Promise & Me

Chapter 1

The young filly pranced at my side, as I lead her to her new home. Her hooves click clacked on the cement in the barn, while she lifted her legs up high. A whinny escaped her lips, and she looked back to sneak a peak at the other horses she passed.

Momma's Arabian mare, Sherri, responded with a snort. She pinned her ears back and bared her teeth at the filly. I narrowed my eyes at the moody horse, but it didn't do any good of course. It was no surprise she was kept in the stall without anyone beside her.

The filly jerked her head back and sidestepped. I patted her neck gently to soothe her, and she calmed down almost immediately. "It's okay baby," I rubbed her clipped mane and smiled at its softness.

We had probably passed about five stalls since we went by Sherri until we saw Roadrunner. Daddy's barrel horse reached out to the filly and kept his ears perked, as he tried to investigate the new horse.

The strawberry roan ignored the chestnut gelding an continued walking by my side. After passing by fifteen stalls, I finally placed the new filly in her stall. I unclipped her lead rope and pushed the wooden door closed behind her, while she circled her large space. The cool steel from the top of the stall door caused me to shiver, as I placed my hands and chin on it.

"Have you decided what you're gonna name her?" Large, calloused hands were place firmly on my shoulders, and I looked up to see the familiar blue eyes that belonged to my father.

A smile played at my lips, as I took in his appearance. He looked the same as he always did. Tousled blonde hair matted down by his worn out cowboy hat, blue eyes that stood out from his tan skin, and the almost ageless looking face. His plaid long sleeve was rolled up to his elbows, and his Wranglers were held up by his worn out belt.

"Can't think of anything," I mumbled, as my gaze wandered back to my horse. She looked up from the bedding to gaze at me, before taking cautious steps towards the stall door. Daddy and I took a step back, just as she threw her head over the door.

"What about Strawberry?" The suggestion caused me to look over her coat at her strawberry colored body. My hand reached up to stroke the white blaze on her forehead. It was the only spot on her entire body not mixed with red.

"No...," I trailed off, as I continued to pet her. She looked back at me with her big brown eyes, and I smiled lightly. "I think I want to name her Promise."

Daddy's hands squeezed tightly to my shoulders, and even though I couldn't see his face at the moment, I knew he was smiling. "I like that."

"Me too," My voice came out in a whisper, and I felt a stray tear roll down my cheek. It was a wonder that my voice didn't crack. "Thank you so much daddy." This time my voice faltered, as I turned around to embrace him in a suffocating hug. Tears of happiness rolled freely down my cheeks and began to soak his shirt.

"You're welcome baby," His hands moved to my upper back, and he began to softly rub small circles on it. "Now, to show your appreciation-"

"Oh lord," I pulled back to look up at him and wiped the wetness off my cheeks, as I cracked a small smile.

Daddy chuckled slightly and placed his hands on my shoulders once again. "Anyway," he continued. "Feed the horses, and then I want you to come inside."

"Yes sir," I took a step back and saluted him, before walking backwards towards the feed room. He rolled his eyes at me, and I turned back around once I nearly ran into the door from walking the wrong way.

My hand instantly went to the light switch, and the once semi dark room, was filled with light. I placed my hands on my hips and took in the familiar room. Trash cans were up against every inch of the walls, but only three were in use.