A Home For MacKenzie

Chapter 7

Horses whinnied back and forth to each other and their owners as they waited for breakfast.  Others were being led down to the arena or were tied to trailers swishing their tails.  People were running back and forth from the stalls back up to the trailers.  Some were tucking in shirts while others had bridles and saddles in their arms.  Children were running around and parents were trying to keep up with them.

            A palomino and buckskin stood in the wash rack while a stout little black and white pain was tied to the rack outside.  Three younger girls were laughing as they bathed horses and splashed each other in the process, ignoring some of the looks they were getting.

            There was a man on a tractor smoothing out the arena while a couple others worked to set up the pattern for the first event.  The announcers were just heading up to the booth in preparation to start the day.

            Mackenzie shook her head in awe as she adjusted her new sunglasses and ball cap.  She couldn’t remember the last time she had seen so much activity.  Of course she hadn’t been to a Fair in ages.

            “Wow!” Mackenzie exclaimed.

            Fern giggled as she adjusted her straw hat over her eyes better.  “Hectic isn’t it?” she smiled. “Caleb and I used to be at the fair every year when we were in 4H.”

            Caleb smiled.  “It looks crazy, but we had some great times.  Not to mention all the fair food..”

            “Oooh, fair food!  Gyros and slushies!”

            “Now you guys are making me hungry,” Mackenzie laughed.

            “Well, why don’t you girls wait here?  I’ll be right back, then we can go look at the horses before everything starts.”

            The girls nodded, but giggled.  Caleb rolled his eyes, but jogged away.  Mackenzie was very tempted to whistle at him, but quickly decided against it.  Although he definitely looked good in his Wranglers, boots, and rust colored T-shirt.  Not to mention she thought he looked cute in his straw cowboy hat and sunglasses.

            “You like my brother,” Fern teased her friend.  Heat rose up Mackenzie’s face.  “I knew it!”

            “Shh,” Mackenzie hissed.  “I don’t want him knowing.  I’ve never had friends before and I don’t want to lose one.”  Fern tilted her head to the side as if thinking.  “Fern, please,” she pleaded.

            “Oh fine.  I won’t say anything right now.”

            Caleb came back before Mackenzie could say anything.  He had a carrier with three Styrofoam cups in it in one hand and a tray of food in the other, along with a big smile on his face.  He handed each girl a bagel and a cup of hot chocolate, taking the cup of coffee for himself.

            “So, who’s ready to go see the horses?” he asked, dropping the tray and carrier in the garbage can.  Both girls raised their hands.  “Alright then, then let’s go.”

            They stood around just long enough to eat their bagels.  Caleb handed Fern his coffee and moved around to where he could push her wheelchair.  Mackenzie knew from talking to Fern that she had a motorized wheelchair as well, but for the most part the girl liked to use the old fashioned kind, said it kept her in shape and Mackenzie didn’t doubt that for a minute.

            The three friends walked around talked animatedly.  Caleb and Fern took turns pointing out horses that they knew and telling Mackenzie about them.  The teen smiled as she listened.  She had never been in one place long enough to get to know that many people.  Maybe this time would be different though.  At least she hoped.