Moving Forward: A Black Jack Series, #2

By Deborah Blouet

Abigail has a new colt. He's very young, on account he was taken away too early from his mom at the local auction. Now he needs a lot of care to get him through his first winter. Abi does her best and dreams of one day entering into a show with him. However, she's going to need registration papers for him to do that.
Abi's new friends try to help her track down his history and encourage her to compete her other horse instead. But Abi has never ridden in a Canadian show before. How different will it be to an English show?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Deborah Blouet
• Release date: Jul 8, 2019
• ISBN: 9781393138815

Book preview

Moving Forward

By

Deborah Blouet

Text copyright © 2019 Deborah Blouet

All Rights Reserved

The characters and events portrayed in this book are fictitious. Any similarity to real persons, living or dead, is coincidental and not intended by the author.

No part of this book may be reproduced, or stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without express written permission of the publisher.

To Caitlin and Scott. Thanks for the new laptop. Without it this book probably would have never got finished!!

Table of Contents

Chapter One - Early Fall

Chapter Two - Eerie Lights and Brave Ideas

Chapter Three - Winter Arrives!

Chapter Four - Christmas Time

Chapter Five - Memorial Barbeque

Chapter Six - Call the Vet

Chapter Seven - Misguided Plans

Chapter Eight - Spring Shopping

Chapter Nine - Summer Riding

Chapter Ten - End of School and Beginning of Holidays

Chapter Eleven - Show Preparation

Chapter Twelve - Show Time!

Chapter Thirteen - Operation Black Jack

Chapter Fourteen - A Stranger in Town

Chapter One - Early Fall

Birds flying in a V formation glided down and landed on the nearby pond to rest before their long journey south. Goosebumps rippled down Abi’s arm underneath a thick sweater as a sudden chilly, north wind blew and she flicked her long, mousy hair over her eyes. Brushing the strands away and tucking it behind her ears, she stared out across the pasture at the colourful fall landscape with its reds, oranges and yellows. Soon, it would all change into a brilliant pristine white. The thought didn’t cheer Abi up, but glancing over to her horses quickly put the smile back on her face. Henry, the old chestnut and Black Jack the colt she saved from the meat man at the end of August. Were both stood side by side trying to eat the same blade of grass. Abi stood away from leaning up against the fence and tucked her chin into the collar of her jumper. The late September day was drawing in. With one last look at her horses, she turned and went inside for supper.

Following the month of the colt’s purchase, Abigail’s days had been full of nervous anxiety, joy and wonder. Both Gayle, Abi’s mom and her grandpa enjoyed their birthdays, so they went out and she met a few more local people. They all genuinely wanted to know about her new colt, Jack as she affectionately called him, who had not taken long to overcome his shyness. Jack wasn’t frightened to poke around and figure things out, being a bold little fellow. Only of course when Henry was nearby. Henry in fact belonged to their kind neighbour, Tom. The two horses had instantly struck up an unlikely bond. Her grandpa had been worried the colt might be too exuberant for old Henry, but the veteran horse had eagerly taken to him like he was his own. ‘It’s like Henry’s forgotten he’s old,’ Abi had thought as she cautiously watched them play together a week after Jack had arrived.

The farmhouse was warm inside, and Abi slipped her boots off and left them on the wooden floor by the door. Jessie the collie came up to greet her enthusiastically and she bent down and let her kiss Abi’s face.

Come on girl I can smell Grandma’s fried chicken.

Abi’s mouth began to water in eager anticipation. As she stepped into the warm kitchen her mom looked up from the setting the table.

Go and change and wash your hands before sitting down, suggested Gayle her mom.

Abi looked over to her grandma Wendy who was cutting generous slices of homemade bread.

It’s okay dear I’m not dishing out just yet. Go and tell your grandpa. He’s down in the basement putting up shelves.

Abi nodded at her grandma and went back into the hall and then down the stairs to find him.

Grandpa, suppers ready, she shouted as she descended.

Alright, thanks love. I’ll be up in a minute, he shouted back.

Abi thought her grandpa sounded liked he’d just woke up, which didn’t seem an unlikely scenario for him. Grandpa William or Bill as his friends like to call him was quite partial to a nap especially when he had been outside in the pasture. Which earlier he had, helping her check the fencing.

Turning around, Abi first ran back up the basement steps. Then carried on jogging up the next flight of stairs to the first floor and finally the third set of steps to the attic, her cheery room.

Abi sincerely loved her bedroom. It had two modern windows, one facing the quiet city and the other over the paddock and red hip roofed barn. Looking out to the barn, she saw Henry and Jack slowly walking and stopping occasionally to eat. Gradually they got further away to where there was better grazing.

Closing her curtains, she then went to her own bathroom. Abi contemplated having a quick shower but decided to have one later. Her stomach was growling with hunger, so she washed her filthy hands quickly and then changed out of her barn clothes.

It’s ready! Called her mom.

Abi ran downstairs but had to stop and go back a necessary step because she accidently brushed up against an old picture of her grandma racing barrels. Straightening it again, she then walked down carefully. Abi was the last to sit down. In front of her was a full plate of fried chicken, corn, fries and thick slices of the bread her grandma had made with proper butter spread over it. Digging in, she let the grownups do the talking and thought about where to ride Henry the next day, which was a Sunday.

Later that evening lying on her soft bed, Abi stared up at her ceiling and smiled fondly at the memory of earlier. Jack had been frolicking with Henry, and they cantered around as if playing the game tag. They ran to the back of the barn, narrowly missing the big, old horse sleigh parked behind it. When Abi asked her grandpa if the sledge was his. He shook his head and told her the sleigh belonged to their neighbour Tom who kept it there for convenience. Her grandpa had also suggested something else when they were watching the horses playing, which got her thinking.

Your colt is beginning to fill out nicely, but I’m not sure he’s a pure Morgan. His legs are too long, and he doesn’t have that Morgan head. Jack has the hallmarks of a Thoroughbred.

The colt had only been four months old when he had been ripped away from his upset mom at the local auction. Angry thoughts bombarded her again as she bitterly remembered Clive’s sneering face when he instructed the auctioneer to forcibly separate Jack. The mare was a well-bred Morgan and Clive the local tack store owner hadn’t wanted him. Unfortunately, it also meant the meat man tried to buy him. Thankfully, her grandpa stepped in and generously helped Abi purchase the colt. When they tried to get the appropriate paperwork for him Clive refused to endorse anything to state Jack was his mare’s colt. This meant Abi couldn’t register him with the Morgan Horse Society, as they believed he was pure bred like his mother.

The more I think about it the more I realise that Clive didn’t want the colt because he was no value to him being a mix breed, her grandpa added.

Letting out a frustrated sigh Abi didn’t care what breed Jack was all that mattered was he was safe and hers. Refusing to let Clive irritate her anymore. Abi got up, opened her schoolbooks and turned on her computer. While waiting for it to load she continued thinking of that first week Jack arrived. It had been the last week of the summer holidays. The hours had been filled with the care of her new colt, not leaving any time to contemplate the first day of school which was coming up. On the eve of starting her worry suddenly appeared and turned into panic. Abi wasn’t good in new situations and had wondered uneasily if the kids would look suspiciously at her as some foreign person that didn’t belong there. Gayle her mom was equally in a flap as she began her new job at the day-care. Abi had heard her anxiety passing her bedroom that morning. Apparently, her curly hair wasn’t behaving as she tried styling it. Eventually, when Gayle came down to breakfast, it was tied up in a ponytail making her mom look younger.

The car journey on their first morning had been unusually quiet until her nervous stomach gurgled loudly.

Her mom had given her a sideways glance and smirked. Your stomach sounds how mine is feeling. Don’t worry you’ll find schools here are just the same as England.

Abi wasn’t sure. In the first few emotional weeks of landing in Canada. She had gotten far too use to her own company and would be extremely happy never to attend lousy school again. Unfortunately, being only thirteen Abi inevitably had a few dull years yet before she could leave.

They arrived punctually at the elementary school to find it a hive of social activity. A couple of yellow buses were parked at the front and were off loading students. The following day Abi would be getting the bus in. Before exiting the car, she watched tensely as students met up with their friends and greeted each other excitedly. They all seemed contented to be back, but there was one key observation that confused Abi.

Some of these kids look awfully young, she remarked grimly.

Abi it’s elementary. Next year you will move up to high school.

Abi shook her head, dismay dawning on her.

So, you are telling me I’ve gone back to primary school, she said with disgust.

No not at all, it’s just spread out differently here.

But I’m with little kids again, she whined.

Abi’s mom laid a hand on her shoulder. Elementary is from six to fourteen and high school is fourteen to eighteen. Look at it this way. You get to make some familiar friends before moving up.

Abi scowled at her mom for a second and then got out the car, slamming the door shut. She felt shameful for being a moody teenager and understood it was sensitive nerves, but at that moment couldn’t shake off her self-pity.

They walked silently into the building, and Abi carefully kept her eyes forward, refusing to look at anyone. The principal’s office was through the reception. Upon arrival a middle-aged lady looked up and gave them a forced smile.

Morning, how can I help you? she asked bluntly.

This is Abigail Tomlinson we enrolled her a couple of weeks ago.

The haughty woman looked down at a sheet and marked something off, which Abi presumed was her name.

Ah yes, you met the principal, Mr Sturgis. He mentioned we had an English girl starting. So, are you staying here long?

Abi was taken aback by her abruptness and liked the school less and less. Mr Sturgis had seemed quite pleasant and approachable when they met, but this woman was rude.

What’s it got to do with you? Abi said bitterly without thinking and heard sniggers behind her.

ABIGAIL! her mom scolded her.

I’m terribly sorry. It’s been tough move. Still no excuse for that, she said sternly with eyes blazing into Abi.

Yes, well. I guess I can let it go for now, but she will have to learn better manners. The woman carried on, but Abigail switched off. She didn’t want to listen anymore.

After a few uncomfortable minutes exchanging information, the woman included Abi in the conversation again.

Abigail will be in Miss Burkhart’s class, which so happens to be Riley’s room. Riley, would you be so kind and take Abigail with you? Abi turned around to see a girl approaching in a blue hoodie and black jeans of the same height and age. She had short hair in a bob style, wore glasses that made her dark brown eyes stand out and was an athletic build.

Of course, Mrs White. This is my new contact details. We moved over the summer vacation. Riley said and handed her a slip of paper while giving a fake, sweet smile.

When glancing over at Abi, she gave her a friendly smile which went right up into her eyes and made the corners crease.

Mrs White looked at the paper, Oh you moved to Monument heights. That’s a lovely part of town. How lucky for you, she said with a little green eye jealously tone.

The girl, Riley merely nodded.

Ok Abi I’ll see you after school have a good day and remember to get on the number nine bus. They know to come to the farm, but just mention it to the driver when you get on. Her mom said giving her an embarrassing kiss on the cheek.

Hmm yes, you need to be polite to Jim. He won’t stand for any messing on his bus. Mrs White interrupted. Abi felt the anger rising, but Riley placed her reassuring hand on her arm.

Come on Abigail. I’ll take you down and introduce you to my friends. I think they are going to like you, she said with a shrewd twinkle in her eye.

As they walked off Abi glanced over her shoulder and mouthed bye to her mom. She didn’t want to leave on a bad note. Not when they had already experienced a life changing event and knew you couldn’t turn back the time.

She turned back around to Riley. Call me Abi.

Riley grinned at her and then once they had gone around the corner she stopped and fell against the wall holding her sides and laughed. Abi stood and frowned. Was Riley about to ditch her?

Taking some gulps of breath, she stood up. Oh my god you have no idea how much I have wanted to say that to the old bag!

Excuse me, Abi said in a distinctly English way.

That was brilliant, she’s so nosey. We all hate coming up here to talk to her. She looks down at us as if we are dirt, but none of us are brave enough to say anything. Mr Sturgis is very hot on proper manners. So be warned, don’t be too snarky otherwise he’ll be on your back. Although the odd comment I think you might be able to get away with. I can’t wait to tell Aimee and Darryl what you said. It’ll make their day.

Abi breathed a sigh of relief and followed Riley as she walked down the busy corridor and into an even louder class.

Boisterous conversations were taking place across the classroom, and nobody took any notice of her. They were all too busy selecting the best seats which were set out individually facing the front. It was nothing like the typical classrooms she was used to. Suddenly, behind her a lady’s voice forcibly broke through the noise.

Settle down, we’ve got a lot to get through. Make sure you’ve put your supplies at the back of the classroom and find your seats. The class erupted into excited talk again. Quietly! Mrs Burkhart shouted.

Riley grabbed Abi and showed her where to stack the supplies she had been carrying in her bag. They then managed to claim two seats near the windows. Unfortunately, not at the back where she would have liked to be but halfway up. Which was better than the front at least. It looked like Riley’s friends had been saving the seats and Abi