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."