An Alternate Universe Vignette: Chapter 15, Part 2
"This is Cha-Cha. A friend of mine found him wandering alone by his property, starving and sick. He's just a baby, but he's already experienced so much hardship that he doesn't trust people."
Don went and sat down in his rocking chair, leaving Nina and Cha-Cha to consider each other's intentions.
Nina approached the foal, extending her palm for Cha-Cha to sniff.
Don tossed Nina a warm, full baby bottle, saying, "He's hungry. Do something for someone other than yourself. "
As Nina fed Cha-Cha, she couldn't stop staring into his big brown eyes. His gaze seemed so genuine. He stole Nina's heart a little bit. She would have to come back every now and then to visit. Maybe Don would even let her feed Ch-Cha again.
To Nina's bewilderment, Don then said, "Now the two of you get out of here. I'm tired. There's a bag of hay by the back porch for you to take with you."
Nina smiled. He had to be joking. "I'll see you later, Don. Thanks for the talk."
Twenty minutes later, after attempting to convince him that she is ill equipped to raise a horse, Nina found herself leading Cha-Cha down the road toward Palomino Junction.
Don had given her a reassuring hug and one last bit of advice before sending her on her way: "This is your chance to be a part of something outside of yourself. To find your purpose. To experience real change. Cha-Cha is going to teach you how."
"Now take your horse and get out, please." Don remarked as he sat back down in his rocking chair.
The Caliente Ranch Master Post
