The Horse Who Hated Christmas
By Hilary Walker
Published by JMS Books LLC
Visit jms-books.com for more information.
Copyright 2017 Hilary Walker
ISBN 9781634865906
Cover Design: Hilary Walker
Image(s) used under a Standard Royalty-Free License.
All rights reserved.
WARNING: This book is not transferable. It is for your own personal use. If it is sold, shared, or given away, it is an infringement of the copyright of this work and violators will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.
No portion of this book may be transmitted or reproduced in any form, or by any means, without permission in writing from the publisher, with the exception of brief excerpts used for the purposes of review.
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are solely the product of the author’s imagination and/or are used fictitiously, though reference may be made to actual historical events or existing locations. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.
Published in the United States of America.
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The Horse Who Hated Christmas
By Hilary Walker
Chapter 1: Paula’s Problem
Chapter 2: Pondering the Mystery
Chapter 3: The Sleuthing Begins
Chapter 4: The Phone Call
Chapter 5: The Horse Whisperer
Chapter 6: The Permission
Chapter 7: The Pay Off
Chapter 8: Christmas Morning
Chapter 1: Paula’s Problem
“I wish I didn’t have to go away over Christmas again” Paula moaned. “If only I had a brother or sister to go in my place!”
Her friend Melissa sympathized. “I never thought I’d say how lucky I am to have siblings—or parents who live nearby!”
It was Saturday in mid-December. They were brushing their horses in neighboring stalls, after taking advantage of the welcome sunshine to ride around the rural property of Farthing Boarding Stables.
The issue under discussion was the fact that something badly upset Paula’s mare every Christmas. But her owner was never here to find the cause, being expected to fly to her parents’ house three states away.
“If only I could convince them to come here,” she said with feeling, brushing her little chestnut’s flanks so hard that the mare turned her head round with ears pinned back to tell Paula that was too much. “Sorry, girl! I’m taking out my frustration on you.” She gave the horse a treat then stroked her face. Mollified, Peppi returned to ripping strands of hay out of her small hole net.
Still holding the body brush, Paula leaned across her animal’s broad back and sighed. “As much as Peppi’s colics have cost me in vets’ bills over the years, I could have had her shipped to a barn near my parents’ place every Christmas!”
Although her accounting job paid well, these costs were really hard to take. Thankfully she had colic insurance, which she could claim on if Peppi ever needed an operation. But she’d like to make sure it never came to that.
Though how could she, when she didn’t even know what stressed Peppi out so much? And how was she going to know, if she was never around to find out?
Mr. and Mrs. Newton had already called to find out when their daughter planned to be at their house for Christmas. She’d been sorely tempted to tell them she couldn’t afford the trip this year. But she knew what accusations would be hurled over the phone if she dared suggest such a thing:
“You mean your horse means more to you than your family?” (Well, duh!)
“You don’t know how much longer we’ll be around. You’ll regret it if you don’t see us at least once a year!” (My horse might not make it through Christmas and I’ll really regret leaving her!)
Paula was stuck between a rock and a hard place. She loved her parents, but…
Chapter 2: Pondering the Mystery
She moved over to Peppi’s other side and began to groom her neck. “Why haven’t I managed to figure out what sets her off every Christmas, Mel? It’s happened enough times now that you’d think I could pinpoint the cause. Or at least get some idea from the staff.” The petite Oldenburg stopped eating for a moment, enjoying the brush strokes.
Melissa was combing the full tail of Groucho, her big bay Swedish Warmblood. “They have temporary staff come in to help over Christmas.”
Paula hesitated a moment; what she was about to say sounded rather silly. “You don’t suppose it’s because she misses me?”
She had often wondered whether it might be the problem, but didn’t think Peppi was that attached to her owner. Yet the only thing that happened every Christmas without fail was the trip to her parents for three days—the only time when Paula didn’t visit her horse.
Otherwise she conscientiously came to the barn daily, either to ride or simply say ‘hello’ to her equine buddy.
Melissa politely pretended to take her friend’s hypothesis into consideration. “You never know,” she said kindly. “It’s not impossible. You do spend a lot of time together.”
“Yes. And then comes that dreaded call every year.”
On Christmas Eve, without fail, the barn would phone to say that Peppi had colic and should they call out the vet? It ruined each and every Christmas for Paula. Since she couldn’t desert her parents (due to the predictable accusations they’d hurl at her) she had to rely on the barn staff and Melissa to take care of the situation. Which ruined their Christmas, too.
“Maybe a change in barn routine over Christmas upsets her?” Melissa suggested.
“I’m never around so I don’t get to find out,” Paula said miserably.
“Well, you need to find out what’s going on. Unless you want Peppi to colic again?”
“Heck, no!”
“Then get sleuthing!” Melissa commanded.
Chapter 3: The Sleuthing Begins
Paula now set out to discover the truth.
First she talked to the manager, Ted Reynolds, a short, wiry, and competent man in his fifties who used to be a jockey in his youth. He really cared about the horses he was responsible for.
“Ted, do the same people come in to cover for the regular staff every year at Christmas?”
“I wish!” he replied with a wry smile. “It’s impossible. Seems no one wants to work hard any more, and it’s tough to get any temporary staff let alone the same people two years in a row.”
“Do they stick to the same feeding and turnout routine? And carry out the chores at the same time as you guys?”
Ted looked hurt at this question. “Of course they do! I’m here every day, and make sure they’re punctual and thorough. Why do you ask?”
“Sorry, Ted, I don’t mean to sound accusatory. It’s just that I’m trying to figure out what makes Peppi colic every Christmas while I’m away. I can’t believe that she’s pining for me.”
“Well, it doesn’t help that you’re gone, but I agree that’s unlikely to be the sole reason for it.”
Paula tried hard to think of something specifically to do with Christmas at the barn that might distress her horse.
Of course! The decorations!
But those always went up a whole week before she set off for her parents’ house. They couldn’t be the problem: Peppi was used to them before her owner disappeared.
However, come to think of it, she was always vaguely aware of something looking different on her return every year, but couldn’t put her finger on it. As soon as she got back she was in the throes of tending to a horse recovering from colic. The way the barn looked was not on her List of Important Things.
Paula wrac
ked her brain for any other Christmas barn events, but came up empty.
She found Melissa in the heated sitting area. It had a large window opening onto the indoor arena and her friend was cleaning off her tall riding boots while watching a couple of riders work through their canter half passes.
“Hey, Paula! Any luck?”
“Not so far. Can you think of anything to do with Christmas that goes on here in my absence?”
“Like what?”
“I dunno. A party, maybe? And I know the place has changed when I get back, but I’m always so focused on Peppi that I never pay attention to my surroundings.”
“Well, they put up the Christmas crib the night of Christmas Eve. And you’re always gone by then.”
Paula’s expression perked up. “I guess that’s what I’m aware of when I get back. What else?”
“That’s it really.”
“But Peppi never seems fussed about the crib when I get home. She doesn’t seem to care about it at all.”
“Maybe she’s used to it by the time you’re back?”
“But why would she be so upset by it that she gets colic then calms down completely? It doesn’t make sense.”
“I have to agree with you. And I’ve not noticed her get upset by it, either.”
Paula groaned. “Then we’re back to square one.”
“Looks like it,” her friend agreed.
“I’m going to sleep on it and hope my subconscious works out another possibility. I don’t have much time left before I fly out.”
“See you tomorrow, then.”
“Yup!”
It was getting dark and all the horses were in for the night.
Peppi’s owner suddenly felt the need to kiss her mare on the nose one more time before driving home. “Please don’t stress while I’m gone this year!”
Chapter 4: The Phone Call
Paula had barely entered her apartment on the outskirts of town when her cell phone rang.
She hastily fumbled in her purse for it and pressed the green answer button just before Beethoven’s Fifth Piano Concerto stopped playing.
“Hello?”
“Paula, darling, I hate to tell you this, but your Uncle Martin has just had a heart attack.”
“Oh, Mom, that’s awful.” Uncle Martin was her mother’s brother. He lived in England with his wife in the Cotswolds, which she always described as “go west then stop just before you reach Wales.”
“He’s in hospital recovering,” her mother was saying, “but it means Aunt Marian is alone dealing with him. Your father and I need to go to England to help out over Christmas.”
“I don’t expect you to come, dear. It’s an expensive flight. But Aunt Marian is beside herself with worry about Uncle Martin and we may need to extend our stay.”
Paula tried to sound upset about this news. “Oh, Mom, I’m so sorry to hear that. But money is really tight right now—I can’t afford the flight to England. Not only that, but my passport is out of date.”
Inside she was rejoicing. While genuinely worried about Uncle Martin, Paula saw her opportunity to be with Peppi this Christmas and get to the bottom of what went wrong every year. At the very least she’d be on hand if the mare got colic again.
“That’s alright, dear. We’ll work something out. Maybe do a late Christmas at Easter?”
“Why not? It would be different.” Now Paula could start worrying about Peppi getting sick over Easter.
Stop it! Be happy that you’re going to stay home this Christmas!
Chapter 5: The Horse Whisperer
That call had just finished when her phone began playing Beethoven’s Fifth Piano Concerto again.
Melissa’s voice sounded excited. “Hey, Paula, I’ve got the answer to your problems!”
“Great! Let’s hear it!”
“I was talking to Janet at the barn and she told me about this wonderful horse whisperer she uses whenever she has a problem with Monty.”
“Sounds a little flaky to me, Mel.”
“I thought so, too. But then she told me that this lady talks to horses long distance. Janet was amazed at what she knew about Monty.”
Paula was still skeptical. “Like what?’
“She told Janet that his left leg hurts. He does have an old suspensory injury and Janet had wondered whether it was acting up, even though there’s no swelling or heat. But she never mentioned it to this lady. She’d only told her Monty’s name, breed, and color. Nothing else. “
“Hmmm, sounds interesting. Anything else?” Hope began to stir in Paula.
“Yes. Monty hates her pressing down on his withers when she tightens up his girth. Janet was sure she didn’t do that, until she rode him after her phone session. And, sure enough, she does!”
“Why didn’t we know about this lady before?! It would have saved me a fortune if I could have asked her what’s bugging Peppi!”
“Apparently she’s only just opened up her practice.”
“Please, please, give me her number!”
Paula called the horse whisperer as soon as she hung up on Melissa—but didn’t get the answer she was looking for.
“I’m afraid I’m fully booked until after Christmas. I can fit you in on January fifth. How does that sound?”
Sounds as if I’ll be in the middle of treating my horse for colic by then, Paula thought dejectedly.
She was bitterly disappointed. For a glorious moment it had looked as if she’d get the answer to this conundrum. But no.
Chapter 6: The Permission
She called Melissa back. She’d forgotten to give her the good news about not having to visit her parents over Christmas and also told her the bad news about not being able to talk to the horse whisperer until January.
“You know that this means, then, don’t you?” Melissa said.
“What?”
“We’re going to have to camp out at the barn on Christmas Eve and find out once and for all what goes on that night.”
“How are we going to do that? Where are we going to sleep?”
“You’re welcome,” her friend laughed.
“Oh, I’m sorry. I mean ‘thank you’ for being willing to help me with this.”
“Hey, if it were my horse, I’d be desperate to know what’s going on. And I think sleeping over at the barn is the only way to do that.”
“But do you have any idea how we can do it without getting into trouble?”
“I think Ted would be happy for you to figure out the problem. Let’s ask him tomorrow.”
Paula agreed it was a good plan. “Have I told you what a good friend you are?”
At the very least a stake out at the barn would be an adventure. Paula hoped Ted would go for it.
Melissa arranged to go with her and help her arguments with Ted. The next day they met at Farthing Boarding Barn just after the horses had been fed. After giving their equine buddies a treat (or two) they watched Ted go into the office and nodded to each other.
Paula knocked on the door. “Here goes nothing!”
“Come in!”
He gave them a friendly smile. “Hello, you two! Must be serious if you’re ganging up on me in pairs.” He waved at the overstuffed armchairs by a glass coffee table. “Take a pew.” He sat opposite them, leaning forwards expectantly.
“Ted,” Paula began, “you know how Peppi gets colic every Christmas?”
He shook his head. “I wish I knew why. It’s a complete mystery.”
“Yes and this year I really want to get down to the bottom of it.”
“But won’t you be gone?”
“Normally, yes. But this year my parents are flying to England to visit an uncle who’s just had a heart attack, and they aren’t expecting me to go over.”
“Sorry to hear that. But then you’ll be here over Christmas? Excellent!”
Paula looked at Melissa for support and her friend smiled encouragingly.
“I hope you still think it’s excellent when I tell you our—I mea
n my—plan.”
“Go on.”
“Would you mind if we stay overnight at the barn on Christmas Eve?”
Ted looked dubious. “Are you sure you want to do that? It gets very cold here at night.”
“It’s the only way to find out what bothers her. Whatever it is happens then.”
“Where would you camp out?”
Melissa said, “We thought we could sleep in the empty stall opposite Peppi. We could put our sleeping bags in there on top of the sawdust.”
“I don’t see why not,” Ted said. “Make sure you lock the barn from the inside. You’ve got my cell number in case of emergency. I live only five minutes away and can be here very quickly.”
“Oh, Ted, thank you so much!”
“Hey, I’d like to find out what’s going on, too!”
Chapter 7: The Pay Off
The two sleuths arrived early afternoon on Christmas Eve to set up their overnight den. The chestnut was out in her field, totally oblivious to the preparations going on for her benefit.
Paula was a light sleeper and knew she’d wake up at the slightest sound. In fact she was worried she wouldn’t be able to doze off at all. On the other hand Melissa admitted to slumbering deeply: her friend would have to rouse her if anything untoward made a sound during the night.
“So basically, I’m on my own,” Paula said.
“Only until I wake up,” Melissa pointed out.
Paula crawled into her sleeping bag on the sawdust bedding to test it out. Wriggling around to create a comfortable nest for herself and make sure there were no lumps, she said, “This is actually pretty cozy. You should try yours.”
Melissa followed suit and agreed. “What more could we ask for? The smell of the barn, a snug warm bed and sleeping right next to our horses!”
“We should do this every night!”
“Let’s just try one night first and see how it goes, shall we?”
The two women fetched in their horses and tacked them up.
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