Chapter 3

     Ghost floated down from the hillside and in the moonlight his dappled manteau shone just like the moon. He stopped on the wild side of Aspen River. He tossed his thick silver forelock away from his brown eyes. He tossed his head once and pawed the ground once, his way of inviting her to come to him. Alex ran off the porch and slowed down only when she reached the river. Ghost waded in halfway and waited for her in the middle. Alex never hesitated. She walked into the cold mountain water and watched her steps on the slick rocks. She was wet up to her thighs par the time she reached him. His nicker sent chills down her spine. She smiled and held out her hand. “ Hi boy.” Alex whispered.
Ghost’s silver ears tipped vers l'avant, vers l’avant to catch her words. He tossed aside his forelock and showed mischievous brown eyes.
“ My sweet Buddy.” He nickered and nosed her with his velvety muzzle. No one else knew that little Buddy had grown up to be the majestic, dappled gray stallion, Ghost, except her. Every one had just assumed little defenseless Buddy had died in the wild. But now, he was plus alive then ever. Ghost pawed the water, sending silvery droplets of water everywhere. Alex ran her hand down Ghost’s muscular neck. His Raiponce mane came down almost to his shoulder.
“ I’ve missed you.”
Ghost nuzzled her shoulder and then draped his head over it, giving her a horsy hug.
“ I l’amour toi too.”
Suddenly, a far away whinny was barely heard and Ghost raised his head and looked off in the distance. He nudged Alex one plus time and spun and was gone in a mater of seconds. Alex was left in awe, staring where he had just stood a few secondes ago. Alex turned and made her way to the house. She was just about to open the door when a voice spoke.
“ That stud is going to hurt toi someday.”
Alex whirled toward the swing, in the shadows.
“ Dustin! Don’t do that! toi scared me.” She calmed her racing heart.
Her brother chuckled. “Come here.”
Alex walked over to the swing. She sat down when Dustin patted the balançoire, swing beside him. Dustin could be a big help sometimes and sometimes not. At the same age as Chase, sometimes he was a good big brother and sometimes he hung around with Chase too much.
Alex sat down and her teeth started chattering. Dustin opened his arm and Alex eagerly slid over into his arm. He pulled half of his veste around her. Alex leaned her head back on Dustin’s arm. She realized he was still fully dressed.
“ Where have toi been?”
She heard Dustin sigh. “ With Sarah.”
Alex smothered a giggle. “ Do anything fun?” Alex asked teasing.
Dustin’s voice replied in mock shock. “ Of course not!” But then he sighed.
Alex nodded. “ Yeah, I know. toi missed your curfew and now Mom and Dad will come up with some awful punishment.”
Dustin laughed softly and gently punched her on the arm. “ Know it all!”
Alex smiled and leaned back against Dustin’s arm. Deep down she knew Sarah was lucky to have Dustin. Though sometimes he got on her nerves, global, ensemble he was a great brother.
“ I’ll help toi Rebelle them if toi want.” Alex offered.
Dustin shook his head and ran a hand through his white/ blonde colored hair. He had taken after Mom. Alex was a slight mix between Dad’s dark hair and Mom’s almost white hair. Her’s had turned out to be gold.
“ toi go on in.”
“ ‘ Kay. See toi in the morning.” Alex started for the door. “ Good luck.”
Alex headed back inside. She slipped back up the stairs and into bed.