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Jo stepped back but remained close enough to be on hand if needed. But, after a few minutes of Cheyenne speaking softly to Another Round, it was evident that the thoroughbred had taken to the girl almost as quickly as she had taken to him. His strong muscles relaxed, and his head nudged her palm, seeking her touch.
“Looks like he enjoys your attention.” Jo smiled. “Horses pick up on things, you know? They can sense your mood and emotions. Seems like he’s at ease with you. Maybe he senses the two of you have quite a bit in common.”
Cheyenne glanced up, a shy smile appearing. “You think so?”
Jo nodded. “It looks that way. Though for the next few days, at least, I’d like you to continue following my lead, learning the routine, and getting to know Another Round better before you take over, okay?”
Cheyenne nodded eagerly. “So, what’s the routine?”
Jo walked over to the stack of grooming tools, grabbed a brush, and returned to join Cheyenne and Another Round. “Do you remember what we did in the stables before we brought Another Round out to the pasture?”
“We checked his feet,” Cheyenne said.
“We did,” Jo affirmed. “We checked his hooves to make sure they were clean and healthy. Seemingly little things like a crack or ridge on the outer wall can tip you off to a potential injury or significant change in health. Checking his shoes—racing plates—every day is essential. I also checked his legs for injury or any signs of infection. It may sound redundant to do it every day, but if you want to be the best groom—”
“I do,” Cheyenne piped in excitedly.
Jo grinned. “Then you must be very thorough every day on every level. As a groom, you are Another Round’s caretaker. The person who will know him the best and look out for him.”
“Like a guardian angel?” Cheyenne asked, gazing up at Another Round.
Jo studied the eagerness in Cheyenne’s eyes. The desperate longing in the girl’s voice reminded her of Cheyenne’s misfortunes in life. Cheyenne was tough on the outside, but it was very possible that beneath that gritty exterior, a frightened, lonely little girl still desperately sought affection. Affection that was much easier to trust and accept when it came from a horse.
I like not being alone.
Jo blinked back the sting of tears as she recalled Cheyenne’s words the afternoon before. For some reason, her comment had struck a chord in Jo and Brooks, too, judging by the tone in his voice when he’d responded.
So do I.
All three of them, in fact, had remained seated on the newly constructed deck after Cheyenne had shared the sentiment, staring out at the horses in the pasture and the line of oak trees in the distance, remaining silent but somehow connected on a deeper level.
Jo had to admit, it had been nice having someone by her side yesterday afternoon—two someones, really—who were working alongside her, with her rather than against her. And the fact that Brooks had initiated the venture with his act of goodwill had made the moment even sweeter.
What was it he’d said in the stables the other day?
We’d make a good team.
Yep. After completing the deck and wheelchair ramp with him yesterday, she had to admit they did make a good team and probably would do so in other arenas. Maybe even racing? Or something more?
“There’s something about horses,” Jo said quietly, meeting Cheyenne’s eyes. “Something about being with them, outside under the sun, the grass beneath your feet and blue sky overhead. It’s nothing like being stuffed inside the concrete walls of a school or foster home.” She studied Cheyenne’s expression. “You can be yourself here and the relationship you develop with Another Round can bring a deeper level of meaning to your life, if you’re willing to open up and allow it.”
A solemn look entered Cheyenne’s expression as she stroked Another Round’s neck gently. “I like what you said yesterday. About horses being better than people.” She looked at Jo, her own eyes glistening beneath the morning sunlight. “You said they are always honest. That they don’t play games with you like people do, right?”
Jo nodded. “Right.”
Cheyenne returned her attention to Another Round and whispered something into the thoroughbred’s ear.
“First up,” Jo said, “we clean his mane and tail.” She walked toward the back of Another Round. “It’s dangerous to stand behind a horse who’s not familiar with you, so I’ll take care of his tail today and once you’ve formed a bond of trust with him, you’ll take over this task, too. For now, come stand to the side and watch how I do it.”
Jo took her time, carefully brushing the horse’s tail, dislodging bits of shavings from the stall, dirt, and specks of dust. Once that was finished, she led Cheyenne toward Another Round’s head, stroked his neck, and spoke gently to him for a few moments, then flipped his mane over and began brushing through it.
“It helps to flip his mane over first,” Jo said as she worked. “Doing that helps get the dirt from underneath so you can clean it more effectively. When you finish brushing in this direction, you flip it back to its natural side and brush through it some more. Just move carefully and gently.”
Once they finished that step, Jo led Cheyenne through wetting the brush and combing down the mane and tail until they shined. Next, Jo retrieved a spongelike brush with no bristles and began brushing down Another Round’s head and body.
“Use this tool to brush the rest of him. It feels like a cat’s tongue to him and is more comfortable.” Jo brushed gently underneath Another Round’s belly. “It’s important to brush every part of his body, especially the parts you don’t normally see. Some grooms skip that step, but if you want to be the best and if you want to have a racehorse in great health, you’ll do this thoroughly every day.”
Cheyenne watched raptly as Jo worked her way through the process.
