves when I heard a truck pull up to the barn.
"Hello Amy." Dr. Reed said when she walked into the barn
"Hello Dr. Reed. Thank you for coming."
"My pleasure Amy. Did you say you wanted an x-ray of Ebony's leg?"
"Yes ma'am I did because I checked his leg and didn't feel swelling or heat. So I wanted to see if it has healed completely."
"Okay. I can do that for you."
"Thank you Dr. Reed."
She walked over to Ebony and began to x-ray his leg.
"How's Tye been latley?" Dr. Reed asked
"He's been okay I guess. I haven't seen him at all today. I'm starting to worry. He's always here in the morning and this morning he wasn't. So I don't know what is going on."
"Do you think he is skipping work because of what happened between you two?"
"I don't know. Wait? How did you know about what happened?" I asked Dr. Reed
"Your mom told me about it when I came last week for a check up on Snow."
"Great, I knew I shouldn't have told her about what happened."
"Don't worry, I went through the same thing at your age. He'll get over it. In the end both of you will forget all of this ever happened. Trust me. Just give it time."
She went back to examining Ebony's leg. I looked at what she was doing. Taking in all I could. One day I too would be doing what she is right now.
"Looks like his leg has healed. It feels stronger but the only way to know for sure is to do some tests."
"Does that mean I can ride him?" I asked
"Well." She said looking at me with sadness "That's the problem Amy. Due to the traumatic situation he went through and the injuries he obtained, I don't think he is going to be the same horse as he was before. You may never be able to ride him ever again. It all depends on him. I'm sorry Amy."
She gathered her things and went to her car.
"So what am I supposed to do with him if I can't ride him?" I asked Dr. Reed
"Well, you could keep him as a pet. Keep him in the pasture with the other horses or you could put him to stud. He's still pretty young. He'd make a lot of money at stud and he'd have a lot of good foals to keep his legacy going. It's up to you. What do you think is best for him?"
"If he allows me to ride him again, will he be able to compete again?" I asked anxiously
"I'm afraid not Amy. His leg may be healed, but it isn't strong enough for competing. Again, I'm sorry Amy. I know these are not the answers you wanted to hear."
"It's okay. Thank you for coming by Dr. Reed. I really appreciate it."
"You're welcome Amy. Have a good day." Dr. Reed said as she started her car. As she drove away, I walked back into the barn to put Ebony back into his stall. I closed his stall door and walked over to Snow's stall.
"Hey girl." I said rubbing her forehead "Looks like you're going to be the new champion in the barn."
She nickered softly and pushed my shoulder with her nose
"I'll be right back girl." I said as I walked toward the tack room to grab a halter and lead line for her. On the way back from the tack room I stopped halfway between her stall and Ebony's stall.
"Snow come here girl!" I called to her then whistled to see if she would walk out of her stall.
"Come here girl! Let's go for a walk." I called again followed by another whistle. I could hear her slowly coming out of her stall. It was as if she was afraid something would attack her if she walked out.
"It's okay girl. Come on out. I have treats for you." I said for the third time and followed by a whistle. This time I saw her walk out of her stall and trot over to me.
"Good girl." I said to her pulling a treat from my pocket and handing it to her.
I put her halter and lead line on and started to walk out of the barn when Ebony neighs loudly. I lead Snow to her stall and quick-release tie her to the stall door.
"Hey baby. Do you want to go with us?" He tossed his head and neighed loudly again
"Okay, okay! You can come with us boy."
I walked out of his stall and back to the tack room to grab his halter and lead line. As I started to walk back to his stall I stopped halfway in between and called him like I did with Snow.
"Ebony, come here boy!" I called to him then whistled for him. He steps out of his stall and walked toward me.
"Good boy." I said giving him a treat and putting his halter and lead line on then walking him over to Snowflake.
I lead them both out of the barn and out to the pasture.
"Hey, easy guys." I said trying to slow them down to a manageable walk.
It was like they didn't hear me. Both of them kept walking faster and faster.
"Whoa, easy. Easy." I said pulling back on their lead lines as hard as I could.
Suddenly both Ebony and Snow stopped, stood still and stared straight ahead. Me, being curious, walked up to see what they were looking at. What I saw shocked me. Standing fifteen feet in front of us was a bobcat and her two kitten.
"Awwwww!!!!" I said out loud
I could feel both horses walking toward them. I held them back as best as i could and let the mom and her kittens pass before continuing forward. I felt my pone vibrate in my pocket again.
"Pleas be Tye. Please be Tye!" I thought to myself. I took my phone out and looked at the screen. When I saw it wasn't Tye, I went from being happy to being upset. I haven't heard from Tye all day. I put my phone back into my pocket and led Ebony and Snow back to the barn. I put Ebony in his stall first, then put Snow in hers. I closed her stall door and went back to the house after a long day.
"Good night. I'll see you tomorrow." I said as I turned the barn lights off and closed the door.
I walked up to my room, turned my music on, and fell asleep thinking about Tye. Hoping he was okay, wherever he was. I just wanted him to come home. I missed him.
'Hey Tye'
I walked away from my phone to take a shower. When I got out I went back to my phone. There was no response from Tye.
"He might just be asleep still." I thought to myself
I walk down to the kitchen and find mom cooking breakfast on the stove.
"Have you seen Tye?" I asked mom
"No, not this morning. Why?"
"He's not answering his phone and I'm starting to worry."
"Well, Amy, don't worry about it. If I see him your way." mom said
"Thanks mom!"
I walked toward the barn when I felt my phone vibrate in my pocket. I took it out hoping it was Tye. I looked at my phone screen, and felt disappointment fall upon me. It wasn't Tye, it was my college science teacher Mr. Jennemann. He had sent out a reminder to the class saying there was a test Friday.
"Uggh! Thanks Jennemann! You got my hopes up! I thought it was Tye! Grrrr!" I said to myself
I put my phone back into my pocket and continued toward the barn. I walked over to Ebony's stall and went in to check his leg. I rubbed up and down his leg. Starting at his hock and ending at his cannon bone. I felt to make sure there was no swelling or heat in his leg. Ebony kept tossing his head and trying to kick me.
"You kick me, I'll kick you!" I yelled at him
I continue to check his leg. Trying to calm him down so I could see if it is getting better or not.
"Easy boy. You're okay. I'm almost done."
I finish up checking his leg and I had a burst of excitement. I felt no swelling or heat in his leg. I run to the tack room and get Dr. Reed's number to call her.
"Hello, this is Dr. Reed." She said as she answered the phone
"Yes, Dr. Reed. I would like to know if you could come and look at Ebony's leg."
"I'll be over as soon as possible."
"Thank you so much!"
"No problem Amy. See you soon."
I ran back to Ebony's stall, put his halter and lead line on and tied him to the outside of his stall. I walked back to the tack room, grabbed his tack box and walked back over to him. I took out the curry comb and started to groom him.
"I want you to look your best for Dr. Reed today boy. This could possibly be your last appointment with her for your leg."
I finished brushing and picking his hooves when I heard a truck pull up to the barn.
"Hello Amy." Dr. Reed said when she walked into the barn
"Hello Dr. Reed. Thank you for coming."
"My pleasure Amy. Did you say you wanted an x-ray of Ebony's leg?"
"Yes ma'am I did because I checked his leg and didn't feel swelling or heat. So I wanted to see if it has healed completely."
"Okay. I can do that for you."
"Thank you Dr. Reed."
She walked over to Ebony and began to x-ray his leg.
"How's Tye been latley?" Dr. Reed asked
"He's been okay I guess. I haven't seen him at all today. I'm starting to worry. He's always here in the morning and this morning he wasn't. So I don't know what is going on."
"Do you think he is skipping work because of what happened between you two?"
"I don't know. Wait? How did you know about what happened?" I asked Dr. Reed
"Your mom told me about it when I came last week for a check up on Snow."
"Great, I knew I shouldn't have told her about what happened."
"Don't worry, I went through the same thing at your age. He'll get over it. In the end both of you will forget all of this ever happened. Trust me. Just give it time."
She went back to examining Ebony's leg. I looked at what she was doing. Taking in all I could. One day I too would be doing what she is right now.
"Looks like his leg has healed. It feels stronger but the only way to know for sure is to do some tests."
"Does that mean I can ride him?" I asked
"Well." She said looking at me with sadness "That's the problem Amy. Due to the traumatic situation he went through and the injuries he obtained, I don't think he is going to be the same horse as he was before. You may never be able to ride him ever again. It all depends on him. I'm sorry Amy."
She gathered her things and went to her car.
"So what am I supposed to do with him if I can't ride him?" I asked Dr. Reed
"Well, you could keep him as a pet. Keep him in the pasture with the other horses or you could put him to stud. He's still pretty young. He'd make a lot of money at stud and he'd have a lot of good foals to keep his legacy going. It's up to you. What do you think is best for him?"
"If he allows me to ride him again, will he be able to compete again?" I asked anxiously
"I'm afraid not Amy. His leg may be healed, but it isn't strong enough for competing. Again, I'm sorry Amy. I know these are not the answers you wanted to hear."
"It's okay. Thank you for coming by Dr. Reed. I really appreciate it."
"You're welcome Amy. Have a good day." Dr. Reed said as she started her car. As she drove away, I walked back into the barn to put Ebony back into his stall. I closed his stall door and walked over to Snow's stall.
"Hey girl." I said rubbing her forehead "Looks like you're going to be the new champion in the barn."
She nickered softly and pushed my shoulder with her nose
"I'll be right back girl." I said as I walked toward the tack room to grab a halter and lead line for her. On the way back from the tack room I stopped halfway between her stall and Ebony's stall.
"Snow come here girl!" I called to her then whistled to see if she would walk out of her stall.
"Come here girl! Let's go for a walk." I called again followed by another whistle. I could hear her slowly coming out of her stall. It was as if she was afraid something would attack her if she walked out.
"It's okay girl. Come on out. I have treats for you." I said for the third time and followed by a whistle. This time I saw her walk out of her stall and trot over to me.
"Good girl." I said to her pulling a treat from my pocket and handing it to her.
I put her halter and lead line on and started to walk out of the barn when Ebony neighs loudly. I lead Snow to her stall and quick-release tie her to the stall door.
"Hey baby. Do you want to go with us?" He tossed his head and neighed loudly again
"Okay, okay! You can come with us boy."
I walked out of his stall and back to the tack room to grab his halter and lead line. As I started to walk back to his stall I stopped halfway in between and called him like I did with Snow.
"Ebony, come here boy!" I called to him then whistled for him. He steps out of his stall and walked toward me.
"Good boy." I said giving him a treat and putting his halter and lead line on then walking him over to Snowflake.
I lead them both out of the barn and out to the pasture.
"Hey, easy guys." I said trying to slow them down to a manageable walk.
It was like they didn't hear me. Both of them kept walking faster and faster.
"Whoa, easy. Easy." I said pulling back on their lead lines as hard as I could.
Suddenly both Ebony and Snow stopped, stood still and stared straight ahead. Me, being curious, walked up to see what they were looking at. What I saw shocked me. Standing fifteen feet in front of us was a bobcat and her two kitten.
"Awwwww!!!!" I said out loud
I could feel both horses walking toward them. I held them back as best as i could and let the mom and her kittens pass before continuing forward. I felt my pone vibrate in my pocket again.
"Pleas be Tye. Please be Tye!" I thought to myself. I took my phone out and looked at the screen. When I saw it wasn't Tye, I went from being happy to being upset. I haven't heard from Tye all day. I put my phone back into my pocket and led Ebony and Snow back to the barn. I put Ebony in his stall first, then put Snow in hers. I closed her stall door and went back to the house after a long day.
"Good night. I'll see you tomorrow." I said as I turned the barn lights off and closed the door.
I walked up to my room, turned my music on, and fell asleep thinking about Tye. Hoping he was okay, wherever he was. I just wanted him to come home. I missed him.
Chapter Seven
The next morning felt different. It didn't feel like a normal day. I heard my phone buzz. I looked at the screen and saw that it was Tye.
'Good morning sunshine'
Should I answer it? Or should I act like I didn't get a text from him? Ignoring him wouldn't do any good. He'll just find me in the pasture, stable or the arena. I let out a big sigh and went over to my phone.
'Good morning Tye'
'How are you doing this morning?'
'I was doing fine until you texted'
'Oh, Amy that was harsh'
'Sorry, I'm just tired. I didn't sleep well last night'
'Why? Was it because of what happened last night? Or because of the storm?'
'Kind of both'
'Oh. I guess I'll just leave you alone.'
'No! Sorry. I just need to work with Snowflake.'
'Okay. I'll meet you in the arena.'
'See you in fifteen.'
'Bye Amy'
With that I turned on my music and started to get ready.
"Should I wear my riding clothes? Or should I wear my Alabama shirt with jeans? Uggh! So many decisions!" I thought to myself
I finally just put on my riding clothes, went into the bathroom straightened my hair, put it in a ponytail and walked downstairs and out to the barn.
"Hey Amy." I heard Tye say from Ebony's stall
"Tye! What are you doing in Ebony's stall?"
"I was checking on his leg and giving him some feed."
"Oh. Okay." I said surprised
I started to walk over to the arena with Snowflake when Tye had stopped me.
"Amy! Hold on!"
"Yes Tye?"
"About last night."
"I don't want to talk about it Tye."
"I know you don't, but I can see it is bothering you. Why, you can't even concentrate on training Snowflake. I mean seriously? Are you going to act like nothing happened?"
"No Tye. It's just I like you, don't get me wrong, but I just don't need the distractions of dating right now. Maybe after I get her fully ready for competition we can try it again. Right now I think we should take a break. We can still be friends. I'm sorry."
"I understand Amy."
He started to walk away when I called his name.
"Tye!"
He turns around and looked at me but said nothing
"I really am sorry."
With that he walked out of the arena and walked towards barn three.
"Come on Snow, we have work to do today."
I worked with her for four hours. I wanted to be sure that she was ready for the show that was now in two months.
"Do you think we will be ready in time girl?" I asked Snow as if she was going to answer me.
"Come on girl. Let's go back to the barn."
I lead her back into the barn and gave her feed and water.
:"You're a good girl. You have come a long way from where we started."
She nudges my shoulder with her nose
"What is it girl?"
Snow walks over to her feed bucket and nudges it.
"I know that sigh girl. You want a treat."
I walk over to the tack room and get four treats. Two for Snow and two for Ebony.
"Here you go girl. I got your favorite, carrots!"
I lay my palm flat and let her eat the carrot from my hand.
"Good girl." I said rubbing her neck
I walk out of her stall and close the stall door behind me. I get the last two treats for Ebony and walk over to his stall.
"Hey boy." I said softly
He raises his head and then goes back to eating the hay in his stall.
"I thought you might want a treat. Come here boy."
I walk into his stall and give him an apple as I rubbed his neck.
"Yeah, whose my good boy? Hmm?"
I looked into his eyes and I could see that he was scared. Scared of what? I'm not sure. I just know that whatever it is or was, he was afraid of it.
"Hey boy, it's okay. Hey, shhhh. I'm here. It's going to be okay. I won't let anybody get you. I promise."
I could instantly see that fear disappear when I spoke to him. I felt a sense of relief as if he hadn't been scared of anything at all.
"That's my boy. Shhhh. Mama's got you. It's alright."
He tossed his head ad nickered softly.
"Easy. That's a boy."
I rubbed his neck and left his stall.
"Good night you two. I'll see you in the morning."
I turned the barn light off and closed the barn door. I walked back to the house and went up to my room. I was so tired that I fell asleep in my work clothes. Mom walked up to my room and took my boots off and put the covers on me. I could hear her footsteps as she left the room. Even after six months after dad died, I could still hear her crying in her room almost every night. I just want to go in her room and cry with her at times. She isn't the only one who lost the one person she loved the most.
'Good morning sunshine'
Should I answer it? Or should I act like I didn't get a text from him? Ignoring him wouldn't do any good. He'll just find me in the pasture, stable or the arena. I let out a big sigh and went over to my phone.
'Good morning Tye'
'How are you doing this morning?'
'I was doing fine until you texted'
'Oh, Amy that was harsh'
'Sorry, I'm just tired. I didn't sleep well last night'
'Why? Was it because of what happened last night? Or because of the storm?'
'Kind of both'
'Oh. I guess I'll just leave you alone.'
'No! Sorry. I just need to work with Snowflake.'
'Okay. I'll meet you in the arena.'
'See you in fifteen.'
'Bye Amy'
With that I turned on my music and started to get ready.
"Should I wear my riding clothes? Or should I wear my Alabama shirt with jeans? Uggh! So many decisions!" I thought to myself
I finally just put on my riding clothes, went into the bathroom straightened my hair, put it in a ponytail and walked downstairs and out to the barn.
"Hey Amy." I heard Tye say from Ebony's stall
"Tye! What are you doing in Ebony's stall?"
"I was checking on his leg and giving him some feed."
"Oh. Okay." I said surprised
I started to walk over to the arena with Snowflake when Tye had stopped me.
"Amy! Hold on!"
"Yes Tye?"
"About last night."
"I don't want to talk about it Tye."
"I know you don't, but I can see it is bothering you. Why, you can't even concentrate on training Snowflake. I mean seriously? Are you going to act like nothing happened?"
"No Tye. It's just I like you, don't get me wrong, but I just don't need the distractions of dating right now. Maybe after I get her fully ready for competition we can try it again. Right now I think we should take a break. We can still be friends. I'm sorry."
"I understand Amy."
He started to walk away when I called his name.
"Tye!"
He turns around and looked at me but said nothing
"I really am sorry."
With that he walked out of the arena and walked towards barn three.
"Come on Snow, we have work to do today."
I worked with her for four hours. I wanted to be sure that she was ready for the show that was now in two months.
"Do you think we will be ready in time girl?" I asked Snow as if she was going to answer me.
"Come on girl. Let's go back to the barn."
I lead her back into the barn and gave her feed and water.
:"You're a good girl. You have come a long way from where we started."
She nudges my shoulder with her nose
"What is it girl?"
Snow walks over to her feed bucket and nudges it.
"I know that sigh girl. You want a treat."
I walk over to the tack room and get four treats. Two for Snow and two for Ebony.
"Here you go girl. I got your favorite, carrots!"
I lay my palm flat and let her eat the carrot from my hand.
"Good girl." I said rubbing her neck
I walk out of her stall and close the stall door behind me. I get the last two treats for Ebony and walk over to his stall.
"Hey boy." I said softly
He raises his head and then goes back to eating the hay in his stall.
"I thought you might want a treat. Come here boy."
I walk into his stall and give him an apple as I rubbed his neck.
"Yeah, whose my good boy? Hmm?"
I looked into his eyes and I could see that he was scared. Scared of what? I'm not sure. I just know that whatever it is or was, he was afraid of it.
"Hey boy, it's okay. Hey, shhhh. I'm here. It's going to be okay. I won't let anybody get you. I promise."
I could instantly see that fear disappear when I spoke to him. I felt a sense of relief as if he hadn't been scared of anything at all.
"That's my boy. Shhhh. Mama's got you. It's alright."
He tossed his head ad nickered softly.
"Easy. That's a boy."
I rubbed his neck and left his stall.
"Good night you two. I'll see you in the morning."
I turned the barn light off and closed the barn door. I walked back to the house and went up to my room. I was so tired that I fell asleep in my work clothes. Mom walked up to my room and took my boots off and put the covers on me. I could hear her footsteps as she left the room. Even after six months after dad died, I could still hear her crying in her room almost every night. I just want to go in her room and cry with her at times. She isn't the only one who lost the one person she loved the most.
Chapter Six
Saturday morning came around and I texted Tye to make sure we were still on for tonight.
'We are still on for tonight right?'
'Yeah Amy. I got the reservations all ready as well.'
' That's great! Where are the reservations at?'
'The new Italian restaurant Apollo's'
'Okay cool! I'll see you at six'
'See you tonight. Bye Amy.'
I went to my closet and looked to see what I was going to wear to the date tonight.
"Should I wear the cute red dress? Or a skirt and nice shirt?" I thought while looking through my closet.
"Mom!" I called down the steps from my room
"Yeah Amy? What is it?"
"I don't know what to wear tonight for my date with Tye."
"Bring what two things you are thinking of wanting to wear, and I will help you choose."
I brought the red dress, plus the skirt and matching shirt down for mom to see.
"I think yo should wear the red dress with a cute pair of blick high heels."
"Mom, I don't have high heels."
"Well you can try mine and if they don't fit then we can go get you a pair before your date."
She walked back to her room and went to her closet to get her shoes.
"Here, try these on." She said handing me the pair of heels.
"They fit perfectly mom. Thanks!"
"No problem. Hope you have fun on your date tonight with Tye. Don't do anything stupid tonight."
"I won't mom. I promise. What time is it mom?" I asked
"Quarter past four."
"Oh I should start to get ready then. Thanks mom for the heels!"
"Have fun tonight sweetheart."
"Okay bye mom"
I left the kitchen and walked upstairs to get ready. I turned on my curling iron and started to curl my hair. I look at the clock and it said five forty-five.
"Crap! I have to hurry." I said to myself.
I finished curling my hair and went into my room to put on my dress. I heard the doorbell ring, and then heard my mom answer the door.
"Hello Tye." I could hear my mom say
"Hi Mrs. Nixon"
"She will be down in a minute. Can I get you anything?"
"No thank you Mrs. Nixon."
"Okay. Here she comes." my mom said s I walked down the steps.
"Wow, Amy. You look amazing."
"Thank you Tye. You ready to go?"
"Yeah."
"Bye mom. I'll be back at 11:45 p.m. Love you."
"Bye sweetheart. Have fun."
Tye walked me out to his truck and helped me into the passenger seat.
"You ready for this Amy?" He asked
"Yeah. I need some time off from training. Besides, I want to spend time with you."
"Awww. Thanks." He said to me as he started the truck
"We are still going to Apollo's right?" I asked him
"Yeah. I heard they have good pasta."
"Yeah me too. My friends say that the spaghetti is really good."
We talked for fifteen minutes until we pulled into the parking lot of Apollo's. Tye got out of the truck and walked over to help me out. We walked into the restaurant and were greeted by a woman at the front door.
"Welcome to Apollo's" She said to us
"Hello, we both said at the same time."
"Is it just the two of you dining tonight?"
"Yes ma'am"
"Okay, follow me to your table."
She grabbed two menus and showed us to our table.
"Here you two are. Your waitress will be with you in a minute." She said
"Thank you" We said together
"So what do you want to eat?" Tye asked me
"Ummm....I don't know.Do you want to share spaghetti?"
"Sure. Sounds good to me." Tye said
"Hi, my name is Aleisha and I will be your server tonight. Can I get you anything to drink?"
"Ummm....I'll have a water." I said
"I'll take a coke." Tye responded after me
"Okay. Do y'all need some time to look over the menu?"
"No. We are ready to order." Tye said to Aleisha
"Okay, what can I get you?"
"We are going to share the spaghetti."
"Okay, I'll have that out to you in a few minutes." Aleisha said to us
"Thank you."
Aleisha took our menus and walked back into the kitchen
"So, how old are you?" I asked Tye
"Twenty. How old are you?"
"Eighteen."
"Wow. Never would have thought that. You look like you are twenty-two."
"Awwww. Thanks Tye."
"No problem Amy. So how did you get into horses?" Tye asked
"Well, when I was little, my grandparents had a farm in Arkansas and we would go visit them every Christmas and Thanksgiving. When we went to their house the first thing you saw was a field of horses, any color and any breed you could think of. My mom thought that horses were dangerous and wouldn't let me go see the horses without someone with me. The first time I looked into the horses eye, I immediately fell in love. I saw past the aggressiveness and saw that horses are just so misunderstood. They are just like anyone else in this world. They just want to be loved. We all do." I said
" Wow. That is quite true. Horses are so misunderstood. I mean, no horse wants to be aggressive. They want to please us. People are just cruel and can't see past the aggressiveness."
"Yeah. Take Ebony for example.He was abused by his last owner because he wouldn't do a Paso Largo correctly. It took us several years to gain his trust. Every time we would go near him he would run away or kick us when we went near him because he thought we would hurt him." I said
"Yeah, it takes a lot of TLC to gain a horse's trust back or to even gain it in the first place."
That moment Aleisha came over to us with our food.
"Okay you two, here is your spaghetti. Do you need snything else?"
"No thank you." We said
"Okay, enjoy then."
Aleisha walked away and we ate our spaghetti.
"Do you want the meatball?" Tye asked me
"No thank you. You can have it."
"Okay then." Tye said to me while taking the meatball
"So, Tye. How did you start working for my parents?"
"Well. I went to one of your dad's competitions and after the competition I went up to your dad and he told me that they were in need of a few stable hands. Being me, I accepted the offer and I've been working for your parents for three and a half years now."
"How have I not seen you? I'm in the stables almost everyday." I said
"I working in three of your five stables. I go to a different one everyday. I don't work in your stable. That is why it is called YOUR STABLE."
"Gee, thanks. I don't even get help in my own stable." I said sarcastically.
While we were talking. I didn't realize that we had the same piece of pasta in our mouth. Before long, my lips touched his. I jerked backwards and grabbed my things.
"Sorry. I have to go." I said to Tye
"Amy. Wait!" Tye called after me
I ran out of Apollo's and out to the truck.
"Amy! Wait! Come back!" I could hear Tye call after me.
I turned around and looked at him
"What do you want Tye!?!"
"Why did you run out of there?"
"I....I don't want to talk about it."
"Amy, you can tell me anything. I won't judge you. I promise." Tye said softly
"It's just that... I kissed you. I...I didn't mean to. It just happened. I thought that you would hate me because of it."
"Amy, it was an accident. I understand. There is nothing to be afraid of. I would never hate you for such a small thing.In fact, I don't think I could ever hate you." Tye said calmly and quietly
I dried my eyes and looked at him
"Really?"
"Yeah. Why don't I take you home. We can forget that this ever happened. Come on."
He took my hand and helped me up. On the drive home, the truck was quiet. Both of us were thinking about what had happened that night.
'We are still on for tonight right?'
'Yeah Amy. I got the reservations all ready as well.'
' That's great! Where are the reservations at?'
'The new Italian restaurant Apollo's'
'Okay cool! I'll see you at six'
'See you tonight. Bye Amy.'
I went to my closet and looked to see what I was going to wear to the date tonight.
"Should I wear the cute red dress? Or a skirt and nice shirt?" I thought while looking through my closet.
"Mom!" I called down the steps from my room
"Yeah Amy? What is it?"
"I don't know what to wear tonight for my date with Tye."
"Bring what two things you are thinking of wanting to wear, and I will help you choose."
I brought the red dress, plus the skirt and matching shirt down for mom to see.
"I think yo should wear the red dress with a cute pair of blick high heels."
"Mom, I don't have high heels."
"Well you can try mine and if they don't fit then we can go get you a pair before your date."
She walked back to her room and went to her closet to get her shoes.
"Here, try these on." She said handing me the pair of heels.
"They fit perfectly mom. Thanks!"
"No problem. Hope you have fun on your date tonight with Tye. Don't do anything stupid tonight."
"I won't mom. I promise. What time is it mom?" I asked
"Quarter past four."
"Oh I should start to get ready then. Thanks mom for the heels!"
"Have fun tonight sweetheart."
"Okay bye mom"
I left the kitchen and walked upstairs to get ready. I turned on my curling iron and started to curl my hair. I look at the clock and it said five forty-five.
"Crap! I have to hurry." I said to myself.
I finished curling my hair and went into my room to put on my dress. I heard the doorbell ring, and then heard my mom answer the door.
"Hello Tye." I could hear my mom say
"Hi Mrs. Nixon"
"She will be down in a minute. Can I get you anything?"
"No thank you Mrs. Nixon."
"Okay. Here she comes." my mom said s I walked down the steps.
"Wow, Amy. You look amazing."
"Thank you Tye. You ready to go?"
"Yeah."
"Bye mom. I'll be back at 11:45 p.m. Love you."
"Bye sweetheart. Have fun."
Tye walked me out to his truck and helped me into the passenger seat.
"You ready for this Amy?" He asked
"Yeah. I need some time off from training. Besides, I want to spend time with you."
"Awww. Thanks." He said to me as he started the truck
"We are still going to Apollo's right?" I asked him
"Yeah. I heard they have good pasta."
"Yeah me too. My friends say that the spaghetti is really good."
We talked for fifteen minutes until we pulled into the parking lot of Apollo's. Tye got out of the truck and walked over to help me out. We walked into the restaurant and were greeted by a woman at the front door.
"Welcome to Apollo's" She said to us
"Hello, we both said at the same time."
"Is it just the two of you dining tonight?"
"Yes ma'am"
"Okay, follow me to your table."
She grabbed two menus and showed us to our table.
"Here you two are. Your waitress will be with you in a minute." She said
"Thank you" We said together
"So what do you want to eat?" Tye asked me
"Ummm....I don't know.Do you want to share spaghetti?"
"Sure. Sounds good to me." Tye said
"Hi, my name is Aleisha and I will be your server tonight. Can I get you anything to drink?"
"Ummm....I'll have a water." I said
"I'll take a coke." Tye responded after me
"Okay. Do y'all need some time to look over the menu?"
"No. We are ready to order." Tye said to Aleisha
"Okay, what can I get you?"
"We are going to share the spaghetti."
"Okay, I'll have that out to you in a few minutes." Aleisha said to us
"Thank you."
Aleisha took our menus and walked back into the kitchen
"So, how old are you?" I asked Tye
"Twenty. How old are you?"
"Eighteen."
"Wow. Never would have thought that. You look like you are twenty-two."
"Awwww. Thanks Tye."
"No problem Amy. So how did you get into horses?" Tye asked
"Well, when I was little, my grandparents had a farm in Arkansas and we would go visit them every Christmas and Thanksgiving. When we went to their house the first thing you saw was a field of horses, any color and any breed you could think of. My mom thought that horses were dangerous and wouldn't let me go see the horses without someone with me. The first time I looked into the horses eye, I immediately fell in love. I saw past the aggressiveness and saw that horses are just so misunderstood. They are just like anyone else in this world. They just want to be loved. We all do." I said
" Wow. That is quite true. Horses are so misunderstood. I mean, no horse wants to be aggressive. They want to please us. People are just cruel and can't see past the aggressiveness."
"Yeah. Take Ebony for example.He was abused by his last owner because he wouldn't do a Paso Largo correctly. It took us several years to gain his trust. Every time we would go near him he would run away or kick us when we went near him because he thought we would hurt him." I said
"Yeah, it takes a lot of TLC to gain a horse's trust back or to even gain it in the first place."
That moment Aleisha came over to us with our food.
"Okay you two, here is your spaghetti. Do you need snything else?"
"No thank you." We said
"Okay, enjoy then."
Aleisha walked away and we ate our spaghetti.
"Do you want the meatball?" Tye asked me
"No thank you. You can have it."
"Okay then." Tye said to me while taking the meatball
"So, Tye. How did you start working for my parents?"
"Well. I went to one of your dad's competitions and after the competition I went up to your dad and he told me that they were in need of a few stable hands. Being me, I accepted the offer and I've been working for your parents for three and a half years now."
"How have I not seen you? I'm in the stables almost everyday." I said
"I working in three of your five stables. I go to a different one everyday. I don't work in your stable. That is why it is called YOUR STABLE."
"Gee, thanks. I don't even get help in my own stable." I said sarcastically.
While we were talking. I didn't realize that we had the same piece of pasta in our mouth. Before long, my lips touched his. I jerked backwards and grabbed my things.
"Sorry. I have to go." I said to Tye
"Amy. Wait!" Tye called after me
I ran out of Apollo's and out to the truck.
"Amy! Wait! Come back!" I could hear Tye call after me.
I turned around and looked at him
"What do you want Tye!?!"
"Why did you run out of there?"
"I....I don't want to talk about it."
"Amy, you can tell me anything. I won't judge you. I promise." Tye said softly
"It's just that... I kissed you. I...I didn't mean to. It just happened. I thought that you would hate me because of it."
"Amy, it was an accident. I understand. There is nothing to be afraid of. I would never hate you for such a small thing.In fact, I don't think I could ever hate you." Tye said calmly and quietly
I dried my eyes and looked at him
"Really?"
"Yeah. Why don't I take you home. We can forget that this ever happened. Come on."
He took my hand and helped me up. On the drive home, the truck was quiet. Both of us were thinking about what had happened that night.
Chapter Five
Friday morning I got the sticky note Tye gave me and put his number in my phone.
'Hey Tye'
'This isn't Tye. This is Jack'
'Oh sorry. Wrong number.'
I looked at the number I put in my phone. 757-822-8194 then looked at the number Tye gave me 757-822-8199. Opps. I put in the wrong number.
'Hey Tye' I texted while looking at the number to sure I put the correct number in my phone.
'Hey gorgeous. How are you this morning?'
Oh my gosh he called me gorgeous I said freaking out in my room
'Good. The only thing wrong this morning is that I forgot to work with Snow yesterday.'
'Don't worry about it. I worked with her yesterday for you.'
'Really? Thanks Tye. How was she for you?'
'Yeah she did good. A few mistakes, other than that it was good.'
'That's great!'
'Hey Amy. I have a question for you.'
'Yeah Tye? What is it?'
'Do you want to go on a date with me tomorrow night?'
'Yeah sure.'
'Do you want pizza or Italian Amy?'
'Italian sounds good to me. I heard there is a new restaurant in town.'
'Okay. I'll pick you up around six o'clock tomorrow. Sound good?'
'Yeah sounds god to me. See you then tomorrow and I'll also see you in fifteen minutes.'
'Bye Amy.'
'Bye.'
I put my phone on my bed and went to go take a shower before I went to work with Snow for the day.
Fifteen minutes later I get out of the shower and went out to the barn.
"Hey Snow, whose my good girl? You ready to go to work today?"
She nickered and walked closer to the stall door.
"Okay girl, let's do some training before I got to bed."
I got to the tack room, grab Snow's halter and lead line, and go back to put it on her.
"Let's go girl. I have things to do before tomorrow."
I lead her out of her stall and out to the arena.
"Okay Snow, Corto!"
She goes into a perfect Corto and continues to until I told her to halt.
"Good girl Snow. Let's try something else."
I let her cool down and then started working on her Largo.
"Snow, Largo!"
Just like before where she had trouble trying to do the task at first, it happened again. She tried to do a Largo, but could not complete it fully.
"Snow, do I have to spend time on Largo's like I did with Corto's?"
She nudged my arm and then snorted
"Okay girl, let's go back to the barn for the night."
I walked her from the arena back to her stall. The sun was setting and the sky was filled with vivid oranges, pinks, and yellows. I closed the barn doors and went to my rom to fall asleep.
'Hey Tye'
'This isn't Tye. This is Jack'
'Oh sorry. Wrong number.'
I looked at the number I put in my phone. 757-822-8194 then looked at the number Tye gave me 757-822-8199. Opps. I put in the wrong number.
'Hey Tye' I texted while looking at the number to sure I put the correct number in my phone.
'Hey gorgeous. How are you this morning?'
Oh my gosh he called me gorgeous I said freaking out in my room
'Good. The only thing wrong this morning is that I forgot to work with Snow yesterday.'
'Don't worry about it. I worked with her yesterday for you.'
'Really? Thanks Tye. How was she for you?'
'Yeah she did good. A few mistakes, other than that it was good.'
'That's great!'
'Hey Amy. I have a question for you.'
'Yeah Tye? What is it?'
'Do you want to go on a date with me tomorrow night?'
'Yeah sure.'
'Do you want pizza or Italian Amy?'
'Italian sounds good to me. I heard there is a new restaurant in town.'
'Okay. I'll pick you up around six o'clock tomorrow. Sound good?'
'Yeah sounds god to me. See you then tomorrow and I'll also see you in fifteen minutes.'
'Bye Amy.'
'Bye.'
I put my phone on my bed and went to go take a shower before I went to work with Snow for the day.
Fifteen minutes later I get out of the shower and went out to the barn.
"Hey Snow, whose my good girl? You ready to go to work today?"
She nickered and walked closer to the stall door.
"Okay girl, let's do some training before I got to bed."
I got to the tack room, grab Snow's halter and lead line, and go back to put it on her.
"Let's go girl. I have things to do before tomorrow."
I lead her out of her stall and out to the arena.
"Okay Snow, Corto!"
She goes into a perfect Corto and continues to until I told her to halt.
"Good girl Snow. Let's try something else."
I let her cool down and then started working on her Largo.
"Snow, Largo!"
Just like before where she had trouble trying to do the task at first, it happened again. She tried to do a Largo, but could not complete it fully.
"Snow, do I have to spend time on Largo's like I did with Corto's?"
She nudged my arm and then snorted
"Okay girl, let's go back to the barn for the night."
I walked her from the arena back to her stall. The sun was setting and the sky was filled with vivid oranges, pinks, and yellows. I closed the barn doors and went to my rom to fall asleep.
Chapter Four
The next morning I got up a little later than normal.
"It won't hurt if I sleep in today. Besides, Snow is making good progress."
"Amy! Wake up! It's seven thirty!" She said while shaking my bed trying to get me up
"Ugggh! Mom! Do I have to? Snow is making good progress."
"Yes, if you think that you get a day off because of that, then think again."
"Uggh, fine. I'll be downstairs in ten minutes." I said groggily
I get out of bed as slowly as possible. I really didn't want to go out in the cold, but I had no choice. I get on jeans and my Alabama long sleeve shirt and head downstairs to the kitchen.
"Hey mom, can you go warm up Snow for me? I think I'm going to try to ride her this morning." I asked while getting a bowl of Fruit Loops.
"Yeah. I'll do that while you eat breakfast."
"Thanks mom!"
While she was out in the barn getting Snow warmed up I walked over to the fridge to get milk for my cereal when I heard a knock at the door.
"Just a minute!" I yelled
I closed the fridge door and walked over to the door.
"Hello?" I said
"Hey, you must be Amy. I'm Tye. You can call me Tie Dye, Tye Matthew it doesn't matter to me."
"Ummmm, okay? What do you want?"
"Well I'm a stable hand here and your mom said there was food in the kitchen."
"Well, yeah that''s where food is supposed to be." I said sarcastically.
"Thanks. Quick question."
"Okay? What is it?"
"Do you have a boyfriend?" he said while looking down at the ground
"Oh my gosh! How dare you!" I screamed at him
"Oh, sorry. I didn't mean to make things awkward. Forgive me? Please?"
"Just, don't do that aain and we should be okay."
"Well, I;m going to go now. Nice meeting you Amy."
I didn't want to tell him but I really did think he was cute. His smile was super cute. I really wish I hadn't yelled at him. Maybe I'll see him around the stables's sometime.
'Wait! Tye!" I called after him
"Yeah Amy?"
"Umm....can.....ummmm.....I....ummm...have......ummm....your....num...num..."
"My number?" Tye asked
"Yeah sorry. I'm kind of socially awkward."
"It's okay. I understand. I am too."
"Oh, by the way, no I do not."
"Do not what?" He asked
"I do not have a boyfriend. Why did you want to know?"
"No reason." He said "I was just curious."
"Oh, okay." I started to walk to the barn when Tye stopped me
"Amy! Wait!"
"Yeah Tye? What is it?"
"Do you want my number or not?"
"Oh yeah I do. Sorry, I almost forgot."
He wrote his number down on a sticky note and handed it to me.
"Thanks Tye."
I looked into his eyes.........I don't remember what happened next.
"It won't hurt if I sleep in today. Besides, Snow is making good progress."
"Amy! Wake up! It's seven thirty!" She said while shaking my bed trying to get me up
"Ugggh! Mom! Do I have to? Snow is making good progress."
"Yes, if you think that you get a day off because of that, then think again."
"Uggh, fine. I'll be downstairs in ten minutes." I said groggily
I get out of bed as slowly as possible. I really didn't want to go out in the cold, but I had no choice. I get on jeans and my Alabama long sleeve shirt and head downstairs to the kitchen.
"Hey mom, can you go warm up Snow for me? I think I'm going to try to ride her this morning." I asked while getting a bowl of Fruit Loops.
"Yeah. I'll do that while you eat breakfast."
"Thanks mom!"
While she was out in the barn getting Snow warmed up I walked over to the fridge to get milk for my cereal when I heard a knock at the door.
"Just a minute!" I yelled
I closed the fridge door and walked over to the door.
"Hello?" I said
"Hey, you must be Amy. I'm Tye. You can call me Tie Dye, Tye Matthew it doesn't matter to me."
"Ummmm, okay? What do you want?"
"Well I'm a stable hand here and your mom said there was food in the kitchen."
"Well, yeah that''s where food is supposed to be." I said sarcastically.
"Thanks. Quick question."
"Okay? What is it?"
"Do you have a boyfriend?" he said while looking down at the ground
"Oh my gosh! How dare you!" I screamed at him
"Oh, sorry. I didn't mean to make things awkward. Forgive me? Please?"
"Just, don't do that aain and we should be okay."
"Well, I;m going to go now. Nice meeting you Amy."
I didn't want to tell him but I really did think he was cute. His smile was super cute. I really wish I hadn't yelled at him. Maybe I'll see him around the stables's sometime.
'Wait! Tye!" I called after him
"Yeah Amy?"
"Umm....can.....ummmm.....I....ummm...have......ummm....your....num...num..."
"My number?" Tye asked
"Yeah sorry. I'm kind of socially awkward."
"It's okay. I understand. I am too."
"Oh, by the way, no I do not."
"Do not what?" He asked
"I do not have a boyfriend. Why did you want to know?"
"No reason." He said "I was just curious."
"Oh, okay." I started to walk to the barn when Tye stopped me
"Amy! Wait!"
"Yeah Tye? What is it?"
"Do you want my number or not?"
"Oh yeah I do. Sorry, I almost forgot."
He wrote his number down on a sticky note and handed it to me.
"Thanks Tye."
I looked into his eyes.........I don't remember what happened next.
Chapter Three
Ring....Ring.....Ring....Ring.....Ring.....Ring.....Ring......Ring.......
"Hello?"
"Yes, is this Amy Nixon?" The person on the other end of the line asked
"Yes, why?"
"We found your horse, Ebony."
"Really?! Where?" I asked excitedly
"He was in a pasture in Spokane. We called your vet, he is fine."
"That's great news! Thanks!"
"No problem! Glad we could help!" The officer said.
"Have a good day sir."
"You too ma'am"
I hung up the phone and ran out to the barn to tell mom the good news.
"Mama! Mama!" I yelled running to her in the barn
"Yes Amy? What is it?"
"They found Ebony! The police just called and said they found him up in Spokane."
"That's a long way from home. Is he alright?" she asked
" Yeah he's fine, the vet looked over him when they found him." I said
"That's good. Hey, why don't you go practice with Snowflake while I go and get Ebony."
"Okay mom, see you in a few hours."
"Love you sweetheart." she said walking out of the barn and toward the truck and trailer
I walked toward Snow's stall, put her halter and lead on and lead her to the arena to practice with her.
"Okay Snow, let's try this again. Now I want you to try as hard as you can today. No playing around." I spoke softly in her ear
I let the lead line out a little at a time in my hand and started working with her.
"Snow, Corto!"
She started to do what I commanded but quit a few seconds later.
"Come on girl, you can do it. Please, do it for me." I spoke softly hoping that would help.
"Let's try this again girl. Snow, Corto!"
She hesitated a minute then went into a gorgeous Corto.
"Good girl! Let's take a break, you deserve it." Patting her sweat drenched neck and walking back into the barn.
I had just finished brushing her down when I heard the truck pull up to the barn.
"Hey mom! How did it go?" I asked putting Snow's brush in her box
"Hey Amy! It went, well, better than I expected. How did things go with Snow?"
"AMAZING! She did a Corto today. I had just cooled her off when you had pulled up."
"That's great! Do you think she will be ready in time for the competition in six months?"
"Yeah. With my luck we will be ready in five." I said to her while leading Snow out to the pasture.
"Now aren't you glad I bought her now?" She said as if to hint at me 'I told you so' and walked with me to the pasture
"Yeah mom. Thanks."
We walk back into the barn and walked over to Ebony's stall.
"Good to have you home boy."
He nickered as if though he was glad to be home in his stall with fresh food and water.
"I missed you boy. Don't ever do that again. You had me worried sick!"
He nickered and nudged my shoulder.
"It's okay boy, it's not your fault. I should have checked the pasture gates." I said softly in his ear.
"Amy! Time to come inside!" she called from from the kitchen window.
"Okay mom! Coming!"
I closed Ebony's stall door and gave him a carrot before I left to go inside.
"Goodnight boy."
"Hello?"
"Yes, is this Amy Nixon?" The person on the other end of the line asked
"Yes, why?"
"We found your horse, Ebony."
"Really?! Where?" I asked excitedly
"He was in a pasture in Spokane. We called your vet, he is fine."
"That's great news! Thanks!"
"No problem! Glad we could help!" The officer said.
"Have a good day sir."
"You too ma'am"
I hung up the phone and ran out to the barn to tell mom the good news.
"Mama! Mama!" I yelled running to her in the barn
"Yes Amy? What is it?"
"They found Ebony! The police just called and said they found him up in Spokane."
"That's a long way from home. Is he alright?" she asked
" Yeah he's fine, the vet looked over him when they found him." I said
"That's good. Hey, why don't you go practice with Snowflake while I go and get Ebony."
"Okay mom, see you in a few hours."
"Love you sweetheart." she said walking out of the barn and toward the truck and trailer
I walked toward Snow's stall, put her halter and lead on and lead her to the arena to practice with her.
"Okay Snow, let's try this again. Now I want you to try as hard as you can today. No playing around." I spoke softly in her ear
I let the lead line out a little at a time in my hand and started working with her.
"Snow, Corto!"
She started to do what I commanded but quit a few seconds later.
"Come on girl, you can do it. Please, do it for me." I spoke softly hoping that would help.
"Let's try this again girl. Snow, Corto!"
She hesitated a minute then went into a gorgeous Corto.
"Good girl! Let's take a break, you deserve it." Patting her sweat drenched neck and walking back into the barn.
I had just finished brushing her down when I heard the truck pull up to the barn.
"Hey mom! How did it go?" I asked putting Snow's brush in her box
"Hey Amy! It went, well, better than I expected. How did things go with Snow?"
"AMAZING! She did a Corto today. I had just cooled her off when you had pulled up."
"That's great! Do you think she will be ready in time for the competition in six months?"
"Yeah. With my luck we will be ready in five." I said to her while leading Snow out to the pasture.
"Now aren't you glad I bought her now?" She said as if to hint at me 'I told you so' and walked with me to the pasture
"Yeah mom. Thanks."
We walk back into the barn and walked over to Ebony's stall.
"Good to have you home boy."
He nickered as if though he was glad to be home in his stall with fresh food and water.
"I missed you boy. Don't ever do that again. You had me worried sick!"
He nickered and nudged my shoulder.
"It's okay boy, it's not your fault. I should have checked the pasture gates." I said softly in his ear.
"Amy! Time to come inside!" she called from from the kitchen window.
"Okay mom! Coming!"
I closed Ebony's stall door and gave him a carrot before I left to go inside.
"Goodnight boy."
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