Misty

The school day was over, and the three friends were walking towards the exit. Palmer saw Christopher waiting in line to get on the school bus, and she headed over after she told her goodbyes to Faith and Gunner.

“Hey!” She greeted him, and all he could do was give her a small smile.

“Hey, yourself.”

“I was wondering if you wanted to hang out at my ranch. We have horses, and we can ride them around,” Palmer mentioned, hoping he would say yes. 

“I don’t think it’s a good idea. My mom is probably waiting for me to help with dinner,” he replied when Palmer’s cell phone rang. James was on the other line. He gave her the news that Misty was finally in position, which meant she would give birth at any moment. 

She squealed excitedly and turned to face Christopher, pulling him towards her mom’s car. Getting away from her would be impossible.

“I’ll miss the bus home, and my mom will wonder where I’m at.”

Palmer asked him to give her their phone number, and he hesitantly did. She didn’t waste time and pressed the call button, waiting for an answer just as Christopher fidgeted with his fingers. Only a few seconds went by when she heard Grace’s sweet voice on the other side.

“Hello, Grace. This is Palmer, and I was wondering if Christopher could go to my ranch. One of our mares is giving birth, and it would be amazing if he were there?” she asked, looking at Christopher with a mischievous smile as Grace gave her an answer, “Really? Great! I promise to take him home after.”

She hung up and opened the car door for him to get in. Daisy greeted him as Palmer got in the passenger side, handing him the phone back before they drove off. He was shocked at how bold she was. At the same time, he smiled because she wouldn’t give up. 

“How’s Misty?” Palmer asked. Christopher could see the excitement but also the concern on her face. He had heard country folk treat their horses as if they were family, or even better than family. 

“She’s doing okay. She only started to lay down, and we should be able to make it on time for when the foal is born.”

Palmer looked back at Christopher, grinning from ear to ear- not containing her excitement. 

“I can’t wait for you to see our horses. They’re beautiful animals.”

“Yeah, we have seen them in Central Park. They’re big,” he replied.

“I have seen them on TV. How they make them pull those carriages just for the fun of it, poor animals being used like that. They’re supposed to enjoy the fresh air and the grass under their hooves. Not the hot concrete, that’s abuse.”

Christopher couldn’t help but chuckle as he looked out the window. He was right; she was crazy, but she was also nice, making him feel more comfortable around her. 

They arrived at the Wright’s farm, and Palmer got out of the car, hurrying into the stables to check on Misty. Christopher followed right after. He could see her getting ready to help her father with the mare. He stood by the stall door and looked down at the future mom, who laid there in pain.

“Christopher, why don’t you come and help?” She asked as she was putting on some gloves.

“That’s okay. I can watch from here, not sure if I’ll be much help anyway,” Christopher said, not wanting to interfere with their job. He was sure they had it handled. 

Palmer was trying to soothe her as James prepared towels to receive the foal. Randall, the vet, and a great friend of the family were with them if any complications happened. 

“Okay, Palmer. I need you to keep her calm,” James ordered, and Palmer sang a soothing song for Misty. Christopher was in awe of her beautiful voice. She closed her eyes and let her emotions flow through her towards the mare.

Misty suddenly started kicking, and her body was twitching uncontrollably. James wondered what was wrong with her. Randall checked on her, and he realized she was having a seizure. 

James positioned himself behind her, and he could see the foal coming out already, but ordered Palmer to hold her head, so she didn’t hit it with anything.

“What’s going on, Dad?” She asked, worried about her friend.

“She’s having a seizure, honey. Keep holding her head,” he replied, pulling the foal gently out of her, avoiding being kicked while Randall prepared a syringe with the medicine to stop her seizures. 

“Randall, the foal is almost out,” James said, and right after he put the medication on her, she could relax as they pulled the tiny creature the rest of the way. 

“Dad?” 

“It’s okay, honey. The foal is doing okay,” James said as he broke the sac to free him. Randall checked Misty’s eyes and her heart.

“How is she?” Christopher hadn’t seen someone so worried about anything. But seeing Palmer worried about Misty made him think how big her heart was. 

After they cleaned the foal and checked on Misty one more time, she came out of the stall to meet Christopher.

“She’ll be fine,” he assured her. Palmer didn’t think before she wrapped her arms around his waist and hugged him. She was looking for some comfort. 

Christopher froze in place, surprised at her sudden reaction. His cheeks turned red, and his heart pounded inside his chest at her touch, but then he slowly relaxed and wrapped his arms around her. He put his head on top of hers, taking in the sweet smell of green apples from her shampoo. 

“Thank you for being here,” she whispered as she looked at him with a soft stare and a sweet smile. “Are you hungry?”

“Actually, I think it’s better if I went home. My mom must be worried already,” he lied, but he could not be one more minute close to her without his heart trying to jump out of his chest. 

Palmer nodded and looked around, her eyes landing on Trigger, and a smile escaped her lips. She let the horse out and got him ready. Christopher wondered about her intentions, and when she saddled Trigger and walked out of the stables, she gestured for him to mount the horse and sit behind her. 

“I don’t think it’s a good idea.”

“Oh, nonsense. Mom is making dinner, and Dad is busy with Misty and the new foal. So you have no choice but to accept a ride on the horse since I still don’t have my driver’s license,” she said, her mischievous smile making him accept her offer. They both got on Trigger, and as soon as she got him to trot, Christopher quickly wrapped his arm around her belly as tight as he could.

“Come on, Chris. You’re going to break me in two. Relax, you’ll love the ride,” she laughed as he tried hard to enjoy the ride back home. 

♥♥♥♥♥♥

Christopher was almost home. He saw Grace working in the garden in front of the house. She looked happy, and he was glad to see how much she loved this lifestyle. The sound of the horse made her lift her head and saw them approach her together.

“Hi, honey. Hello, Palmer. How was school today?” She asked, cleaning her hand with a soft towel she carried on her shoulder.

“It was not bad compared to yesterday,” Christopher said while he dismounted the horse. Palmer told her goodbyes, letting Christopher know she had to check on Misty, and left the property, Trigger galloping down the dirt road. Christopher looked at his mom, who had a curious smile on her face. 

“How was your time over at her house?” She asked. He shrugged his shoulders while looking at Palmer disappear in the distance.

“Well, it was good. I got to see a mare give birth to a foal, and Palmer and her friends invited me to this party on Saturday. They wanted me to go shopping with them Friday after school, so I was wondering if I could have some money to get an outfit.”

Grace stood up from the dirt and looked at him with her mouth open.

“My son is going out with some friends?”

“No, Mom. They’re classmates who have invited me somewhere. I guess it won’t hurt to go, right?” Grace took her gloves off and walked inside for some water. Christopher followed and sat on one of the stools.

“When are you going to start at the clinic?” He asked curiously.

“I was supposed to start today, but they’re trying to get the clinic in order before I go. Everything should be ready tomorrow,” Grace replied, grabbing a jar of water and pouring it in a glass. Christopher was silent, and Grace looked at him curiously. 

“What’s wrong, Sweetheart?” 

“Nothing, Mom. I’m just actually excited about this party. I mean, it’s the first time someone invited me anywhere. I hope they’re genuine with their offer.”

“I’m sure they are. Just give them time, but if you’re not too sure, be alert anyway.”

“Palmer was the one that defended me from those three boys I mentioned before, the ones that were bothering me when we went to town. She was pretty upset.”

Grace was glad someone stood up for him. “You see? There are good people. I was hoping this wouldn’t happen again, but if it goes further, make sure you don’t let them, okay?” 

Christopher nodded, and with a kiss on his mother’s cheek, he went to his room to do some homework before he went to bed. He couldn’t focus and smiled at how nice Palmer and her friends were. Her outgoing nature would keep him on his toes, but he would try to be up to the challenge.