For Love of Horses
By HorseCrazy Brianna

Chapter Two:

"Your job will be mucking out stalls and caring for the horses," Janet explained.  "Since the stalls have already been mucked today, you'll just need to make sure the horses are bedded down for the night.  Make sure to put their blankets on.  I'll show you who's who." 

I followed her to the pastures, sure I would like her.  She was actually taking the time to introduce me to the horses.  There were the geldings: A paint named Stormy; a chestnut with a white blaze named Barq; a bay named Fuego; a dappled gray named Pepper; an appaloosa named Topside; a palomino named Banner; and a coal-black horse named Cobalt. 

And there were the mares: a paint named Sierra; a bay named Garnet; an appaloosa named Prancer; a chestnut named Irish; a palomino named Streamline; a bay named Blaze; and, of course, the black mare that I called Schatze.

After the horses were bedded down for the night, Janet showed me the room I'd be sharing with her her daughter.  Just as I set my suitcase down, a girl came in. 

"Mother, I..."  She stopped when she saw me.  I stood up. 

"Uh, I'm... you... must be... I mean..."  I gave up.  I sounded too stupid.  No use trying to talk to people.  I also felt uncomfortable, because the girl was looking me up and down.  I looked down; I hadn't worn my best clothes.  I was wearing old jeans, boots, and an old sweatshirt.  I was also aware that my dark-blonde hair had come loose from my braid.  Janet cleared her throat. 

"Carly, this is my daughter Veronica.  Ronnie, this is Carly Turner." 

I fought to keep myself from laughing. 

"Mother!" said Veronica, turning red.  I knew then that she hated to be called 'Ronnie'. 

"I've got to go fix dinner," said Janet, going downstairs. 

"Nice to meet you," said Veronica.  She sounded like she meant the opposite. 

"Um, I... same here.  Your mom hired me to muck out stalls.  It... uh... must be... great... owning horses."  Now, why in the world did I say that?!  Could I sound any dumber?  I gave up trying to make conversation.  Seeing Veronica look at my shabby clothes again, I said quickly, "I'll get cleaned up and change my clothes.  I wouldn't go to the table - especially someone else's table - looking like this."  I grabbed some cleaner clothes from my suitcase, and looked around for a place to change. 

"I guess you're allowed to use the shower," said Veronica, sounding disgusted.  "It's down the hall." 

"Thanks."  I went down the hall to the bathroom.  Just as I'd finished showering, getting dressed, and re-braiding my hair, I heard an impatient knock at the door. 

"Are you almost done in there?" asked Veronica, sounding very annoyed.  "It's time for dinner.  Come on, you're not going to the prom!" 

"Yeah, I'm finished," I said, coming out.  I had the feeling that Veronica and I weren't going to be the best of friends.

To be continued...

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