Hannah's Chance

By Connie Squiers

A young girl named Hannah, survived cancer and the amputation of her leg. To encourage her in her recovery her dad promised to buy her a horse and she named that horse Chance. When she and her father first brought Chance back to their farm he was very thin and sickly horse, but with lots of prayer and loving care he filled out to be a beautiful white stallion. The horse she named Chance was found to be more special than she or her dad could have ever imagined. After Hannah and her father noticed a tattoo on Chance's lip they decided they must trace back his history to find his former owner. The numbers on his lip showed them he was a registered and very high priced Paso Fino stallion. Their journey took them from a fine Paso Fino ranch in Colombia, South America, through a very abusive owner in Taos, New Mexico, and later into Northeastern Oklahoma where Chance reached the loving arms of Hannah.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Connie Squiers
• Release date: Jul 22, 2014
• ISBN: 9781311893949

Connie Squiers

Connie Squiers Kuester, a former attorney, lives in Tulsa, Oklahoma. She fondly remembers her horse crazy girlfriends and reading many, many books about horses. She uses those experiences, and those as a mother, to craft her stories. She wanted to write books about horses, that were appealing to young people, and would incorporate the tenets of her faith. Her stories are action-packed and full of human interest, with Christianity slipped in through conversation and remembering what she learned in church, not preachy prose. She has provided questions at the end of each book, so a parent or facilitator will find it easy to get their readers to discuss what they’ve read.

Book preview

HannahsChanceCover.jpg

Hannah’s Chance

Connie Squiers

Hannah’s Chance

Copyright 2014 Connie Squiers

Smashwords Edition

Cover photo:

Cheri Prill

www. StunningSteeds.com

DEDICATION

This book is dedicated with love to my sons Austen and Daniel

CHAPTER 1

CHAPTER 2

CHAPTER 3

CHAPTER 4

CHAPTER 5

CHAPTER 6

CHAPTER 7

CHAPTER 8

CHAPTER 9

CHAPTER 10

CHAPTER 11

CHAPTER 12

CHAPTER 13

CHAPTER 14

CHAPTER 15

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

About The Author

CHAPTER 1

Horses, horses, horses, floated through Hannah’s head while she was in surgery. She was riding black ones, white ones, brown ones, and horses of many colors. They ran through green pastures and up rolling hills, jumped stone walls, and her hair swirled out behind her in the wind and the fog. It felt glorious, like she hoped heaven might be. . .. full of horses and pure joy. In the distance she heard her dad calling her, Hannah, wake up, Sweetheart. You need to wake up and talk to me. Your surgery is over. But, she fought against his voice. She didn’t want to leave this wonderful, exciting dream where all her wishes came true.

The next day Hannah cried, Daddy, I feel so bad and I hurt so much. I don’t think I’ll ever be well or feel good again.

Her dad, Chris Cushman, took her hand, Sweetheart, trust me, you will. The doctor said you will recover from this? When they operated they were able to get all the cancer, so you’ll be fine. Believe me, you’ll feel better, but it’ll take time.

She sobbed as she looked around her hospital room. The walls were plastered with horse pictures her friends had sent her. There will be so many things I can’t do now, Daddy. I’ve always wanted a horse, but now I can’t have one. How can I ride with just one leg? The pain she was feeling made her life look hopeless.

Her dad excused himself and went down the hall to the restroom to splash water on his face and to wash away the tears filling his eyes. Chris Cushman was thinking, not only about Hannah, but about her mom who had died just two years earlier from breast cancer. He also thought of the surgeon coming in to see Hannah right after her surgery, telling her he had taken her right leg from the knee down. Her dad was shocked and devastated, but Hannah looked at that doctor for a minute, then asked if he got all the cancer. He nodded. Then she asked if she would have to have chemo like her mom. He smiled and shook his head no. He said they had found no trace of cancer anywhere except in the limb they had removed. She gave him a big smile and said that was good news. Her dad thought out loud, That’s my Hannah, always looking for the positive in everything. What a blessing she was to him. Instead of him comforting her, she comforted him with her wonderful attitude. Today, however, was one of her bad days and he felt her pain deeply.

When he returned to her room, he sat down on her bed and smiled. After pulling her close, he nudged the hair from her eyes with his chin. She looked so much like her mother when she was Hannah’s age. He had known her mother, Ginny, when she was just a ten year old tomboy with big blue eyes, long lashes, and a smattering of freckles across her nose. She had worn her curly auburn hair in a pony tail, just like Hannah was wearing hers now. It was such a blessing to be able to hold his child and remember her mom. He stayed with her and held her hand until she fell asleep.

When he went home that night he headed straight for his bedroom and lay down in the dark. There was so much he wanted for Hannah. He wanted her to realize her life would be fairly normal, except she would be wearing an artificial leg. The doctor had called it a prosthesis. He imagined that was a word he would hear again, many times. He knew his daughter didn’t often get depressed about her cancer, but today was a distressing one for her. Not only did she have physical pain, but she had been talking with her horsey girlfriends earlier and was afraid she would never be able to have a horse, or even ride a horse again. He wasn’t sure which was worse for her, the pain or what she thought was the loss of her most cherished dream.

He remembered her up days, which far outnumbered her down days and smiled. When he visited Hannah in the hospital she was usually listening to praise and worship music on her IPod and singing along so loud he could hear her three rooms away. He didn’t know if he would be able to sing if he was in her place, but she sure could.

When he saw her the next day he explained, What you said yesterday is not true and I want to prove it to you. When you get through this we’ll find you a horse. One that’s gentle and easy to ride. Just because you can’t walk right now doesn’t mean you won’t ever be able to walk or ride again. Losing a leg is bad, terrible in fact, but many people have learned to function well with a prosthesis. Just wait and see. He gave her a big smile and a kiss on the tip of her nose, You’ll be riding before you know it.

Hannah looked at her dad with new excitement in her eyes, Daddy, do you really think I’ll be able to ride and will you promise you can find me a horse? I’ll do everything the doctor says to get better if you say I can have a horse. He looked into her now hopeful face and promised. She had said exactly what he wanted, and needed, to hear.

As Chris left this daughter’s hospital room he shook his head and thought about the medical bills that had built up while his wife fought her cancer. Now Hannah’s care had almost completely drained his savings. He murmured under his breath, I sure hope I haven’t promised her more than I can deliver, but he reasoned, I had to give her something to cling to during her recovery. She needs something exciting to look forward to and I can’t think of anything she wants more.

Hannah attacked her physical therapy with new energy and hope. All she could think about was the horse her dad promised her when she got better. She had wanted one as far back as she could remember. Before her cancer, she liked to run with her friends on the playground, pretending she was a strong, fast, and very beautiful stallion. Each day she would change his coloring. One day she was a chestnut with a flaxen mane and tail and the next she was coal black with a silver mane and tail. It didn’t matter that sometimes the colors were too different to be realistic. She had a vivid imagination and she used it. Hannah read all the books she could find about horses, so it wasn’t hard for her to imagine what it would be like when she had one of her own. She refused to think about how much harder it would be to ride and take care of a horse with an artificial limb. Instead she focused on the pleasure a horse of her own would bring. When her dad came to her hospital room to see her, she didn’t complain about her rehabilitation or how much it hurt. Instead, she eagerly shared details of her progress and how happy she would be when the doctor finally released her to go home.

During the day Hannah met with the people who would actually make her an artificial leg. She was measured, x-rayed, poked, and prodded until they came up with a prosthesis that would not only fit, but allow her to walk normally. Hannah was encouraged by the videos they showed her of amputees with artificial legs doing amazing things, like skiing, playing basketball, and running track. Her job was to put her heart into her physical therapy and learn to use the new leg. She was told she would be going through this process many times in her life, because as she grew, her artificial leg had to get longer so she could walk straight without falling over. The thought of tilting to one side made her laugh. Hannah practiced faithfully and could hardly wait to walk into her own house and finally get the horse she had been dreaming about. She wondered where they would find him, what he would look like, and whether he would be gentle enough for her to ride.

A month after returning home, Hannah asked her dad when they could start looking for her horse. She pointed out that she was walking much better. Look, she said as she carefully walked across the room. She was grateful the doctor had only removed her leg below the knee. Since she was using her own knee, walking with her prosthesis was easier to get used to, and she looked more natural when she walked. She still found it hard to put on without help, but she was getting better each day. Soon she’d be able to do it herself. Now, if she could only get rid of the crutch they had given her at the hospital. She wanted to walk without help.

Hannah’s dad knew she was ready to start looking for a horse of her own. One evening he said, I was thinking we can start looking for your horse this weekend. I have a few places we can begin, but I want you to understand we don’t have a lot of money to work with. Fortunately, we have a little land here where we have a pasture, so I can build a small stable, but finding the perfect horse for you and your special needs may take a while. It depends on what horses are available and what they cost now days.

Hannah was so excited she could hardly wait for Saturday morning. When the day came she woke up before her alarm clock went off. When her dad saw her waiting at the front door, he grinned and said, Let’s get going. I’ve told a few people we would drop by this morning. Mr. Forbes said he has some horses that might work for you. He’s close, so I think we’ll start there first.

Hannah’s head bobbed up and down with excitement. That sounds great, Dad! I can hardly wait!

The road to Mr. Forbes’ farm was uneven gravel and the bumpy ride hurt her leg, but Hannah didn’t complain. All she could think of was being close to horses again. She had grabbed a few carrots and apples on the way out the door so she would be prepared to make friends with his horses and maybe even choose one of her own.

They drove up the driveway and stopped next to the barn. Mr. Forbes came out with a big smile on his face and peered in the car window, Hi there, Hannah, it’s good to see you out and about again. Your dad told me you’re looking for a horse you can ride when you feel better. I have a two that might work, but they may not be what you’re looking for. He scratched his chin while he thought about the horses he could show her. I have one that is gentle enough and one that might be too old. The old horse is a little lazy and difficult to get moving. I know you want an animal that’ll move when you want to go. He hesitated for a second, By the way, I’m sorry you lost your leg. Me and the Missus prayed for you many times while you were in the hospital. He turned and motioned them towards the barn, Now let’s go see those horses.

With her dad’s help, Hannah got out of the truck. She had on her new prosthesis, but was also using a crutch to help her walk. In her excitement, she rushed and almost fell, but caught herself just in time. She couldn’t let them see she was not even capable of getting to the stable. Hannah sniffed the air when she entered the barn. "Ahhhhh, I’ve missed horses