Sue ran home from school, waving a paper and shouting. Jimmy, Amy and Sarah were already in the barn in her backyard cleaning out the two stalls from the last horses that they had helped, Majestic and Comet. “Guys! You’ll never guess what I found!” she shouted, racing into the barn.

Jimmy looked up from sweeping. Amy stopped the wheelbarrow and smiled. Sarah was just coming down from the hay loft where she had put away the extra hay. “Finding something means we better clean these stalls up and then put more bedding, water, and food in them,” Jimmy sighed, leaning against his broom.

“You know it!” Sue shouted, shoving the paper in his face.

“Whoa girl.” he said, taking it and dropping his broom. He looked at the words carefully. “Thin mare, Appaloosa, age seven, needs good home. Rescued from abandoned barn,” he read.

“I printed it off the Internet. It was on one of those newspaper sites. Her name is Candy,” Sue chattered.

Sarah smiled. ”That is so cool! I bet we can help her,” she said. Amy was quiet, looking worried.

“Yeah!” Sue said, taking a breath. Before she could continue Jimmy cut her off.

“Wait, we can’t take her on, not now. I am going to my grandparents for two weeks! And besides, the money we earned from re-homing Comet and Majestic was only $500. $100 of it will be needed to buy more food, and if this mare is underweight and was abandoned, we may need a vet and a farrier that could cost a LOT of money! Not to mention actually BUYING the mare,” he said, crossing his arms and handing Sue the paper.

Sue scratched her head. “I didn’t think of that,” she said, frowning.

“Someone else will have to help her,” Jimmy said firmly.

“Oh but Jimmy…” Sue began. He cut her off.

“No, this time I put my foot down. We have to earn more money first. You always rush into things. We were lucky Majestic and Comet didn’t cut into our budget. Now when I get back I’ll get a job and we’ll save. Maybe in a few months we can rescue a horse. I am sure Candy will find a good home,” he said.

“Or the slaughter house!” Sarah’s voice was in panic.

“You guys don’t understand!” Sue shouted above Jimmy and Sarah’s arguing.

“I already… she’s coming tomorrow,” she said, blushing.

“WHAT?” Jimmy shouted, glaring at her. Sue twisted the paper into a wrinkled little mess.

“I know,” she winced. “I am so sorry! I just forgot about money and… look, it only cost $300 for the mare. The people who rescued her can’t keep her long. They are going to sell her to the auction in a week if no one answered their ad and then the slaughter house would get her… I am sure that the vet wouldn’t mind if we made payments. Maybe we could borrow money from our parents and pay them back when we find a good home for Candy?” she suggested.

“IF we find a good home. Not every story ends happily. The seven horses we rescued so far were lucky. And it would be years before she is ready to find a new home! We don’t know her physical or mental state! Do you know what you did?” he demanded. Sue hid behind her wrinkled paper.

Sarah blew though her lips. “Bummer,” she said, knocking her head against the stall door.

“We’ll have to tell them we can’t take the horse at this time,” Jimmy said, picking up his broom. “It just won’t work,” he added, looking long and hard at Sue.

She sighed. “But you KNOW what will happen if…”

He nodded. “And I am really sorry about it too, Sue. But we can’t be in debt to our parents or the vet. It won’t work.”

Sue looked over at Amy whose face was dark and clouded. “Amy, it’s alright.” She put her hand on Amy’s shoulder.

“No it isn’t! I… I just adopted a pony too for us to help! I went to the auctions with my dad, just to watch, and there was a chubby little pinto pony and it was bad tempered, everyone could see that by the way it kicked and flattened it’s ears, and the slaughter house was gonna buy it but I…I bid for it. And I bid $400 and won ’cause the Slaughter House people had their eyes on a bigger horse. The pony will be arriving tomorrow…I’m so sorry! And there are NO refunds. They made it clear.” Amy was in tears.

“I ruined us all! I wanted it to be a surprise! Look..” She reached in her pocket and pulled out five twenty dollar bills. “My dad gave me two twenties, because he wanted to help the pony too. He said he couldn’t stand it. I told him we had $500 but he said this was for food and such. The other three I earned yesterday by doing odd jobs around the neighborhood. So we have $600 to spend between a $300 mare and a $400 pony. We are already under by a hundred and without money to pay the vet or anything! I shouldn’t have done this!” Amy broke into uncontrollable sobs and Sue held her in her arms. Jimmy was pacing the stall in anger.

“We CAN’T take on Candy. We’ll just have to take the pony and hope for the best,” he said.

“Wait a minute, you can’t choose who lives and dies! Candy needs us!” Sarah argued.

“There are thousands of horses that need us, Sarah! We can’t help them all!”

Sarah crossed her arms. “We can try! We can’t turn Candy away! We’ll just have to earn money. We have just today to do it too!” she said, stomping a foot.

“We’ll do it,” Sue said, a fire burning in her eyes.

“How?” Amy whimpered. Sue paced around, holding her chin.

“We gotta think of a way,” she announced, looking at her friends. They all nodded. “Alright then, we’ll have to get more jobs. I only work twice a week at the shop. I’ll ask the manager for more work. I’ll tell him the situation,” she said, tilting her head. “I have to work tonight so I’ll ask him then. What about you, Amy?” she asked. Amy shrugged.

“I’m still looking for a job,” she said.

Sarah waved her hands. “How about we hold a fundraiser? We can tell Candy’s rescuers that we’ll have to pay them in a few days. We’ll hold a car wash! I once helped in a car wash that made $800! What if we made that much? We could take care of BOTH horses!” she announced.

“Good idea! We’ll try. Ask your parents, work on fliers, oh we need a location…I’ll ask my boss if we can hold it outside the store! It would bring business! Okay, we have a LOT to do! Alpha Squad, MOVE OUT!” They all put their hands in a circle and lifted them in the air, shouting “ALPHA SQUAD!”.

* * * * * * * * * *

Amy held her hands behind her back, fingers crossed, pressing her legs tight together she rocked back and forth as she waited for the lady to return from the back room. The job was simple; feed and care for half of the animals at the petting zoo. It paid $20 an hour, being a hard physical job, and she could work as long as she wanted, if she was using the time to care for the animals and children. She wouldn’t be paid for standing around and there would be a manager to inspect her work. Every time she came or left she’d have to sign her name. One of their employees recently moved on to a different job and that left a spot open. She hoped beyond all hope they’d accept her.

Finally the thin lady with thick, short, red hair and thin lips with piercing eyes and crooked glasses returned, with a bunch of papers in hand. “If you’ll sign these, take them home and have a parent or legal guardian sign them, then come back tomorrow you have a job. You are expected every day and you must work until the job is done. It includes feeding the goats, giving them water, giving them baths, looking after the donkeys the same way, grooming them, cleaning their barn that is inside the enclosure, looking after the bunnies, holding them for kids to pet, taking care of ALL their needs, cleaning their cages at least twice a day. Can you do that?” she asked, looking at Amy from over her glasses. Amy nodded, taking the papers and reading them over.

“Good. Lillian will show you around tomorrow and help you with the chores the first day. After that you are on your own. She’ll be watching you every now and then to be sure you are doing your job right. Taking initiative is always a good idea. If you see something that needs doing, do it,” she said, clasping her hands together.

Amy smiled politely. “Yes ma’am, I’ll do that.”

The woman looked shocked to hear a respectful answer instead of a groan. “Alright then, you may go. Be here tomorrow as soon as possible. If you can come before school please do. These animals won’t feed themselves and no one will feed them for you,” she warned. Amy nodded.

“It’s not a problem, ma’am,” she assured the lady, before walking out of the office.

The smell of animals was welcoming as she made her way to the parking lot. Jimmy, a legal driver, was waiting in the car. Amy passed the donkey pen on the way out. It was spacious with a little shed for shelter. In the shed was bedding, and a few piles of droppings Amy would have to clean up. She made a mental note to not only pick up in the barn but also a little around the pasture. It was impossible to clean it ALL but a good amount would make the pasture clean, give the donkeys more room and perhaps impress Lillian.

She opened the passenger door and climbed into the truck. Jimmy studied her face carefully as he turned the key to start the car. Amy kept the smile off her face. It was more fun to let him guess. “Well?” he demanded, backing the car out of the parking place.

“I got the job, dummy! Why else would I have paper work?” Amy asked, giggling. Jimmy rolled his eyes. Amy knew he was pleased. That helped solve SOME of their many problems. Again she wished she had never been so foolish to bid on the pony but she was also glad she did.

* * * * * * * * * *

Sarah worked fiercely at her computer, typing words for the fliers for the car wash. “CAR WASH! Help support horses in need! Reno and Candy, horses that need YOU! Have a heart, help a horse! To be held at….” The words trailed off. Sarah wasn’t sure WHERE it was to be held at. Hopefully Sue took care of that. They also needed a WHEN.

She sighed and scanned the pictures of Reno and Candy. Hopefully giving them out to the people that volunteered at the S.P.C.A, the people that owned horses and the people who loved to help charity, would get them a few cars. She began working to design the paper; blue, with clouds in the background, the two horses in the middle. The words CAR WASH above the pictures. The rest of the words beside the pictures. The dates and time would go underneath the pictures. She sat back, satisfied with her work. Hopefully it would work.

Suddenly there was a flashing window and a sound. She clicked it and an e-mail popped up. She began to read the e-mail from her grandma and her eyes grew wide. She had work to do! She knew how they could raise more money! She began typing again, writing a letter. Yes, this would work!

* * * * * * * * * *

Sue walked out of her job, grinning from ear to ear. Her boss didn’t agree to overtime, but he had given permission for the car wash. That was SOMETHING, wasn’t it? She got on her bike and rode to her home, two miles away. When she got there she found an e-mail from Sarah. It read, “Got fliers, need date, time, place and such. Need signs to hold. Need supplies to wash cars. Found way to raise more money. Meet tomorrow at barn BEFORE school if you can. Got to do homework, can’t chat. Meet me, I have an idea. I e-mailed everyone else. KK?”

Sue smiled and typed a quick “KK” then hit the send button. She pushed away from the chair and went into the garage to get the huge poster board her father had left around. He told her to use it any time necessary and this was necessary. She began to write out in large, black letters ‘CAR WASH SUPPORT HORSES DONATIONS WELCOME’. She also had to gather buckets, soap, things to scrub the car with and towels to dry with. She knew her father had all this. She crossed her fingers. Saturday would be the car wash; three days away. Would Candy’s owner wait that long?

The chilly morning air made Sue shiver as she walked to the backyard barn. Jimmy and Sarah were just outside. “Hey,” she called before she was close enough to talk in a normal voice. Sarah ran up to her, waving a book mark.

“Look at this!” she demanded, half handing and half throwing it at Sue. She took it and looked.

“Made from real horse poop,” she read, her face twisting in disgust. She threw the book mark. “YUCK! I touched it!” she squealed.

Sarah picked it up. “It is sanitary, Sue. My point is, I e-mailed the company. They’ll pay us per pound of horse poop,” she said.

“Well with two horses we’ll have plenty of pounds,” Jimmy said dryly.

“Where is Amy?” Sue asked, shoving her hands into her pockets.

“Work,” Jimmy said, shrugging.

“Work?” Sue asked.

“A petting zoo,” Sarah exclaimed, jumping up and down. “She had to clean a whole pasture full of donkey poop and there are some horses too. The company will take donkey droppings too for their paper! And there is TONS of it!” Sarah was clapping her hands, as if the thought of selling droppings was pleasing. Sue had to admit it was clever, if not completely sane.

“Alright, I have signs. I e-mailed you the date and time and location right?” she asked. Sarah nodded. “Alright then, we’ll be ready. Candy is coming an hour after school. The stalls need fresh bedding and water and food.” Sue looked at her watch. “I have to catch the bus,” she announced, running away. Sarah and Jimmy smiled. They had already made the stalls ready. Shrugging to each other they hurried after Sue.

* * * * * * * * * *

All through work Amy was careful to do a good job. After feeding and watering every animal she focused on picking up after the donkeys and horses. Sarah had e-mailed her about something called Poop paper that was made from animal droppings. She said to get as much as she could. So after cleaning up endless amounts Amy bagged it all and put it behind the donkey’s house, planning to pick it up after school. She had asked Lillian and was given the okay to do so. She finally took off her gloves and put them away, hurrying to catch the bus. It would be a long day at school and she couldn’t wait to see Reno!

It was 4:30; any second the horses would arrive. Amy kept checking her watch nervously while everyone else planned out where to deliver the Car Wash fliers. She paced back and forth, nervous. Everyone else ignored her nerves and focused on the car wash. Finally when it seemed she’d die of anxiety a trailer from the auctions pulled up. She could hear Reno kicking and screaming inside. The man got out of his car and walked over. “You the new owner?” he asked gruffly, scratching his fuzzy face with his hand. Amy nodded eagerly. “Got yourself a stubborn one. Took forever to load him,” he said, walking over to the trailer door.

Amy opened the side door that was big enough for a human and slipped inside, holding Reno’s head. The stallion’s eyes were wide with worry, his body lathered in sweat. “Shhhh, it’s alright Reno,” she cooed, gently stroking his nose. As quietly as possible Jimmy helped the man lower the trailer door. Amy kept calming Reno until he seemed to relax slightly, his ears leaning to catch her words instead of being flat against his head. Ever so gently Amy untied him and stroked his neck, gently pushing against his chest to back him out the door. She moved slowly, keeping her voice low and calm. Reno tossed his head, nearly causing the rope to slip through her fingers.

Finally the pony was blinking in the sunlight. The panic was rising in his eyes. He wanted to run. He side stepped three times, throwing his head up and down. Amy tried to soothe him, calmly standing there and stroking him. It took a very long, very tiresome amount of time to encourage him into the pasture.

The pasture was connected to the stalls, with a door to separate them if they wanted to keep the horses in the stalls. Reno was running wild, eyes white in fear, feet stomping. Amy watched him, eyes filled with sadness. Reno finally stopped and looked at her, spotted ears flat and pawing the ground. He was stubborn.

The truck drove away and just as it was leaving another came. “I gave the man his money,” Jimmy said, holding the jar of money close.

“We have two hundred dollars. We’ll have to ask them to accept one hundred for now. We may need the other hundred for food. We do have some hay left and plenty of grass in the pasture but in case of emergency we should keep it,” Sue said, watching the truck drive up. A woman came out this time.

“Hello, my name is Shelly Watkins.” She shook hands with Sue. “Candy is a great mare. Underfed and under cared for, but a good bath and some careful attention and she’ll be a fine mare,” she said.

“Mrs. Watkins, we can only pay one hundred up front. But we’ll have more money by Monday. Can we pay you the other two hundred then?” Sue asked. Shelly nodded.

“That’s fine sugar,” she said, smiling one of those smiles adults give when they feel they are talking to a three year old instead of a teenager.

They unloaded Candy with ease, she was a white mare with reddish flecks all over her coat. Her eyes were gentle and she stood still, sniffing the air. Her ears went back and forth. But for some reason she didn’t seem interested in seeing her new home. Sarah led her to her stall, and the mare stumbled every few steps. Everyone watched her, hoping it was just from being weak and under fed.

“We got her hooves cared for. They were too bad to let alone,” the woman said, smiling.

“Poor girl.” Sue sighed.

“On top of going blind, she was abandoned,” Shelly agreed.

“Blind?” Sue gasped.

“You didn’t know?” Shelly blinked. Sue and Jimmy shook their heads. “Dear, and I thought I mentioned that.” Shelly chewed her lip, worry showing on her face.

“It doesn’t matter,” Sue said quickly.

“We are a rescue group,” Jimmy added, already fond of the gentle mare. Shelly looked relieved.

“Thank you so much!” she said, shaking hands with both children. She accepted the money then climbed into her truck and drove away.

Jimmy and Sue looked at each other. “Blind? This will be a c.h.a.l.l.e.n.g.e!” Jimmy whistled.

“Shush! She’s the sweetest mare we’ve ever worked with,” Sue said, punching his arm.

“We’ve only dealt with aggressive or abused horses,” Jimmy reminded her.

“Still, she’s a sweetie,” Sue said, walking ahead of him. Jimmy sighed.

Why must we always rush into things? he wondered.

* * * * * * * * * *

“CAR WASH! SUPPORT THE HORSES!” Sarah’s throat was sore from yelling and she felt dizzy. Standing in the middle of the rode on a grassy area, cars on either side, holding a sign. On the side walk far to her left across the road was Jimmy, shouting just as loud. Cars that stopped at the red light would sometimes hand them money for their jar labeled donations but so far Amy and Sue had only washed seven cars and it had been two hours already.

Sue came up to Sarah. “Switch with me. My hands are so shriveled,” she said, smiling.

“Your dad is energetic,” Sarah commented, pointing to her right where Sue’s father ran up and down shouting in joy for the cars to get washed.

“Yeah,” Sue agreed, taking the sign from Sarah.

“Amy’s going to relieve Jimmy. Your parents refuse to hold the signs.” She smiled. Sarah laughed.

“That sounds like them.” She waited for a red light and crossed over towards Jimmy, then ran up the side walk to the store.

Her parents were drying one car and Amy was rinsing off another. She picked up a towel and moved in to dry once the first side of the car was bubble free.

Another car drove up, a dirty looking truck. “Excuse me, is this the fund raiser for the horses?” an old lady asked, holding up a flier of the horses.

“Yes ma’am.” Sarah smiled.

“Oh good.” The woman rolled up her window. Sarah picked up one of the two hoses and began rinsing off the vehicle.

It was five hours of long work before they called it a day. Dragging themselves back home they knew they had to take care of the horses too. Amy went to her work, half asleep. Sue counted the money while Jimmy and Sarah took care of the horses. Sarah gently groomed Candy and fed her, stroking her mane.

Jimmy put a lunge rope on Reno, working him in a circle to get off some of his stubbornness. It wasn’t easy. Reno wanted to gallop when we was told to walk. He wanted to walk when he was told to canter. Finally Jimmy brought Reno to a stop, marched up to him, and looked him in the eyes. “Enough of this Reno! You’ll obey and you’ll like it!” Jimmy’s voice was full of authority.

He worked Reno again, having him trot. When Reno tried to break stride Jimmy had him turn the other way, forcing him to slow down. When he tried to slow down Jimmy would use his voice and touch the whip to the ground behind Reno to make him go the pace he was supposed to. It was hard work keeping one step ahead of the strong willed stallion but finally Reno obeyed.

When Jimmy stopped him he gave him two carrots and praised him, patting his neck, rubbing him up and down and telling him over and over how good he was. Reno was led back to his stall and cooled down, then given a small drink.

Sarah then let Candy into the pasture. She kept the mare on a lead rope and walked the perimeter of the pasture, stopping to let Candy touch the fence and sniff around. Once she was sure Candy had touched both of the trees, every place of the fence, and sniffed all the scent she removed the lead rope and set Candy free. The mare trotted forward, kicking up her heels. She stopped a few feet from the fence, turned, and galloped back towards the barn. She wheeled around a couple of feet from the fence, always keeping a good distance until she was 100% sure what was where. Once she ran into a tree but it didn’t stop her for long.

“How much did we make?” Jimmy asked, leaning on the fence and watching Candy.

Sue put all the money in the jar. “We made $587,” she announced proudly.

“Take one hundred away, plus the hundred we have, that leaves $487 for vet bills. Plus with all our jobs we should be able to make it. Unless something unexpected happens,” he added.

“I want to vet to check Candy over,” Sue said, eyeing the mare. “We should write up training plans for both of them. I talked to Shelly and Candy just went blind a month ago. She was neighbors with Candy’s original owner. When the mare went blind they just left her. Candy has never been ridden as blind. She needs to be able to be ridden. I’ll draw up a plan based on what the vet says to get her into healthy shape and then we’ll work on it. It will probably be a long time before she is even the right weight.” Sue looked over at Jimmy.

“Amy should draw up Reno’s schedule. She’s the one who wanted him.” Jimmy narrowed his eyes. Sue sighed.

“You know as well as I do that you love Reno just as much. We’ll all work out the scheduled together. She can draw up the first copy and we’ll have a meeting to discuss what she wrote, change it if need be and such. The same with Candy’s schedule,” she added. Candy dropped her head to graze.

“Alright, I’ll call the vet,” Sarah said, coming out of the tack room after putting the lead rope away. She gently stroked Reno’s face. He eyed her suspiciously and pulled away, snorting his distaste.

* * * * * * * * * *

Sue paced anxiously outside while the vet checked Reno over. Amy was grooming Candy in her stall while Candy ate some hay from the hay net. Jimmy was mucking the pasture and putting it in bags to send to the company Sarah found. Amy had brought the bags from the petting zoo. Sarah was peering into the stall, standing on her toes as the vet looked Reno up and down.

He finished, giving Reno the clean bill of health. He had already checked Candy and had told them there wasn’t much wrong other than a lack of nutrition. He had written them out a diet, complete with a few vitamins from his bag and an exercise schedule. He stood, leaving the stall.

“Well?” Sue asked. Sarah backed away from the door. The vet closed it and smiled.

“You have all you need. Reno’s a fine horse, health-wise. But he tried to kick me a few times. If anyone can care for him it’s you guys.” He chuckled.

“How much do we owe you?” Amy asked, moving out of Candy’s stall. “Well, the vitamins I gave you for Candy is $20. The visit costs $100. So $120 as soon as you can pay…” Sue slapped the money in his hands, grinning. He blinked.

“Well, looks like you have it covered. Thanks kids; I am sure the horses appreciate all you do for them.” He smiled. On many occasions he had helped them. Shaking hands with everyone, except Jimmy, he left.

Sue leaned on Candy’s shoulder while Amy counted the money they had left. After adding their earnings from work, taking away the cost of the vet and the cost of feed they had $320. Sarah was sweeping the hall from loose fragments of hay and dust.

Jimmy came inside, wiping his forehead with his arm. “Well how are we doing?” he asked.

“Pretty well. Hey, we have two more stalls. Shall we try for more horses?” Sue teased.

“You do and I will never talk to you again!” Jimmy said, throwing his red ball cap at her. Sue dodged.

“Fine.” She sighed.

“Reno and Candy are enough!” Sarah agreed. Amy giggled as she put the money jar up on the shelf.

“Come on guys, let’s work out a plan for Reno.” Sue led them up to the house.

Reno kicked at his stall door, snorting and pining his ears back. Amy looked over her shoulder at him and sighed.

“Come on Amy!” Sue called from up closer to the house. Amy ran to catch up.

“NO RIDING RENO!” Jimmy, Sue, and Sarah all said together at Amy.

“But…”

“No Amy, not yet. Reno is still too stubborn. He’ll throw anyone on his back!” Jimmy said, crossing his arms. “No and that is final. Not until we take some of his stubbornit ness out.” He sounded firm. Amy had to convince them.

“You don’t understand! I am sure that I can ride him! He isn’t really stubborn once he knows that you mean him no harm. It is just that he fights what he doesn’t understand,” Amy said.

“You don’t know that for sure,” Sarah pointed out. Amy sighed in frustration.

“Trust me, I can do this,” she said.

“I trust you Amy, but I don’t trust Reno. Not yet,” Sue said gently, placing her hand on Amy’s shoulder.

“You HAVE to trust Reno if you want him to trust you!” Amy pointed out.

“Amy, no one rides Reno. We clear?” Jimmy asked, giving Amy the you-can’t-win look. Amy leaned back against the couch, feeling drained of her excitement.

“So using the Vet’s schedule, we’ll take Candy out to exercise. She needs to gain weight and trust if anyone will ever be able to ride her.” Sue continued the meeting, writing things on her paper. Jimmy wrote down notes on his and they all turned them in to Sarah who’ll type them up and print them out.

“These are the training schedules. Use notes from everyone to put on the side of them so we all know what each other’s thoughts are,” Sue instructed. Nodding Sarah gathered up the papers.

Amy turned hers in with a scowl on her face. “I still think that…” Jimmy cut her off.

“It is finished, Amy. If you keep it up we might have to pull you out of Reno’s training all together. We can’t risk your life just to ride him,” he said, narrowing his eyes. Amy looked away.

“Alright, I’ll stop,” she muttered.

* * * * * * * * * *

It was two nights later. Jimmy had left for his Grandparents’ house and Sarah and Sue went skating. Amy had told them she had homework to catch up on.

Sucking in a breath she looked around. No one was home. Her parents, who lived next door and whose whole back yard was the pasture that they had fenced off for horses, had gone to dinner with old friends. Sue’s parents were with the girls skating. Jimmy’s parents were with him on vacation and Sarah’s parents were asleep. She knew it was now or never.

Slipping into the barn she grabbed the bridle and walked over to Reno’s stall. She placed it over the door, letting him sniff it. For the previous two nights she had snuck out at midnight to do this, getting him use to it and giving him a treat every time he relaxed.

She waited for a few minutes, stroking him calmly, then put the carrot against the bit and asked Reno to take it in his mouth. He was smart. Spotting the bit he flattened his ears and clamped his mouth shut. After trying two more times Amy put the bit down and pocketed the carrot. Gently stroking Reno she whispered to him. “Please Reno, please be a good boy. A good boy,” she soothed. His ears pricked back up and he nudged her gently. “Good boy!” she praised him.

She tried the bit again, the carrot in front of it. He protested a bit but finally lipped the carrot. Amy didn’t put the bit in. She let his lips brush against it as he took the carrot. She rubbed the bit against his lips while he chewed his treat. “There boy, that wasn’t so bad was it?” Amy asked. Reno tossed his head, looking over his shoulder. “Come on then, will you take the bit now?” Amy asked, using her fingers to lift his lips.

She moved the bit towards his mouth slowly, soothing him and opening his mouth. This time he took the bit. Amy was slow to fasten it around his head, making sure he wasn’t agitated. He pulled away once when she tried to buckle the bridle, but finally after a lot of patience it was on. Then Amy moved towards the saddle that was resting on the door.

Reno flattened his ears, seeing her reach for the saddle blanket. Gently she put it back down and stroked his neck. Slowly she brushed the blanket all over his face and back, before laying it in the correct spot. Reno twisted his neck to sniff the blanket resting on his back. He shook his body and off flew the blanket. Amy gently picked it up and tried to replace it but he side stepped, snorting in anger. “Alright boy,” Amy said gently, moving away. She had to ride him tonight or she’d never ride him until Jimmy thought he was ready! But he WAS!

Slowly she backed away, leaving the blanket on the door. Reno circled his stall. Amy was standing at the door, still inside. Flicking his tail and stomping his hooves he nickered, rolled his eyes, tossed his head and finally faced Amy again. “Temper tantrum?” Amy held back a giggle. Reno lowered his head, looking away from Amy. “Alright boy.”

Slowly Amy moved, hiding the blanket behind her back. She gently stroked his back, speaking soothingly. He didn’t look at her but he sniffed the saddle hanging over the door. Ever so gently Amy lowered the blanket on his back, still stroking and speaking. He didn’t even notice it was there! Amy moved towards the saddle carefully, lifting it off of the door. Reno tilted his head curiously. Gently Amy placed it on his back. Reno shook and off came the blanket and saddle. Again and again Amy tried to get him to accept both the saddle and bridle but again and again he refused.

Finally, half an hour later, Amy had the saddle on. She had to hurry. The girls would be home in two hours.

Leading Reno into the pasture she slowly put one boot in the stirrup, leaning half her weight on his back. He shook his mane and looked ready to buck. Slipping off the saddle in time Amy fell to the ground as Reno lifted his front hooves into the air and bellowed his defiance. Amy jumped to her feet and grabbed the reins. “Easy boy!” she soothed, trying to pull him down. “Easy!” Reno came down again, tossing mane out of his eyes and snorting. He side stepped, almost knocking Amy over. Amy leaped out of the way and gently stroked him.

Once he calmed down she tried again. Reno wasn’t having it. One foot in the stirrup, one bottom on the ground. Each time she tried she fell again, Reno almost laughing. Finally she clipped on the lunge line and began working him in a circle, trying to blow off some steam.

He fought every command. Amy was firm with him. Every time he misbehaved she’d force him to turn around. Finally she felt in control. Gathering up the line so she was close to Reno she unclipped the rope, threw it aside and shoved a foot in the stirrup. “You are going to behave,” she said, stroking his neck.

Carefully she threw her weight on him, slowly lifting her other leg. Reno tossed his mane and side stepped a little but he didn’t put up too much fight. Finally Amy sat up straight in the saddle, feeling like the queen of the world! Reno was rideable!

Gently she clucked to him and asked him for a trot. He obliged with a trot. The gait wasn’t smooth or easy; it was kind of choppy and random. Once Reno settled down into a more suitable stride Amy asked for a canter. He immediately broke into a gallop, tossing his head every time his front hooves fell towards the ground. He made loud snorting sounds, kicking up dirt. Amy struggled to get him under control. “No boy!” she said gently, tugging the reins with firm authority. Reno shook his mane, trying to free himself of the girl’s grasp. Amy and Reno fought for a long time before both were tired. Reno finally settled down and obeyed every command with perfection, a smooth gait and a submissive attitude.

By the time Amy put him away both were exhausted from fighting each other. But Amy, caked in mud, was smiling from ear to ear as she cooled Reno down and groomed the worst of the dirt out of his coat. She put away the saddle and bridle and left the barn, shutting the lights out. He was stubborn and a lot of horse to handle but he was amazing!

* * * * * * * * * *

Still in awe of Reno’s midnight ride Amy walked around the petting zoo, checking jobs off of her mental list. Finally all she had to do was hold the bunnies while little kids pet them. She even let a little girl hold one for a few minutes.

Her mind spun with her discovery of Reno’s behaviours under a saddle. Was he afraid of it or just rebellious? Last night she had almost believed he was a little of both. But why was he afraid? He had a history of being ridden, despite his stubbornness. She tried to remember everything she knew about him. Reno, five year-old pony, white with black spots, high strung and stubborn. Hard to control.

She had spoken to the old owner at the auctions -

“He has been ridden before,” he promised.

Frowning Amy wondered how many times he had been ridden.

“I like this bunny!” a little girl squealed, scratching the brown, floppy ears. Amy smiled, shifting the bunny to her other arm.

“He’s called Reno,” she whispered.

“His name is Benny. See?” The girl pointed to his cage where his name tag hung.

“Wha?” Amy blinked and looked at the girl for the first time. “Oh…Benny….yes.” She smiled. The girl walked away, a weird look on her face.

Sighing, Amy put Benny away and clocked out. She wished she could talk to the girls about this but then they’d know what she had done! She was glad Jimmy wasn’t around. He’s probably notice that the pony sized tack was dusty. He’d be suspicious. At least the lunge line had a good reason to be dirty. He had used it on Reno too…..Amy gasped in shock. She forgot to put the lunge line away!

“Here you are Candy,” Sue cooed, holding the vitamin in her hand beside a carrot. Candy lipped the snack, nickering her thanks despite the pill she had eaten. Sue laughed and patted Candy’s neck.

“Hey Sue, did you lunge Reno or Candy today?” Sarah asked, coming in the barn with the lunge line over her shoulder.

“No, why?” Sue asked.

“I found this outside in the pasture.” Sarah held up the dusty rope.

“Jimmy probably forgot to put it away last time he used it.” Sue shrugged, turning back to Candy.

“No, he put it away. I remember seeing it yesterday just before leaving the barn. It was in the tack room,” Sarah said.

“Hey gals,” Amy said, trying to sound cheerful as she entered the barn. “Look what I have!” She held up a bag of carrots. Eying Sarah she almost fainted. Sarah held the lunge line!

“Hey Amy,” Sue said, leaving Candy’s stall. Reno was in the pasture, happily frolicking.

“Someone must have broken into the barn or something. Did you see anything from your room while you were doing homework?” Sarah asked Amy. Amy gulped. She was going to be sick!

“N-no,” she stammered.

“Well I didn’t do it, you didn’t do it, and you didn’t do it,” Sue said, pointing to her friends as she spoke. “Sarah said it was in the tack room before we left the barn…” Amy was growing hotter and more uncomfortable.

“Maybe Sarah was mistaken,” she blurted. Sue nodded, distracted.

“I was not!” Sarah put her hands on her hips and scowled angrily.

“Well hand it here anyway.” Amy reached for it.

“Why?” Sarah pulled back, her eyes scanning Amy’s.

“Because I want to work Reno. Today’s my turn.” Amy pointed to the two schedules hanging on the wall. One for candy, one for Reno.

“Fine.” Sarah shoved it at Amy. “Take it.”

* * * * * * * * * *

A month later Candy was looking much better. Not full weight yet but certainly healthy. Reno was still stubborn but ever since his midnight ride with Amy he had been less resistant towards her. Any time someone else lunged him he’ll put up a big fight. With her, he only showed a bit of defiance. Sue and Sarah agreed that Amy should just work him because she had a ‘magic’ touch. Jimmy, when he came home, wanted to help too. He thought that a strong male figure could do Reno some good.

Reno and Candy were allowed in the pasture together once it was determined that Candy knew her surroundings well enough to play happily with Reno and still not run into anything. Reno seemed to enjoy the mare’s company.

Leaning on the fence, Amy shivered. It was getting colder.

“Well Amy, I think Reno should be ready to ride in a few more weeks. We just need him to know once and for all we are boss,” Jimmy said, beside her. Amy grinned into her arms, hiding her mouth behind them. Candy was grazing and Reno was grooming her. Sue and Sarah were both working on Homework.

“Sure,” Amy agreed.

“I think I should ride him first, just so that he doesn’t throw you. After I ride him a few days then you can, just not until we know he is safe,” Jimmy continued like a know-it-all. Amy rolled her eyes.

“He IS safe Jim!” she hissed. Jimmy crossed his arms.

“We aren’t going through this again,” he warned.

“No,” Amy agreed.

“Even if you think he is, he is still rebellious and needs…” Amy couldn’t help it. She had to prove that he didn’t know it all.

“He can be ridden! I have already ridden him!” she shouted. Reno and Candy looked their way, both startled.

“You what?” Jimmy asked, eyes flashing.

“I rode him,” Amy said, defiance in her voice. She balled her fists and backed away from the fence so she could fix him with a stubborn glare.

“Amy…” Jimmy took a deep breath, trying to calm his anger. Amy put her fists on her hips, eyeing him. “You rode him even though I said not to?” he asked. Amy rolled her eyes.

“You are NOT my father or my elder or my kind,” she reminded him. This time Jimmy was surprised. “You always act so bossy! We can’t do this, we have to do that, no one does this, if you do that I will punish you. You act like an adult. You have no authority over me. Reno is just as much my responsibility as he is yours,” she said, wagging a finger in his face.

“But it was dangerous,” Jimmy managed to stammer.

“Riding ANY horse can be dangerous, Jim.” Amy narrowed her eyes. “I love Reno and I trusted him. I believe he isn’t that bad. Maybe more high strung and nervous than rebellious. He has spirit. He doesn’t want to feel like a slave.” She looked at him sharply. “I don’t either,” she added.

“What’s that supposed to mean?” Jimmy snapped.

“It means you can stop controlling me. I am old enough to choose what I want to do and what I should risk.” She flipped her bangs out of her face. Jimmy sighed.

“I didn’t know that I was bossy,” he said slowly.

“Obviously,” Amy snapped.

“But you still shouldn’t have…”

Amy was frustrated. “It’s water under the bridge, Jim! I know I should have had someone to watch me in case something happened. I know riding a horse like that for the first time without anyone to watch my back is risky! I know what I should or shouldn’t do! But you said I couldn’t, like the father you think you are!” She waved her hands all over the place. “I know I did wrong, and I could have been seriously hurt. But I didn’t want to be treated like a kid. I didn’t want to…” She struggled for a word.

“Submit to authority?” Jimmy asked, raising his eyebrows.

“But you AREN’T authority!” Amy shouted, trying to make her point. Jimmy scratched his chin.

“Maybe that’s how Reno feels?” he suggested. Realization dawned on Amy. Reno wasn’t stubborn or rebellious. He didn’t see them as leaders. He thought they were under him or something.

“We have to show him… not that we are boss. That we are equal, partners,” Amy said, eyes wide with understanding. Jimmy nodded.

“I think you are right. Saddle up Amy; I think I know how to help him.”

* * * * * * * * * *

It took two months to completely train Reno to be a perfect saddle horse. It took one more month to re-home him to a Dude Ranch. Candy, on the other hand, took five months to train to be a blind saddle horse. It took three months to find her a home. When she left the Alpha Squad was sad and felt useless. But before rescuing another horse they saved their money and worked hard at their jobs.

When the time came to save more horses they were fully ready. Amy got over some issues she had with Jimmy after that. And Jimmy was careful not to be too bossy. Sue learned not to be so hasty and Sarah learned how much horses could be like people. Reno and Amy, they were pretty much the same. Candy and Jimmy were too. Candy was blind to the world, and Jimmy was blind to his bossiness. But it all worked out as it always did. And the Alpha Squad saved two lives. Two horses, two beautiful creatures. That beats everything!