Maggie Cartwright: Book 2 Man In The Window

Horse Breaking

I was woken by someone shaking my shoulders. My eyes shot open in fear, only to see Joe, fully dressed, hat and all, waking me up.

"Jenny is almost here. Wake up, bonehead!" Joe said. I let out a groan as I stretched.

"Okay, I'll be down in a minute." I said as I finished stretching. Joe chuckled as he left the room and shut my door. I quickly got up and changed, walking downstairs.

"Morning." Pa said as he looked up from the gun that he was cleaning.

"Morning." I said as I went into the kitchen and grabbed something to eat. I came back out and pulled my gun belt on.

"Once Jenny gets here, I'll taking Shasta down to the round up pen." I said as I put my hat on.

"Okay. Be careful with her." Pa said as I nodded.

"I will." I walked out of the house and saw Joe tacking Cochise up. I went into the barn and started brushing Tulsa down. Shasta stood in her stall, holding her head as if she was the biggest horse there. I chuckled as I started tacking Tulsa up. I led her and Shasta out of the barn. I mounted Tulsa, then tied Shasta's rope around the saddle horn. Tulsa pinned her ears, having the new filly so close.

"Tulsa. You're okay." I said, patting her neck.

"She okay?" Joe asked, watching Shasta pinned her ears and fight the halter.

"I guess her and Tulsa don't get along well. Would you want to lead her?" I asked, starting to untie her rope.

"Sure!" Joe said as I tossed him her rope. He tied it around his saddle horn. We heard hoof beats coming up the lane and soon we saw Jenny cantering towards us on golden Sun. She was in a split skirt, which I hated. Typical Jenny though.

"Hi Maggie! Hi Joe." She smiled extra when she said hi to Joe.

"Hi." He smiled back, tipping his hat.

"Well, let's go, shall we." I said, nudging Tulsa out of the lane.

"Yes, yes we shall." Joe said as him and Jenny fell behind. I rolled my eyes, hearing them both chattering. I tried not to gag once I heard Joe tell her she was beautiful. Shasta let out a whinny, tossing her head and almost dragging Cochise forward. I turned Tulsa around and trotted back to them to walk beside Shasta.

"At the rate we're moving, we won't get there till noon!" I sighed.

"You'll be fine!" Joe rolled his eyes, continuing his conversation with Jenny about how amazing he was at bronc riding.

"If you're so good, can we please hurry up and get there!" I groaned.

"Maggie, hush." Joe snapped. I scowled at him as Shasta started prancing in front of Joe. I reined Tulsa beside Cochise and leaned over, untying the rope from around the saddle horn.

"What are you doing?" Joe stopped talking as he watched me with a confused looked.

"Going to break some wild horses." I said, tying the rope around my saddle horn.

"Hyaaa!" I hollered, kicking my heels into Tulsa side. Shasta shook her head as she sprinted forward beside Tulsa. I watched Shasta gallop in the wind. She was even more beautiful that way. I was glad to leave the lovebirds behind and finally feel the wind in my face.

We soon got the round pen and I slowed the horses down.

"About time you got here!" Hoss said as he turned to see who was riding in.

"Joe and Jenny were busy yapping, so I left them behind." I shrugged, dismounting Tulsa and tying her to the hitching post. I led Shasta over to the pen of horses.