Promise & Me

Chapter 2

A gentle breeze blew through the open air barn as I made my way to Promise's stall. Though the wind was light, it helped with the scorching August heat.

It had been three days since I received my letter of acceptance to Crescent Wood Academy. The days suddenly grew longer as I impatiently waited for August 16th I arrive. It didn't help that I hadn't been able to ride Promise since I had gotten her. As much as I wanted to take her out in the arena, I knew she needed time to settle in and get used to her new surroundings.

"Aidan?" Momma's voice came from down the aisle, and I turned on my heel to face her.

"Yes momma?" I answered as she made he way towards me, her dark brown curls bouncing.

"I want you to be careful with her," She kept her eyes on me while approaching Sherri's stall, not paying any attention towards the aggressive mare. Luckily Sherri knows not to mess with momma. "She's still young."

I nodded gently, before turning my attention to the filly that I stood in front of. She lowered her head over the stall door, practically begging me to scratch behind her ears. "How've you been girl?"

I reached up and rubbed her favorite spot, and she leaned forward to allow better access. The sound of hooves beating rhythmically on the cement caused me to turn around. Daddy seemed to appear out of nowhere, leading Roadrunner from his stall all tacked and ready in his Western riding equipment.

"Where are you going?" My eyes scanned the chestnut's gleaming coat, and daddy stopped him to look back at me.

"I'm gonna be workin' on poles and barrels," Daddy responded, and I nodded in understanding.

Back in the day, whenever that was,

daddy was a top Western rider. He would do anything from pole bending to bronc riding. Though he stopped riding broncos long ago when he severely injured his back. Ever since then daddy's back has always been in pain. It may not show, but it is obvious from the pained look that remains in his eyes. Luckily, his spine is still able to support his riding, but only for a small amount of time.

"Don't be out there too long," I reminded him, but he only rolled his eyes with a half grin and continued his walk out of the barn.

I shook my head slightly, before grabbing Promise's lead rope and clipping it to her halter. The first couple of days we had her we let her out in the pasture without the halter, but I quickly found that to be a mistake. It took me almost half an hour to chase her down and bring her back to her stall in the morning.

Promise followed eagerly behind me, her steps high and bouncy. Her head jerked from side to side, and I could already tell that it was going to be a touch ride. Even when I hooked her to the cross-ties in the aisle, she continued to prance in place. With a heavy sigh, I began the grooming process, hoping that it would calm her.

By the time I had the filly fully tacked and ready to go in her English equipment, she still wasn't calmed down. If anything, she was more excited than before. The three days that I gave Promise off really did have a negative impact. Working it all out of her system would not be an easy task.

"You ready?" I looked up from putting my helmet on to see momma standing at the entrance to the barn with her hands positioned on her hips. By her attire, I knew that she was going to help me and jump on Promise if necessary.

"Ready as I'll ever be," I tightened my grip on the reins and followed momma out.

~

"Keep your hands and heels down!" Momma barked the orders at me harshly, making me do as she said immediately. When it came to riding, momma didn't joke around. "Good."