Promise Kept
By Grace

Chapter One:

I walked into the rodeo arena near our house, where a beautiful horse was jumping and twisting over the jumps.  "Need any help?" I called while I walked up to the men standing there. 

"Not from a young lady like you,"  the men called back.  I was sure they did need help, but since I'm only ten, I doubted that they would want me around. 

"You sure you don't need help?"  Finally, they motioned for me to come. 

"We do need your help," they admitted.  "Our boss said we have to get rid of this horse or else she'll fire us." 

"What do you have to do so that you don't get fired?" I asked. 

"We don't know," said one of the men.  "All we know is that our boss wants us to get rid of that creature."  He nodded to the stallion, who was racing around the arena as if someone was chasing him.  I couldn't describe him.  He had a roan-brown coat that looked as soft as deerskin.  His mane and tail were bay colored and looked as soft as velvet.  

All I could say to the men after I noticed the stallion was, "Thoroughbred?"  I stammered on the word.  It was like my words had tripped.  

They answered quickly, "Yes - how did you know?"  Now they were stammering, as if their words had tripped.

"I... uh... by the veins in his face and... um... shoulders." 

"Oh," they said, as if they could care less.  

"Now what are you going to do with the horse?" I said, to break the silence. 

"We were hoping to have a bet," they said.  "You see, you have to ride the horse in the next rodeo.  If you stay on, we'll let you buy the horse cheap.  If you don't, you pay us $200, so that we make some money before we get fired.  And, you can't keep the horse to calm him down before the rodeo.  Deal?" 

I thought for a while, then said, "Only if you guess the name of my black Tennessee Walker." 

"Okay," they said.  "Your horse is named Blackie."

"No," I said.  

"Um... Lillian," they guessed.

"No," I said.  They chose name after name and got them all wrong. Finally, they gave up.

"Snowflake," I answered, finally.

"Snowflake?" they said.  

"I named her Snowflake, because she doesn't have any white markings on her... You have a bet."

Chapter Two:

I walked back home slowly, wondering what I'd say to Mom.  I didn't think she'd be upset; surprised maybe?  I wasn't sure.  I walked into the shed, where I keep my horse and tack.  Snowflake whinnied, then nickered and began sniffing my pockets.  

"Sorry, girl, I don't have any treats today."  Sometimes, when I go walking, I come back with treats.  I didn't get any this time.  I had to save my allowance, in case I lost the bet.  I'd have to have something to pay the men.  I already had enough to buy a couch, if I wanted.  "I'm sorry that I didn't bring any treats, but maybe a ride will make up for it?" I said to my horse.  She whinnied, as if saying alright.  

I grabbed a blanket.  Since I don't have enough money for a saddle, I use a blanket.  I don't mind riding bareback, but for me, using a blanket is much more comfortable.  I put the blanket on Snowflake and slipped on a bridle.  Then, I swung up my leg and jumped on.  I road Snowflake to the shed door, swung it open and raced Snowflake out the door, before Mom could see me.

I rode Snowflake to the outskirts of Norco, which is where we live.  Norco is in Southern California.  It hardly ever gets cold, even in the winter.  My 'rainbow' hair blew in my face.  Mom calls my hair a rainbow, because I have brown hair with streaks of naturally blond and red hair.  When my hair is wet, you can see highlights of black.  Anyway, I rode Snowflake back and prepared to take any punishments that Mom might give me.

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