Stretching his own muscles, Ben stood and casually approached the arena, greeting the kids when they caught sight of him.
“Um, sorry, I didn’t expect you so soon,” River apologized defensively. He brought his mount to a halt near where Ben had come up to the rail, and dismounted. Sierra followed one length behind and also dismounted.
“No, no, it’s okay. I came on purpose to watch you ride.”
“You were watching?” Sierra said, blushing at the thought of being scrutinized.
“I apologize,” Ben said laughing. “I didn’t want you to feel self-conscious…a little sneaky of me, I admit.” At their worried expressions he quickly added, “I liked what I saw. You both have natural talent I suspect, and you’ve had some good instruction.”
Their expressions relaxed and as they walked the horses to the crossties, they chatted in typical horsemen fashion, about the bay and chestnut.
“Moose is off the track,” River confirmed Ben’s assessment of the tall bay. He described the thoroughbred’s training over the past three years; how he had been a spooky handful out in the open his first year at Pegasus, but had gradually developed more confidence with River patiently riding him out consistently.
“River won the regional championship at intermediate level last season,” Sierra chimed in.
“Congratulations,” Ben said.
“He tries hard,” River replied modestly. “He’s actually been sold.” River named the stable that had bought Moose. “They wanted us to keep him over winter, but they’re going to pick him up end of this month”
“It’s a good stable,” Ben said thoughtfully. Then he turned his attention to Sierra’s mount.
“This is Felicity,” Sierra introduced the chestnut when Ben asked about her. “She’s coming on five, so she’s still a baby.”
“I figured as much,” Ben said.
“River took her out twice last year at beginner novice and won both events,” Sierra announced with a proud look over at River. “I might get a chance to ride her at novice level this season.”
“Well, she looks like a winner,” Ben said, smiling appreciatively.
With Moose and Felicity groomed and turned back into their paddocks, they headed to where Oberon had been turned out.
“How are the lunge lessons coming along?” Ben switched the conversation to Oberon, and thinking back to what he and River had last talked about on the phone. He had suggested it might be time to try him on a lunge line again.
“I’ve only put him on the line twice, and in the round pen. He didn’t charge at me but he doesn’t want to relax and work.”
“I see.”
“I don’t feel like I’m making any headway with his attitude, either. Even though he’s learning not to flatten his ears and stiffen his neck and head, I still don’t get any sense of softening in him. I think he hates me,” River stated in a discouraged tone.
“Hate’s a strong word to associate as coming from a horse,” Ben said philosophically. “I would just say he still hasn’t learned to trust. He has a deep-seated distrust of humans and that’s probably going to take three to four times longer to undo as it did to ingrain in him.”
“You’re probably right, but I can’t imagine riding him if he doesn’t trust me.”
“You in some kind of a hurry?” Ben asked with a grin.
River smiled back and replied, “Okay, so I won’t ride him for a year or two.”
“Hopefully it won’t take quite that long,” Ben said encouragingly.
In the crossties, Oberon stood quietly as River groomed him; no swinging his neck or hind end around, or baring his teeth. But Ben could see what River meant. The horse was smart, and had figured out that flattening his ears or otherwise showing his displeasure, would cause the human to annoy him with making him step to the side or back up. But there was no softening of the eye, no extending the muzzle to catch the scent of the human, or even ask for a treat.
“You have made progress,” Ben stated, “but I see what you mean. This guy is determined to keep himself distant. I don’t know if I’ve ever met a horse quite like him.” He stepped in to stroke the bay’s neck, watching his eye. Oberon’s ears flattened at his touch, but quickly came back up, and he kept his head still. But there was no change in the look in his eye. “You really do not like humans, do you?” Ben murmured, observing the animal.
In the round pen, Ben watched River send the horse out on the lunge line and trot a few rounds in each direction. Oberon had learned to stay out on his circle and to keep the gait asked for. But as River had explained, he held himself stiff and never relaxed.
“I’d advise just keeping up the lessons; still insisting on good ground manners and work him like this in the round pen maybe once or twice a week. You’ve had him how long now?”
“Since last October.” River looked over to Sierra for confirmation. “Isn’t that right?”
“Yes,” she agreed, “so not quite four months.”
“Not all that long; stay patient. Time is on your side. You might try attaching side reins and start getting him used to a little more connection. See how that goes and maybe in another month or so we can try a bridle on him.”
“Okay,” River agreed and they took the horse back to the stable.
“So, I hear you just turned eighteen,” Ben said conversationally after Oberon had been turned back out in his paddock and they walked toward Ben’s truck. “How does it feel to be a man?”
Laughing, River answered, “Not all that different. I was already an emancipated minor for a few months.”
“I heard about that.”
“You did?” River and Sierra both looked at him questioningly.
“Word gets around. I’ve been known to spend an afternoon or two at the track. That’s actually were João and I became friends. I knew your father by sight and reputation. He was once a pretty good trainer.”
“Maybe.”
“I’m sorry about what you’ve had to put up with, River,” Ben said without pity, but rather with a hint of admiration. “You’ve grown up into a person I’m proud to know.”
River ducked his head, feeling his face heat up, but feeling pleased at the same time.
“You graduating this year?”
“No, I’m a junior.” River left it at that. He didn’t want to explain about not passing most of his freshman classes.
“Next year after you graduate, if you’re looking for work, I could use a hand like you around my place,” Ben offered.
Startled, River looked up with wide eyes. “Thanks,” was all he could think to reply, but he felt pleased and grateful for the offer.
“I’m serious,” Ben added. “I’m not getting any younger as hard as that is to believe,” he said with a laugh, “and I’ll be looking for an assistant.”
“Thank you,” River repeated, trying hard to hide the emotion that choked his voice.
Ben got in his truck and waved once as he backed away.
“He just offered you a job!” Sierra exclaimed as they watched the tail end of Ben’s truck recede from sight.
“Yeah, that’s what it sounded like.”
“I think Ben would be awesome to work for,” Sierra stated.
“I think so too; I’ll definitely think about his offer.”
Sierra looked at him with a questioning expression.
“I’m still considering college; don’t look at me like that,” River said and laughed. This was an old subject between them; ever since João had left a college fund for River in his will.
“I didn’t say anything,” Sierra replied, holding up her hands in mock defense. “Anyway, I really like Ben.”
“Yeah, me too.”
*****
Midway into February, Sierra parked her truck, and turned to River to say, “I’m surprised Tess hasn’t called us in to her office yet to talk about this season and the clinic. After all it’s in two weeks.”
“Yeah, she seems really stressed about something latel
y; I don’t know,” River said.
“I know she told you I could ride Felicity, but I would like to know for sure.”
With a shrug, River opened the passenger door and jumped out. “I’m sure she’ll meet with us soon.” He came around to Sierra’s side as she stepped down, grabbed her around the waist to pull her in for a quick kiss, and then headed off to the lounge calling over his shoulder, “I’ll just be a sec.”
Halfway to the stable, Sierra heard the lounge door open and close, and then it sounded as if it opened again. She turned, expecting River to have forgotten something he wanted to say, and was surprised to see Tess at her office door, which was next to the lounge.
“Sierra, please come here.”
What have I done? Sierra shuddered inwardly, surprised that Tess wanted to speak to just her. Although the awkwardness between the two of them had long since dissipated, she still never felt totally at ease around Tess, especially when it was just the two of them. Reluctantly she turned back and followed her boss inside the office.
“Close the door please,” Tess said, standing at her desk with her back to Sierra.
Sierra complied and stepped to the middle of the room, not liking the chilled atmosphere. Nor did she like the pale and drawn expression on Tess’s face when she turned to Sierra and handed her a sheet of paper.
“You better sit down,” Tess said, but remained standing, leaning over her desk with both hands supporting her.
Dropping into a chair, Sierra accepted the paper, trepidation coursing down her spine. It was some kind of legal document on very official looking letter head. She began to read, sensing an almost tangible vibration coming from Tess.
When she finished the page, she looked up, her own face equally drained of color. “Tess, what is this?” she asked in shocked disbelief.
At last Tess moved around to collapse into her chair, where she leaned over her elbows, cradling her head with both hands clasped in her short hair. “I’ve been fighting this since last September. I hoped that River would never have to know anything about this. But…I’ve lost. I don’t know what else to do.” She looked up to meet Sierra’s eyes with her own filled with anguish. “I can’t save River’s horse!”
Her heart thumping, Sierra felt as if she was going to pass out. She understood the gist of the document. Corazón’s previous owner had materialized and had won some kind of legal case where she had the right to claim him.
“I got the call this morning; they are coming for him Friday afternoon.”
Two days from now. No, this can’t be happening! Sierra leaned down over her lap, gulping in air as blood returned to her head.
“How can I tell him?” Tess said on what sounded like the end of a sob.
They both sat up stiff and straight when they heard the lounge door open and close. River had changed his school clothes and was on his way to the stable.
“You want me to tell him?” Sierra asked in a weak voice.
“I want you here when I tell him,” Tess said, attempting to compose herself. “Can you please call him?”
“Now?”
Tess didn’t answer. Her shoulders lifted as she took in a very deep breath, and her head dropped down to stare at the paper that Sierra had placed in the middle of the desk.
Reluctantly, Sierra pushed out of the chair, and with cement-laden steps went to the office door. River was halfway to the stable when she called his name. He turned, smiling at her and came back to the office.
The moment he stepped inside, River immediately knew this wasn’t the pre-event season meeting he had expected. Both Sierra and Tess sat upright in their chairs, and neither one looked up to meet his eyes. “What’s wrong?” he asked.
Tell him, don’t give him that wretched paper, Sierra silently urged Tess.
“Sit down, River,” Tess directed in a stern, abrupt voice. He obeyed, sitting in the chair next to Sierra. With another deep breath, Tess blurted it out, “Corazon’s owner showed up last September to claim him. I have been fighting this ever since…but…well…I lost. They’re coming to pick him up this Friday.”
River stared back at her, stunned. Funny, but his first reaction was a desire to calm both Sierra, the girl he loved, and Tess, the closest woman he had to a mother. He didn’t like how upset they were, and he wanted to protect them. After a few moments of very tense silence he said as calmly as he could, although he wasn’t quite able to totally suppress the tremor in his voice. “We always knew this was a possibility…that he had been stolen and his owner would show up.”
‘River, I am so sorry.” Tess finally met his eyes; her own filled with anguish.
“Can we buy him back?” Sierra asked.
“I’ve tried; I offered her ninety thousand dollars, but she still turned me down.”
“What?” River asked as if he had heard her wrong.
“She turned down ninety thousand dollars?” Sierra interjected.
“She claims she has a contract with a client and is selling him for eighty thousand. I don’t understand her motives; things just don’t feel right, but I don’t know what else to do. I can’t break the law.” Tess had expected River to explode in anger, to accuse and blame her for the loss of his horse. When he only sat there looking shocked, it was more than she could bear. She folded over her arms on her desk, her shoulders shuddering as she tried to suppress her sobs.
River looked over at Sierra’s devastated expression. The sight of her eyes filled with sympathy and concern, and hearing Tess cry, wrenched his heart in his chest. “Sierra, I’m okay,” he reassured her. “Tess, please, it’s going to be okay.”
*****
But he wasn’t okay; Sierra knew. As much as he tried to hide it, she could feel him withdrawing into himself; creating a shell to block out his pain.
“Let’s not talk about it,” was all he would say.
She knew better than to push him, and tried to support him the best she could with her presence; holding onto him a little longer when they embraced, kissing him a little more tenderly.
*****
Chapter 13 Trailer Incident
Before I loved horses, I had nothing to live for. Now I love horses and can't stop seeing things to live for. – Author Unknown
*****
Friday morning, as Sierra pulled into the stable yard to pick River up for school, and before she could step out of the cab, Manuel came up to her door.
“Reever, ‘ee say tell you ‘ee seeck today and not going to e’school.” Manuel’s brow creased into a frown of worry as he spoke.
“Where is he?” Sierra turned off the engine and got out of the truck.
“’eenside.” He cocked his head toward the lounge, and then shaking his head, added, “Las’ night ‘ee sleep wid dat ‘orse.”
“Thanks, Manuel,” Sierra said, “I’ll go talk to him.”
“Good,” Manuel clasped her shoulder with a slight squeeze of encouragement before he turned back to his chores.
“Okay, River, don’t make me drag you to school,” Sierra mumbled as she strode with determination to the lounge, punched in the lock code, and stepped inside. Hearing the sound of the shower coming from the bathroom, she walked over to the door, and with a few quick raps called out, “River.” Storm padded over to stand beside Sierra, as if she knew her moral support was needed.
The water cut off.
“River,” Sierra called out again. “What are you doing?”
“Taking a shower.”
“Why aren’t you going to school?” She waited, listening to the silence on the other side of the door. “River?”
“Go to school, Sierra.”
“You’re not sick,” she stated, trying to disguise her annoyance.
A few minutes later the door cracked open and River stuck his head around, wet hair falling into his eyes. “There is no way I could sit in class today. I’m going to stay with Cory as long as I can.”
“But…” Sierra said ineffectually, and her irritation drained away a
t sight of his sad face. “Are you okay?”
“Not really, but I’m dealing with this the best I can. Go to school, Sierra. I’ll see you this afternoon.”
“Okay,” she agreed, adding a big sigh. River closed the door, and not knowing what else to do, she turned and walked away.
*****
At last, Sierra sighed to herself at the sound of the final bell. At the same time, a chill ran down her spine and the lump that had been in her stomach all day tightened into a painful knot at the thought of what she might face at the stable.
“You okay?” Allison asked, noting Sierra’s sick expression as they gathered their notes into their school bags.
“Just worried.”
They exited to their lockers and then the parking lot. “Good luck,” Allison encouraged with a parting hug.
Will Cory still be there? Sierra wondered as she drove away. The owner had said she was picking him up Friday afternoon, but that could have been as early as right after lunch. I should have stayed home as well, she thought again regretfully. She had considered likewise calling in sick as she drove away from River this morning, but had decided against it, not wanting to have to explain to her mother, and also, she hated to miss classes this close to the end of the quarter. Now, worrying about her grades seemed trivial compared to the tragedy she feared awaited.
The stable appeared surprisingly quiet as Sierra drove in and parked. River’s truck sat in its usual spot, Tess’s Lexus in her spot, and one other car she recognized as one of the boarders. She exited the cab and walked reluctantly into the stable. No one in the crossties. Hearing hoof beats in the indoor arena, she turned the corner to find Mary warming up on her horse Raider, for her lesson with Tess.
For The Love of Horses (Pegasus Equestrian Center) Page 18
