Breyer Brook Stables Book One, The Best Summer Ever!

Chapter 16: The Good, the Bad, and the Terrified

Th-thanks" I murmured as soon as I let go of his warm embrace.

"Hey, it's no problem at all" he shrugged. "Come on, let's go back to the trailer, we still need to get the little one out of the trailer"

"Okay" I followed him back to where Mrs. Miller was waiting, her arms crossed.

"Well, well, well... it's about time you two showed up to help again"

"Umm, sorry" I squeaked out, terrified. "I'm just having an off start here"

"An off start?" she asked, raising an eyebrow. "Well, you better buck up and help me here"

"I--Uh--eh---" I stammered nervously.

"It won't happen again Mrs. Miller" Ponyboy finished my statement hastily.

"Okey" she took a deep breath, calming herself.

Now calm, she took a few steps toward me, I however was completely on guard.

"Just stay away...." I hissed, backing up about five steps from her.

"It okay Alex" she replied sweetly, "I didn't mean to snap at you guys"

"Yeah right," I snapped, my eye wide with fear.

"No, really..." she tried to explain herself.

"Come on Pony, let's go" I grabbed his hand.

"Alex..." he turned to face me, "It's okay, let's just stay here and focus on getting the cute, little, donkey out"

"Nestor!" I cheered.

"Yes, Nestor... let's go get'em"

"Okay" I replied, sweetly.

"That a girl," he said, we walked over and faced the inside of the trailer.

"Okay, so how are we going to do this?" I asked, realizing that we still had the mother to unload.

"Well, I was thinking that you put the halters on each of the remaining donkeys and then I'll take them to meet up with their dad in their new family stall here"

"Oh, okay-- yeah... that's a good idea" I replied happily.

"Well, looks like she's forgotten about the little shocker with Mrs. Miller" Pony thought happily.

"Ahem... ready?" I waved a hand in front of Pony's face trying to get his attention back.

"Oh, I'm ready" he blinked.

"Okay, here they come..." I started, walking in the trailer and taking the older one first. Walking her down the ramp, I paused when I reached the bottom. "Here, she's really gentle, you should have no trouble with her" I concluded, handing him the lead rope.

"Thanks, Alex" he replied, taking it.

"You're welcome" I replied,

"You're so sweet" he smiled,

"Aww, thanks" I smiled back, watching him go.

After he walked out of my sight of vision, I decided to go away and get the baby donkey, Nestor; out and all ready for him to take back and be with his family.

"What a great idea," I thought to myself, "I'm so clever," I thought, walking up the ramp towards the youngest; walking inside I took out the halter and lead rope, instantly he bolted-- staggering up into his feet, eye pricked up.

"It's okay..." I reassured, the halter and lead rope still in hand-- this time I stretched my arm out towards the little one to let him sniff it. "Here" I held my outstretched hand towards him, as he sniffed at it, his donkey whiskers tickled my hand lightly.

"Hey, that tickles" I giggled, his hot breath felt good on my shin as I was a little chilled, the wind picked up speed and the sky darkened.

Pony walked back to the trailer a moment later; "Hey, is it me, or did it just get surprising cold?" he asked me,

"It's not just you, I'm cold too," I said, rubbing my arms. "I think we're in for a storm"

"Oh we are, are we?" he looked up at the sky.

"Yes, we are" I protested.

"Well, looks like you're right"

"What are we gonna do?" I said, beginning to panic.

"Easy, easy, take it easy Alex" he soothed, "I'll tell ya what we're gonna do-- I'll just place this little one in the stall with its mother and father then we'll go find Mrs. Miller and ask her what to do. Okay?"

"Umm, o-okay" just then I heard a huge thunderclap; the donkey bolted again and I nearly jumped out of my skin.

Pony must have realized this because he replied "easy, easy Alex; it's okay"

"What? Me? I'm not scared of thunder of anything that would be crazy" I said hastily.

"Alex, Alex-- it's okay" he reassured. "Here you can come with me if you'd like," he said, sticking a hand out to me.

"Th-thanks" I replied, taking it.

"Hey, it's all good"

To avoid any more 'spooks' from the littlest donkey, Pony picked him up and placed him gently around his shoulders. Holding him by the legs he began to turn towards the direction of the stalls and began to walk forward, "Come on" he said, turning his head slightly to me.

Just then another thunderclap sounded, yelping, I jumped up; staggering to my feet. Latching onto his arm tightly.

"Hey, hey, it's okay" he replied, walked towards the stalls.