Arlen Blumhagen - The Christmas Pony

The Christmas Pony

By Arlen Blumhagen

Copyright 2012 by Arlen Blumhagen

Cover Copyright 2012 by Ginny Glass and Untreed Reads Publishing

The author is hereby established as the sole holder of the copyright. Either the publisher (Untreed Reads) or author may enforce copyrights to the fullest extent.

This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be resold, reproduced or transmitted by any means in any form or given away to other people without specific permission from the author and/or publisher. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each person you share it with. If youre reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to your ebook retailer and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

This is a work of fiction. Any resemblance to the living or dead is entirely coincidental.

Also by Arlen Blumhagen and Untreed Reads Publishing

Mount: A Mountain Mans Adventures

The Killings in Boulder Valley

Green Beans & Murder (part of the Untreed Reads anthology

The Killer Wore Cranberry: A Second Helping )

http://www.untreedreads.com

Christmas Pony

By Arlen Blumhagen

The Anderson twins, like just about every other kid ever raised in Montana, had asked for a pony since theyd been five. What made the Andersons different was the fact that they lived a few miles outside of town on about three acres of land, so there really wasnt any good reason why mom, Alice, and dad, Alan, couldntpony-up, if you will. Allison and Aaron Anderson figured that out about age seven, and had been relentless since.

Not only did they ask for a pony for their birthday on February 10th, and of course every Christmas, but they also asked for a pony as a Fourth of July present or maybe a Halloween treat. When Mom or Dad asked them to take out the garbage or mow the lawn, the standard answer was, surefor a pony. Then they went and did their chores, because Mom and Dad could only be pushed so far.

Alice and Alan Anderson were more understanding than most when it came to their kids nagging for a pony. The majority of the time they would patiently smile and ignore the kids, and on present-giving events they would usually get something horribly practical and useful like clothes. The Andersons were both teachers at the high school in town, so they didnt have much in the way of fun money.

And then it happened. After a couple years of planning and saving, plus Alan working a deal with a local farmer to help him on weekends in return for feed, the Anderson twins received a pony for Christmas! If theyd known the trouble, the horror, that lay ahead, they most certainly wouldve gone with a puppy.

* * *

It was Christmas 2010, and the Anderson twins were twelve years old. Because ole man Jennings, who theyd gotten the pony from, was going to the city to see his daughter for Christmas, they got their present on December 22nd. The fact that they got the pony a couple days early certainly didnt dampen the twins excitement.

When they saw the Jenningss pickup head down their driveway pulling a horse trailer, then they noticed the ear-to-ear grin and bright red cheeks of their mom, they knew. Allisons and Aarons eyes met, and they knew. They yelled and screamed and jumped up and down until the pickup and trailer rolled to a stop beside the small corral that had always stood empty back behind the house. There was a one-stall livestock and tack shed beside the corral that housed Alans ATV.

You kids hush now, Mr. Jennings warned as he reached for the horse trailer door. Shes just a colt, and is liable to be a bit skittish.

The kids quit screaming, but couldnt help but continue to bounce up and down like a couple of jumping beans out of control. Mr. Jennings went into the trailer and led out the most beautiful pony either of the kids had ever seen. She was a dark reddish-brown that seemed to glow under the winter sun. Her mane and tail were two shades darker than the body. At that moment Allison and Aaron didnt care if they ever got another present for anything, ever again. It wouldnt matter, because they had a pony and would be happy for the rest of their lives; or at least until the next day.

* * *

As the first hint of the coming dawn slowly spread across the big sky of Montana, Allison and Aaron were getting dressedlong underwear top and bottom, warm jeans, and sweatshirts. They tiptoed quietly downstairs, so they didnt wake Mom or Dad, and got into their winter attiresnow boots, snow pants, stocking cap, gloves, and parka. Then they slipped out the backdoor and raced the three hundred feet up to the corral and shed. Dads ATV was parked outside.

The door was open between the stall and the corral, and as soon as the kids boots hit the lowest rail of the fence, the pony came strolling out.

Hot damn, we got a pony! Aaron exclaimed.

Dont swear.

Ahh shut up.

You shut up.

We got a pony!

Yeahwe got a pony. There was something akin to disbelief in Allisons voice. Then a second later her face lit up like a noon sun and an explosion of laughter escaped. Ha-hawe got a pony!

The two jumped down, unlatched the gate, and entered the corral. The pony didnt come running over like the kids hoped, but it didnt shy away when they approached either. Despite the cold, the twins took off one glove each, and after letting the pony get a good get to know ya sniff, they started petting her, rubbing her nose, under her chin, and along her neck.

What are we going to call her? Both kids were giggling with excitement, and Allison had to ask her question around her laughter.

Sox. Aaron didnt hesitate.

Allison checked the ponys lower legs. Shes all one color, she doesnt have socks.

No, stupid. Aaron had to shake his head. Girls could be so dense sometimes. Not socks, S-O-X as in Red Sox.

Youre stupid. Allison too shook her head. Boys could be so frustrating sometimes. And naming her after a dumb ole baseball team is stupid too.

So what do you want to call her?

Allisons eyes were as bright as her smile. Lady Gaga.

What! Aarons disgust was evident. And you thought Sox was stupid? He shook his head violently. There is no way were naming her Lady Gaga! No way!

Well let Mom decide.

No sir!

Why not?

Cause shes a girl.

Youre so stupid! Allison tossed her head and headed for the gate. Im going to get the curry comb and brush her.

I have to pee. Aaron followed his sister through the gate then stepped around the corner of the shed.

Youre gross!

Youre ugly!

Allison stood in the center of the small tack area and took stock of all the new stuff they had to help take care of the pony. There were lead ropes, halters, blankets, several different combs and brushes, and some bottles of stuff. A saddle and bridle would come later when the pony was big enough to carry the kids.

Aaron finished and joined Allison in the shed. They spent another couple of minutes arguing over the ponys name before Allison grabbed the brush and stepped through the door. Aaron lagged behind while he again marveled at his sisters ability to be stupid and totally unreasonable.

Aaron! Aaron, come quick!

Aaron ran out the door, around the corner, and froze. Allison stood a couple feet in front of him, both hands covering her mouth as she stared in horror at the empty corral. Their Christmas pony, the pony theyd dreamt about since they were five, was gone.

It had been a fairly mild winter by Montana standards, and that day promised to be warm, clear into the forties. There had only been a couple of snow storms and most of the snow was gone, but there were still some patches of snow in the shaded areas. Beside the huge cottonwood tree that grew a few feet from the corral was one such place. And in the small patch of snow on the shady side of the tree the twins saw hoof prints, hoof prints leading away from the corral, towards the forest.