That trail ride was to be on her parents land, forty acres in northern Alabama. The Showe family had only moved there the year before, and were still trying to adjust to life in the south. Her parents had owned a small training barn in Arizona, where they used to live, and had decided to try to start it up again. They were now much closer to the big horse racing tracks in Kentucky and Florida. Where in Arizona, they had only had the smaller one in Phoenix and a few large ones in California, like Santa Anita.   

    The reason they needed good racetracks around was simple. Her parents were in the horse training business. Ex-racehorse training. They would buy a racehorse that was either too old to race anymore, didn't do well racing, or was injured too badly to continue racing. But, they didn’t take just any horses. The horses went through what Sonora had come to calling the Showe-Me Test; in other words show me if this horse can make it into a show ring or good home. Her parents would analyze the horse’s temperament, extent of injury if it had one, and it’s overall conformation. If it passed their approval they would bring the often tired, bewildered horses home, gave them good food and rest until they had recuperated, their new jobs began. Mr. and Mrs. Showe would then again carefully evaluate and study the horses temperament around other horses and people, in all different kinds of situations. Then, they would each ride the new horse, note its reactions, how obedient it was, its way of going. . .. After all that, they would sit down with each other and put together everything each of them had gathered on the horse and decide what the best discipline would be for it. Whether it be jumping, eventing, dressage, western events, pleasure classes, or just a backyard family horse.

    Of course the Showe parents weren't the only ones who rode and put in their two cents about the horse. Sonora loved to jump right into the guess work and find the best place for the thoroughbred or quarter horse, or sometimes even a paint, Arabian, or appaloosa. Sonora's older brother, Devon, had always had a big part in it all too; until he had left for college in Kentucky where he was majoring in riding instruction. Sometimes Chad, her younger brother, said a thing or two about a particularly challenging horse though he enjoyed playing sports and being with his friends over riding and horses.

    Sonora couldn't think of a better job to have. She had had wonderful dreams of being a jockey when she was a much younger, riding her beloved filly to victory in all three Triple Crown races. She laughed softly as she picked a piece of hay out of the water bucket. It always amused her when she thought of the high dreams she'd had as a little girl, knowing at 15 years old and being 5'10, she was much too tall. But that didn’t mean she never sneaked into her training routines full-out gallops on the ex-racehorses. Only every once and awhile, of course.

    She shook herself back to the present time, and continued watching the bucket fill with water, knowing full well that once she was done she could hit the trails. She flicked another piece of hay from the bucket, beginning to wonder where it all continued to rain down from. She soon got her answer when she looked up and saw Pasha's Love-Pasha for short-her quarter horse mare leaning over her stall door watching her owner with interest, a chunk of hay being chewed slowly in her mouth.

"Silly! Get your head back in that stall," she pushed the mare on her chest and when she obediently stepped back picked up the now full water bucket. She noticed with dismay that the black letters on the purple bucket marking her mares name, were finally beginning to fade. One little girl had written the letters so proudly and lovingly so many years ago. Sonora sighed and absentmindedly brushed dirt off the letters, knowing it would only accumulate again.

She ducked under the stall guard and set the bucket carefully on its hook. Pasha quickly stepped over to and drank deeply of the cool water, dropping several more strands of hay into the water. Sonora smiled, and patiently picked them out again, feeding the mare the stalks. She carefully ate them up with her wrinkled lips.

Sonora had given the mare hay to keep her occupied while she finished watering. The mare probably was wondering why she wasn’t out grazing in the pasture with the rest of her stablemates. She'd better hurry up if she were to be done before the mare was.

"Okay," she said to herself. "Next is Lordly Manner, then all I have left is Yolanda, and Lady Diane." Quickly ducking back under Pasha's guard, patting her on the rump as she left. She walked down the aisle to Man's stall, a nickname for the gorgeous buckskin stallion, a former quarter horse sprinter. He had been well into a very successful third year of racing, when he bowed a tendon, therefore ending his racing career. His owners had been afraid he had hereditary unsoundness (for he had had problems before) and so had not wanted to add him to their stud list.

But only his racing days were gone, Mrs. Showe had been working with him for a while and said he was progressing nicely in western pleasure routines.

She grabbed his bucket, set it by a tap, and went to get both Yolanda and Diane's, giving each horse a quick pat. She could have used the hose, but this way she could be getting three done at the time of one!

Yolanda, a deep chestnut, had come in off the Thoroughbred track in Birmingham last year. She'd broken her cannon bone, and wouldn't be able to do much heavy work any longer. Her parents were looking for a teenaged girl or boy, an experienced rider, who wanted to do the lower levels of dressage. She was an extremely elegant filly, and very quiet and sweet tempered. Great combinations for the lower levels. Who knew, she might even make it higher than the lower levels. Provided with the right rider. Sonora did know the pretty filly wouldn't be with them much longer, her mother had finished her preliminary training, and she was open for buyers. Her only fault would have to be the tendency to be slightly dramatic about silly things, she just needed someone there for her to soothe her ruffled nerves.

It made her sad, thinking about losing her. But she, like all her siblings, had quickly learned from a early age that it was the way things were done, how it had to be done. Though that didn't stop her eyes from watering just the slightest bit when she saw them being driven down the road and out the gate with their new owners.

Now, Lady Diane was a different story all together. She most certainly lived up to her name. The mare expected everything and anything prompt and just as she wanted it. If it wasn't, watch out! She was famous for throwing huge fits. Kicking stall boards and the like, generally making a huge ruckus. The very reason her parents were having such a hard time finding an owner for her.

Now, there were horses they all couldn't wait to see leave.

Sonora ran around and swiftly turned on the taps over each bucket. Standing with hands on hips, watching her work with pride for a moment, she turned away and looked out the open barn doors, gazing at the pastures beyond. Green was the predominate color. Branches and leaves swayed lazily in the light, hot breeze, and various birds called out to one another, flitting from one tree to another. She had a feeling this summer was going to be scorching, worthy of comparison to any Arizona summer. It was going to be a hot ride, but once they hit they woods, she knew it would cool off considerably.

She was about to turn back around and check on the buckets progress, but then heard a series of loud scraping noises. Nice Money, a black stallion her parents were retraining from a track in Georgia, was pawing restlessly at the concrete aisle, leaning heavily on the stall guard. Sparks were flying everywhere and if he wasn’t stopped soon he was going to damage something.

"Gosh Ni, can't you ever keep out of trouble? Hm?" she hurried off in his direction, and as expected, he abruptly stopped once he saw he had her attention. She shook her head and smiled as he leaned into her caresses, eyes half-mast. Though he could certainly turn on his hot temper that all stallions had, he was still the sweetest stallion she had ever met. He just had a bad habit of always wanting attention and doing whatever it took to get it.

Leaning against the stall wall, still absentmindedly stroking the stallion, (and when she forgot to he swiftly reminded her with a sharp nudge) she contemplated what kind of owner he would need. He definitely would require a doting person, someone experienced and able to handle the stud in all situations. A person who loved horses unconditionally, and would be there for Ni whenever he was needed. And certainly someone who was skilled in eventing, for this horse could jump almost anything put in his path. Sonora knew he would probably be able to calm himself enough for dressage if someone had the time to work with him. Who did she know with those qualities…?

"Uh, Sonora?" a voice called out with an amused note in it.

She snapped to attention at the sound of her name and the sharp clicking of boots on the concrete. She gasped when she saw what had warranted the call. She had forgotten about the water! It was spilling all over the aisle, some of it slithering into the nearby stalls, the other amount going where it was supposed to, into the drains in the middle of the aisle. She couldn’t believe how stupid she had been!

A tall, black haired man dressed in wranglers and boots slid to a stop in front of the nearest bucket, quickly turning off the water. She followed suit for the one closest to her while he finished the last.

Groaning as she surveyed the three soggy stalls, she stomped her foot at her stupidity. The horses inside the stalls watched the water with interest as it began soaking the shavings in their stalls. One of them was snorting loudly and looking wide-eyed at it, as if it were a flood instead of a little trickle.

"Problems, Sonora?" the young man said softly with a smile.

She gave him a withering look and stepped inside the stall of the horse who was having a fit. "It hasn't been the best morning no, if that's what your asking." She cooed softly to Yolanda for a few moments, and when she was sure the filly was content again, picked up the bucket, poured out a bit from the top, and placed it on the hook.

His smile widened and he picked up a bucket also. Jonathan Cont'e was one of her best friends, and was used to the attitude she got sometimes.

Sonora stepped back into the aisle and picked up the remaining bucket. So, how has your morning been?" she asked, trying to drop the attitude. Jon deserved better of her. "Better than mine I hope?"

"Actually, yes, its been pretty good," he replied, watching her hang up the bucket with his dark brown eyes that always look lazy to her. "I finally got time to go to the tack store, and bought Trav a new saddle pad, he totaled the last one that time he decided it looked yummy." She laughed, remembering what the remains of the pad had looked like, the gelding had shredded a corner of it and spit it back out on the floor.

. "Hey, would you mind helping me clean this mess up? I'd like to get it done before my parents find out." she started quickly for the storage room, leaving Jon to follow in her wake..

"Sure," he said agreeably. "Just hand me a pitchfork and let me at it." he grabbed a rake and the aforementioned pitchfork while she got a wheelbarrow.

As they worked, they talked companionably of things, the apprenticeship he had at a nearby veterinarians office, horses, the show jumping that had been on TV the night before. Yes, mostly the jumping. It was both of their favorite things to do on a horse. Though Jonathan was considerably more advanced then her, having at least five more years of experience. They leapt into a good-natured argument over their favorite competitors. An argument they'd had quite a few times before.

Most people would think it tremendously strange for the two to be such good friends. Mostly because of the sex difference, but mainly the age difference. Sonora was six years younger than Jonathan’s twenty-three. But that didn’t change the fact that they had a great friendship.

"Well, I'm done here." Jon shuveled the remaining pile of soggy bedding out of the last stall into the wheelbarrow. Then began rolling it out to the muck pile behind the barn. Sonora followed him out, dragging a large plastic bucket to fill with shavings from the pile under their small three-sided shelter. They met up again and entered the barn together, returning all the tools to their spots.

"Phew, all done." She wiped her hands on her jeans and slid down the wall until she sat on the floor; brushing her sweaty, reddish brown hair out of her eyes. The cool woods were sounding better and better.

"Well, how long do you think it will take Callie to get here today?" Sonora inquired with a smile, looking up, way up, to her tall friend leaning on the stall wall. He snorted. "Who knows, she told me last night she was, 'turning over a new leaf' and being 'prompt', her words, and on time for everything from now on. Yeah, we'll see."

Sonora laughed, she wasn't about to believe that her best friend was going to be able to change her attitude that quickly-until she saw it that was! The girl was famous for being very unfashionably late to anything, unless she was dragged or scolded there by her father, or brother, Jon.

Sonora had become friends with Callie first. The petite, friendly girl had come over the very first day they had moved in, and they had become fast friends. Callie had kept saying over and over how excited she was to have a friend near that loved horses as much as she. Sonora agreed wholeheartedly. She had had her share of friends in Arizona, of course, either the daughters of wealthy racehorse owners or daughters of grooms and exercise riders just trying to get by. But none had ever become to Sonora what Callie had.

Sonora had been invited over to their house a few days later, there upon meeting the very tall and dark Jonathan Cont’e, who had been away the weekend they had moved in at a horse trial with Traveler. She had known she would like the young man the first time they spoke, and sometimes she wondered if she were closer friends with Jonathan than Callie. Despite the great age difference.

The Cont'es lived less than a half mile up the road, which was actually the two families driveway that opened up onto a small country road. As a result, they saw much of each other. Sonora's parents were fairly good friends with Jon and Callie's father, but he was a withdrawn, quiet sort of person. To Sonora he always seemed terribly sad about something. His eyes, even while he was smiling, ever held that same sad glint to them. She had asked Jon one time about his father and he had only answered shortly that is was because of his mother's death. She had not pressed it any further, since it seemed to have made him angry. No. Not angry…just, upset.

They both were startled out of their seperate thoughts at the sound of hooves and boot heels clicking on the concrete. Sonora's parents had entered the barn leading their horses they had taken out on a trail ride soon after feeding. Her father came first; a curt, large, foreboding sort of man. But he had a good heart, wonderful horse sense, and a love for his family and the Lord. He led his leggy black thoroughbred stallion with the unusual long jagged swirl of hair on his forehead that had earned his name, beside him. The horse was still puffing slightly from his ride. The team was a force to be reckoned with in the hunter ring. That is when he had the time to get Lighting up to top form between all the other horses he had obligations to train.

He passed by them with a nod, leading the stallion to his stall toward the end of the aisle and hooking him in cross-ties.

Her mother came next. She was well-known as a loving lady, her sense of fun and humor still intact after bearing three large, noisy-and often fighting-children. She was the kind of person anyone could love, warm and caring. Sonora had gotten her fine facial features and reddish hair from her mother, but definitely not her height. That had come from her six foot three father. Her mother barely made five feet four. Sonora constantly teased her that she could have made it big time as a jockey.

She was leading her chestnut Tennessee Walking Horse mare, who was just barely starting to show she was to be a mother for the first time soon. Mrs. Showe had told Sonora that morning that this would probably be the last time she rode the mother-to-be until her foal was weaned. Sonora knew it would be hard for her to not be able to ride her cherished mare for so long.

But Honey Luver wasn’t the only one carrying a foal. Or child, that is.

"Well, if it isn't the two mothers!" Jon said with a bright smile, more outspoken with her mother than her father, though the two had reached an understanding. Her father admired anyone who worked hard, and work was Jon's middle name. And after watching his only daughter and this new boy closely, he had found no fault.

"And, if I may say, the human mother is looking very well." Sonora smirked at Jonathan's words, and her mother blushed happily. It had been a complete shock and surprise when Sonora, not to mention the rest of the family, had heard Kaaren's news. It was dangerous and risky for a woman in her mid to late forties to be having a child. Sonora feared for her safety, as did everyone else. Yet Kaaren seemed totally and fully oblivious to the fact. Mr. Showe and she seemed intensely happy at the prospect of a new addition to the large family. Little did Sonora know the many sleepless nights Kaaren had stayed up thinking it all over, fearing for her unborn baby. But she had settled with herself, realizing God was in perfect control.

Sonora wasn't sure at all what her feelings were on the whole prospect of a new baby brother or sister. She hadn't had a lot of time to think about it lately, but she had come to the conclusion that she was likely pretty happy at the idea. She prayed fervently that it would be a little girl! She had been too young to remember her little brother’s birth. It would be a wonderful experience! And great pay back time when the little girl grew into her own, helping Sonora get back at her two brothers for all the mistreatments she had endured as being the only girl.

"Why, thank you, Jonathan. That's very kind of you, though I feel horrendous. I think this may be the last ride for both of us." she said with a small smile, fondly patting Honey's neck. "Oh, how far behind I'm going to get with all the horses. Poor Josh," she said, speaking of Sonora's father. "He's going to be swamped. I think we may have to hire a temporary trainer for awhile." Her mothers' face scrunched up at that idea, undoubtedly thinking they didn't have much extra money for that sort of thing. "We should have been thinking of this much sooner, terrible of us to have put it off for so long."

Jon nodded. Then he got a thoughtful look on his face. Sonora looked at him curiously, she knew that look only too well. He straitened up abruptly. "Mrs. Showe, how many horses do you have in training at the moment?"

She looked at him, scratching Honey’s neck, her face almost a mirror of her daughters. "Well…Lordly Manner, Diane," she grimaced at the troublesome filly's name, "and Yolanda."

Jon smiled. "Perfect! We can help your mother out with her problem, can't we, Sonora?"

Sonora looked at him with a half-smile on her face, she thought she knew what he was talking about. Since her mother would be only able to waddle around the house and barn soon, she would not be able to keep up the rigorous training schedule, and the horses couldn't afford to miss even a couple days of training. Re-training a horse for a totally different discipline took many months of repetition, repetition, and more repetition. Actually, any horse training took tons of repetition! Sonora had always had a part in the training of the horses, being the rider, so her parents could see for themselves how a horse moved with a rider. Or sometimes exercising a horse that was just waiting for an owner. She was also a fill-in rider when her parents were sick or out of town. But never had she been the sole trainer of a horse! Of course she knew she would not be doing anything all that big, but it excited her nonetheless!

And both her parents knew Jon’s skill with horses. He had had Traveler since he was a two year old, bringing him along himself to the great horse he was today.

"Uhm, yeah mom!" Sonora said quickly, looking back and forth from her mother to Jon, trying to pick up where he had left off. "See, you know we don't have the money-"

"Hey y'all!" The four, horse included, snapped their heads around at the sound of a new voice and clip clop of hoofs. A breathless Callie came walking quickly up, her striking blue-eyed chestnut and white paint mare following after at a slightly slower pace. "I made it! I'm actually on time!" she cried happily, a huge smile on her pixie-like face.

Sonora bit her lip. Jon grimaced. Mrs. Showe held back an amused smile. And Callie just stared.

"What? I am on time! I am! I am!" then hesitantly. "Aren't I?" The girl looked at her watch and then at the barn clock. Relization hit her. "Oh, no! Horror of horrors! I shant ever be on time! I'm doomed to a horrible untimeliness life! Forever! I'll miss my wedding, Sonora’s wedding, Jon’s wedding, and even the birth of my first child!" She fell across her mares neck in a mock faint. And seconds later lifted her head again, "Wait, I guess that’s one thing I can't be late for!"

Sonora burst out laughing and Jon shook his head, trying not to laugh at his sister’s antics. Mrs. Showe was clutching her belly in laughter. "Oh, dear, you must teach me how you sound so convincing! Beautiful performance!"

Callie laughed. "Good one, eh? No practice time! I promise!" she grinned and led her horse up to the group. "But seriously! I really thought I was on time! Darn watch. . ."

"Well, girls, Jonathan, I really must go put poor Honey up, she's been standing so wonderfully quiet. Sonora, Jon, I'll speak with you both later." She smiled and slowly walked off toward her husband, Honey in tow. But before she got far Sonora remembered what she had wanted to ask her earlier.

"Mom!" the woman turned and looked at her daughter. "Is it okay if we go out on the trails?"

Mrs. Showe nodded, "You guys be careful, no reckless riding, you hear?" A chorus of "Yes ma'am's" broke out. She smiled again and continued on down the aisle.

Callie looked at them curiously. "'Speak with you both later'? What's that all about?"

"Oh, well, we were going to offer to train her horses while she's pregnant, but someone, who will remain nameless-Callie!-interrupted us." Sonora grinned and dodged a low punch from her friend, aiming one of her own. "Come on little girl! I’m bigger than you!"

"Oh yeah? Well I'm quicker! Let's go chicken legs!"

"You guys are unbelievable. Can we move this little wrestling match elsewhere, like on the trail?" Jonathan shook his head ruefully, a small smile quirking the side of his mouth as he started with long strides down the aisle to Trav's stall.

"Truce!" Sonora called, laughing at the bewildered expression on Callie's mares face. "Until we're done riding that is!"

The other girl laughed with her and nodded. "Agreed!" She swung quickly into her saddle, raising a fist. "Trail ho!"

"Hey, hey, hey! I haven't even tacked up yet, hold your horses!" Sonora scrambled for the tack room, seized her tack, and just about ran into Jon as he walked past with his horse. She smiled sheepishly and rushed into Pasha's stall, brushed her off quickly with a dandy brush, picked her feet, and laid the pad and riser on her. As she turned around to grab her saddle off the rack outside the stall, she found it already being placed into her hands. She looked up to see Jon with a lopsided smile on his face. "Figured you could use a bit of help, get that on and I'll bridle her." Sonora smiled her thanks and girthed the saddle up. They got the job done quickly, Pasha mildly surprised at the double attention.

Leading their horses out into the sun, they each paused to let both their horses and themselves time to adjust to the light change. Jon blinked rapidly a couple of times and swung up, Sonora quickly following.

She had noticed when they first stepped out that Callie was in the riding ring. Sonora now looked over as she adjusted her feet in the stirrups and gathered the reins, curious to Callie's actions. The girl must have gotten bored waiting and, as she suspected, had her mare moving smoothly from one lower level dressage move to another. A shoulder-in, extended trot, and a slightly sloppy side-pass (their current project). Sonora shook her head in amazement, the same way she did every time she saw her friend practicing dressage. It was beyond her how the most unlikely candidates could pull off the beautiful moves required in dressage; an American Paint, and Callie. Her name was enough to the people who knew her! She laughed to herself. But Move Of Art, Callie's Paint, was a beautiful mover-hence her name-and had a good deal of presence about her. She was tall and slender, brightly splashed with white and light brown. And most importantly, she seemed to love doing it! And that went double for Callie. The sport was a great challenge for the flighty girl, and she tackled it with remarkable zeal and dedication.

Callie and BeBe (Callie's pet name for the mare) had both somehow become very good at the sport in a short time, they had only started that last summer. Before, she had tried to follow in her brothers footsteps, jumping along with him. Though she had never had the talent Jon did, or the aurora of talent that covered Sonora. Then she had discovered her new love, dressage.

They had all started at a new stable, Summer Brook, last summer. The owner, ironically named Summer Haron, had moved from Kentucky to Alabama only a little before, opening her doors to new students as quickly as she could. Jon and Callie had seen the farm before, but then it had been owned by a older couple, who reportedly couldn't keep up with the horse business anymore, and put their land, barn, and house on the market, moving down state to be with family. (Summer had once said they used to be big in the Saddlebred industry).

The trainer had moved here with her husband a little before Sonora's family had come. Jon, Callie, and she had all been on the search for an instructor. Jon had 'grown out' of his teacher you could say, becoming more advanced then the instructor was qualified to teach. Callie had not wanted to be left behind, and so had followed him.

They had all looked around in different magazines and the sort, finally finding Summer right under their noses! She was only about ten minutes away, and on the first visit they had all loved her funny, light-hearted manner. But she could definitely get down to business and was an extremely knowledgeable person on horses and riding. She had even been a reserve for the United States Equestrian Team! Callie and Sonora had drooled over the pictures Summer had of that time frequently, not believing some of the snapshots seen of their favorite, and very famous, riders.

"All right! Go Callie!" Sonora called, laughing as the shorter girl bowed.

Jon groaned. "Don't encourage her." Jon hadn't been exactly thrilled when Callie had made up her mind to exclusively start riding dressage. Of course Jon himself had a skill for it, you had to if you were to be an eventer, but he didn't relish it like he did jumping. He had thought Callie would follow after him, but obviously not. He should have known better, Sonora knew Callie would always be her own woman, or at this point, young woman.

"Let us go!" Sonora said in an accent, sending Pasha forward with a nudge. Trav followed, coming up beside Sonora on the right and Callie quickly trotted out of the ring, settling on Sonora's left. A hasty conference decided on them taking an old trail they hadn't been on in awhile. It soon became apparent that it certainly hadn't been traversed for a long while. Overgrown grass, kudzoo, and other plants, not to mention the dreaded 'sticky bush', were all over the once clean trail. Sonora made a mental note to tell her dad about it so he could come out and bush hog again. A chorus of, "Watch out!" "Here it comes. . ." and "Sticky bush!" rang out as they handed branches from one to another to avoid a slap in the face. Sonora knew she should have brought some cutters with her.

But aside from the overgrown trail, things were beautiful. It was cool and peaceful, smelling of damp dirt and well, just. . .forest. The horses were enjoying things just as their riders were; ears pricked, nostrils taking in the smells, eyes large and interested. It was fun to be out with her friends like this, the school year had been hectic, and this was what life was made of, loving God's creation in its many forms; the horses, her friends, the plants around them.

She was jerked out of her thoughts as she heard Callie break the silence.

"Anybody wanna race?" Well, things had almost been perfect, and a heart pounding run with her horse and friends would complete it. Even though she knew Jon would beat the two girls soundly with this Thoroughbred. But, what was the quarter horse blood bred for? Sprints, right?

"I'm game!"

Jon nodded eagerly.

The trail had widened quite considerably, and Sonora faintly remembered there was a short stretch ahead and then it opened into a tiny pocket meadow rimmed with thickly grown trees. The ground looked flat and welcoming, perfect for a little run. Sonora had taken her training charges over it many times last summer, though not for a while, it had been too cold not but a few weeks earlier.

"All right, first one to the meadow wins." Jon said, gesturing with his chin down the trail while they all adjusted stirrups up a few holes. An impish look crossed his expressive face. "Prepare to eat my dust, fair maidens." he favored them with a bow from the waist.

Sonora laughed and Callie stuck her tongue out at him as he lined up between the two. The horses were extra alert, sure of what was coming next.

"Callie, step BeBe over a bit, I don't want to bump you."

"Jon, get back, cheater!"

"What’re you talking about?"

"Liar.."

"Ready. . .Freddie. . . Settee. . .GO!" All three horses leapt forward at the frantic urging of their riders, who, hearing the age old signal to start from Callie had dug in heels and grasped mane. Sonora pulled out ahead, her mares powerful hind quarters giving her an edge. For the moment. Jon was not far behind, with Callie at his shoulder.

Sonora urged Pasha on a bit, then let her alone. Her arms pumped with the motion of the horse as she humped down a little behind Pasha’s neck to make them as streamline as possible. She savored in the feeling of the wind blowing past her, the pounding of hooves, and her mares muscles bunching and releasing beneath her arms and legs. .

But her little mental side-track would cost her. Trav's Thoroughbred breeding had begun to kick in. Sonora grimaced and quickly kneaded her hands on Pasha's neck, squeezing her legs with all her might around the horses barrel. The slight turn before the meadow was coming up and if she didn't get a move on quick Jon would pass her as Pasha started to tire out.

Trav's nose inched up Pasha's back, to her shoulder, neck, and then they were nose and nose. Jon had a silly half-smile on his face, as if he knew he had already won. Sonora ground her teeth in determination and leaned as far down as she could, lessening the wind resistance and whispered encouragingly in her mare's ear. Pasha's ears swiveled back and forth, then settled back close to her head as she responded with her last effort, not letting Trav get an inch. Sonora grinned triumphantly, but wondered if they would be able to hold the two boys off. She wouldn't ask any more of her mare, it wasn't worth tiring her out so much. She looked behind her and saw BeBe and Callie holding their own at Trav's hindquarters, but the mare didn't have the same drive to run the other two did.

Soon Sonora didn't have to worry about Jonathan beating her.

The turn came, and went. And before four sets of eyes an impossible thing appeared in the middle of their path. An enormous tree trunk.

Sonora's eyes blinked disbelievingly and she gasped in surprise, knowing Jon did the same even if she couldn't hear him over the pounding hooves. There was no way around, the massive fallen giant went all the way across the trail, and they were much too close to stop! There was no way around. . .no way around. . . Sonora's mind ran in circles. No way around. . .but up.

She glanced frantically at Jon. She could see him trying to smile reassuringly and he yelled, "See you on the other side!" Sonora fleetingly wondered what other side he meant!

Sonora had grabbed huge hunks of mane and slammed her heels down, giving Pasha all the rein she needed. She trusted her faithful mare, knowing she would take care of her mistress. But none of that stopped her from shouting a prayer in her mind, begging the Lord to get them and their horses over safely.

And then there was no more time to think.

The two horses never wavered, meeting the tree almost at the same moment, taking off with a powerful push from their hind-quarters. Sonora blessed the two horses experience at galloping fences, though she was sure Pasha had never galloped full out at a fence, nor one so incredibly high! She wasn't sure about Traveler, but she was sure he had more experience in this sort of thing than her own mare. And Jon had more than them all, having been doing this sort of thing for a long time. But had he ever ridden a jump at such speed, this high?

Things seemed to go into slow mode, something Sonora remembered always seeing in movies, which she had also always thought was just for dramatics!

The pair rose incredibly far up, finally leveling out over the span of trunk. Sonora tried to remember everything she had been learning recently, body lunged forward to give her mare her head, and as close to the saddle, and the center of it, as she could get. To her it seemed as if they were in the air for hours, but which was really only a few seconds. She had never before experienced such a thrilling feeling!

Then came the downward flight. She sat deep in the saddle and leaned back, trying desperately to prepare herself for the impact that would come from landing. She knew it could very well unseat her. The horse’s forelegs met ground again and this time Sonora was thrust forward. She quickly pushed herself off the pommel and back into the seat as the mare’s hind legs came down behind her. She could feel Pasha trying very hard to hold her back legs up as high as she could so she wouldn't catch them on the tree. Sonora mercifully remembered all she had been taught about landing as well, and gathered herself and Pasha up as if she were to take another fence right after. Something Summer had relentlessly tried to drill into her brain when she found the girl was always so fixed on just getting over the jump and not looking ahead to the next. Sonora fleetingly thought with a wry inward smile, her instructor would probably drop her mouth open in disbelief at how well she had finally followed the instructions.

The horses had landed cantering quickly, though it didn't take much to pull the tired and most likely slightly bewildered, pair up. Sonora quickly took stock of herself and her mare and found them both of them breathing heavily, but other than that they both seemed fine. She still couldn't believe they had taken such a jump, and at a full gallop no less!

"Woah! That was awesome!" Jon crowed happily, enthusiastically patting a pleased Traveler. "Man!" And then he seemed to notice Sonora's silence. She was looking down at her hands holding the reins, a strange expression on her face.

"Sonora? Sonora, are you all right?" he looked her over quickly for any sign of injury on her or her mare. He could see nothing. She had taken the jump beautifully! He himself couldn't have done much better! And her gallant mare had done great, taking the large obstacle like an old pro.

So, why was she looking that way?

He jumped from his gelding and hurried to her side, thinking she may have been hurt. The thought stuck in his throat as he laid a concerned hand on her booted leg. "‘Nora . . .?" he spoke softly, peering up into her bright hazel eyes. He didn't know why he had shortened her name so, but it felt right in a slightly familiar way.

Those eyes suddenly snapped to awareness and looked from her hands to his own eyes, and he almost lost himself.

It was the name that jerked her to awareness, out of her befuddled mussing. The first time she had heard anyone call her anything but Sonora, and it touched her in some strange way. She slowly looked to where he was standing by her side with one caring hand on her leg, his eyes, deep and dark, framed with equally dark and long lashes; staring acutely into her own eyes. And then, they're gazes locked, and stayed that way for three breathless moments, both unblinkingly seeking they knew not what.

It was Callie who finally broke through their minds, though Sonora had a feeling Jon had been just about to do the same.

"Are you guys all right?" she shouted across the clearing, staring at them with worry, though thankfully she was too far away to see them well. Jon hastily snatched his hand away, leaving a warm feeling on her leg, and my heart, she almost thought silently. But quickly crushed the musing before it could form.

"Yes! We're fine! Sonora's just a little shaken up!" his own voice shook slightly and he cleared his throat, rubbing the back of his neck, his whole face already turned a deep red of embarrassment under his tan.

Just Sonora, not 'Nora? "Darn it Sonora! Get a grip!" she thought fiercely, knowing she herself was a very deep shade of red. She was about to renounce her mind forever if it didn't stop putting crazy ideas in her head.

"You are all right, aren't you?" he said to her softly, carefully avoiding her eyes.

She nodded, just as carefully avoiding eye contact. What had just happened? Something thrilled down her spine as she thought about the look that had been in Jon’s eyes, causing her to take an involuntary gasp of breath.

She belatedly realized he was waiting for an answer. "Um, yeah, it was just a shock I guess. But, it was great." And she wasn’t just talking about the jump, she realized with chagrin. She nudged the thought away and tried to give him a broad smile. But his mouth just tightened. Then it slowly worked into a small, half-hearted smile, looking a little too forced for Sonora's taste. His eyes still wandered away from anywhere near her own. Her heart dropped, she couldn’t have done some immortal sin she didn’t know about, could she have?

The tall young man rubbed Pasha’s neck absently, speaking in an unfamiliar tone. "I know what you mean, I couldn't stop thinking about my first big jump for days." His eyes turned distant for a moment and the frown covered his face again. Then he snapped to alertness. "Well, Pasha looks all right, Trav is fine. I'll see if I can figure a way to join back with Callie."

Callie. Callie wasn't there? Sonora tried to gather her thoughts, rubbing her forehead tiredly. She dredged up the remembrance that was lurking in the back of her mind, recalling she had heard her just moments before. A quick sweep of her eyes found the small girl on the other side of the fallen tree trunk. Even from this distance Sonora could tell something was bothering her.

"Well, I'm going to go tell her everything's all right." she said to Jon. He just nodded and turned to adjust Traveler's girth. She couldn't, (wasn't) going to go on like this. It pained her in a way she couldn’t recognize to see him in pain. She felt like crying out, "What’s wrong? What did I do?"

"Jon, I-" She tried to choke the words out, but she found she couldn't do it, the words wouldn't go past her lips! He had looked up in surprise, an expression mixed with hope and wariness on his face. She bit her lip, what had she been going to say? Had she had anything in mind to say in the first place?

"Um, forget it, uh, I was just going to say I was leaving now! To go, over...to…um, Callie!" the girls name came out in rush and a little louder than she intended. She pasted a smile on her face and knowing it was strained. Before she could embarrass herself further she quickly nudged Pasha toward Callie.

She turned her attention to Pasha, giving her a hearty rub and praises in her ear for the wonderful job she had done. She knew how lucky she was to have such a wonderful mare, even if praises came a little late. The horses ears flickered back and she bobbed her head at the attention.

They reached Callie, and after speaking a few soothing words to the ruffled girl, Sonora settled down to hear how Callie had avoided jumping the tree. She told Sonora that she had been far enough back that she had been able to see Jon and her falter, and had immediately collected BeBe and turned her before they reached the tree (she had said she couldn't wait to tell Jon how their dressage work had helped!). After that she said had sat in stomach-clenching agony as she watched her dearest friend and brother try to clear the horrendous obstacle that lay before them, threatening to break arms and legs. Sonora had laughed quietly and said it hadn't been all that bad.

"Oh, yeah? Then why were you so upset after it? Hmm?" Callie gave Sonora her famous beseeching look and she had to smile.

"Okay, your right, I was pretty freaked, but it all turned out fine in the end. It's a totally awesome feeling flying over such a high jump." But even as she said the words she looked behind her for Jonathan. She knew her words sounded flat, lifeless.

He was finally coming back around to Traveler's head, a determined look on his face Sonora couldn't recognize. Callie had been about to respond, but then followed her friends gaze and narrowed her eyes. "What's wrong with him?"

Sonora shook her head in exasperation. "I really have no clue, one minute he was shouting at me, 'I'll see you on the other side!' and the next he's giving me the cold shoulder." But before that was the 'warm' shoulder, remember? Or should we say, hand? Sonora's traitorous mind had once again spoken but she could hardly punish it for something she knew was true. But there was no way she was telling his sister about that incident. She didn't know what had happened herself, but Jon's manner afterwards had left an empty hole in her. But what? What had really happened? They had simply looked at each other, nothing more. Life goes on. So why were things so mixed up? On the outside, and inside?

The tall, dark young man led his gelding up to the two girls, his chocolate eyes guarded from something. From you. "From me? Why would he be guarding himself from me?" Sonora mentally shook herself and smiled brightly at him. She could pretend nothing had happened too! But, he wasn't pretending that, was he. . .

"Well, Commander? Found a way for us to get out of here?" but her jesting was lost on him.

He nodded. "I say we try and push our way out along the top or bottom edge of the tree. Too many things could go wrong trying to jump over that thing again. All right?" he asked, though it sounded more like a command then a question. He was glancing up at her, looking somewhere over her left shoulder, once again avoiding her eyes.

Sonora nodded, trying hard not to notice how impersonal her friends voice sounded. "Okay," she said demurely. She slowly dismounted, pulling her stirrups up and bringing the reins over Pasha's head.

Callie, seeming to sense the tension, said she was going to see if she could find an opening somewhere along the top of the tree on her side. Jon nodded, (Sonora wondered if that were his favorite gesture now) and signaled for her to follow him to the edge of the trees.

What are you, a dog? Something he can order around? "Shut up!" Sonora cried inwardly in defiance, feeling extremely silly. "This is my mind, so keep your thoughts to yourself!" Yet, she also knew it was maybe a little right. But what could she do? "Nothing, absolutely nothing." She thought silently as she trudged through the bush, dodging around trees, trying to keep up with Jonathan's long, purposeful stride. "He's not doing anything wrong, he knows where we're going, I don't, so what’s the deal?"

"Watch it, branch," she grabbed the limb held for her and passed under it, still trying to catch his eyes. And still the careful avoidance. She even coughed slightly. Nothing. Perhaps a simple clearing of throat? Nope. And then something snapped in her. Good girl. She wasn't going to stand for this anymore! He would not keep tormenting her like this! Even if she didn’t know why it was bothering her so!

"Jonathan Lee Cont'e stop right there! Now!" she yelled with as much authority she could muster. He startled, along with both horses, and swung around to face her. Now's your chance, give it to him!

"I am sick and tired of your attitude! I'm not going to go on like this! Why won't you look at me? Why are you talking to me like we're strangers? What's wrong with you?!" Nothing but sullen silence as he became extremely interested in Traveler's reins.

"Answer me!"

Silence.

"Answer me!"

"I don't know!" he cried, snapping his head around to her as anger coated his face like night.. "I don't know what's wrong with me!"

Sonora immediately felt guilty, and not just a tad afraid. She had never seen him get so, so...adamant and upset before. It scared her.

He scowled at the ground, and she imagined he probably could have burned a whole in it. But, finally, he closed his eyes and his face softened slightly. He looked up and said, "I-I, I don't know, Sonora." his voice came quieter now, apologetic. Sonora's heart went out to him

"Jon. Jonathan, I’m so sorry, I. . .I didn't mean to make you upset. You were kind of scaring me is all, I didn't know what to do. . .I thought you were mad at me, or. . ."

He looked at her, actually looked at her, and her heart skipped a beat. His eyes searched her, and she felt as if he were testing her, maybe her truthfulness, testing something. Suddenly his face changed back to something that closely resembled the face she knew so well, the old Jonathan's face, warm, caring, trusting. Yet, now there seemed to her as if there were a different aspect to the familiar expressions and lines of his face.

" 'Nora, I should be apologizing, not you. I'm sorry." he stepped toward her, uncertain, but no longer the wary, guarded boy she had glimpsed earlier. "I-um-," he sighed heavily and tried to speak again. She listened as hard as was humanely possible, not moving or saying a word for fear he wouldn't go on, or that maybe she would miss something.

"Sometimes, sometimes I get scared. Scared of getting, close, to anyone. After, um, my mom died, things got really hard. My dad, he wasn't a big help, grieving as he was over mom, and me and Callie were left to help him and ourselves. I was really, really close to my mom. Then she left, and I've had a hard time lo-getting close, to anyone since." he sighed and ran his hands through is thick, dark hair. "I know you're probably wondering why the heck I'm telling you all of this, and I'm not so sure myself. But, I feel as if it might help you to maybe understand me a little better. Understand how I can get the way I was." He looked at the ground, as if fearing judgment of what she would say.

Sonora's mind stumbled in all different directions, trying to register and store all he had just said, and all the meanings it could, and was, implying.

"Jon, I’m confused too. Things-" she struggled to go on, she had never been good at vocally expressing her feelings. "Things got weird, funny, and...well, I just want you to know that nothing has to change. And that I totally understand."

There was so, so much else she wanted to say, to let him know. But it just didn’t seem like an appropriate time.

He nodded, looking at the ground, seeming to contemplate everything. Some things were clear now, like his friendship and trust in her, and her own in him. She didn't know what the feelings inside her meant, why they were there, or what do to about them. But that didn't matter to her, she couldn't let them matter, or else she thought she might go insane. The only thing that seemed to matter that moment was that they weren’t mad or upset with each other, and that both knew how the other felt. They had both moved to another level in their friendship, and it was so new and exciting! But she felt it could very easily break and fade away. She wouldn’t let that happen! Just a little more time. . .

Fat chance.

"Are you guys done fighting?" a voice screeched through the air, air that no longer felt oppressive to Sonora, but clean and clear, bright before her eyes.

"Callie." she thought with slight amusement. This time Jon didn't tear his eyes away. He gave her a soft smile and turned from her to Traveler, then back to her again. "Ready?" This time it was a question, he had known how the last so called ‘request’, had hurt her. . .

The remaining few yards went swiftly. Their path seemed to be clearer, and for some reason Sonora had become fascinated by every move Jon made. How his back muscles worked, how he turned his head this way and that, the color of his hair and the way he brushed it out of his face. How he turned back and checked on her every few moments, as if to make sure she were still there or to reassure himself of something. "Strange, so strange. And yet somehow so familiar."

A thought came to her mind she had been wanting to ask and she tentatively spoke up, "Um, Jon?" he stopped and turned to her, Trav looking over his shoulder in an uncanny look of curiosity. "Uh, why did you call me, 'Nora? Earlier, I mean."

He looked at her carefully, a slight apprehensive expression crossing his face. "I'm really not sure. It-it just felt right. I guess. Do you want me to stop calling you that?" he squinted his eyes at her.

"Oh, no, no!" she said quickly. "I actually, um, kinda like it. It sounds a lot better than same old Sonora. I was just wondering why you had said that, that’s all." she grinned and commanded in an queenly voice, waving her hand nonchalantly at him. "Carry on." he laughed quietly and bowed at the waist. "As you wish, my lady."

Jon finally broke out onto the trail again, Sonora in his wake. An impatient Callie awaited them, hands on both hips. Even BeBe looked perturbed. Probably a result of her owners attitude. Callie turned narrowed, suspicious eyes on the two, looking back and forth. Sonora knew they had better do something or the girl was going to demand a full report of everything that had happened.

Jon saved them. "Lets get going you guys, the horses are tired out, not to mention their riders, and I’ve still got a doctors appointment today."

Sonora looked at him. "Doctor? Your not sick. Are you?" he gave her a smile that coursed through her. "No, just a physical, before basketball season starts. Oh! And I was going to ask you if you wanted to come with us. Callie and I thought about going to see that new movie that’s out."

Her face lit up. "Yeah! Hey, why don't we see if our families would like to go with us. I'll ask my mom and dad, and Chad of course, would your dad want to go?"

Callie looked at Jon, and he shook his head sadly, looking at the ground. "No, I doubt it. He's not into that sort of thing. . .anymore."

Sonora bit her lip, her heart once again going out to him. Why had she asked such a stupid question! "Dumb, Sonora, dumb!" Not so very dumb. . .slightly dumb? Yes.

He shrugged his shoulders. "No big deal. That would be fun though if your family could come. But whatever we do, we'd better do it quick."

"Right," she said, throwing her reins over Pasha's head and pulling down the stirrups.

Everyone mounted up and they headed down the trail at a quick walk. About five or six minutes later the barn came into view and the horses perked up, ready for turn-out time. Sonora looked over at Jonathan out of the corner of her eye, trying to gauge his reaction to all that had happened out there on the trail. He had a pleasant, content look on his face, one that Sonora felt mirrored her own. Callie had been looking back and forth between the two all through the ride home, a puzzled expression on her face. Sonora had been hard pressed to keep from laughing and blurting out the whole story many times.

"Hey guys!" a cheery voice called out, one Sonora immediately recognized as her mothers. The woman soon came into view as they topped the pastures small hill. "Good ride?" she had one hand over her eyes, shading them from the bright sun, the other held a lead rope propped on the open gate she held for them. She looked small and fragile against the backdrop of the large pasture and big barn. But Sonora knew she was nothing of the sort. She was the strongest woman Sonora had ever known, who couldn't be with a family like theirs? She smiled inwardly.

"The best! It was awesome!" Sonora said without hesitation. And for more reasons than one.

She smiled as they reached where she stood and walked throughout he gate. She rubbed a persistent Traveler's nose. "That's good, what made it so 'awesome'?" her eyes widened in emphasis on the word.

Sonora froze. She couldn't tell her mother about the tree! She would just fly off the handle and point out they shouldn't have been running down an unknown trail in the first place! And then came he lecture, followed by a grounding. . .What had she been thinking? You hadn't been thinking, Sonora.

"Oh, she means it was just the best of the new season, it's been awhile since we've gone trail riding, eh guys?" Sonora breathed a sigh of pure relief, bless Jonathan! He turned his head almost imperceptibly to her in amusement.

Callie picked up the thread. "Yeah! The cold has been horrible, but spring is here now! Green grass, green trees, green. . .stuff! And I know what else spring is bringing out!" she winked at Mrs. Showe and the woman laughed. "Callie, you never fail to make me laugh. Now all of you get in there and put those horses away, I don't know what you guys did, but they all look exhausted." The trio were only too happy to obey and quickly urged their horses up to the barn and out of Mrs. Showe's ear shot.

"Thanks guys, I can't believe I'm so stupid." Sonora shook her head and dismounted in front of the barn. It had been close. If they ever actually asked her if she had jumped the tree, or had been racing, she'd tell her parents, but not before!

Jon looked down at her. "Don't worry, it was an easy thing to do." And she thought she just might have heard understanding in his voice. Had he been as eager to shout out as she had?

"Um, Callie and I are gonna go on home, ask your parents about the movies and call us and let us know what's going on. Okay?"

She nodded and exchanged a smile with him, then waved them off down the road. Callie looked back and mouthed, "We need to talk!" Sonora laughed and nodded, knowing she had better figure out if she wanted to tell Callie about what had happened or not.

Pasha nudged her eagerly and Sonora realized she didn't have much time to get things together. She needed to put Pasha up, tell her parents, take a shower, get over there. . .ugh. She rushed into the barn and to her mares stall. A quick untacking, and even quicker grooming, saw her soon leading the mare outside for turn-out. She stopped to consult the dry erase board by the barn office door for pasture assignments, and took off for her designated field. She met her mother at Pasha's pasture, gazing out at Honey who was grazing in the sunshine. This time of day was the quietest around the barn, all the morning chores done, most riding finished, and evening chores had not yet started.

Sonora opened the gate and slipped off Pasha's halter, shooing the mare inside who was only too happy to oblige. She snorted a greeting at Honey and ambled over to her, Sonora imagined she was asking the younger mare about the best grazing spot. Sonora relatched the gate and leaned against the fence next to her mother, propping one foot on the lowest board. "Are we doing anything tonight?"

She looked up and shook her head. "I don't believe so, why?"

"Oh, Jonathan just invited me to go to the movies, and I was wondering if you guys wanted to come too."

Her mother raised an eyebrow in amusement. "Jonathan?"

Sonora rolled her eyes, fighting a blush that threatened to creep into her cheeks. Her mother was forever thinking of her and Jon were closer than just friends. Or trying to get them that way! "You know what I meant! Jon and Callie invited me." she gave her mother an entreating look. "Well?"

"That sounds nice, you'll have to ask your father though, he might have something going, but I doubt it. What movie is it?" Sonora thought for a moment and realized she hadn't asked.

"I really don't know, he didn't tell me, and I forgot to ask. But anyways, where is dad?" her mother directed her to the barn office and Sonora set off at a fast walk.

"But wait!" Sonora looked back around. "You'll have to see if Luke will stay with the horses, you know we can't leave them here alone."

"I’m on top of ya mom, got it covered." She again set off for the office. A quick questioning of her father, who was going through horse show entry forms, gave her two yes votes, now to find her brother. She was again directed, but this time up to the house. She found her younger brother in his mess of a room playing a video game with one of his friends. A few minutes of beguiling and bribing saw the horses with a babysitter-or horsesitter-for a few hours. She was marginally surprised he agreed so quickly, but he had said he’d seen most the movies already and she figured he wanted to play his game anyway.

She took the stairs back up two at a time and flopped on her bed in her horse bedecked room, pushing a pile of riding magazines off the side. Reaching for her phone, she quickly dialed the familiar set of numbers. She had expected Callie to pick up the phone and was extremely startled when she heard a familiar, deep sounding voice greet her.

"Hello?" she heard, and her mind suddenly went blank. Horror! What. . .what was she going to say? Why had she called? And then she felt her cat jump into her lap, and reality hit her again. "Thank you Lord!" she thought fervently. She had never been this nervous on the phone before. She had talked with Jonathan on the phone before!

"Um, Jon? Uh, this is Sonora,"

She heard him laugh. "I'd know your voice anywhere 'Nora. So, what did your mom and dad say?"

She smiled at his words which put her completely at ease again, and quickly related what had happened. He'd called her 'Nora again, hadn't he. . .?

She could almost hear him nodding. "All right, my appointment is at three, I should be out of there by four-I hope-so we can all go get an early dinner or something and catch the show at five. I guess your parents can meet us in town at four or so. I'll pick you up in about thirty minutes, sound good?"

"Sounds great! Umm. . ."

"All right, guess I’ll see ya in a bit."

"’Kay, bye!" the other line clicked and she reset the phone in it's cradle. She sat thinking for a moment, pulling her long legs to her chin after she deposited her cat beside her on the bed, hardly noticing the dust her boots were depositing on the comforter. She stared out the open window, not really seeing the green grass and swaying trees. Funny things were happening around here these days. . .

She shook her head and sprang to her feet, almost making her cat bounce over the side. "Oops, sorry Oreo," she murmured at the disgruntled black and white cat who had jumped to her feet as well and started licking herself in feline agitation.

Sonora took a quick shower, washing her horsey scent down the drain. She threw on a nice pair of jeans-she knew the night air would get chilly this early in the year-and a shirt she had bought not too long ago. Quick hair-dry, few adjustments with the curling iron, a slight dab of makeup, and she was ready to go.

She was just getting her drivers permit-just in case Jon was feeling brave that day- when her phone let out a piercing ring. "Now what?" she muttered as her legs covered the space between her nightstand. "Hello?"

"Yes, may I speak with Mr. Showe, please?" said an extremely deep voice in a hurried tone.

"Sure, one moment." Sonora dropped the phone on her bed and walked quickly into the kitchen, mashing the intercom button that went out to the barn. It soon crackled to life and she heard her mother inquire what she wanted.

"Someone is on the phone for dad, better tell him to make it quick, he sounded like he was in a hurry." Her mother thanked her and the intercom again went silent. She hurried back into her room and listened silently, putting one hand over the receiving end, waiting for her dad to pick up the line in the barn.

She finally heard her fathers familiar baritone voice. "This is Mr. Showe, can I help you?" she had been about hang the phone up again quietly, but what the man said next stopped her dead.

"Yes, this is Donnie Marks, I spoke with you earlier this week? I figure I’m about twenty minutes from your place with that filly you said you would take off our hands. I need directions to your farm, please." the man's voice had taken on a honey sweetness and lost it's haste. But, what was this? She hadn't heard her father say anything about a new horse coming! And he was obviously as surprised as she. "Excuse me? I gave no assent for you to bring that horse. I said I would think about it. That's a far different thing from yes, I'll take her."

The man didn't seem to be deterred and pressed on. "Yes, well, have you thought on this, sir? I really must know quickly. She is a wonderful little filly, an extremely quick learner. And will be a great addition to your stock, I'm sure. Do we have a deal?" Sonora began a unconsciously hoping her father would say yes, even though she knew nothing about the horse.

She heard her father sigh, and could almost see him rubbing his forehead in that characteristic manner. She knew he was weighing things over in his mind. They did have 4 stalls empty, and they had been doing really well money wise lately. But, mother was out of training for awhile, how would that work? Of course Sonora knew the perfect answer to that!

"Mr. Marks, I am short a trainer at the moment, and I'm afraid the filly would not get the kind of attention I'm sure she will need. I'm sorry-"

"Um, pardon me, Mr. Marks. Dad? You have 3 fill-in trainers. Jon, Callie, and me! We've been around horses all our lives, Jon is a very talented horseman, and am I not your own daughter? We could take over her training, very easily You could help every once and awhile, when you have time of course." She bit her lip anxiously, hardly believing she had just interrupted her fathers phone conversation. "You had better be worth the beating I'll probably get, filly!" Sonora said mentally. Oh, she will be, in the long run.

"I believe your daughter has something there, Mr. Showe. If she trains anything like you do, I'm sure she will have our, excuse me, your, little filly eating out of her hand in seconds!" Sonora smirked. This guy was really laying it on!

Her father sighed again, this time resigned. "All right, but I have one condition. If this filly isn't as great as you claim her to be, she goes straight back to where she came from. Agreed?"

"Absolutely, a fair proposal, Mr. Showe. Now, directions please?" she heard her father launch into the very confusing directions to reach their house, and Sonora almost thought she would get out of a scolding. No such luck. "Sonora," she heard her father's voice break in quickly amongst the directions. "come out here please. Now, after the caution light you'll see a Y in the road. . ." her stomach dropped, darn! She quietly hung the phone up and stepped out of the house, following the well-worn path to the barn behind the house.

A new addition to WhisperWood. . .What would she be like? Yolanda? Or a horrible nuisance like Lady Diane? But for some reason Sonora felt she would be totally different than any horse she had worked with before. And this horse she would actually train almost by herself! She bit her lip in excitement. There was a stall to be readied, blankets to choose, halters, a feed regimen. . . She had made another list not too long ago, Sonora frowned. What had it been for. . .?