Finny and the Boy from Horse Mountain Read online

  “Well, sorry again. I’ll see you later.”

  “No problem, Finny. I’ll see you tomorrow.” He waved, smiled, and left. Finny shoved her books in her pack and swung it over her shoulder. Dale knew her name? That was a surprise. She went to the buses and found the one that would leave her close to Azure Hills. Once it dropped her off, Finny dashed around doing her chores as quickly as she could so she could get to Silver Spur.

  Finny rinsed out the last feed bucket and put it away. She wiped her brow and hoped she didn’t look like a mess. Elsa always looked perfect no matter what. But then, Elsa never lifted a finger or broke a sweat. She grabbed her backpack that was weighed down with cleaning supplies for Joe’s trailer and went to find him. And find him she did. He was leaning up against the wall in the barn, Elsa standing in front of him, a little too close for Finny’s liking. They were talking quietly. Finny walked up and heard Elsa say, “This is a nice look on you.” Then to her horror Elsa ran her hand across his shoulder and down the middle of his chest as if straightening his shirt. Finny walked up and when Joe saw her, his eyes got big. She didn’t know if it was from guilt, embarrassment, happiness, or what. All she knew was she was mad—at him, Elsa, herself, and the world in general. Joe slid sideways a step to remove himself from Elsa, but not before she grabbed his hand and held it in both of hers. “Joe, I had an amazing afternoon. Thank you, you are doing wonders for our horses.”

  “No problem.” Joe stood until Elsa, who was holding his hand for an excessively long time, released it. Elsa didn’t bother to even smirk at Finny. She just turned and walked away.

  Joe gave Finny a crooked smile, knowing she’d be mad.

  “So what was that all about?” Finny crossed her arms and stared at Joe. Seeing his face, remembering that all things Elsa made her crazy, she put her hands up to stop him from whatever he was going to say. “I’m sorry . . . I’m going to start again. Hi, Joe, how are you?”

  Joe smiled again. “I can’t complain. How are you?”

  “Glad to be here!”

  “How was school?”

  “Boring.”

  “That’s too bad. You ready to go to Sky?”

  “Sure, but I have cleaning supplies for the trailer.”

  “About that . . . I gotta show you something.”

  Joe led Finny to the trailer and opened the door, which swung smoothly from its fixed hinges. The trailer was spotless top to bottom and nicely furnished.

  “How did this happen?”

  “Don’t be mad.

  “Elsa,” Finny said, monotone.

  Joe nodded his head. “When I came, Jeff was waiting for me. He showed me the trailer, told me it was compliments of the Davenports. Then, he told me all the young horses he has are in partnership with Elsa’s dad. So he wants me to work with her and teach her how to handle them properly.”

  “Oh . . . so that’s what she was talking about, her amazing afternoon?”

  Joe laughed and shook his head. “Yeah, not sure what made it amazing though.”

  Finny did. It was being with Joe that made any day amazing. Maybe Elsa truly liked him and wasn’t just flirting with him to irritate her. Finny couldn’t believe she wouldn’t go for some rich boy with a fancy car. But no rich boy she knew was as sweet as Joe. Plus, his complete lack of ego was refreshing. No “I’m hot and I know it” attitude.

  “Hey, Joe . . .” Finny wanted to ask, “So, do you like her? Will you fall for her? What about me? I’m crazy about you, but I can’t say it for some reason. I know we’re friends, but will we ever be more, do you want it to be more?” Instead she finished with, “Are you ready to go see Sky?”

  “Yep! Today’s he’s going to be great, Finny. I can feel it.”

  “Remember, if he starts to buck and play just slide off.” Finny was ready to mount Sky for the first time. He’d had two weeks under saddle and bridle and had learned to accept them.

  Joe led Sky to the mounting block.

  “Just lay over him on your belly,” Joe instructed. Finny climbed the block. She gave Sky a pat.

  “Okay, here goes.” Finny gently lay over Sky’s back. “Perfect. Now rub his belly and talk to him.”

  “Good boy, Sky. You’re a good horse.” Finny patted him and was proud he was standing quietly.

  “Okay, Finny, hang on. I’m going to lead him now.” Finny held onto the saddle. She felt funny riding her horse on her belly but he was moving, carrying her weight and not bucking her off. She wasn’t taking a good thing for granted and patted him the entire time. At this rate, she reasoned, she’d be astride him in a week.

  “Finny, that’s perfect. Hop off. I think he’s done enough for today.” Finny slid to the ground almost falling, forgetting how big Sky was.

  “Joe, I rode him! Can you believe it? I was on my horse!” Finny jumped up and down and grabbed Joe in a hug. Joe didn’t hug back but he didn’t tense up either. Finny broke the hug and hoped he didn’t mind that she hugged him. Besides, Elsa put her hands all over him every chance she got. It didn’t look like that bugged him. Ugh, truth be told, she couldn’t tell what he made of Elsa’s attentions.

  “The next few days’ll tell us a lot. The first couple of tries a horse is usually good because he doesn’t know what’s going on,” Joe said.

  “I hope he stays good.”

  Finny and Joe untacked Sky and put him in his stall. They worked well together, each knowing intuitively what the other needed.

  “Finny, next week I want to get on the colts next door. Will you help me? I’d like you there to handle them while I mount.”

  “Sure, Joe, I’d love to. What about Elsa, won’t she want to?”

  “I don’t know, but I need you. I got to have someone who knows what they’re doing.” Joe stated it simply, unaware that it made Finny’s heart soar.

  Chapter Thirteen

  THE TEACHER DRONED ON ABOUT MOLECULAR structure. Finny was trying to pay attention. She was trying to enjoy school. She used to enjoy school. Finny tried again to focus. Finally, after what seemed like a lifetime had passed, the bell rang, ending the school day. Finny rushed to her locker. Dale was there opening the one next to hers.

  “Oh, hey there, Finny. I hear you have a horse now.”

  “Uh, yes. I do.” First he knew her name, and now about Sky? Finny was officially stunned. How could he possibly know?

  “That’s great. So, you keep him at Silver Spur?”

  “No, I just take lessons there. I never could afford to board there. My horse is next door at Azure Hills.”

  “I’m delivering feed there in a couple of days. I’d love to see him.”

  Finny bit her lip. This was too weird. “Sure, anytime.”

  “Great! I’ll see you later.” Finny watched him go, wondering why she was suddenly no longer invisible.

  Finny hurried to the bus. Forty-five minutes later she was at Azure Hills. Joe was waiting for her and had Sky tacked up and ready.

  “Wow, talk about service,” Finny said.

  “No problem. Working next door is a breeze. I get done pretty fast, then come over here and work.”

  “Once we’re done with Sky I can finish up anything you didn’t have time to do.”

  “No need, did it all.”

  “You’re kidding me.”

  “Nope, I work fast.”

  “I see that—you’re going to get me fired!”

  “Oh, Finny, I’m sorry! I’d never do that.”

  “Joe, I’m kidding.”

  Joe’s relief was visible. He took off the halter that was over Sky’s bridle and led him into the arena. Finny grabbed her helmet and put it on. Joe lined up Sky to the mounting block and after a few pats and rubs Finny lay over his back.

  “Ready?” Joe said, holding Sky’s bridle.

  “Yes.” Joe began to lead Sky. The horse walked along, not at all bothered by Finny’s one hundred and eighteen pounds.

  “You okay to go around the ring once like that, Finny?”

  �
��Yes, doing fine. Good boy, Sky, for not bucking Mommy off.” Finny patted his side.

  “Okay,” Joe said when they’d gone once around. “Go for it. Swing your leg and sit on him.” Finny did and Sky didn’t flinch. Joe continued to lead Sky around the arena.

  “Joe, this is a miracle! Can you believe it? A miracle. I’m riding Sky.” Finny closed her eyes and felt the horse beneath her. His stride even at the walk was long and smooth. He was comfortable to sit on and he felt like he fit her leg just right. She glanced around from her high perch and noticed how wonderful everything looked. Finny stroked Sky’s long neck and told him he was the most beautiful horse she’d ever seen.

  “Okay, hop down.” Finny did as softly as she could and then gave Sky a hug. Joe thought Finny glowed with joy and that made his day.

  Chapter Fourteen

  GLITTERY POSTERS ADORNED THE WALLS. THE Fall Formal was coming up: A dance, Finny thought, at the high school where all the pretty cheerleaders dressed up and danced with all the pretty football players so they could lord their greatness over the common folk, also known as the average student. It was cliché central and Finny found herself at odds. Last year even under the threat of torture and death she would never have gone. Now she sort of wanted to go. Done for the day, Finny put her books in her locker. She looked at the poster again. She reasoned her mom would finally stop hounding her if she proved she wasn’t a complete social outcast and went to a dance with a boy.

  She pictured herself showing up with super-handsome Joe on her arm. All dressed up in a suit and tie with his hair slicked back. She’d ask her mom to take her shopping to buy a beautiful dress. Her fantasy screeched to a halt. She didn’t know how to dance, and would be stunned if Joe did . . . or if he’d even go, or if a non-student could go. Finny looked once more at the sign and sighed. A tap on her shoulder took her attention.

  “Hey, Finny.”

  “Oh, hi Dale.”

  “I wanted to tell you I go right by your ranch on the way to work so I can give you a ride if you want. Save you from the bus.”

  “Really? That’d be great! Thanks.” Finny followed him to his BMW convertible. Like Elsa, Dale was one of the social elite. He had his feed store job for two reasons. One, his dad owned the store and most of the town. And two, his father wasn’t going to raise a lazy, spoiled kid so he put Dale to work.

  Finny worked at appearing nonchalant when she got in the car. She wanted to “ooh” and “ahh” all over its soft leather seats, but didn’t want to look like a dork.

  “Your car’s sweet.”

  “Thanks, Finny. Would you like the top up or down?”

  Nice of him to give her a choice, she thought. “Down would be great.” She’d never ridden in a convertible and was excited. Fifteen minutes later they were pulling into Silver Spur. Finny checked her watch. This put her almost an hour early. She was grateful for the ride and told Dale so.

  “Finny, your hair is really beautiful even windblown.” Dale picked up a wayward lock of her hair and brushed it back with the rest. Finny, caught off guard, said nothing. “So, the Fall Formal is coming up and I was wondering if you’d go with me?” She was flabbergasted. Last year, Dale didn’t even acknowledge her existence. Did a little bit of makeup and mascara make that much of a difference? That’s all it took to be invited into the bigtime? Finny wanted to go to the dance, but with Joe.

  “I’m sorry, Dale. I’m not sure I can go.” That was the best Finny could come up with on the spot.

  “It’d be fun. Come on, Finny, go with me.”

  “Dale, I don’t know how to dance.”

  “I could teach you in a heartbeat.”

  “I have to think about it.” Finny hurried out of the car. “Thanks so much for the ride. I’ll see you at school tomorrow.”

  “Okay, tomorrow, Finny.” Dale drove off. Finny swung her backpack over her shoulder and made her way to the barn.

  Joe stood just inside the barn aisle, out of sight. He was waiting for Finny to get out of the strange car and come to the stable. When he saw the driver touch her hair, his whole body went tight. Joe wondered what they were talking about for so long. He let out the breath he hadn’t realized he was holding when she finally stepped out of the car.

  “Well, look at that.”

  Joe jumped, startled. He hadn’t known Elsa was behind him.

  “What?” Joe asked.

  “Finny, with Dale . . . she’s had a mad crush on him forever. Looks like her dream is finally coming true.”

  Finny searched but found no sign of Joe. She checked her watch. It was not like him to be gone. It was time for her lesson, so Finny grabbed the horse she was assigned to and got him ready. Once mounted, Finny rode around the farm one more time looking for Joe. Having no luck, she made her way to the arena. Her mind had still not settled on what to do about the dance. If she asked Joe, would it seem like a date? Would it cross the line and, if it didn’t work out, would the friendship be ruined? The mere thought of that made her ill. Maybe it was time to take a chance. She put it out of her mind for now. Her lesson was starting and she needed her full attention for that.

  Barbara taught and the lesson was great fun. Kayla, for the first time, was able to jump three feet and she was floating on air. At the end of the lesson, Barbara came up to Finny and told her how wonderful it would be if her horse could be show-ready by next season. To have a rider with Finny’s talent out there would be a huge plus for Silver Spur, not to mention fun for her. Finny, exhilarated by the compliment, was still glowing as she slid through the fence to Azure Hills. She also realized Joe was there because Sky was tacked up and waiting. When she got close, she saw Elsa sitting next to him, her hand on his leg. She was talking to him, almost looked like she was consoling him. Finny closed her eyes, took a nerve-calming breath, and walked over. Once Joe saw her he stood, dislodging Elsa’s hand. Finny couldn’t quite place the look on his face. Elsa stood, with her trademark smirk.

  “Hello, Finny.”

  “Why are you here, Elsa?” Finny crossed her arms and looked her way.

  “Visiting, learning so much about horses. You know, Joe, you’re like the horse whisperer, totally amazing with them.”

  Finny saw Joe give a strained smile; but he wouldn’t meet her eyes. She doubted he knew the “horse whisperer” reference. She would explain it later. It was a nice compliment.

  “Well, I guess I’ll get going. Thanks again, Joe,” Elsa finally said after a few moments of awkward silence. Elsa was holding Joe’s arm as she spoke. She did so naturally, like it was right. Once she was gone, Joe gave Finny a small smile as if he were sad or guilty or something. Finny couldn’t tell. She wondered if Elsa knew how he felt. Was she able to say anything to him, to read him? Did she ever second-guess herself or worry about crossing a line? Probably not.

  “Thanks for getting him ready.”

  “No problem.”

  Finny let out a sigh. His mood was so downcast and she had no idea why.

  “How’s everything at work?”

  “Good, colts are coming along fine.” Joe unhooked the halter and led Sky out of the crossties.

  “What was Elsa up to? Did she really want to learn more about horses?”

  “Far as I could tell. She asked a lot about Sky. Seemed to care.” Finny very much doubted that. Joe led Sky to the arena as Finny grabbed her helmet. Once there he legged her up. Finny sat quietly on Sky for a few minutes, talking to him, petting him.

  “Ready?” Joe asked.

  “Yes.” Joe began to lead Sky around the arena.

  “Hey, Joe, are you okay?”

  “Yeah, sure, I’m fine.”

  “Okay. You just seem, I don’t know, sorta sad.” Joe looked over his shoulder at Finny. He gave her a smile that didn’t reach his eyes, telling her she was right when he tried to convince her she was wrong.

  “You’d tell me if something was wrong, wouldn’t you?”

  “Sure I would.” Joe gave Sky a pat on the neck but didn�
�t look back at her. I’ll give him some time, Finny thought. Let him work out whatever it is, then I’ll ask again.

  “What about taking him off the line? See if I can walk him around a little without being led.”

  “Go for it. It’s time.” Joe unhooked the lead but stayed by Sky’s side as they walked along the fence line.

  “See if he will walk in a circle around me. I’ll help if he stalls.” Finny opened her left rein and closed her right leg, asking Sky to move off it and follow the guiding rein. Sky did so beautifully.

  “Now ask him to halt and walk, three times.” Sky was slow to react but did as instructed.

  “Joe, do you see that? He’s listening.”

  “Yes, I see it. You’re doing a great job, Finny.”

  “Joe, can you believe how good he is?”

  “Yeah, but keep in mind, he’s hasn’t been put under any pressure. When we start to ask for things, that’s when he’s gonna resist.”

  “I understand. But Joe, do you think horses can love their owners and treat them better because they do? Does Sky know how much I love him?”

  Joe let out a contemplative breath. “That’s hard to say. I know horses have emotions and can like and dislike people and things. I just think their instincts trump all. Like, if you were ridin’ and your spur accidentally gouged him. He’d react by maybe buckin’ you off because he’d react to the pain and try to stop it. He wouldn’t think, Oh I can’t buck off my rider ’cause I could hurt her. I don’t think they put the two together. Knowing that will keep you safer. Everyone I know who claimed to have a special way with horses always ended up in the hospital way more than those who didn’t.”

  “Oh wow.”

  “I do know one thing. If a horse trusts you, you can get a lot more out of him.”

  “Joe, you are the horse whisperer!”

  Joe laughed, “My mom read that book. I remember it from when I was a kid.”

  “Did your mom like it?”

  “Said it was a good story, but found the horse part not so true to life.”