by Andrea Young
“Finny! Finny, look!” It was Joe. He was pointing toward Azure Hills. Finny and everyone in the arena turned to look. Sky was cantering toward the Silver Spur ring. He had jumped out of not only the stallion pen but the fence that separated the two properties. Sky was heading toward the flood control channel. Finny caught her breath, panicked he’d fall in if he tried to jump it. Sky slammed on the brakes at the channel. He looked down and snorted, then did what he always did when aggravated—he pawed at the ground viciously.
In horror, Finny watched him trot in a circle and blast off toward the channel.
“No!” Finny screamed. In her head she saw Sky crashing, his legs breaking. Sky was cantering now, only strides away from the channel. His ears were pricked forward. Finny watched as his muscles bunched. Then Sky launched himself. The distance was at least fifteen feet. He cleared it with ease, landing softly on the other side. The other students gasped. Finny left the field quickly and rode Nemo toward Sky, who cantered up to her with a snort and danced around her. Joe came as fast as he could with a halter and lead.
“Whoa, boy, settle down.” Joe did his best to get Sky to stop as he trotted around Nemo.
“Finny, hop down. He’ll stop for you.”
She dismounted and Sky came up to her. She patted his nose. Joe slipped on the halter.
“Did you see him jump that?” Joe pointed toward the culvert.
“I did. I don’t know whether to be happy or horrified.”
Jeff came up to Joe and Finny. “Finny, whose horse is this?”
“He’s mine. I keep him next door.”
“Did you see him jump? If you have a horse that can jump like this why aren’t you lessoning on him?”
“He’s not broke yet.”
Jeff ran his hand down Sky’s neck and shoulder. “He looks warmblood.”
“He’s half warmblood, half thoroughbred.”
“This is a nice horse. Why don’t you bring him tomorrow and we’ll put him through the jump chute? Let’s find out what he’s capable of.”
“You mean it?”
“Yeah, bring him by at eleven.”
“Okay, Jeff. Wow, thank you.” With a final pat for Sky, Jeff turned and went back to the other girls, who were standing stock still on their horses in the jump field.
“Joe, did you hear that?”
“I don’t know if this is a good idea, Finny. It may be too soon.”
“Why? Sky obviously loves to jump and Jeff wants to work with him. Do you know what this means?”
“Not really.”
“Jeff Hastings has the finest show jumpers in the state. He’d never waste his time if he didn’t think a horse had serious potential.”
“I understand . . . I just think it’s too soon.”
“Why?”
“It’s just my gut. He doesn’t like to listen to people. I’m afraid anything Jeff does will backfire.”
“He’s been training horses for years. I’m sure he knows what he’s doing.”
Elsa, who was hacking in the main arena, had watched the whole scene from the back of her stunning, fire red Grand Prix horse, Savannah. She rode over to Joe and Finny. “I can’t believe this is the same horse I watched you drag across the road.” Elsa gave Sky a once-over. Finny didn’t comment. She didn’t want to battle in front of Joe.
“I’ll take him home,” Joe said, giving Sky a pat and leading him toward the road.
“Hold up, Joe. I’ll walk with you.” Elsa hopped off Savannah and shoved her reins into Finny’s hand.
“Put my horse away,” Elsa ordered before running to catch up to Joe. Finny’s aggravation mounted as she watched them leave. She didn’t know what Elsa was up to and didn’t know why Joe wasn’t supportive of Jeff working with Sky. He knew it was everything she’d wanted. Finny turned both horses back to the barn. Now with Elsa’s horse to care for, she couldn’t finish her lesson.
Once done untacking and hosing down Nemo, Finny took care of Savannah while periodically checking the fence line for Joe. By the time she was done, it was almost dark and Joe hadn’t come back.
Finny headed for Azure Hills. There was enough light to see the board Joe had nailed up over the stallion pen gate. That must have been where Sky had jumped out. Finny called Joe’s name a few times and searched for him. He was nowhere to be found. At the house she knocked on Vel’s door.
“Hey, Finny. You’re here late.”
“I’m looking for Joe. Have you seen him?”
“He left in a car a few minutes ago.”
“Oh. Did he say where he was going?”
Vel let out a laugh. “Finny, he hardly speaks, so I couldn’t tell you.”
“Okay, well, thanks, I’ll see you tomorrow.” Finny began her solitary walk home in the dark. She couldn’t believe Joe would just ditch her. She wanted to go to the trailer to see if he was there, to talk to him, to make sure he was okay and not in love with Elsa, but half of her didn’t want to. If he could forget her so fast, and be all into Elsa, then they deserved each other.
It was a miserable walk home and late when Finny finally walked through the door. The house was dark and Finny bumped into something in the hall. She clicked on the lights and saw all the suitcases out and ready for the trip. It felt like a knife twisted in her side. She ran up the stairs and collapsed on her bed. Her head began to pound. Finny grabbed her pillow and pressed it over her head, then took several deep breaths and willed herself not to cry. But cry she did, wrenching sobs that actually hurt. She grabbed her midsection and curled up, positive she was dying. Finny tried not to think of Joe with Elsa and what they were doing. She tried not to think of her family that didn’t want her sending her to her other family that didn’t want her. Weary and worn out, she drifted off into a restless sleep.
Chapter Nine
GETTING OUT OF BED WAS A STRUGGLE. FINNY’s heartache from the night before left her weary. She dragged herself into the shower and let the warm water pound the tension out of her shoulders. Not wanting to face the day, she stayed in the shower long after the water went cold. When she began to shiver, she shut off the water and wrapped herself in a robe. The mirror reflected back an ashen face. Finny let out a sigh and grabbed her never-opened tube of mascara. It didn’t take a genius to figure out how to use it and in no time she was admiring her new look. Finny put some eyeliner on next, realizing it should have gone on first, but tomorrow she’d do it right. A little bit of foundation was next and then some blush. Now with her color back, Finny felt the blush was too much and washed it off. She grabbed the blow-dryer and dried her hair. Normally air and time dried it, letting her hair curl just a bit. With the blow-dryer she could make it dead straight. Once styled, her hair fell around her shoulders like a halo of amber. Finny was tempted to leave it down but she knew it’d be too hot so she made a ponytail high on her head and used a shiny gold tie to secure it.
Happy with her new look, Finny got dressed and headed down the stairs. After grabbing a breakfast bar and some orange juice, Finny left on her bike for Azure Hills. She’d normally go to the trailer but since Joe hadn’t waited for her last night, she didn’t want to go the extra miles if he wasn’t there.
Sky nickered loudly and began to paw the ground with his hoof as soon as he saw Finny. She patted his neck and looked around for Joe. There was no sign of him. Guilt settled in. Finny knew she should have gone to the trailer but he should have waited for her last night. She let out a moan and grabbed a feed bucket. He’d figure it out and come. Then she could tell him she was sorry and find out why he left without her. By now Finny was thinking reasonably and just wanted to get it all cleared up. She settled into her morning routine of chores.
It was close to eleven, time to take Sky next door for his training session with Jeff. Finny began to worry. She’d had second thoughts about taking him since Joe was so against it. Nevertheless, she had groomed Sky until he was immaculate and wrapped his legs with clean polo wraps in preparation. She looked at her watch; it was
time to go and no Joe. A bit of anger crept in because he wasn’t there. She took one last look for Joe then clipped on Sky’s lead line and headed for Silver Spur.
She and Sky arrived just on time. Jeff was waiting for her by the small arena that had a jump chute attached to it.
“Hello, Finny.”
“Hi, Jeff. Thank you so much for doing this.”
“No problem. I’d like to see what you got here.” Elsa wandered over to watch. Finny wished she could ask her to go away but that would be a big no-no. She looked around for Joe.
“New hair tie, Finny?” Elsa baited. Finny self-consciously touched her gold tie. “Super sale at the thrift store?” Elsa asked with a smirk. Finny ignored her and led Sky over to Jeff.
Jeff took the lead and brought Sky into the ring. Just then Finny spotted Joe coming her way. He didn’t have his crutch and his immobilizer was off. He was walking limp free. Her pulse quickened at the sight of him. Elsa noticed, too, hurried over to Joe, and whispered something in his ear. Joe’s shoulders sagged a bit, but he nodded and changed course toward the barn. Elsa looked toward Finny, smiled big, and took off after him. Finny slowly counted to ten and turned her attention back to Sky. Jeff was trying to get Sky to move around him in a circle.
“Finny, he can lunge, can’t he?”
“Yes, but he likes to do things on his own terms. I sorta talk him into lunging.”
“Well, that’s going to change.” With that Jeff took the lunge whip and cracked it across Sky’s hindquarters. Sky froze a moment before blasting off across the arena, ripping the lunge line out of Jeff’s hand. Finny ran into the arena and tried to get Sky to stop. Joe dashed from the barn and joined Finny.
Elsa strolled out to watch, a small sliver of a smile on her face. Finally, Joe managed to corner Sky and stop him. Jeff came stomping over to Joe who was quietly reassuring the horse and jerked the line out of his hand.
“This thing needs to learn some manners.”
“Jeff, he’s twelve and doesn’t think like a horse.” Joe’s words of warning fell on deaf ears. Jeff put Sky in the jumping chute, then lashed him across his hindquarters again. Instead of going forward Sky staggered backward and fell to the ground. Finny ran to him crying.
“Kids, you’ve spoiled this thing rotten. He’s not hurt, he’s throwing a tantrum.”
“Finny,” Joe whispered frantically, “let’s get him out of here.” Finny nodded and grabbed the line, begging Sky to get up. Jeff came over, whip in hand. The horse took one look, leapt to his feet, and charged Jeff, smashing him to the ground.
“Oh God!” Finny gasped and ran to Jeff. “Elsa, call nine-one-one.” Elsa grabbed her phone and dialed, then rushed to Jeff’s side. Sky continued to tear around the ring at breakneck speed, the lunge line trailing out behind him. Sky slid to a stop, spun the other way, and opened up his stride. Finny knew he was going to jump out and he did. But the lunge line snagged between two boards and when Sky hit the end of the line, he flipped, rolling one time before landing in a heap outside the arena. He didn’t move. Finny left Jeff, who lay moaning, with Elsa and took off after her horse. Joe was right behind her.
“Is he dead, Joe? Tell me, I can’t look.” Finny knelt by her horse with her hands over her eyes. Joe put his cheek to Sky’s muzzle and felt a faint breath.
“He’s alive.”
“Oh God, Joe, why isn’t he moving? Stay with him, I gotta check on Jeff.” Finny ran back to Jeff, who was sitting up but clearly in pain.
“Finny that maniac horse of yours almost killed him.” Elsa’s voice was high and tight as she yelled, “This is all your fault.” Finny apologized profusely to Jeff. He waved her off with his right hand, but didn’t speak. She jumped up and ran back to Sky and Joe. She heard sirens in the distance, and within minutes an ambulance was speeding across the lawn followed by a fire truck.
“Joe, you told me not to come. Oh God, what am I going to do?” Finny sobbed and gently ran her fingers down Sky’s face.
“Finny, it’s going to be okay. I think he’s just knocked out. And Jeff’s okay. Look, he’s sitting up talking to the paramedics.” Joe didn’t think Finny even heard him, she was so distraught.
“Sky, come on, buddy. I know you’re alive.” Joe kept patting Sky’s neck. The horse’s eyes moved; a moment later he lifted his head.
Joe stepped back. Sky, beginning to rouse slowly, staggered to his feet.
“He’s up.”
Finny nodded in a daze; she looked over to Jeff. The paramedics were loading him into the ambulance. Then the doors closed and the ambulance sped off.
“Get that thing out of here,” Elsa shrieked, “before he hurts anyone else.”
“Can he walk?” Finny asked Joe.
“We can try. But, do you see how his eye rolls every few seconds?”
“ Yes.”
“That’s a sign of a brain injury, like a concussion.”
“Is he going to be okay?”
“I don’t know. I’ve only seen this one other time.”
“What happened to that horse?”
“That other horse was a lot worse off than Sky. He was bleeding from his ears and nose and he hit his head much harder.”
“The horse died, didn’t it?”
“Yeah, but Sky looks better already. Let’s see if we can get him home.” After a gentle tug Sky moved forward but lurched from side to side as if dizzy.
“Why didn’t I listen to you Joe? You said not to bring him here.”
“It’s not your fault. If I had been here sooner I could have explained to Jeff Sky’s thinking process. Then he wouldn’t have used the whip—at least I think he wouldn’t have.”
“Where were you?”
“I was at the trailer. I waited for you, but you never came. So I went to Azure Hills and finally Silver Spur. Why didn’t you come to the trailer?”
“Joe, I’m sorry. You didn’t come back last night. I didn’t know if you’d be there or maybe Elsa found you someplace else. I don’t know what I was thinking.”
“I did come back. Elsa took me on another stupid wild-goose chase. I swear I’ll never get in a car again with that girl. When she finally brought me back to Azure Hills you’d already left. I walked to the trailer. I’m sorry, she said she needed my help for just a minute . . . didn’t know it’d be over an hour.”
Sky was walking better, his stride smoothing out.
Finny sighed. “I should have known better. Anything Elsa gets me crazy.”
With a shake of his head Joe said, “I don’t know about that girl. She says one thing then does another.”
Finny let out a small laugh, “It must be exhausting trying to keep it all straight.” Joe couldn’t help but laugh too.
As they approached Sky’s stall, Finny said, “Is he going to be okay? I don’t think I have enough money to call the vet.”
“I think so. As soon as I get paid, I’ll start paying you back. Then I can help you with Sky money-wise, too.”
Sky entered his stall and went straight for his pile of hay and began to eat.
“He’s gonna be fine,” Joe said with relief. “If he didn’t feel okay he wouldn’t want food.”
“Thank God. Thank you, Joe. Thanks for everything you’ve done. You don’t owe me anything.”
“You kidding me? Without you I’d still be behind that bus stop.”
Finny laughed and shook her head. Joe was doing what he could to make her feel better and it was working.
“I think we should give him a break for a few days, let him totally heal and wait for my leg to be completely ready. Then we’ll start again.”
“That sounds perfect. Besides, I go to my dad’s this weekend.”
“You’re not going to be here?”
“No. I leave tomorrow night and come back Sunday night. Then school starts. Can you take care of Sky for me while I’m gone?”
“Oh . . . sure. I’ll do your chores and all.”
“Thanks, Joe. I wish I didn’t have to
go.”
“You don’t like going to your dads?”
“Not really. I mean, he’s okay . . . it’s just . . . different than it used to be.”
“I’m sorry.”
“No, I’m sorry, at least my parents are here to complain about.”
Joe nodded and glanced away. Finny thought he’d stay quiet but this time he didn’t.
“They were really in love, my dad and mom. Their parents didn’t want them to get married. I think because my mom was Indian and my dad was white.”
“Oh, wow. Did their families try to stop them?”
“I think so. I’m not sure what happened but I don’t remember ever meeting my dad’s parents and before I went to live with my uncle, I’d only ever seen him one other time.”
“You’re kidding.”
Joe eased himself down and sat on the ground. Finny sat down beside him.
“The day after my parents died, he was there. The very first time I saw him, he was fighting my father. I think I was nine. Him and my dad were in an all-out brawl. My mom was screamin’ and tryin’ to break ’em apart. I didn’t think they’d ever stop. My mom finally grabs a shovel and nails my uncle across the head. He goes down and the fight’s over.”
“How horrible! What was the fight about?”
“No idea. My dad gets up, all bloody. He stands over my uncle and tells him never to set foot on Horse Mountain again.”
“Then two years later he shows up and he’s your guardian?” Finny asked, eyes wide with shock.
“ Yep.”
“You must have been terrified.”
“I wasn’t happy, that’s for sure.” Joe picked up a rock and rolled it around in his hand.
“What made you finally run?”
“It was time.”
Finny knew there had to be more but she’d wait until he was ready to tell her.
“Well I’m glad you did. I think it was meant to be, you coming here.”
“I hope so. When I jumped on that trailer, I never thought I’d end up in California.”
“Where were you when you got on?”
