June 2009 Story Contest

Spring Break by Countrychickk

It was a cold frosty morning at the Perry’s. The paddocks were settled upon with frost and a thin layer of ice lay on the tips of the leaves. The girl’s, Naomi, Christine and Jenna had come the farm the following night with their ponies to spend break with their friend Heidi and her new pony, Joy.

“It must be chilly for you guy’s here” Heidi exclaimed as they put on their boots and made their way down to the paddock.

“It sure is” Christine shuddered.

“I'm glad I’ve got my glove’s with me” said Jenna digging one into her pocket.

As they pulled open the gate a gust of cold wind brushed over them.

“Just as well we put the coat’s on the horse’s, If we didn’t they would have been frozen!” exclaimed Naomi.

Heidi walked around and laid down fresh hay for all of the ponies. “Good on yaw Joy,” said Heidi giving her horse and pet as she nibbled at the oats.

“She seems to be enjoying all your ponies' company”.

“Hi girl” said Christine giving Lavender a pet. She munched her oats.

“That’s enough for you young Missy!” said Naomi pulling the container away.

Christine laughed. “It must be the cold,” she said.

Jenna stood patiently as Annie nibbled at her oats; at that moment Annie reached down and nipped her on the shoulder of her jacket.

“Hey!” said Jenna jumping in surprise.

Naomi, Heidi, and Christine were laughing.

“Naughty wee girl!” said Naomi. “Funny!” said Christine.

“I remember her doing that to me one time” said Heidi.

“She can be a rascal sometimes” said Jenna shrugging.

“Lavender seems cold,” said Christine. “I think I might find her winter rug”.

“We’ll do the same,” said Heidi. They followed one another into the shed. Christine took Lavender’s purple rug off the rack the others did the same and they went back out to wrap up their ponies.

“Cool, let’s go inside where it’s warm” said Heidi.

They followed her into the warm smells of the red brick farmhouse. Mrs. Perry placed four steaming mugs on the table. “Hot chocolates everyone!” she said.

They went up to the table and each took a seat.

“Thank you Mrs. Perry” said Naomi.

“Mm, Thanks,” said Christine and Jenna.

“Thanks Mum” said Heidi.

“Your welcome”. Heidi’s Mother and father preferred to be addressed as Farmer Perry and Mrs. Perry. Their names were Brenda and Harry. At the moment the door swung open and Heidi’s big brother Carlos came in peering around the table for his usual hot chocolate.

“Morning” he said. “Where’s mine?”

“You make it yourself?” said Heidi looking at her brother clueless as usual.

“It’s on the Microwave, bud,” said Mrs. Perry.

“The name’s Carlos” said Carlos grabbing his chocolate.

“Carlos then” said Mrs. Perry. Carlos with his hot chocolate seated himself on the couch and turned on the Television.

“Could you turn it down?” said Heidi. “It’s a tad too loud!”

“I don’t mind,” said Carlos.

“Well we do”.

“Yes, Carlos turn it down,” said Mrs. Perry.

Carlos turned it a notch down, pulling a face at Heidi. Heidi pulled one back. The oven bell rang.

“Oh! That’ll be my muffins!” said Mrs. Perry putting on her oven mitts.

“You two are so funny!” said Naomi laughing. Heidi shrugged taking a sip of her drink.

“You are” said Naomi.

“I find you funny too” said Jenna.

“Mom” said Christine. “It’s fun to watch”.

The door opened and Farmer Perry walked into the house. “Morning, Hi girl’s, Carlos, is that muffin’s I smell?”

“Sure is” said Mrs. Perry passing them out around the table.

“Want one?”

“Thanks, Hon” said Farmer Perry grabbing it. Mrs. Perry offered one to Carlos.

“Flavor?” he asked.

“Blueberry” said Mrs. Perry. Carlos pulled a face.

“What about Heidi’s famous banana chocolate chip?”

“Well Carlos, I will make a batch especially for you this afternoon” said Heidi.

“Great” said Carlos pleased.

“Not!” said Heidi. He pulled a face and sat back down to his muffin.

“So, um, Joy seems to be going well for you?” said Christine to Heidi.

“Ah, yen, she’s doing great actually, we just need to touch up on those jump’s a bit”.

“Too bad it’s too cold for a ride today” said Naomi.

Heidi noticed Carlos eavesdropping from his chair. “Yaw know” he said muffin in hand.

“What?” said Heidi.

“Who cares if it’s too cold to ride horses, motor bike’s are one hundred time’s better”.

“Which reminds me, I’m off for a run on my baby”.

“Whatever” said Heidi rolling her eyes. Naomi laughed.

“He’s such a crack up,” she said.

“Not when he thinks motor biking better than horses,” said Heidi.

“Well, riding is way funner” Naomi exclaimed.

“Definitely” said Christine.

“It’s not like you need petrol to use it,” said Jenna.

“Hey!” said Heidi looking at the clock. “It’s six thirty, Paradise Ranch is on!”

All the girl’s immediately ran into the lounge to sit down and watch their all-time favorite show. It was about the perfect ranch for riding where a young girl, Bindi rode and became a natural. The horse she rode was called Joy, which Heidi chose to name her horse after.

“I love this show!” said Heidi.

"Me too!” said Naomi.

“Isn’t it her first ride down the beach this episode?” said Jenna.

“Pretty sure it is” said Christine. They all watched it excitedly as they watched Bindi bond with her favorite horse and ride with her across the long stretch of beach. They two of them went for it as free as the wind, they then came to a stop and sucked in the sweet moment of joy riding down Paradise Beach. At the end the girl’s all clapped enjoying the moment like it was them as Bindi.

“That has to be one of the best episode’s so far!” said Jenna.

“It was so cool!” said Naomi.

“Bindi’s a great rider,” said Heidi.

“Definitely” said Christine.

“The whole show is just so cool to watch”.

“Why don’t we take the horses for a ride?” exclaimed Naomi as the show had finished.

“I’m up for it,” said Heidi.

“Me too” said Christine.

“Let’s go warm up the horses,” said Jenna. They dressed into their riding gear and went out to the paddock fully dressed in coat, gear, everything.

“It’s fun to ride in the winter time!” said Naomi as they made their way around the paddock.

“Where would you guy’s like to ride?” asked Heidi when they had finished and reached the gate.

“Well, why don’t we go to Lavender Lane?” suggested Christine pointing in the direction.

“It is quite close I guess,” said Heidi.

“And the grape vineyard’s!” exclaimed Naomi.

“On the way down we should go through the grape vineyard’s!” Naomi liked the grapes there.

“Cool” said Jenna. “From there we can stop by at the store and get the horse’s a treat”.

They made their way further until they got to Lavender Lane It was a beautiful sight. Line’s and Line’s of Lavender swayed back and forth in the soft breeze.

“This one of Lavender’s most favorite place’s to ride,” exclaimed Christine as they raced each other through the flowers. “It’s just so peaceful”.

“I would never of guessed,” said Naomi.

“It is beautiful here,” exclaimed Jenna.

When they reached the gate a magpie swooped past Missy and bombed Naomi on the shell of her helmet. “Oh gross!” said Naomi pulling her first up at the bird.

“Well...good thing your riding helmet’s their for protection” said Christine laughing.

The two other girls laughed too. Naomi joined in finding it funny. They soon reached the Vineyard’s, spotting the yellow fields approaching in the distance.

“Cool, let’s eat some grapes!” said Naomi racing up to the gate.

“Wait for us!” exclaimed Christine. She climbed down from Lavender and opened her gate. Heidi went through first, followed by Jenna and Annie, Naomi and Missy then Christine behind.

“It sure is pretty here,” said Christine peering around the vines.

“The grapes are delicious!” said Naomi taking some.

“I particularly like the juicy black ones,” said Christine.

“They’re more of a deep red, I think,” said Heidi trying one.

The four of them spent a little more time there, finally finding a stream at the far end where the horses could drink. It wasn’t long before they set off again further down the vineyard’s till they reached the gate with the gravel road leading to the four square store. Joy seemed to be enjoying every moment of the ride. When they got to four square they parked their horses outside the supermarket and tied them to the post with a slip knot.

“It’s still freezing!” said Christine quickly bustling inside.

They got to the fruit and veggie section and in a brown paper bag put two apples and two carrots in. Missy and Lavender liked the apples where Joy and Annie preferred carrots.

Heidi took the bag up to the counter. “Can I pay for that from my account please?” she asked the cashier.

“Sure” said the Lady. “What’s your last name?”

“Um, Perry” replied Heidi. The lady typed down a few buttons.

“All done” she said. “Here’s your receipt”.

Heidi grabbed it from her. “Cool” said Heidi. “We’ll give them the treat once we get back to the farm”.

“Before we go though, do you think we could quickly stop at the café next door and grab a hot chocolate?”

“I’m so cold”.

“Sure” said Heidi.

“Mmm, that sound’s good,” said Naomi.

They went inside and ordered their hot chocolates, Jenna’s with extra marshmallows. They then sat down on the sets of a four seater table in which belonged to the café called Memories café.

“Mmm, Memories café” said Christine. “Cool name”.

“We have a lot of memories here don’t we?” said Naomi as the waiter put down their hot chocolates.

“We do,” said Heidi sipping hers.

“Like the time you were laughing when drinking a hot chocolate and snorted making all the milk come out of your mouth and nose” said Christine to Naomi. “That was funny!”

“I don’t think the waiter was very happy about it though,” said Naomi remembering back.

“Oh well” said Christine. “It was still a memory I will never forget”.

“Trust you to never forget things like that,” said Heidi laughing. The four friends’s sat and chatted for a while longer, talking about more funny memories from the past. They then went back outside to their horses and rid back through the Vineyard’s once again and down Lavender Lane.

“Well that did bring back memories,” said Naomi.

“It sure did,” said Christine winking at her. Naomi scowled back at her.

“I did enjoy it,” said Heidi. “I think Joy did too”.

“Same with Annie, here” said Jenna giving her horse a pet.

“Meow!”

“Did you hear that?” said Naomi.

“What?” said Jenna stopping. “I didn’t hear anything”.

“Meow!” the sound went again.

“It’s a cat!” said Naomi.

“Mmm! I heard it that time!” said Christine. Naomi rode past the lavender searching for it.

A wee elderly woman walked out from beneath the trees, shaking from the cold.

“The cat, is she yours?” shouted Naomi above the wind.

“She seems to be stuck” explained Christine.

“No, she’s not; I noticed her meowing this morning, so I popped out to see if she was safe”.

“Do you live in that old house over there?” Heidi asked pointing.

“Yes” the woman said.

“Well, we are going to try and bring her down, I’m going to stand on my horse while my friend’s make sure she’s steady. I’ll try and reach her from there”.

“Well, be careful dear, it’s a mighty windy day and the scrawny wee thing might fall”.

“I will be” said Heidi climbing on.

“Could we use your hat?” asked Christine to the woman.

“Well, I guess” the women said passing her the purple merino wool hat she had been wearing on her white curls.

“Cool” said Christine. “You can wear my spare hat from my pocket”.

Christine passed her navy merino hat.

“Lovely” said the women petting it onto her head.

“You fine up there?” Naomi shouted to Heidi.

She was gripping onto a tree branch; leg’s outstretched to keep her balance.

“Just a bit closer” said Jenna as Heidi etched her way further towards the kitten.

“Good girl, Joy” Heidi said to her horse. She didn’t mind a bit. Gusts of wind blew past the girl and the women shaking the tree, the wee, pretty black and white kitten slipped in fright and fell from the willow tree.

“Oh no!” exclaimed Naomi. “The hat!”

Christine rushed forward with the purple hat and managed to snuggly catch the kitten inside.

“Is she okay?” said Heidi slowly making her way back down from the tree.

“Fine” said Christine petting the soft fur of the frightened kitten.

“I can’t believe you managed to catch her just in time!” said Naomi.

“Just as well she made a soft landing inside the hat!” said Jenna.

“Mmm, well, it was really Heidi and her wonderful new horse Joy wasn’t it?” explained Christine.

“I guess if it wasn’t for good old tall Joy we would never of been able to save her” exclaimed Heidi proud of her new pony and giving her a pet.

“Well done girl’s!” the women the girl’s had nearly forgotten about exclaimed. She petted them all on the shoulder.

“No problem” all the girls said.

“My name’s Mrs. Monroe by the way” the women exclaimed.

“I do believe this is your hat?” she passed the merino hat to Christine.

“Mmm, thanks, and this is yours, the hat big enough to save wee.”

“Why don’t you girl’s name her Willow?” exclaimed Mrs. Monroe. “She was found in a Willow tree, and she is a pretty wee thing so it fit’s if she’s given a pretty name”.

“That’s a wonderful name!” said Christine.

“Pretty!” said Jenna.

“Definitely cute!” said Naomi.

“Willow it is then” said Heidi. They all smiled mooching over the kitten, now named Willow.

“Well, what will you do with Willow then?” asked Mrs. Monroe worriedly wondering.

“I do believe it’s best if she’s put into your hands”.

“Are you sure?” asked Heidi.

“Yeh?” asked Jenna.

“You were the one her found her,” said Christine.

“Yes I’m sure,” said Mrs. Monroe rubbing her face against the wee kitten. “You girl’s saved her, if it wasn’t for you passing by, I would never of been able to save her”.

“Well, thanks,” said Heidi.

“I guess we’ll take her to the shelter then” explained Naomi petting Missy.

“Great” exclaimed Mrs. Monroe. “But before you go I want you in my newspaper page for tomorrow’s post”.

“What?” said Naomi bewildered.

“Really?” exclaimed Heidi surprised.

“Well, yes” said Mrs. Monroe.

“Cool!” said Christine. “I’ll get my camera”.

She walked off and came back outside with her special photography camera. The girl’s got in position with their horses and Willow. Willow in the purple merino hat she had been saved in. They all posed as Mrs. Monroe flashed the camera.

“Didn’t you want to be a part of the photo?” asked Naomi.

“Me?” exclaimed Mrs. Monroe.

“No”. “I’m too old to be in photo’s now day’s”.

“I’m glad I could make you a part of something special”.

“You’re a news publisher, then?” said Christine.

“Yes, well, I write about things for the local paper, never seen anything this big for awhile though”.

“Do you not have family?” asked Jenna.

“Oh.” said Mrs. Monroe. “My husband died two year’s ago in a train accident”.

“You must be lonely,” said Naomi sadly.

“Yes.” said Mrs. Monroe wistfully.

“We’d better be off then” said Christine.

“We need to get back to the farm,” said Heidi.

“Then well take Willow to the shelter” explained Naomi.

“She’ll be safe in my hat,” said Christine.

“Well, thank you girls!” said Mrs. Monroe with a wave as they rode off.

“Thank you so much!” the girl’s said waving back to Mrs. Monroe. They’d had a wonderful day in Lavender Lane.

“Well girls!” said Heidi. “We’ve done something special!”

“We have” said Christine. “Plus made it to the paper!” Naomi said.

“Now I can’t wait to see that!” said Jenna.

“Willow here seems not scared now” Christine exclaimed petting the black and white body inside the hat.

“We’ll definitely be sure to make the sure the shelter finds her a good home” said Naomi.

“Definitely” said Heidi. “She look’s as though she’s been starved”.

“I’m glad we could help dear wee Willow,” said Jenna as they got back to the familiar farm.

“Me too” Naomi said.

“Mrs. Monroe seemed pleased with our efforts,” explained Christine.

“You’ve got that right,” said Heidi.

Soon enough, the girl’s put the horse’s back into the paddock and then found their way to the old farm barn where Heidi found an old wooden apple crate which she filled with hay to keep Willow in.

“She should be snug as a rug in this” said Heidi stroking her chest.

Heidi carried the crate and kitten into the house where Carlos and cousin Noah were slumped on the sofa reading a motorbike magazine. The girl’s seated themselves at the table, Willow in the crate on the floor.

“What’s in there?” Carlos asked suspiciously peering over.

“Stray is it?” Noah said.

“Nope” said Heidi.

“We saved her,” said Naomi.

“Her name’s Willow” said Jenna.

“An old woman, Mrs. Monroe found her in a Willow tree” explained Christine.

“So yeh, I guess she is a stray,” Heidi said.

“But we will be taking her to the shelter later” Naomi explained.

“Mm, Well Mum wouldn’t allow you to keep her,” Carlos said to Heidi. “Not when you’ve just got Joy as well”.

“I’m sure we’ll find her a nice home,” said Heidi. She wasn’t going to let Carlos wind her up.

“I mean, who wouldn’t want a pretty wee thing like this?” Christine explained picking her up.

“I think I know the exact person who might want her” Naomi exclaimed.

“Anyway, we’ll give her some warm milk,” said Heidi heading to the pantry. Just as she was searching for the kitten-formulated milk, the door swung open.

Mrs. Perry came bustling in, hands full of food supplies. “Hi everybody!” she explained. “It was so busy down at the market this morning I just didn’t know what to do with myself”.

“We’ll help you with those” Jenna said taking a brown paper bag and unpacking it. Mrs. Perry and the girl’s all began to unpack and put them away.

“What’s it there?” asked Mrs. Perry pointing to the crate when they’d finished.

“That’s Willow,” said Jenna.

“We saved her,” explained Naomi.

“Found her in a willow tree at Lavender Lane” Christine explained.

“I was just going to dish her up some warm milk when you came home,” Heidi said ripping the small box.

“Such a pretty wee thing” Mrs. Perry said mooching over her.

“Mm, the old woman, Mrs. Monroe left her in our hands” Heidi said. She secretly whispered to Naomi, Christine and Jenna not to break the surprise of making it into the paper.

“You said she fell in a hat?” explained Mrs. Perry.

“Mm, I caught her in it, she managed to make a safe landing” Christine said.

“If it hadn’t been for Joy also” said Jenna.

“Well, we wouldn’t of saved her If Naomi hadn’t heard her cry’s!” exclaimed Heidi.

“Thanks” Naomi said as Heidi patted her on the back. “But yeh, Joy helped lots; if it wasn’t for her height we would have never been able to reach her”.

“We’ll take her to the shelter later” Naomi explained.

“Well I think it’s probably far too cold to take her to the shelter today,” explained Mrs. Perry. “We’ll need to bring her their in the morning, for now she can be kept here overnight”.

“Cool!” said Jenna.

“Wonderful!” said Naomi.

“Glad we can at least have one night with her” Christine said.

“Me too” said Heidi. “We’ll keep her in the barn with us tonight and sleep in the barn”.

“Fun!” said Naomi.

“Sound’s great!” said Christine.

“Let’s go and set up our sleeping bags,” suggested Jenna.

“First let’s feed Willow here then the horses then after we will” said Heidi.

“Okay” said Jenna.

Naomi helped dish up some warm milk for Willow, then put it in the microwave. The wee girl sniffed at the milk and thirstily lapped at it like she hadn’t had a drop to drink in months.

“Mm, she seemed to like that” Christine exclaimed as they put her back into the crate.

“What’s that noise?” Naomi exclaimed. There was a banging sound coming from the laundry door.

“That’s ma new pup, Lassie,” said Noah. “She’s a tanned jack-frost”.

“I didn’t know you got a new pup!” Heidi exclaimed surprised.

“That’s because I just got her today” Noah said.

“Cool!” said Christine petting her.

“She’s cute!” exclaimed Naomi petting her too.

They played with Lassie for a while and after feeding Willow and the ponies ate tea and went into the barn to set up their sleeping bags.

“Why don’t we put up sheets?” suggested Naomi.

“Sound’s cool” exclaimed Christine. “Mm”.

“Then it’ll be like sleeping in a tent!” Naomi explained.

“I’ll get the sheet’s” Heidi told them. She walked into the laundry and came back with a bundle of old white sheets.

“We can pin them to all four corners of the barn room” Jenna exclaimed.

“Good thinking” said Heidi. The girl’s worked with one another to put up the sheets.

“Cool!” Naomi said looking around. “Finished, finally!”

“It was hard trying to get them to stay up” Heidi exclaimed.

“Cool” explained Christine. “Now we can get dressed into our phi’s”.

The four friend’s dressed, and made sure Willow was safe in her crate. “Let’s put her in the middle of all our sleeping bags” suggested Heidi. “It’ll be cozy sleeping in the hay”. The four of them went into their sleeping bags with Willow making soft purrs in the background as they fell fast asleep, one by one.

Morning soon came; a clouded mist of fog blurred the window’s making it difficult to see a single thing. Naomi woke up; waking the other’s by shaking their shoulders. They dressed, put Willow in the lounge and went down to the paddock to feed the horses.

“Wow, Missy’s full of energy this morning, isn’t she?” explained Naomi.

“Mm” said Christine who was feeding Lavender.

“She’s just being her usual self” Jenna explained as she watched Annie and Joy eat together.

“Joy’s being a bit wild today too” exclaimed Heidi brushing her tail vigorously.

“Which reminds me!”

“Paradise Ranch begun two minutes ago!” All four girls’s immediately stopped what they were doing waved the horse’s bye.

“It’s wonderful it’s not too cold today” Christine explained when they were watching the television.

“Definitely” said Jenna.

“Yes!”

"Dressage episode today” Naomi exclaimed.

“Cool” said Heidi.

They watched Bindi do dressage with Joy and then when the ads came on, fed Willow. “I can’t believe we will be saying good bye to her!” exclaimed Naomi.

“I know!” said Jenna petting her.

“She should be fine,” explained Christine.

“Yeh” said Heidi.

They went back to the lounge to watch Paradise Ranch.

“Breakfast Ready!” Mrs. Perry exclaimed when the show had finished.

“What is it?” asked Heidi scooting to the kitchen.

“Banana and choc-chip pikelets” her Mum replied. “My favorite, topped with banana slices!” exclaimed Jenna grabbing herself a plate. They were all soon munching their pikelets and drinking fresh apple juice.

“Who’s this I see?” exclaimed Farmer Perry holding up the morning’s newspaper.

“Us!” said Heidi.

“The women who found Willow put us in there” explained Christine.

“We should go see it,” said Naomi running.

Farmer Perry read it aloud. “Farm Girl’s Save Stray Kitten” The title read in bold capital letters.

“Oh no!”

“I look dumb!” exclaimed Christine seeing herself.

“No way!!” said Naomi.

“We all look like models,” exclaimed Heidi.

“Wow!” Mrs. Perry explained as her husband passed her the newspaper. “You didn’t tell me that you got in the paper! And on the front page!”

“Yeh, well, we wanted to keep it a surprise,” explained Heidi.

“Well what you gonna do with Willow then?” her Father asked sipping from his mug.

“We’re gonna put her in the shelter” Naomi explained. “We’ve got a home for her”.

“Not definite though” said Jenna.

"I’m one hundred percent sure she’ll take her in” said Naomi.

“Cool, then” said Farmer Perry turning back to his newspaper.

“Shall we bring Willow there soon then?” asked Mrs. Perry.

“Well.... said Heidi.

“We’ll play with her for a bit first” Christine finished for her.

“That’s fine,” said Mrs. Perry. “Let me know when your ready to go”.

“We will,” said Heidi. They lifted the apple crate and took Willow into the barn.

“I know!” said Heidi. “There’s an old harness in the tack room I can borrow. If we tighten it, we can take Willow for a run in the paddock with us! The one where we practiced driving.”

“Neat!” Christine exclaimed.

“What fun!” said Naomi a bit too loud. Heidi tightened the harness around Willow and they went to the paddock. Jenna was the first to walk Willow. As soon as the door swung open Willow fled off bounding down the soft green grass, making the girl’s have to run with her.

“Whole!” said Jenna out of breath. “She’s fast!”

Willow had finally stopped with tiered little legs at the far end of the paddock.

“I can walk her now if you want” Naomi offered. Jenna passed her the string of the harness.

Willow decided to race off again this time finally stopping at the stream.

“Haha! She’s chasing the leaves!” said Naomi.

“My turn!” Christine said. Naomi passed her the string. Willow was tired now, she walked briskly beside Christine.

“Maybe we should go back to the farm,” said Heidi.

“Don’t you want to walk her?” said Jenna.

“Nah, it’s fine,” said Heidi. “I’m a little tired myself”.

The girl’s walked back to the farm, petting the horses when going past. When inside they all heated up with a hot chocolate and took Willow in the apple crate in the four-wheel drive with them.

“Off we go to the shelter,” exclaimed Mrs. Perry.

Mrs. Perry pulled up the long winding gravel driveway of Leaf Way Shelter.

“Well, this is it,” said Naomi as they walked through the door.

“What can I do for you?” the receptionist asked.

“Well, these girl’s have got a stray kitten they’ve found” explained Mrs. Perry.

“Okay” said the receptionist writing it down. “We’ll get Vet Milly to have a look at her, and see if she’s micro-chipped. This way” she said.

They followed and got to the examination room.

“These girl’s have got a kitten who need’s checked” she explained.

Vet Milly put down the disinfectant she was using to wipe the bench surface.

“Oh hi there” she explained. “Is this wee girl a stray?”

“Yes, she is” said Christine.

“We think she’s been starved” Jenna explained.

“Yes, well, I’m not sure that’s what’s wrong,” said Vet Milly.

“Could you see if she’s micro-chipped?” asked Heidi.

“Um, I’ll just find my detector” Vet Milly explained.

The vet nurse moved the silver device over Willow’s body. It made two beeps.

Naomi knew that meant she wasn’t micro-chipped. “No micro-chip?” she asked.

“No micro-chip” explained Vet Milly. “But I do believe she’s been born as a wild” she said.

“Well, she probably can’t find her Mother”.

“Wow!” explained Christine.

“She’s so quiet though!” she said surprised.

“What about her condition?” asked Jenna. “Is she fine in herself?”

“Well. Vet Milly began. “I’ve spotted a few ear mites inside her ears, but that will be cured”

“Yes!” explained Naomi relieved.

“She can be in the Shelter tonight because we do have one spare cage, but tomorrow she won’t be able to because we have an extremely ill puppy coming in tomorrow who need’s it more than she does” explained Vet Milly.

“Otherwise?” said Heidi.

“Well, if you don’t find a new home for her by seven tomorrow, well, she’ll be put down, I’m afraid there’s nothing else we can do, we will be full up”

“Well, I know just the person who will take her in,” explained Naomi.

“You do?” said Heidi surprised.

“I think I know who you mean,” Christine said.

“Who?” said Jenna.

“Mrs. Monroe silly’s!” Naomi exclaimed.

“Mm, I was wondering if that was who you meant,” explained Christine.

“I think she would make a wonderful home for her!” exclaimed Heidi.

“You think an elderly women like Mrs. Monroe would be able to take on such a big responsibility?” asked Mrs. Perry.

“I’m sure she could,” said Heidi.

“She’s a widow” Naomi explained.“I think Willow would be just the comfort for her,”

“She does seem lonely,” said Christine.

“Especially when she has no neighbors,” added Jenna.

“You think you’ve got a possible home, then?” Vet Milly asked.

“Yeh!” said Jenna.

“Well, sound’s fine,” explained Vet Milly. “You can leave her with us for the night and pick her up tomorrow by seven. We’ll make sure she’s fully cured for ear mites by the way,” she said.

“Cool!” said Naomi.

“I’m so glad for well, mainly good news!” said Jenna.

“Me too” said Christine.

“Same” exclaimed Heidi.

“Well thank you, Vet Milly” Mrs. Perry said.

“No problem” said Vet Milly.

“Can we have a moment to say bye?” asked Naomi.

“Sure” said Vet Milly. “Make it fast though, we need to put her on treatment as soon as possible”.

“Okay” said Heidi.

“I’ll wait by the door,” said Mrs. Perry. With that she left and Vet Milly and the girl’s put Willow into the recovery room.

“We’ll miss you!” Naomi explained mooching over her.

“It’s only for one day and night,” said Christine.

“I’m sure she’ll survive that long,” said Heidi.

“Yes, but she’ll still be missed!” Naomi explained.

“She is a dear wee kitten,” said Heidi. “I wish I could have kept her”.

“I think that was the car horn, we’d better get going” said Jenna.

“Good bye then, Willow” said Heidi.

“We’ll miss you, but see you tomorrow!” Naomi said.

“Yeh, see you girl!” Jenna said kissing her on the forehead as they pushed her apple crate into the cage.

“Bye Willow” said Christine petting her on the top of her head.

With that the girl’s left Willow in her cage inside the familiar apple crate and hay bedding from the barn.

When they got back from the farm Heidi decided they should go on a picnic, as the sun had come out and she thought they should make the most of the weather. So, they packed four bananas, muffins, pikelets with cream and jam as well as apple juice, and put it all into a wicker basket.

“Great!” said Jenna.

“This’ll be one cool picnic!” exclaimed Naomi.

When the horses were saddle up they left. Heidi had a surprise place they were going to. It was one of her most favorite places in the entire world.

“I wish you’d tell us where we are going,” exclaimed Jenna as she moved Annie into a trot.

“You’ll see soon enough,” said Heidi. The four girls with their horses jumped over a hollow log and got to the stream.

“We’re following the stream to get there, then?” said Christine.

“Uh, huh” replied Heidi. They rode on a bit longer, Joy leading the herd. Soon sunflowers began to come in sight.

“Its Sunflower Fields!” Jenna suddenly clicked. She loved Sunflower Field’s and Annie did as much as she did.

“Cool!” said Naomi.

“What a lovely place to have a picnic!” explained Christine.

“Yeh, well, I knew you guy’s loved this place,” said Heidi.

“Well it is a neat place to ride,” explained Naomi. She jumped Missy over the ditch separating the stream and the fields.

“Lets go and sit by those big, tall, wild sunflowers, shall we?” suggested Heidi pointing.

“Seems a good spot to me” Jenna said following. They tied their horses to the sunflowers and lifted the lid of the wicker basket, which was perched on the soft soil. Heidi took out the red and white-checkered tablecloth covering the food. She laid it on a square of soft grass. Naomi and Christine put out the food, where Jenna dished poured fresh apple juice into paper cups.

“I wonder how Willow’s doing?” she asked her friends as she took a sip.

“Pretty well, I’d think,” said Christine.

“She’ll be fine,” said Heidi.

“I bet she’s sleeping in her apple crate right now” said Naomi.

Christine spread some strawberry jam on her buttered pikelet. “These are nice,” she said taking a bite.

Heidi begun to peel her banana. “Look at the ponies!” she exclaimed.

Naomi, Christine and Jenna tuned to see what the fuss was about. Lavender, Joy and Missy were sitting down enjoying the sun, where Annie was craning her neck eating a sunflower!

“Lol! You’re a funny girl!” Jenna exclaimed to her horse, taking her apple juice straw out of her mouth and running over. She gently pulled Annie’s lead rope down. “Don’t eat the sunflowers!”

“I can’t believe she did that!” explained Christine laughing.

“That was funny!” said Naomi laughing too.

“Too bad, that would have made a fantastic photo!” exclaimed Heidi.

“Mm” said Christine.

“I think we should give the horses a drink form the stream now though, what do you think?”

“I think it will do e’m good” said Naomi. Christine untied Lavender. She wouldn’t budge. “Off you go!” said Christine pulling her up. Finally Lavender followed. “She can be a stubborn thing sometimes” said Christine.

Missy lapped at the stream thirstily splashing water everywhere. “You thirsty, girl?” Naomi said petting her cute grey mare.

When they had finished the girls walked them back to the fields. “Ah! The sunshine’s lovely!’ Heidi exclaimed lying back on the red and white-checkered blanket.

“Yeh, the ponies definitely seem to be enjoying it,” said Jenna.

The girls lay down together for a while, watching the clouds float by making shapes in the sky.

“Why don’t we have a race?” suggested Christine. “Lavender seems like she’s up for one”. She was pulling edging her on.

“Well, okay” said Heidi moving to where Joy was standing.

“I think I’m still tiered form Willow’s wild run!” Naomi explained.

“Well, me too, I guess,” said Christine. “But the horses need exercise”.

“Your right” said Jenna. They were soon galloping alongside one another down the flat trail past the sunflowers. It was magnificent.

The girl’s felt just that bit better as they rode up to the sun. “Sunset!” exclaimed Heidi. “Isn’t it beautiful?”.

The horses stood watching for a while. “If the sunset’s out it must be at least five O’clock!” exclaimed Jenna suddenly as they packed away the paper cups and jam tin into the wicker basket.

“We’d better get going then!” said Heidi. They soon went back, past the ditch and up to the paddock in front of the house. “We must have been at the fields for ages!” explained Christine when they fed and put the horses away.

“Mm, well it was pretty cool watching the sky,” said explained Naomi. The girl’s had tea and them and Heidi’s family huddled into the made- up tent to toast marsh mallows in the barn.

“We’ll use this portable gas stove we’ve got here” explained Farmer Perry turning it on. The girl’s and family sat with marshmallow’s melting in their mouth. Finally they went off the bed and the girl’s could go to sleep. They had a big day tomorrow. Willow was being given her official new home.

Next morning the girl’s woke up quick smart for Willow’s sake, brushed their teeth and brushed the horses. “Yuck!”.

“There’s a marshmallow stuck in my hair!” exclaimed Jenna pulling it with one hand. “Gross!” said Naomi.

“You’d best take a shower to try and pull that out” explained Christine.

“Be quick for Willow’s sake though!” Heidi yelled after her.

She finished Jenna’s job of combing out Annie’s knotted tail, which she tugged at, with her red comb. Later Jenna walked into the barn fresh and clean.

“All ready” she said.

“You’re Mum gave me these to give to you guy’s” Jenna said to Heidi passing muffin’s around.

Naomi dropped hers. “Fine!” she said as the other’s watched her reaction. She picked the muffin up off the dusty floor. It was still fine.

Grabbing bags they went off to the car. Mrs. Perry drove off. Soon they were at the shelter, Willow all ready to be taken back.

“Hi” Heidi said to Vet Milly.

“Willow’s fine?” asked Naomi.

“Mm, I’m pleased to tell you she’s made a full recovery,” Vet Milly explained passing her to Mrs. Perry.

“Great!” said Jenna.

“Cool, good news!” exclaimed Christine full of relief.

“She’s ready to take now if you want”.

“Sure” said Heidi.

“I think the girl’s and I would be happy to take her to her new home” said Mrs. Perry.

“Bye then girls” Vet Milly said with a wave and a pet for Willow.

“Bye!” they said thanking her. They drove to Lavender Lane where the finding of Willow had been.

“Your new home!” said Naomi to Willow as they stepped out from the car. Lavender Lane was light and breezy; they walked up to the old white cottage house. Mrs. Monroe saw them from the window and came to the door.

“What can I do for you girls?” she asked when at the door.

“Well, if you want her, we’ve got Willow for you” explained Christine.

“You don’t have to take her, its just she needs a new home other wise there’s nowhere for her to go and she’ll be put down” said Jenna worriedly.

“We think that Willow would be just the company for you” Naomi explained.

“She’s yours if you want her” said Heidi passing her.

“Oh well!....” said Mrs. Monroe with a breathe. “I don’t know if I can take this all in”. She petted her.

“Well..?” said Naomi waiting patiently for her reaction.

“Yes” Mrs. Monroe. “When I first saw her I was fond of her and even now in her eyes I can tell she’s just the right need for me”.

“Yes”. “I will take her in”. Mrs. Monroe pulled her close and she meowed and purred in comfort.

“Cool!” said Naomi relieved.

“She like’s you already!” exclaimed Christine.

“I reckon she’ll do you good” said Heidi.

“You won’t regret this,” said Jenna.

Mrs. Perry put down Willow’s apple crate when they were inside. “This is her bed,” explained Mrs. Perry. “She’ll want this, so I suggest you keep it for her”.

“Wonderful” said Mrs. Monroe putting her down into it.

“It’s been her bed for the last couple of day’s” said Naomi.

“It has a bit of the farm in it, hay from the barn which she slept in and the old apple crate Heidi found from the orchard” said Jenna.

"She’ll be safe and sound in there” said Christine.

“Thank you then, girl’s” said Mrs. Monroe. “I can assure you she will be like a part of the family to me”.

“If you ever need a hand, we’ll, well I’ll be at the farm to keep her well” offered Heidi.

“I’ll keep that in mind” said Mrs. Monroe.

“Bye then Willow!” said Naomi crying and hugging her.

“You’ve been our pride and Joy!” said Heidi.

“We’ll never forget you!” said Christine.

“Me either!” said Jenna giving her one last hug.

“Bye!” said Naomi to Mrs. Monroe and Willow as they went out the door.

“Bye girls!” said Mrs. Monroe waving with Willow’s paw.

“Keep safe and sound!” explained Christine.

The girl’s with Willow stuck in their mind talked about her and Mrs. Monroe the whole drive back to the farm.

“I’ll never forget how we saved her!” explained Naomi.

“Mm!” said Christine. “How she slept with us in the barn!” said Jenna.

“And how she took us on that wild run!” said Heidi.

“But we’ve done what’s best for her” said Naomi. “Its time to move on, she’s been fun”.

They went silent until getting back to the farm where they had tea, fed the horses and went to bed tired.

“We’re going to have fun today” exclaimed Heidi as it was their last day together on the farm.

Naomi fed Missy. “I can’t believe we go tomorrow!” she explained.

“Me either!” said Christine. “But we’ve got to make the most of the time we’ve got left together”.

“I think I know just how to do that,” said Heidi. They went into the barn to clean the mud off their boots.

“What!?” said Jenna.

“Time for a change of scenery I think” said Heidi. “I planned this right before you came. At twelve Mum’s going to drive and we’ll be riding to Paradise Beach!”.

“Really!?” exclaimed Jenna shocked. It was really called Sunrise Beach. But the girl’s liked to call it Paradise Beach after the beach on their favorite show Paradise Ranch. When they rode there, they felt like they were on Paradise Beach.

“Cool as!” explained Naomi. “We’ve never been there, in well, a whole year!”.

“It’ll be so fun riding there!” said Christine when they went inside. “I’m so glad that’s where we’ll be spending our last day”.

The girl’s drank hot chocolates and packed up the picnic for their big day. Later they left excited about going to the sea. “I can’t wait to ride past the ocean!” said Naomi as they got up to the rocky beach walk way.

“I know!” said Heidi. “The shore’s pretty close, so it should be great!”

As they made their way onto to flat white sand, Joy galloped off feeling the breeze soar through her mane.

“Whole!” said Heidi yelling as her friends galloped after her. If it was one horse who was made for the beach, that horse had to be Joy. She just couldn’t get enough of the wide-open space where she could run for miles. They soon began to stop and fell into a walk. Naomi and Missy walked along the edge of the rocky shore where the line of the sea swished up over the sand.

“Missy loves the water,” she explained looking out to the ocean. Annie and Lavender chased at a seagull.

“Shoo!” said Christine waving them off. The four friends went back to where their wicker basket was to get some food. They lay on the red and white-checkered blanket against the brown-white sand. In the distance, you could see the horses hoof print’s marked in the sand.

“Time for another ride!” said Naomi popping up when they had finished eating. They girl’s waited for Christine to tighten Lavender’s saddle, then they were ready. This time they were going to have the race of their life across the beautiful beach surrounding them.

“On your marks, go!” said Christine. Lavender ran off, Annie galloped as fast as ever and Missy followed along the shore. Joy was at the front, and as the girl’s rode they felt as free as the wind. It was a feeling they had never felt before, like they had let go of something, but not one thing that mattered most...

Friendship.