Post by SigOUrNeY on Apr 5, 2008 10:00:24 GMT -5
*Note: Sterling Hawk and Danezora were entrusted to JA by Sherlock when she left, and this is their arrival.
A cold front had come in the night before, and so the morning air was brisk. Lani dug her hands into the warmth of her jacket pockets, and planted a quick kiss on her filly’s nose before turning to leave. Renaissance whickered after her mistress, and paced the paddock fence as she watched Lani leave. In protest, the filly snorted and started a gallop around the fence line, picking up Sweet Silence in the process. Silver and bronze sparkled side by side in the growing light, and Lani cast a glance over her shoulder to watch the spectacle. The blonde smiled, and suddenly, she felt like the luckiest girl in the world to be having such a wonderful job, a wonderful horse, and outstanding friends.
”Whatcha’ thinking about?”
Lani turned around quickly to see Chris strolling towards her. With a grin, she answered, ”Stuff.”
Chris chuckled, and fell into step beside her as they headed towards the main barn.
”Mr. Duce just called to say he’s about ten minutes away with the mares,” The young man reported, before blowing warm air into his cupped hands and rubbing them together. He seemed to be in thought for a second, and then spoke quietly, ”I don’t want to be a downer, but four more horses is a lot to take on. And with the new foals just being born…”
Lani nodded in agreement. Even though Mr. Duce’s niece and nephew, Rachel and Ricky helped out at the barn and took care of their horses – in Ricky’s case at least – there was still a lot of work to be done. And although the whole family tried to help out – Melissa Duce had taken on training some responsibilities and Mike and Emily were cleaning tack and brushing horses – the days were never long enough.
”Do you think we should talk to Mr. Duce about a new worker?” Lani suggested helpfully. Chris shrugged. Although a new worker would be a huge help, Chris had trouble picturing the Justice Acres team with a new face. This farm was a special place, and it took special people to work on it. Thankfully, the rattling trailer pulling up into the courtyard saved him from having to think of an answer.
Mr. Duce turned off the ignition, and hopped out of the truck just as Dustin, Justice Acres’ ever faithful golden retriever, bounded up to them. Wagging his tail, Dustin watched as the ramp was lowered, and two thoroughbred horses were carefully backed out. The chestnut mare came out patiently, but the dark bay was overeager and scrambled down the ramp, nearly running Lani over as she bounced up and down, looking as though she wanted to rear, but to interested in her surrounding to go through with it.
”The chestnut is Danezora, and the eager beaver is Sterling Hawk,” Mr. Duce said, as he laid a calming hand on the prancing three year old. The filly’s skin twitched, but she didn’t fidget as much. ”She’s only had one start, but she broke her maiden first time out. I like her, but she’s a little too confident.”
Lani stroked a soothing hand down the thoroughbred’s neck, but cringed suddenly when Sterling released a loud whinny to Epona and Simmy out in the paddock. Epona, please don’t answer… She silently begged.
A friendly whinny came from Epona, who was standing pressed up against the rail, and ready to greet her new buddy. Danezora pricked her ears inquisitively, and Sterling reared up. Lani spoke softly to the thoroughbred, and circled her patiently. The whole scene went on with Mike and Emily watching from a distance, their eyes large at the sight of the new horses.
Mr. Duce took the lead rope from Lani, and as the filly rose up for another rear, he flicked at her haunches with the end of the rope. Startled, Sterling came down and tried to bolt, but Mr. Duce circled her again. Throwing up her head, Sterling’s eyes rolled back and her ears flicked back to her skull in agitation. She bared her teeth at Mr. Duce in an attempt to take a chunk out of him, but the older man gave her a more stern smack on the rump, and immediately the dark bay gave up her conquest for superiority, and settled down. Mr. Duce patted her on the neck, and handed the lead rope to Lani again.
”Work out the kinks in the round pen. She likes to bluff, but don’t push her too far. Chris, you can walk Zora around. This girl has shown nothing but good behavior. I’ll be back in half an hour with the others.”
And with that, he was gone again, with Dustin trotting after him until the truck left the main gate. Then, the golden retriever left in search of Mike and Emily, who he hoped would play fetch.
Chris and Lani walked their horses side by side for a while, letting Zora calm down her excited companion. When Sterling looked quieter, the pair were separated, and Sterling was put to work on the longe. Zora didn’t like being apart from her friend, and whinnied pitifully, but when Chris began introducing her to all of the other equine residents, Teeko, and Dustin, she didn’t seem to mind so much.
CONTINUED AT 'THE PRAISED'
A cold front had come in the night before, and so the morning air was brisk. Lani dug her hands into the warmth of her jacket pockets, and planted a quick kiss on her filly’s nose before turning to leave. Renaissance whickered after her mistress, and paced the paddock fence as she watched Lani leave. In protest, the filly snorted and started a gallop around the fence line, picking up Sweet Silence in the process. Silver and bronze sparkled side by side in the growing light, and Lani cast a glance over her shoulder to watch the spectacle. The blonde smiled, and suddenly, she felt like the luckiest girl in the world to be having such a wonderful job, a wonderful horse, and outstanding friends.
”Whatcha’ thinking about?”
Lani turned around quickly to see Chris strolling towards her. With a grin, she answered, ”Stuff.”
Chris chuckled, and fell into step beside her as they headed towards the main barn.
”Mr. Duce just called to say he’s about ten minutes away with the mares,” The young man reported, before blowing warm air into his cupped hands and rubbing them together. He seemed to be in thought for a second, and then spoke quietly, ”I don’t want to be a downer, but four more horses is a lot to take on. And with the new foals just being born…”
Lani nodded in agreement. Even though Mr. Duce’s niece and nephew, Rachel and Ricky helped out at the barn and took care of their horses – in Ricky’s case at least – there was still a lot of work to be done. And although the whole family tried to help out – Melissa Duce had taken on training some responsibilities and Mike and Emily were cleaning tack and brushing horses – the days were never long enough.
”Do you think we should talk to Mr. Duce about a new worker?” Lani suggested helpfully. Chris shrugged. Although a new worker would be a huge help, Chris had trouble picturing the Justice Acres team with a new face. This farm was a special place, and it took special people to work on it. Thankfully, the rattling trailer pulling up into the courtyard saved him from having to think of an answer.
Mr. Duce turned off the ignition, and hopped out of the truck just as Dustin, Justice Acres’ ever faithful golden retriever, bounded up to them. Wagging his tail, Dustin watched as the ramp was lowered, and two thoroughbred horses were carefully backed out. The chestnut mare came out patiently, but the dark bay was overeager and scrambled down the ramp, nearly running Lani over as she bounced up and down, looking as though she wanted to rear, but to interested in her surrounding to go through with it.
”The chestnut is Danezora, and the eager beaver is Sterling Hawk,” Mr. Duce said, as he laid a calming hand on the prancing three year old. The filly’s skin twitched, but she didn’t fidget as much. ”She’s only had one start, but she broke her maiden first time out. I like her, but she’s a little too confident.”
Lani stroked a soothing hand down the thoroughbred’s neck, but cringed suddenly when Sterling released a loud whinny to Epona and Simmy out in the paddock. Epona, please don’t answer… She silently begged.
A friendly whinny came from Epona, who was standing pressed up against the rail, and ready to greet her new buddy. Danezora pricked her ears inquisitively, and Sterling reared up. Lani spoke softly to the thoroughbred, and circled her patiently. The whole scene went on with Mike and Emily watching from a distance, their eyes large at the sight of the new horses.
Mr. Duce took the lead rope from Lani, and as the filly rose up for another rear, he flicked at her haunches with the end of the rope. Startled, Sterling came down and tried to bolt, but Mr. Duce circled her again. Throwing up her head, Sterling’s eyes rolled back and her ears flicked back to her skull in agitation. She bared her teeth at Mr. Duce in an attempt to take a chunk out of him, but the older man gave her a more stern smack on the rump, and immediately the dark bay gave up her conquest for superiority, and settled down. Mr. Duce patted her on the neck, and handed the lead rope to Lani again.
”Work out the kinks in the round pen. She likes to bluff, but don’t push her too far. Chris, you can walk Zora around. This girl has shown nothing but good behavior. I’ll be back in half an hour with the others.”
And with that, he was gone again, with Dustin trotting after him until the truck left the main gate. Then, the golden retriever left in search of Mike and Emily, who he hoped would play fetch.
Chris and Lani walked their horses side by side for a while, letting Zora calm down her excited companion. When Sterling looked quieter, the pair were separated, and Sterling was put to work on the longe. Zora didn’t like being apart from her friend, and whinnied pitifully, but when Chris began introducing her to all of the other equine residents, Teeko, and Dustin, she didn’t seem to mind so much.
CONTINUED AT 'THE PRAISED'