Sunny arrives at the Stable

[ashlea]

Danielle stood impatiently beside the smallest of the paddocks, twirling her hair around a finger in an almost unconcious habit as she eagerly awaited the arrival of her new gelding. "Where is he?" she murmured and glanced at her watch, a small frown wrinkling her forehead while the second hand made its way around the watch for a fourth time. Danielle turned when she heard the sound of a truck approaching the stables, and with an audible sigh of relief, she went to go and see if Berrima Dark Sunshine had finally arrived. A tall man slowed the horse trailer and carefully parked it. "Miss Smith?" he asked, closing the door and walking around the back of the trailer. "Yes, and this is Dark Sunshine?" Danielle queried and the man nodded. "Yep, trucked him all the way from the stud." Danielle smiled, trying to hide her excitement that would otherwise have her dancing around the stableyard with glee. She stepped forward to help hold the gate of the paddock open, and the ramp was slowly set down to the restles pawing of a horse who was eager to be let loose. The man walked up the ramp and then several minutes later, reappeared holding the lead rope of a leggy palomino, backing the gelding slowly down. His coat gleamed in the morning light, and he looked around with pricked ears and an interested expression. Danielle stepped forward to take the lead and the gelding's head was raised as he tested the air of his new surroundings for the scent of the other horses boarded at Hidden Valley. "He's beautiful," she enthused and the man nodded again, hastily scribbling something down on the clipboard that he carried. "I'll just turn this fellow out and then pay you," Danielle remarked and she led the palomino through the gate and out into the lush field. Bending to remove his tendon boots, Sunny nudged her, and Danielle laughed and stood up, giving him an affectionate pat.

Shortly after, the truck shifted into gear and headed back down the winding driveway of Hidden Valley and out onto the main road. Danielle watched it go with a smile, and then turned back to the paddock, her smile groing wider as her gaze settled on her new horse.