A Filly Named Sienna

PICTURE #3

by Faith H. 

Andi Carter met the gaze of the elegant chocolate mare. Its eyes were a soft hazel and she gazed deep within Andi’s core, trying to decide if this girl could be trusted around her baby. Concluding that she could, Sahara walked toward Andi and rubbed her nose against her elbow.

Andi laughed. “Oh, you’re so pretty. And you,” the young girl looked at the brand-new filly who had just begun to walk. “You are such a cutie! What’s your name?”

“Haven’t decided yet.”

Andi jumped at the unexpected voice. An older man strode over to the corral and leaned over on his elbows, just like Andi was doing; only she had to step up onto the first fence railing to see the baby.

Clay continued, “You got any ideas? I thought of namin’ her Amber, being the golden color that she is, but it just don’t seem to fit. You know what I mean, Miss Carter?”

Andi nodded emphatically. “Yep, I sure do. What about Autumn, or Misty, or Empress, or Sienna?”

“Whoa, there, young lady!” Clay laughed. “Sienna, ya say? Hmm. I like that. What do you think?”

Andi beamed with pride. “I love it!”

Clay scratched his chin thoughtfully. “It’s sure a pity, though.”

“What is, Mr. Moss?” Andi looked up curiously, putting her hand up to shield her eyes from the California sun.

“Well, I’m gonna sell her at the auction next week. It being the town fair an’ all… and I’m a bit down on cash, if you catch my meaning. She could catch a good price. Course I’d have to keep her till she’s able to feed on grain.” He sighed.

“You’re going to sell her?” Andi sadly gazed at the foal that was innocently milking her mother.

“Yes, and I wish there wasn’t a need for it. She’s a healthy un’ too. Why if I could, I’d give her to my young’un, Kate. How she loves this little filly!”

Andi’s lips pursed at the mention of Kate. Andi had made an attempt at being friendly when the Mosses moved to town earlier that year, but Kate had been quite rude in return, and Andi felt as if they could never be friends.

At least her father is kind.

Suddenly, an idea sparked, and Andi’s eyes brightened. “Can I buy her? Please, can I?” Andi bounced with excitement. Even at the age of nine years-old, Andi Carter knew more and loved horses more than any other girl in the town of Fresno.

More than Kate at any rate.

Clay laughed again. “Why, Miss Carter, what would your brother say about that?”

*******

“No!”

Andi clenched her fist, getting flustered. “But Chad---”

“No, Andi! I can’t even count how many times you’ve asked me to buy this horse and that horse and any horse that your little heart desires. No, sis.’”

 “But, Chad, this filly’s different,” Andi pleaded with her brother, following as he determinedly strode about the ranch, checking up on something with Sid, the foreman.

“Just like the last one? Sorry, Andi.”

“Aww, but---”

“No ‘buts.’ Not this time. Now I’ve got things to do. Sorry sis. See you later.” With that, he disappeared behind the huge barn and headed for the bunkhouse.

Discouraged, Andi slowly made her way around the other side of the barn and wandered inside. Coming up to her own horse’s stall, she faintly smiled. “Hey, Taffy.”

The palomino neighed a greeting. Andi reached into a bucket full of grooming supplies by Taffy’s stall door and snatched up a grooming brush. “I might as well brush you out.” She stroked Taffy’s neck with one hand and brushed her back with the other.

“Oh, Taffy, if only Chad would give in. Just this once. That filly was so pretty! Her coat was golden, like yours, and she was so small and adorable.” She sighed. “I would take care of her. Really, I would.”

Taffy nickered as is if to say, “I understand.”

Footsteps approached and a man’s figure entered the barn with a shovel in his hands. “Oh, Buenos días, señorita.”

“Hi, Diego.”

“You look troubled, señorita. What bothers you?” Diego asked with a friendly smile.

“Well,” Andi stalled, trying to determine if she should confide in the hired hand. Taffy randomly swished her tail at a fly, urging Andi to speak.  “Well, there’s this filly.”

A grin crept onto Diego face. “Oh, a filly, eh?”

Andi nodded. “Yes, she’s beautiful, and Clay Moss is going to sell her at the fair next week. I asked Chad if we could buy her, but---”

“But he said no? I’m not surprised.  I know you have asked many times to get a new filly. Miss Andi, why don’t you just enjoy your own horse, Taffy?”

Diego motioned to the mare that Andi was brushing. A shiny golden coat quilted her back and a creamy mane settled on her shoulders and neck. Feeling the attention aimed toward her, Taffy shook her head and nickered.

Diego chuckled. “See how much she loves you? You two are a good team.”

Andi knew what he was saying was true, but she still couldn’t shake the excitement of owning that sturdy, beautiful foal. Sienna’s soft brown eyes still pictured in Andi’s mind. “I know you’re right, Diego, but this is different.”

Diego shrugged then went about his business and left Andi to her thoughts.

Sienna. What an opportunity! I could get back at Kate and have a prime horse of my own. I’ve got to have her!

*****

“Mother?” Andi peeked inside the sitting room to make sure there were no guests momentarily present.

“Yes, honey?” Elizabeth Carter’s voice wafted softly through the doorway.

“Well,” Andi entered the room as she spoke and went to her mother’s side. “Well, Clay Moss has this filly---”

Elizabeth suddenly laughed. “Oh, sweetie, Chad told me about your conversation the other day. God has given you a soft and loving heart toward animals. I’m glad He did.”

“So, can we?” Andi asked.

“Can we what?”

“Buy Sienna?”

“Oh, what a pretty name.” Elizabeth smiled. “Honey, you already have Taffy. You should enjoy her.”

Andi looked down, disappointed. “That’s what Diego said.”

“And you didn’t believe him?”

“I did, I just . . .” Andi’s words faltered.

“You just didn’t? Dear, you’ve got to be grateful for what you have.”

“I am, Mother. Truly I am. But am I being ungrateful by wanting something more?”

“Maybe not ungrateful. Perhaps unsatisfied?”

Andi sighed. “Maybe.”

“Why don’t you get your mind off this matter and go ride Taffy to the creek, or go to your room and read? The fact is I don’t think Chad has time to deal with a foal at the moment. Though I’m sure she quite wonderful.”

Andi met her mother’s gaze and smiled. She always seemed wise and knew how to answer. Andi whispered, “Alright Mother. I’ll go read,” even though Sienna’s eyes still melted her heart.

****

Andi swung her bedroom door open. Glancing at her vanity, she determined to pick up whatever book lay there. Her black Bible sat quietly untouched, like it had been for the last few days. She gingerly picked it up and held the book to her nose, taking in the rich scent of leather.

Then she walked over to her bed and flung herself among the pillows and carefully set eiderdown quilt. After opening her Bible up to wherever her hands led, and finding herself in Nehemiah, she decided she’d read somewhere else.

But where do I start? Then an idea occurred to ask her sister, Melinda, who was always reading in God’s word.

Andi slipped off the bed and made her way to the neighboring bedroom door. Thumping on it brought a sweet voice to answer, “Yes, Andi, you can come in.”

Seeing her sister pinning up her hair made Andi smile. As if you hadn’t already done it this morning. She cleared he throat. “I was wondering where you read in the Bible this morning.”

Melinda smiled pleasantly.  “This morning I read in Matthew 5. It’s a lovely chapter.”

“Matthew 5?”

She nodded. “Yes. Why?”

Andi gave a playful smile. “Oh, just wondering.” Then she skipped out the room and made her way to her cozy bed. Again, she opened the precious book and searched for Matthew 5 and found it. Her eyes skimmed over verse after verse until suddenly she stopped short.

This one verse seemed to pierce her heart and caused her to read it again.

“But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you.”

The words “bless those who curse you” and “good to those who hate you” stuck out. Guilt suddenly stacked higher than Saturday morning’s load of pancakes—with sticky regret as a syrup to soak in.

Andi knew that that verse was exactly what she was not doing to Kate. Was getting back at Kate, really my only reason for wanting Sienna? I’m sorry Lord. I was upset at Kate when she was rude to me. But either way, Sienna is still a wonderful filly!

Andi surprised herself by sighing with relief. Carrying the burden of needing to settle scores wasn’t easy. Andi gently closed her Bible and stood up. She knew what she had to do.

****

            “You want to do what?”

            “Buy Kate Moss Sienna,” Andi replied confidently.

            “But honey, I thought her father was the one who owned Sienna,” Elizabeth asked, confused.

            “Yes, he does. He told me they needed the money, but Kate really likes Sienna, and if he could, he would give her to Kate. I feel like that’s what I should do.”

            “Are you absolutely sure you would like to do this? It’s a fine thing to do, but you would have to pay part of the price for Sienna. I’ll pitch in, but remember, it’s your gift.”

            Andi gave a rapid nod. “Yes, Mother, I really want to do this. I think Kate will like it.”

            Elizabeth wrapped Andi in a swift hug and chuckled. “I know she will. You are such a dear, Andrea. I think we might be able to do that. How much does Mr. Moss want for this famous filly?” Elizabeth asked with a playful tone. “From what you’ve told me, she’s fine horseflesh.”

            “I’m not sure. But I could ask.”

****

            Mr. Moss was overjoyed when he learned of the Carters wanting to buy his foal. The day before the town fair quickly arrived and found Chad and his little sister in the Mosses’ small corral, standing beside the chocolate mare and her baby.

            “You were right, Andi. She is a wonderful filly,” Chad whispered in Andi’s ear. His words brought a smile to Andi’s lips.

            “As I was sayin,’ Mr. Carter,” Clay continued, “I’ll have to keep her ‘til she’s weaned from her mama. After that, you can take her when you like. Unless, course, you’d like to take Sahara and the filly to your ranch until that point in time. Either way, it’s your choice. I’m sure thankful for you to be doing this. Makes me feel better than selling her to just some stranger at the auction tomorrow.”  

            Andi put her head against Sahara’s warm body for a moment. Sahara tenderly shook her mane and a soft nicker rustled into the air.

            “The fact is, Mr. Moss, that we don’t want to take Sahara or her baby. Ever! ”Andi stated, matter-of-factly.

            Chad laughed at Clay’s puzzled expression. “What Andi meant was that we’re buying Sienna but giving her back to you. Or more specifically—”

            “To Kate.” Andi interrupted. “I’d like to give her to Kate.”

            “If,” Chad shot a playful frown at Andi, “that’s okay with you. It’s a present from Andi.”

            Clay was speechless. He seemed to be groping for words. “Er, I mean, if you want, I—” Then he suddenly threw back his head in laughter. “Of course, that’s okay with me! Whew!”

He took off his hat and wiped his forehead with the back of his sleeve. “Thank you very much, Miss Carter. You have no idea how much this will mean to my Kate. Why, she’ll be so excited!”

            Andi smiled at Clay’s excitement.

            “Kate’s in the house if you’d like me to go get her,” Clay offered.

            At a nod from Andi, Clay was gone in search of his daughter.

            “You know,” Chad smiled at his little sister. “I’m proud of what you’re doing, sis.’” He ruffled her hair. Andi’s heart bubbled over with delight.

            Clay quickly returned, and he invited Chad into their barn to show him some of their new livestock and left Andi and Kate alone.

            Andi made the first move. She cleared her throat. “I’d like to give you Sienna, if you want her.” She inwardly sighed. Well, that didn’t sound too inviting. She’s probably just going to say, ‘NO Thanks, if it’s from you!’ and storm off.

            Kate’s eyes suddenly brimmed over in tears and Andi was taken back with surprise. “I’m sorry, Andi. I’ve wanted to apologize for my behavior when you tried to be friendly a few months ago, but I could never build up the courage to say so at school. I thought I could brush it off. But it’s been eating at me and—” Here her voice choked and she couldn’t continue.

            Andi was speechless and just stared.

“Andi, I don’t know why you’d buy Sienna for me, of all people. I certainly don’t deserve it.” Kate attempted to dry her tears. 

At last Andi replied, “It’s okay, Kate. I—” She paused. “I should have been more forgiving.”

At this, a grateful smile crept onto Kate’s lips making Andi smile wide. “You know, all the kids will be jealous when they learn that you got yourself your own filly. Hey, I was wondering if you were going to the fair tomorrow and, if you were, if you wanted to walk around with me.”

Kate nodded. “Oh, that sounds like so much fun!”

****

That night, the pale sliver of a moon and a vast amount of stars lay strewn across the dark sky. Out on a ranch, a pair of young eyes belonging to an almost-asleep child was watching them in awe through her window. This child was content with the day’s events, and grateful for the outcome of forgiveness.

Excitement settled deep in her heart. Not only for her new friendship, but also for tomorrow. After all, tomorrow was the fair, and a little girl had every opportunity to get into trouble.

The moon rays bent down and kissing the sleeping child’s cheek, bade her a soft goodnight.

 AGES 8-13 GOOGLE VOTING FORM >>