JESS HALTERED THE MARE and led her through the gate with Wally frolicking behind. Part of the agreement with Lawson was that she could do all the handling and training until Wally was broken in, and to Jess’s way of thinking that included delivering her to his place.
Luke held the gate open for her.
‘Watch out for the min mins,’ he called, as she led the mare out onto the river flats and then a well-worn track.
She laughed. ‘Don’t worry, I will!’
She wasn’t far along the river flats when she heard a loud ‘Coo–ee!’
‘Coo–ee!’ she called back.
Shara trotted Rocko out from a track running alongside the river and waved. Jess waited for her to get closer and then held out an arm and vaulted onto Rocko’s back. With one hand on Shara’s waist and the other on the mare’s lead, they set off across the flats with Wally following close behind.
They rode along the open flats where the tree-lined river wove through the valley. Some sections of the river flowed slowly and serenely and in other places it rushed through narrow, choking channels. As it meandered back and forth across the flats, the girls crossed through the water, travelling under the trees where it was cool and shady for long stretches.
They stood and let the horses drink, while the dogs rolled about in the sandy patches and lay on their bellies in the cool water, panting happily. Jess closed her eyes and let the trickling sounds of the river flow over her. For a brief moment Rocko was still. She sat there with her eyes closed, with her best friend, listening to the river. A warm puff of air, like the breath of a sleepy horse, ran up the back of her neck.
Hey, Diamond.
‘Here come Rosie and Grace!’ said Shara.
In the trees along the river, the sound of Rosie and Grace arguing became louder and louder.
‘What is with those two?’ asked Shara.
‘Sisters always fight,’ said Jess. ‘Didn’t you know that?’
Shara grinned. ‘So do besties.’
Jess grinned back. ‘Especially best besties.’
‘We just rode past Lawson’s place,’ said Grace, as she drew up on a chestnut horse Jess had never seen before.
‘He said to tell you his mare is pregnant,’ said Rosie.
Jess grinned. ‘Thought she might be.’
The two sisters looked at her, puzzled.
‘Tell you later,’ said Jess, fizzing with happiness.
The four girls continued along the river, ducking under branches, jumping over fallen trees and splashing through the water. They cantered across the flats, past the old sawmill and along Slaughtering Creek, where the old cattle grid hid slyly beneath the long grass. They thundered past the Pettilows’ place, where Chelpie grazed peacefully, looking impossibly beautiful. The little white mare didn’t look up, and for once none of the horses spooked or shied.
‘You’re a mystery, Chelpie,’ Jess said out loud. ‘What is it about you?’
When they got to Lawson’s place, Jess unbuckled the mare’s halter and let her out into the big paddock. Wally trotted alongside her mother for a few strides, then back to Jess, giving her a gentle shove with her nose.
‘It’s okay, little one, you go and make some new friends. I’ll come back and see you tomorrow.’
She watched Wally and her mum sniff the ground and wander into their new surroundings. Then she scanned the paddock, looking for Marnie.
Where is she?
Three other mares stood under a big old mango tree, swishing their tails at the flies. They lifted their heads towards the newcomers. A short way off, Marnie grazed contentedly.
And I’ll be back to see you too.