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Winona was in the kitchen alone when I took a bottle of water froerator She smiled and nodded

“Where is everybody?” I asked softly I’d never spoken to the kindly cook, and I wasn’t sure if she knew English

“Mr Bill is in the side paddock” Her voice had an accent I couldn’t quite place Perhaps she was Indian? “The rest are off playing”

?

?Thanks” I smiled and headed out towards the small pen on the side of the barn

The as dying down, and I knew thataround the side of the weathered-wood barn, I saw Stuart’s uncle holding the reins for the new colt I’d heard he was breaking him in, but I’d never watched him work

He spoke low to the young horse, clucking andsounds with his mouth Occasionally the colt would try to pull away, but for the most part, he see his head They walked around in a half-circle, when Bill glanced up and saatching He led the animal over to where I stood on the fence

“Hey, there,” Bill smiled up at me “Last I saw you, Patrick had you over his shoulder”

Glancing down, I feltthat drink was”

He laughed “No worries The Sip-n-Dip is pretty fa drinks”

“And mermaids”

“Right” He reached out and petted the horse’s nose

“It looks like you’re al him in”

He nodded, reaching up and sliding the bridle off the colt’s head The young horse instantly dropped the bit and turned Bill h

“He’s getting there,” Bill said with a sood horse I expect he’ll give me quite a ride the first time I mount him”