Chapter Eight
Lena awoke long before daybreak. Excitement of what the day might bring kept any fatigue at bay. Packed and ready, she decided to step out and visit Zeus before breakfast.
"May I join you?" Zora's soft voice carried to the entrance.
"Sure. I hope I didn't wake you?"
Zora fell into step beside her. "No, I woke up for some time."
A cool morning breeze blew through the trees, the leaves fluttering, alive with movement on their walk to the corrals. The air held the scent of fresh earthy dew, and the sky turned from a brilliant pink to a deep blue. A promise of another warm day.
"Word is you've made great progress with Zeus. Everyone's amazed with your success."
"Thank you," Lena replied, unable to keep pride from her voice. "Let's
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She let the mustang advance around her before she made a move to change his direction. Once he'd gone several laps she backed off, letting him come to a stop. She turned toward Zora and smiled.
Moments later, warm breaths tickled her neck. Lena turned and stroked the stallion's neck.
"Nicely done." Zora clapped. "I think he wants to be friends. To trust you."
"Trust is the best place to start. Let me get him some hay. We're probably due for breakfast ourselves?" Lena stepped out of the corral, making sure the gate latched shut.
"You're right. Shall we go?" Zora led the way.
Breakfast proved a bustle of activity. Folk's gulped down pancakes and sipped coffee. Those finished, streamed back out of the tent to complete chores. Everyone pitched in to finish loading the show's materials into the waiting rail
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The men parted way, so Lena could walk the stallion up the plank. When she reached the wooden draw, Zeus reared, pulling the lead from her hands. She ducked to avoid his sharp hooves. Lena quickly reclaimed the rope, but the mustang pulled frantically back into the crowd, their cries of surprise frightening him more.
"Easy." The horse stopped, and she regained a good hold on the rope. Zeus quavered, the whites of his eyes showing as he snorted and looked around.
"Please, everyone, move out of the way so I can load him safely," She begged.
The cowboys and workers heeded her plea, and moved out of the way.
"Loco gal, doesn't know what she's got herself into with that there beast," One of the men said, before walking away.
"That horse is a killer. She's gonna be his first victim. Andrew should never have brought a wild horse like this into the show. He''ll bring nothing but trouble," A wizened cowboy stated, staring straight at her.
Lena ignored the look of disgust in the man's wrinkled face. She gave him a curt nod and led Zeus by. This time he walked up the ramp like a perfect gentleman. Satisfied he was comfortable in the makeshift enclosure, she stepped back down to join