Double Trouble

Chapter 20

Molly's POV

I gripped the leather reins nervously as I trotted a circle around a small cross rail. I looked down at Hawkins, who was totally calm. I could do this.

"Whenever you're ready," Heather's Mom said.

I took a deep breath, and headed towards the jump. We took even strides at the trot towards the jump, and we were almost there, but I pulled him to a stop.

Hawkins tossed his head, and scrambled backwards. He held his head low as he walked around the jump.

"I'm sorry," I said to Mrs. Smith, and she shook her head.

"That's okay," she said. "Try again. You can do it."

I nodded, then aided Hawkins back into a working trot. I collected him, then pointed him towards the jump. We had even strides, and as we reached the jump, I closed my eyes and went into two point.

We stepped over the tiny jump, and when we were on the other side of it safely, I opened my eyes, and grinned.

I slowed him, and Mrs. Smith rushed over and high fived me.

"Nice job!" she said, and I smiled.

"Thanks," I said shakily, then Heather rode over.

"That was great," she said, and I smiled at her.

"Thank you," I said, and it was a real thank you. Talking with her on the trail really helped me.

"Do you want to go over it again?" Mrs. Smith asked. I nodded.

"Could you raise it a few holes?" I asked, and Mrs. Smith nodded. She raised it so it was about a foot high vertical.

I trotted Hawkins around the jump, and pointed him at the center of it. We charged up to it, and rose over it easily. For such a large horse, Hawkins was really light on his feet when he took off and landed.

I kept my eyes open this time.

* * *

Later, Hawkins was cooled, untacked, groomed, and back in his pasture. I was excited, because I had made plans to go with Heather to Century Farms today. I couldn't wait to see Claire.

We piled in her car, and drove out of the driveway of Hunter Creek, then headed down the road towards CF.

We pulled through its black iron gates a short while later. Mrs. Smith dropped us off, then sped back to Hunter Creek. I pulled my jacket tighter around my body. It was chilly!

We entered the barn, and found Mel at Fiona's stall. I looked in, and saw that Fiona had her fillies with her!

"Ooh, how are they?" Heather asked excitedly.

"They're good. Fiona is obviously better now, but when we tried putting them together yesterday, Fiona rejected them," she said. I gasped. Oops!

"Oh my gosh! What did you do?" I asked, confused since they were all together now.

"We put hobbles on Fiona and Dr. Judy sedated her. We let the fillies nurse, and Fiona started to get used to them. Now, we don't need to sedate her or put her in hobbles 'cause she accepted them, but we have to keep a close eye on them just in case she starts back up at kicking them or anything like that," Mel explained. We nodded.

"Oh, also, Molly, Claire is a lot better. She's healed a lot faster than Dr. Judy predicted," Mel said, and I lit up.

"Can I see her?" I asked.

Mel nodded. We strolled over to her stall, and I saw that she had a royal purple bandage on her leg, but she was putting more weight on it now.

"Dr. Judy said that we can start walking her on soft ground and in the indoor ring for short periods of time. I was going to do it earlier, but then I remembered you were coming, and I thought you would like to do it. You up for it?" Mel asked.