Word Count: 712
The truck slowed to a halt, its age showing as it creaked and moaned. The winter weather and
uneven terrain were not treating the vehicle kindly, and its occupant - Keane - was being treated
just as poorly by the truck's old suspension.
He turned off the truck, opened the driver's door, and climbed out, stretching his aching back. He
had received horses from this ranch before, but he never got used to the ride. In the back of his
mind, he started to wonder whether it was time to invest in a new truck.
Keane walked over to the welcome center at the front of the ranch. In recent weeks, he had
bought one of the ranch's newest imports, a special deal where for a discounted price, you would
be randomly given one of the imports. The deal had been very good: $1000, a bargain considering
Keane had just purchased a mix breed show horse for twice that amount.
As he approached the welcome center, and immediately saw a sign on the gate. It read 'Random
Import Recipients, Head To Stables'. Nodding to himself, he took a left at the welcome center and
headed to where he knew the stables were located.
There was a crowd of people waiting at the stables when Keane arrived, all buyers of horses. They
stood around, shivering in the cold and talking amongst themselves. Keane waited on the outskirts
of the crowd in silence, focused more on the horse than the people around him.
After a while, a ranch employee came into the crowd and started taking everyone's receipts. As their
papers were taken, they were led away to stalls to meet their new horses. Keane held his breath, trying
to contain his excitement.
The employee finally reached him.
"Receipt, sir?"
Keane nodded, handing him the piece of paper. The man took it, looked at it, then broke out into a
smile.
"You're a lucky man, #184 is a real beauty."
Keane smiled as he was directed to the stall. The man left him there, heading back to the crowd. At
first, he couldn't see a horse in the stall at all. It was still early in the day, and all was dark, so Keane
couldn't really see into the stall at all. Stepping closer to the door, he was greeted by a warm breath.
Keane smiled as the stallion stepped forward. He was gorgeous. It was the silver mane that really
made him stand out.
Behind him, he heard footsteps. Turning around, the employee from before was back.
"You ready?"
Keane nodded. "Yeah, I'll go get a lead rope and halter from my truck."
-----
Halter and lead rope at the ready, Keane strode back to the stall. It was easy enough to get the halter
onto the stallion, as it didn't seem to bother the horse. It was the lead rope that was the problem. Once
the stall door was opened, the stallion refused to budge. Keane sighed. He had dealt with many a
stubborn horse in the past, but he never really got used to it.
Digging his feet into the snow, he tugged hard on the rope. The stallion snorted, digging his own feet in,
and horse and man locked eyes. There was a moment of understanding, and each knew that the other
was not about to give in any time soon.
-----
The stand-off lasted almost an hour. The snow had grown heavier in that time, and both Keane and the
stallion were covered in it. For once, Keane was glad for the huge coat his mother had given him.
Finally the cold seemed to get the better of the stallion, and reluctantly he started to walk forward. Keane
was so relieved that he started smiling, and the stallion immediately picked up on this moment of
distraction. The horse bolted, Keane racing after him. They ran all the way to the truck, where the
trailer was already open and waiting. The stallion arrive at the trailer before Keane, and stood right at the
entrance.
"Don't you do it, stallion." Keane hissed.
The stallion tossed his head, snorted once more, and trotted happily into the trailer. Keane rolled his eyes,
closing the door behind him.
"You're an odd one, aren't you?"
