Whispering Hope by Marsha Hubler Page A

could tell, all Wanda got were a few quizzical looks from the other kids.
    After the Chambers family enjoyed a roast beef dinner at Keystone Stables, Skye waited for Chad to arrive. At one o’clock, the two headed to the training corral with Rebel while Mr. and Mrs. Chambers read the paper inthe living room and Morgan and Wanda did schoolwork at the dining room table.
    From the start, as Skye led Rebel out of the barn, she sensed something different. Is it with Rebel or me? she pondered. Maybe it’s my confidence in my new plan!
    “Chad,” Skye said as she released Rebel into the corral, “I was thinking that maybe I should try the same technique on Rebel that I’ve been planning for Wanda. I have to take my time and not be so forceful—with either of them.”
    “Sounds like a plan, Skye. Go for it,” Chad said, closing the gate behind Skye. He then stood back and watched.
    Rebel, as usual, had already trotted to the opposite side of the corral and had reached his head out over the fence, his whisking tail facing Skye.
    “Here we go, Rebel, boy,” Skye said softly, walking to the center of the corral. Carefully she started twirling her rope, forcing the horse to trot around the perimeter of the pen. After a few laps, Skye reversed Rebel’s direction, running him a few more minutes before allowing him to stop. “Okay, Rebel,” Skye said coiling her rope in her hands, “that was real good.”
    For a moment, Rebel stood in place, staring at Skye while he puffed to catch his breath. Then, as expected, he pivoted and resumed his normal pose, head over the rail, tail toward Skye.
    “What a rascal!” Skye said as she spun around and walked toward the fence on her side of the corral, turning her back toward the horse. “Chad,” she said softly, “I’m going to stay here as long as it takes until he moves. Let me know what he’s doing.”
    “You bet,” Chad said. They both stood and waited.
    And waited…
    Rebel seemed perfectly content gazing at the horses far down in the pasture and completely ignoring Skye. But then, after about ten minutes…
    “He just looked at you, Skye,” Chad said. “Be cool.”
    Skye stared at the back of the house. Inside at the sliding door, Wanda was looking out.
    “He’s turning toward you,” Chad said as Rebel pivoted his body and faced Skye. Skye nonchalantly glanced to her side, watching Rebel’s every move out of the corner of her eye.
    Skye watched Rebel as he released a loud whinny and nodded, his long, flowing mane bobbing with every move. Practically begging for attention, he whinnied again and pawed the ground.
    Skye stood firm.
    “Here he comes,” Chad whispered.
    Skye listened as one hoof beat at a time, Rebel came toward her. She inched her way to the fence, leaned her arms on the rail, and looked the other way.
    Slowly, Rebel came closer…
    And closer…
    Rebel stopped, pawed the ground again, and let out a string of anxious snorts. He was so close now that Skye felt his steamy breath billowing against the back of her neck.
    “He’s about three feet away,” Chad whispered. “Don’t move.”

Chapter Fourteen
    W ith a horse as damaged as Rebel, Skye wasn’t sure what he might do next. He could rear up, or he could try to run. But just maybe…
    “Don’t move,” Chad said. “He’s reaching toward you.”
    Skye waited…
    Another minute passed.
    Finally, the horse’s muzzle nudged her arm and he released a friendly nicker.
    “Easy, Skye,” Chad whispered.
    Skye released a sigh of relief and slowly turned toward the horse. Rebel stretched toward her, his lips starting to nibble her sleeve. Inching her hand toward the horse, she finally stroked the horse’s beautiful black-and-white face.
    “Good boy, Rebel,” she said softly. “We’ve done it. We’re going to be good friends, aren’t we?” She took one careful step to the horse’s side and reached up, stroking his tense arched neck. Softly, he nickered again and then seemed to release his