My Place Chapter 9

I never felt the wind blow through my hair like it is now. I feel free and I have the power to do anything. Cantering is like soaring through the crystal clear sky. I filled up with happiness and excitement. I let out a loud whoop of joy. Tin Soldier’s mane came flying back in the wind. It tickled my face and a started to giggle. This is so exciting.1

Tyler’s house came into view. The horses slowed to a walk. They were tired from their long run. We stopped out side a garden and I went to find some water. I brought back two buckets for the horses. They drank thirstily.2

“Are you guys ok?”3

“Catherine, you don’t have to worry about us. We are use to running that fast for a long time.”4

“Ok. Can I at least give you a bath?”5

“Sure!” came the way to eager voice of Tin Soldier.6

“Tyler, where can I give the horses a bath?”7

“Follow me.”8

So once again I follow him to the place I want to go. I love Tyler but it gets tiring following him if I want to go somewhere. Did I just say I LOVE him? Yes I did! And I just realized I do love him. Maybe this will be my fairytale romance. It would be nice if it could happen. However nobody cares about me. 9

“Here we are.”10

I snapped out of my daydream. I didn’t realize we had walked into a stable. But I was standing in the biggest stable ever. It could hold about 25 horses on one side of the aisle and 20 on the other side. It had one huge tack room and a feed room. One of the stalls has been turned into what looked like a wash stall.11

“Tyler is that a wash stall?”12

“Yes it is. You can wash them there.”13

“Great! Who wants to go first?”14

“I will.” Jestor bravely steps forward.15

So I start to wash her. She seemed to enjoy the cool water rushing over her back. She lets out a deep sigh. She stands there with her eyes closed. She sways a little.16

“Are you ok?”17

“Yes it is just this is so wonderful.”18

“Do you want me to dry you off?”19

“Please do. I don’t want to catch a cold.”20

So a dried her off and combed her hair. I put it into tiny little braids all down her mane. I found a bottle of glitter and put that on two. She looked so pretty with the glitter swirling around in a fancy pattern and her mane and tail braided. She walked out holding her head high. 21

Tin Soldier walked in for his turn. He was just as good as his mom. He stood there enjoying his bath. I didn’t do anything to make him pretty because he is a boy. So instead I found an eagle feather and stuck it behind his ears in his mane. I found some berries and smashed them up. I put the sun on his crop. He looked like a proud Indian horse standing there.22

“Do you like it?”23

“Oh yes! It makes me feel honor and braver looking like this.”24

“That is good.”25

“Where did you learn to do stuff like this?”26

“I don’t know. It sort of something I could all ways do it.” 27