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He was supposed to be a Derby horse like his great father- a winner of the Kentucky Derby at 3 years old. But, the chances of him making that challenge grew increasingly slimmer. In a Derby horse, their 3 year old year is THE year. It is their big moment right there. Then they can retire and live the rest of their life as a champion. Or pursue other horse sports as I always thought Phantom might.
I reached out to stroke his velvety muzzle, the touch of his warm breath against my skin sending a shiver down my spine. His eyes, deep pools of darkness, met mine with a mixture of defiance and curiosity—as if daring me to unlock the secrets that lay hidden within his soul. “Easy, boy,” I murmured, my voice barely a whisper in the stillness of the stable. “We’ll figure this out together, you and I.”
But even as I spoke the words, doubt gnawed at the edges of my resolve. Phantom was a horse unlike any I had encountered. A creature of wild beauty and untamed spirit. His troubled soul shone like a beacon. Though I longed to help him find his place in the world, I couldn’t shake the feeling that doing so would irrevocably change the balance of our fragile existence.
Lost in thought, I barely registered Melody’s approach until she was standing beside me, her presence a comforting anchor in the storm of my uncertainty. “Hey, Steph,” she greeted, her voice soft with concern. “I’ve been thinking about Phantom.”
I glanced at her, a silent acknowledgment passing between us. Melody had always been able to read me like a book, her intuition a testament to the bond that had formed between us over the
years.
“Yeah, he’s been acting up more than usual lately,” I admitted, my voice tinged with frustration. “I just don’t know what to do with him.”
Melody studied me for a moment, her gaze searching mine for answers. “Steph, you know as well as I do that Phantom needs more than just love. He needs someone who can handle his spirit. Someone who can train him properly.”
I nodded, the weight of her words settling like a heavy burden. “I know,” I replied, my voice barely above a whisper. “But I’m not sure I’m ready to bring someone else in. I’ve always handled the horses myself and I’m not sure I’m ready to let someone else take over.”
Melody placed a comforting hand on my arm, her touch grounding me in the present moment. “I understand, Steph. But sometimes, loving them isn’t enough. Sometimes, you have to let go to truly help
someone find their purpose.”
Her words hung in the air between us, a silent reminder of the choice that lay before me.
Phantom’s fate rested in my hands, and I knew that whatever decision I made would shape not only his future, but mine as well. I knew I could send him away to a race track. But, I didn’t want that. I didn’t want to be separated from him.
As I turned away from Phantom’s stall, the weight of indecision heavy upon my shoulders, I couldn’t help but wonder if maybe Melody had been right. Perhaps, to truly help Phantom find his purpose, I would have to let go of my fears and insecurities, and trust that he would find his way in the end.
“Steph,” Melody began again, her voice gentle yet firm, ”I know this is hard for you to accept, but maybe it’s time we consider bringing in some outside help.” Her words seemed to linger as we stood in the quiet of the stable. A reminder of the difficult choices that lay before me. I knew she was right—that Phantom needed more than just love and care from me alone. But the thought of bringing in an outsider, of acknowledging that I couldn’t handle Phantom’s challenges on my own, filled me with a sense of unease.
I sighed, the weight of her idea pressing down on me. “I know,” I admitted reluctantly, “but the thought of opening up the ranch to a stranger . . . it just feels like admitting defeat.”
Melody reached out, placing a reassuring hand on my arm. “It’s not defeat, Steph. It’s recognizing that we all have our limitations. And sometimes, asking for help is the bravest thing we can do.”
Her words struck a chord within me. They felt like truth. But the thought of facing Phantom’s challenges head-on, of opening myself up to the judgment of others, still filled me with apprehension.
“Maybe we could go to the State Fair this weekend,” Melody suggested tentatively. “There’ll be plenty of trainers there and we could see if any of them might be a good fit for Phantom.”
I hesitated, the thought of venturing beyond the safety of the ranch sending a shiver down my spine. But deep down, I knew Melody was right. If I wanted what was best for Phantom, I would have to swallow my pride and face the reality of the situation.
As things were, Phantom was a danger to us every day. Something needed to change.
“Okay,” I finally conceded, the words tasting bitter on my tongue. “Let’s go to the State Fair.”
As we made our plans to go, I became more anxious. But beneath my fear and uncertainty, there was also a glimmer of hope—a feeling that perhaps, with the help of an outsider, Phantom could finally find the peace and purpose he so desperately craved. And if that meant opening up the doors of my ranch to someone new, then so be it. For Phantom’s sake, I would do whatever it took to help him find his way.
2
ASHLYN
The sun hung like a blazing orb in the vast expanse of the sky, its golden rays casting a fiery glow across the rolling hills. I rode out astride the beautiful bay horse. The wind, a relentless force
of nature, whipped through my hair, sculpting it into a mane that danced in defiance of gravity, mirroring the untamed spirit of the horse beneath me. Every muscle in my body thrummed with anticipation, coiling like a spring ready to be unleashed. With each powerful stride, I could feel the raw energy coursing through the horse’s sleek frame, a testament to the strength and discipline that had been instilled in him through countless hours of rigorous training.
I grasped the reins with a firm hand, my fingers tingling with the electric thrill of control. There was a power in the connection between horse and rider—a symbiotic dance of wills that transcended
mere words. Together, we were a force to be reckoned with, a living testament to the indomitable spirit of the wild.
As we thundered across the open fields, the earth trembled beneath us, echoing the beat of hooves against the ground. The world blurred into a kaleidoscope of colors and sounds, a symphony of motion and momentum that pulsed with an almost primal energy. But amid the chaos, there was a sense of clarity, a sharpness of focus that cut through the noise like a blade through silk. With each leap and bound, I felt a surge of power swell within me. A primal roar of triumph that echoed in the depths of my soul.
