Mystery at Brightfields

Chapter 8.

Zoe gave the vet a call and set up for her to come in the next hour. She thought back to the outstanding bill she had with Vet Baker and sighed. There was going to be another bill today too..this one was going to be a bit higher too. Zoe didn't have enough time to ride Raven before the vet got there, but she did have time to lunge him. She set off to the tack room to grab her things. 

Walking in she noticed that Jade's locker was already opened and her stuff was inside. Hmm. Thought Zoe. Until she realized her extra set of brushes that were being used as Layla's were gone too. Zoe smiled. Jade seemed to like her a lot...and she didn't have her own horse yet. 

Maybe that's an option...she grabbed the surcingle and lunge line and headed to Raven's stall. 

"Hey again boy. Ready to get a light work out? Doesn't seem like we are going to have time to ride today, but we both probably need a day off." said Zoe. She haltered and led him into the stable yard. 

Zoe always loved grooming, even though some people just rushed through it. It was bonding time, Raven and Zoe time, the best time. She picked up the saddle pad and surcingle and put it over Raven's back. Zoe then grabbed his bridle and put it on, and hooked on the lunge line. She lead him out to the arena, which thankfully was still empty. 

Raven let out a few bucks and kicks his first couple of laps and then Zoe hooked up the Vienna side reins. He then went straight into work mode and tucked his head in, looking like a perfect little dressage pony. Zoe smiled to herself. What a change in Raven since she had been there. She remembered her first encounter with Pin when he was lunging Raven..it was not good. Raven was dragging him all over the arena and not backing down. 

Ugh. She missed him. Even though she didn't want to. 

They didn't clarify anything before he left on his trip. He was just Pin and she was just Zoe. And nothing was ever given a name. Was he out on his trip meeting women in all of the luxurious cities he was visiting? Was he taking them out on dates and Zoe wasn't even an after thought? Was the only reason he wasn't coming home because he had found someone else he couldn't leave? Raven's snort broke her thoughts. 

"Sorry boy. I know that was a few to many canter circles. I got distracted." She brought him down to a walk and let him catch his breath.  Zoe looked at her phone, the vet was going to be there soon and she still had to put Raven away. Damn. She had been getting lost in her thoughts recently. The day was getting away from her. 

Zoe had Raven walk a few more laps and took him back to the yard to untack him. She saw Jade leading Layla in to the yard as well. 

"Hey Zoe! Just saw the vet pull in and I figured we would try to have her see Layla in the yard. I have been leading her around the pasture all morning. I think she finally trusts me." said Jade.

"Great idea, she looks great!  I know vet Baker will be happy to not have to walk all the way out there." replied Zoe. "And now we can have Raven and Layla officially meet, seeing as they are half siblings and all."

"I know! Becky called me this morning! She was going on an on about Bob and then drops the news! How insane?! I literally cannot believe it. They look nothing alike. Layla's mother must have the homozygotic palomino gene!" exclaimed Jade in wonder. 

"Homo-what?" asked Zoe

"Homozygotic! It means that Layla's mother only has babies that are palomino" explained Jade.

"I really wonder what this baby will look like." said Zoe. 

"Hi girls! Hows is our pregnant patient this morning?" Vet Baker started.