Here it is!! A new chapter!


Chapter Nineteen






It seemed much longer than that, but six entire months have passed since Jason Weiss did a completely unexpected move and decided to set Dante, his beautiful black stallion free to roam the wild plains.....





Out of the original “crew”, only Jennifer remained. Jason broke the news to his parents that he set Dante free and after a few altercations, they finally began to understand his decision, however they did force him to find another part-time job for a few months to make up the money that the family paid for the stallion, leaving Jason no time to visit his friends the stables. After making up with Jennifer, Marissa decided that she needed some time away from horses for a while. She managed to find steady work as a beautician at local beauty salon. In the months following Jason’s arrival at Six Gable Stables, Mike and Karilla’s relationship flourished to an all-time high and as a result, they made the decision to live together at Mike’s house. Despite their undying love for each other, they have dropped approximately zero hints of tying the knot or attempting to start a family.




But very soon, a reunion will take place.

“Jack, I think it is so sweet of you to give your horse to Jason.”
“Don’t mention it....Buddy needs his exercise and I feel it would be right to move him onto a new rider...”




Jack looks at the other side of the paddock where he sees the Arabian stallion that is Fury waiting patiently for Michael Schaefer’s return.

“(sigh)....I wish that you’d let people other than Mike ride you.......He’ll be back soon, Fury....I promise.”





The first member of “the crew” to arrive at the stables is Marissa. Jennifer jumps in excitement at the sight of her friend coming back to her, a dire contrast to the fact that a half of a year ago, they almost parted ways bad terms.

“JENNY-BABY!!!”
“MARISSA!!!!”
“Oh my God, how have you been?!”
“I’ve been doing good, I LOVE your new outfit by the way!”
“OMG, thank you! I love your new look!”




The second and third friends to arrive were both Karilla and Mike. Even though Mike is very happy to see Jennifer and Marissa again and getting along, he’s quite predictably chomping at the bit to see Fury again.

“Karilla’s here!!”
“KARILLA!! OH MY GOD, WE’VE MISSED YOU!!!”
“I’VE MISSED YOU TOO!!!”

(I love how the girls totally overlook Mike and jump right to Karilla XD)




“Heya, Jack!”
“Mike!!! It’s been too long! How’s life?”
“It’s going good, where’s Fury?”
“He’s right over there!”




A smile is instantly plastered on Mike’s face as he see’s his best friend for the first time in several months. Without saying much, he pets Fury’s mane and then hugs his neck. A tear of joy rolls down Mike’s face as he says....

“I’ve missed you, bro.”




Thirty minutes after Mike and Karilla’s arrival, An old car pulls up to the stables. The car is an Aston Martin DB5 which is known for being James Bond’s first and most recognized armored car. The driver of the vehicle is none other than the fourth and last friend to show up at the stables, Jason. The reunion is now complete!





Jennifer announced to everyone who had just returned and Mike just jumped at the opportunity to greet one of his best friends back to the stables.

“Hey everybody, look who just showed up!”
“Oh my God, Jason’s back!! How the hell have you been?”
“I’m doing well....Say Mike, did you put a hoof pick in your pants or are you just happy to see me?!”
“HAHAHAHA!!!”

After all five friends exchanged their hellos and hugs, Jack announced that he wanted to give something to Jason and he takes him aside.





“Jason, I’d like to show you something...this fine beast of a horse is mine, he is a Clydesdale/Andulasian mix. Like Fury, he is also a rescued horse and I trust him with my life.”
“You’re very lucky to have a horse like that, he’s beautiful!”
“Well.......he’s yours now.”




Jason is just stunned at his former employer’s gratitude towards him. Jason expected a hello and a hug from Jack, but never in a million years would he expect that Jack would willingly give him his horse!

“(GASP) Are you serious!?”
“I’m completely serious! His name is Buddy, but you feel free to change his name if you want!”
“I can’t believe you’re giving me your horse!!”
“Well...I felt bad that after you set Dante free you don’t have a horse to ride anymore and since I sadly almost never find the time to give Buddy his exercise, I figured that he should meet a new rider. Buddy is a very friendly horse and I’m sure you’re going to love riding him!”




“If it’s not too much trouble, can I saddle him up and take him out now?”
“I don’t see why not!”




Jason finds that Dante’s old saddle still remained at the stable. Even though it is a heartrending memento of his time at the stables, he decides to put it on Buddy as a constant reminder of Dante’s presence in his life.




Without warning, Jason makes Buddy spring into a swift gallop out the stable door and out into the open range, falling out of sight as he rides over the horizon. Mike and the girls smile at the sight of Jason satisfied with getting a new horse.




“Wow, for a heavy draft horse, you sure are fast Buddy!”

Jason pets his new mount proudly.

“Come on, let’s ride to the hillside, there might be something there worth looking at.”



And as expected, there was something worth looking at by the bottom of the hill. Jason smiled as he knows that Dante is now in very good company. What he saw was a herd of wild horses grazing in the wide open plains. He takes a small pair of binoculars from the pocket of his jacket and gazes at the herd. Sadly, he found no sign that Dante was nearby. But he did see something else....




Straying away from the herd was a creature that was absolutely stunning. The animal’s coat was a pure white color with a slender, yet muscular build. The wind rippled through its mane. To describe the animal much more adequately, it was “a white stallion that real cowboys ride.”

“It’s so beautiful....” Jason whipsers to himself...But before he could even think of getting close to the steed, the stallion (or mare, he doesn’t know) gallops off into the forest.



As Jason rode his new horse away from the hill, he ponders over what he just saw...


“That really is a fine specimen....I wonder...Could that be the lead stallion of the herd? Or perhaps it could be someone’s horse that broke free. There was a mark on one of its flanks that kind of looked like a brand...I should tell Mike about this....what do you think Buddy?”

Jason’s new horse neighed quietly.

“I know horses can’t talk, It just makes me feel better to pretend that you do!”

Buddy nickered sarcastically.

“I’m going to pretend that I didn’t pretend to hear that!!”