His Second Chance

Chapter One

I think for certain that I am not a morning person. I heard the excruciating sound of Chloe's alarm clock that sounded like a fire alarm. This was seriously the worst way to start the morning.

"How do you do this every day?" I moaned, as I heard my cousin get out of her bunk.

"Get up," came the amused reply, before she launched a pillow at me.

Her hand-eye coordination is very good, I thought, as I rolled out of bed - quite literally - falling on top of Ranger. He yelped and wiggled out from underneath me, looking at me with a face of disapproval. I ignored his annoyed expression and, with a moan, pulled my blanket down over my body. The floor was uncomfortable, but my tired brain didn't care. I lay there for several minutes, battling the urge to go back to sleep before I decided to get up, moaning and complaining. All of my clothing were waiting for me on the end of my bed.

I always forget how cold the floor is early in the morning and did an interesting sort of tap-dance, to say the least, in order to stop my feet from getting frostbite. I picked up my clothes and shuffled over to the little bathroom that was on the other side of the barn attic. Just as I approached, Chloe came out, fully clothed, wearing make-up and with her hair in pristine condition. I pointed at her with a frown on my face and my jaw dropping in the most attractive manner that it made my double-chin protrude from my face.

"You're dressed!" I said," And wearing make-up!"

"Really Amy, you are slow in the morning," Chloe said with a chuckle as she walking past me and trotted downstairs, the dogs following behind her.

"I don't even know you!" he shouted.

"Just get dressed!"

I huffed like an angry child and dragged myself into the bathroom. My morning routine was usually very extensive and the family were in trouble if they didn't get into the bathroom before me. When I finally finished, with my hair weaved into a singular plait down my head, some make-up having been slapped on my face and me in my breeches and shirt, I exited the bathroom and stomped downstairs. Chloe was in the tack room, making last minute preparations while the dogs were finishing their breakfast.

"Hungry?" I asked.

"You can have some food on the way," she said, without looking up.

I scoffed. "I meant are you hungry? I was going to get us something to eat!"

"Oh, right!" came the reply," In that case, yes, I am hungry. I'm always hungry, but we will have to wait!"

"I know you've hidden some muffins in the cupboard," I grinned.

"Gosh, you really are impossible in the morning! Will you take that numnah, put it in the back of the lorry."

I huffed but did as I was told. As I walked past Ava's stable, she stuck her head out and gave me a morning nicker. In return, I gave her a morning kiss. She had been in all night, along with some of the younger horses who we were taking with us today. I had to chuckle to myself when I saw Ava dressed in a bright pink tail guard and travel boots to match. They had been a matching set from Archie last Christmas, and I loved them. Chloe certainly didn't approve and had already schemed to have them hidden away forevermore. Her mane and forelock were also plaited and although a little dirty, could be easily cleaned to make her look like the queen she was. Well, not that she wasn't a queen anyway!

I gave her a last pat before walking out towards the massive lorry that was parked in the driveway. It was a handsome thing, a dark blue with white strips running through it. Chloe had bought it last year with the earnings from one of Fly's races. He had been doing so well that past few years since he had won his first race and saved us from ruin. But he was getting old now, too old to race, at least, and as much as we all hated to admit it, he would have to retire soon, if not now. If I were to be honest, I was rather worried for Chloe. Her life revolved around the horses, Fly most of all. What would she do if he were to retire? She obviously had all of her new horses whom she had bred herself, but she was backing them to be sold as soon as possible. Perhaps she would keep a few, I wasn't sure, but once the majority of them were gone - and it would not be long now - she would have very little to keep her mind occupied.