A Life in Horse Heaven (Editing and slightly rewriting)

Chapter 1- A Little Challenge

This is my first book ever!!!!! I am so excited! Please vote and leave comments, so that I know what I need to do to improve my skills as a writer and to improve this story! Thanks so much. Sorry if this chapter isn't very exciting. I just needed to introduce some of the characters.

I tried to check for spelling or grammar mistakes. But since I don't have anyone editing them besides myself, there are bound to be mistakes. Please bare with me and enjoy reading! :)

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Chapter One (Mandy's POV)

Gleaming eyes stare back at me challengingly, rivaling my own scowl. Standing there with my sole focus on him I scanned his eyes for any flicker of defeat to flash through them. Amber, my best friend ever since we were little, was waiting for me at her ranch. I had offered to ride out to her house, so that we could talk and go for a nice peaceful trail ride. However, if he kept this up we wouldn't be getting anywhere anytime soon.

Sighing, I squatted down, gently running my fingertips over the sea of grass that surrounded us. Off into the distance I could make out the chirping noises of birds as they flew through the forest that enclosed our ranch and the pasture I was currently in. A white fence separated the trees from the rolling hills of the grassy pasture. I turned towards the rising sun and closed my eyes taking a deep breath. Warmth spread through me clear to my fingertips. I greedily soaked it up allowing a calm sensation to wash over me.

To my right I heard a few hoof beats and the sound of swooshing grass. My eyes flew open to reveal one big blue eye and one big brown eye warily staring at me. He stood only a few feet away from me, unsure of what his next move should be. He finally decided to lower his white muzzle to the grass, quietly nibbling on it.

As he munched away, I admired his beauty. His four white legs nicely contrasted his dark bay coat color, while his black mane accented the white blaze that ran down the front of his big fuzzy head. I noticed how his ears would flicker in my direction every once in awhile, checking to see if I had moved from my spot. Slowly I crept forward towards him, making sure to stay low to the ground.

Finally he was within my arm's reach. I quickly jumped into action before he slipped away again. The lead rope flew towards his thick neck. Making a quick leap towards his head, I tried to slide his nose through the halter. But he saw it coming and briskly pulled his head up in a defiant manner. Snorting, he backed up and stood farther away from me with his head held high and his black tail billowing in the wind.

"Oh, come on Badger," I whispered defeated. Why couldn't he be easy to catch? I sank to the ground throwing the halter with more force than needed to the spot next to me.

I had been having an intense glaring match with Badger still standing there proudly, when I heard some clapping from behind me. Now who could that be? I twisted myself around so that I could look at the fence where I saw my older brother Kent grinning teasingly. I narrowed my eyes at him as he waved me over. Glancing back at Badger one more time, I leapt up and met my brother at the fence.

"What do you want?" I said skeptically. I eyed him up and down wondering what it was that he was up to. He always had to tease me.

"Can't a brother just say hello to his sister?" I snorted and he laughed. "Having a little trouble catching your horse, there Mandy?" He teased nodding towards Badger.

I threw the halter on the top of the fence. "What do you think?" a sarcastic smile placed on my face as I nodded my head towards Badger who was being quite ornery today. "I've had him for five years, ever since he was five! And he still thinks it's fun to play this game."