Choas

A Box and a Collar

Owen comes back in with a box and a collar.

Now I'm really nervous, he passes me the box first.

'This is from your parents, Beth and I.' I start to unwrap the paper covering it to see a box with 'Ariat' on it.

I gasp as I slowly open it to see my very own western boots. They are brown with blue and white stitching and are absolutely gorgeous. I stare at them in surprise, then jump out of the chair and wrap Owen and Beth in a hug.

'Thank you so much,' I smile as I slip the boots on.

'Now for our present,' Axel says while handing me a collar.

'Thanks guys, but what's it for?' I say confused.

'Close your eyes and come with us,' Axel replies while he and Nate grab my hand.

Dan covers my eyes with a tea towel and they lead me outside.

'Watch your step Katie!' Someone yells as I stumble down the front steps. Nate and Axel laugh steadying me by grabbing my elbows before I can fall over.

They lead me over across the gravel towards the machinery shed.

'Okay take the blindfold off,' Dan orders.

As my eyes adjust to the light I see I am standing in front of the old hillux and in the tray is an old motorbike helmet.

I reach out and turn the helmet towards me to see a border collie pup curled up inside. I instantly reach for it.

'Its so cooooote!' I whisper as to not to wake it up although its already awake. 'Thank you I love ..... Ah?'

'Him,' Mason finishes for me. 'What are you going to name him?' He asks.

'I don't know yet, I think I'll have to sleep on that one' I smile as the puppy grunts and licks my hand.

'Rightio boys, we have work to do' Owen commands. They instantly are on alert waiting for there orders.

'And girl,' I butt in before Owen can say anything else.

'No Katie, your here on holiday. I don't wont you to feel like your obliged to do work while your hear.' Owen replies in a stern voice. I nod my head and make it look like I am concentrating on the pup but instead I am listening in on his orders intently.

'Ash your on maintenance, the tractor is ticking over again and could you please refill fuel tanks on the small truck, tractor, motorbikes and bus.' I see Ash's eyes light up at the sound of machines. He obviously likes maintenance.

'Darcy and Dan I want you to keep working with the young gelding, don't push him too much. Try make some decent progress before lunch.' They both nod and move off to get the breaking equipment.

'Mason and Charlie your on fencing, the bulls have destroyed the south fence, again, I brought electric insulators this time so i'll come and help you try to get that running by this afternoon. Axel and Nate you can muster the back paddock, get all the sheep in the yards draft them and drench the ewes, then after lunch I'll need Dan, Darcy and Ash to help dock the lambs tails. Hopefully Charlie, Mason and I will be finished and be able to give you a hand and if not get the spotlights and plod away at it into the night. We need those ewes on the truck before dawn.' He nods his head and the boys scatter in various directions and Owen turns to me.

'Katie, Beth said you didn't sleep very well. I want you to try and get some sleep this afternoon, okay? Also you might want to see if Beth wants a hand in the kitchen she is cooking up a storm for your welcome home party Friday night.' He smiles cheekily.

'WHAT!?! A welcome home party?' I ask confused.

'Yep!' He replies, 'surprise?' He pulls me into a hug and says

'Take care of yourself.' He turns and goes to help Charlie and Mason with the fencing gear. I head back to the house releasing I'm still in my pink pjs.

'Beth, was the party your idea?' I ask accusingly as I walk through the kitchen still holding my pup.

'It was meant to be a surprise! Who told you,' she asks disappointed.

'Your husband, it still is a great surprise. I can't wait, do you want a hand?'

'No lovey, go have fun. Explore, go check out the new horse stables past the hay shed there, they are pretty flash.' I just nod and head back to my room to get changed.

I take off my new boots and pull out my old RMWs riding boots that have just about had it. I also pull on old torn jeans and a plain t-shirt. I decide to leave the puppy with Beth while I go and explore. I walk past the hay shed and the smell of horse instantly hits me.

I see a shack with a holding yard connected next to that is a round yard and inside a beautiful beast of an animal throws his head as Dan try's to slip a halter over his perfectly muscled neck.

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Authors note:

Suggestions on the puppies name? Anyone?

I was thinking chopper or chomper?