Northwind Ranch: Book 1

Chapter 2:

Chapter 2:

~America~

America started to unpack. After she was finished, she turned on the radio beside her bed and played the pop station as loud as it would turn up. In the next room, Jake grumbled in annoyance as he heard loud pop music blaring through the walls. He rolled his eyes and continued unpacking.

America finished unpacking and decided to explore because she had nothing else to do. She turned off the radio and headed outside. America went over to a paddock where Whisper was. She glared at him and watched him. America walked into the paddock. "I guess I better so something with you." She mumbled. She grabbed a halter and slipped it over Whisper's face. America brought Whisper into the barn. She hooked him up to the cross ties. She grabbed a curry comb and started to brush him.

~Jake~

Jake sighed in relief when the music was turned off. It wasn't that he didn't like it, it's just that he preferred peace and quiet. He finished unpacking and threw his bag on the floor, sighing. Jake sat down on his bed and stared at the wall before deciding to get up and go see his horse. He headed over to the stables and found a stall with the name plate Merida. He looked up to see a shy looking paint mare.

"Why are you in a stall? You don't look like a show horse." Jake frowned at his assigned horse. She shrunk into the corner and he caught notice of a long scabbed over gash across her chest. "Oh," he whispered in understanding. He smiled softly at the mare.

~Chris~

Chris looked up suddenly as Alexa asked him a question. "What's your name anyway?" Alexa asked him in a bored tone.

"Chris" Chris replied. "And you are Alexa." He filled up the bucket a second time and returned to Styx's stall. He saw a small snake in the corner. He immediately knew that was what caused all of the commotion. Styx hated snakes. Chris walked over and picked up the snake.

Alexa walked over to Chris, "Cool that you guys have snakes here." Legend huffed and pawed the floor with a powerful front leg. He was growing restless.

Jake went through the stables and found Alexa and Chris. He glanced down at the snake nervously and asked, "What happened to Merida?"

Chris turned to Jake. "She was attacked by a wild animal, probably a cougar." He took the snake and put it outside. Then he returned to Styx's stall.

Jake walked back over to Merida after grabbing her halter. He stepped inside carefully, slightly nervous. He'd never seen a horse that wasn't on TV and especially one that had been attacked by a cougar.

~America~

Alexa rolled her eyes and led Legend to the round pen after grabbing her lunge lead and whip. She opened up the gate and unclipped the lead rope from the stallion's halter. She gazed into his dark, glassy eyes and smiled. "You don't need the lunge lead, do you?"

He whinnied in agreement and she set it aside before cracking the whip. He took off cantering around the pen, sunlight shining his pure black coat.

America finished grooming Whisper. "You are really gross, you know." She said to Whisper. "Revolting." Whisper nudged America with his head. America took a step back, fear in her eyes. A small memory flash in her head. Her sister lying on the ground, the horse galloping away. Her sisters cold touch and her mother's chilling words. "She's dead."

America gulped in the air around her, trying to regain her composure.

America clipped on Whisper's halter and took a few steps back. She took a deep breath and calmed herself. 'The stupid thing won't hurt you.' She thought to herself. She took his lead rope and brought him outside.

America put Whisper back into the paddock and went back into the barn. As she past by Jake and Merida, Apollo jumped up onto her and pusher her over. She fell towards Jake much to her distataste not to mention embarrassment. She barely had time to mumble, "Stupid dog."

Merida whinnied and struggled against the cross ties. Jake was surprised and dropped his curry comb, barely catching America.

Nanook looked up at America and Jake from his nap in the corner and whimpered as if he had taken offense. Jake laughed and set America down.

Chris whistled to call over Apollo. "Sorry about him!" He called. He started to pet Apollo.

America shrugged tyring to act as if falling into some dude's arms didn't upset her. "Need any help?" She asked Jake.

Jake shrugged, "I don't think so. I'm just brushing her today but am frankly scared to ride her."

"OK." America said. "I never caught your name, what is it?" She asked.

"Its Jake," he replied, continuing to brush Merida.

"I am America." America said. "But my friends call me Mer or Ames."

Jake switched to the dandy brush and replied, "I like Ames."

"Thanks." America said. "My friend from home Brittney gave me that one, though she didn't mean to. She wasn't even talking to me. She actually yelling for her friend Amy. "

"Oh," Jake breathed out a short laugh. "Maybe I should call you Mer then?"

"Sure." America said. "That one also has a fun story behind it."

Jake smiled and glanced over at her, "Let's hear it, shall we?"

America smiled. "Maybe some other time." She replied.

Jake rolled his eyes and switched to the body brush.

America laughed when Jake rolled his eyes. "I am going back to my room." She said before turning swiftly on her heal and leaving, ending the conversation.