For Sale or Swap - Alyssa Brugman [11]
The man shook his head. 'Nine. That's not too old.'
'Her . . .' Shelby didn't want to sound rude. 'Her nose is a funny colour, and her eyelashes.'
'She's had her face in a bucket of bran all the way up here,' he explained, giving her nose a stroke. Some of the powdery bran came off in his hand. 'It's just a bit of dust, that's all. Do you want to hop on?'
The man helped Shelby saddle the pony, adjusting the straps of the bridle so that they fitted. Remembering what Hayley had said about wanting her horse to go to a show home, she said, 'This is just some old gear I've got. All my good stuff is at home.'
'Is that so?' murmured the man. He grabbed Shelby by the calf, hoisting her onto the pony's back.
Shelby walked her around in a large circle. The little pony arched her neck over, the way the fancy horses did at Pony Club. Shelby smiled, squeezing with her calves, and the pony moved into a trot, bending her body around Shelby's leg.
'Let's see what you've got,' whispered Shelby, squeezing a little harder.
The mare tossed her head and lifted her back legs in the air in a mighty kick. Shelby was thrown forward, but managed to keep her seat.
The man cupped his hands around his mouth. 'You might want to give her a minute before you get into it. She's been cooped up in that truck all morning with a belly full of breakfast.'
Shelby slowed to a walk and then asked the pony to halt. She stopped, chewing at the bit.
'What do you think?' asked the man.
'She looks wonderful. I haven't really had a chance to see what she can do yet.' Shelby patted the pony on the shoulder. 'What's her name?'
'Maxshine Celtic Copper,' said the man. 'But I've been calling her Brat.'
A three-barrelled name. Ever since she first started learning about horses she had dreamed of having one with a three-barrelled name.
'Does she have papers?' she asked. She'd always wanted to have a horse with papers. She had no idea what was on the papers, but it sounded important.
'Yep,' said the man. 'Do you like her?'
Shelby didn't know how anyone could not like her. 'She's gorgeous. How can you give her up?' The man stroked the pony gently on the neck. 'I'm looking for a beginner's horse. I've got to tell you that Brat can be a bit of a handful at times, which is fine if you're capable.' He peered at Shelby from beneath his bushy eyebrows. 'Do you think you're capable?'
Shelby nodded. 'I can try.'
'So do we have a deal?' said the man.
She tilted her head to the side. She hadn't talked it through with her parents yet.
'You mean, right now?' she asked.
The man nodded. 'No time like the present.'
'I think I should talk to my mum about it first,' she said.
The man bit his lip and frowned. 'I tell you what. We'll have a trial. You keep Brat for two weeks and if you're not happy with her, ring me and we'll swap back. What do you say?'
'And you'll take Blue?'
The man nodded. 'If you're not satisfied with her, you can call me. Does that sound fair?'
Shelby didn't like the idea of just sending Blue off without seeing where he was going. 'Can I visit him?'
'Of course,' said the man, smiling. 'You've got my number. Give me a tinkle and we'll arrange it.'
'Can I come over tomorrow?'
'No problem,' said the man.
That sounded fair. Besides, he'd come all this way with the truck, and Brat looked to be in good shape. If he were a bad owner then she would look unhealthy. Still, Shelby wasn't sure.
The man looked at his watch. 'I've actually got someone else who wants to look at her this morning. I can take her over to them, and when you make up your mind, you can phone me. I have to say, though, if you want her, you'd better be quick. I've had a lot of calls.'
Shelby knew that if somebody else saw her, they'd want her. At least if she took the trial she'd stop Brat going to somebody else while she decided.
'OK,' said Shelby. 'We can have a trial.'
'Good,' said the man. 'Do you want to say goodbye to your little fellow?'
Shelby threw her arms around Blue's neck. 'I love you very much,' she whispered into his ear. 'I'll come and