Black Stallion's Shadow (21 page)

Alec focused on the shadow falling from the distant stand of trees—the site of one tragedy and the haunting
reminder of another. He sat very still, barely touching the Black with hands or legs. When he shifted his weight forward, the Black stretched out without hesitation, extending himself further. They drew closer and closer to the trees and the waiting shadow. Would he start sending unconscious signals to the Black, Alec wondered. If he did, the Black's reaction when they reached the shadow would tell him so.

The time had come to face his fear, Alec knew. But this time it would be in his own way and on his own terms. It would be impossible to ride the Black the way he was meant to be ridden, to truly become one with the Black, if his fear of shadows remained.

He let his mind go free, thinking of everything and nothing at the same time. Opening his mouth, Alec breathed the rushing wind deep into his lungs. “Go, Black. Go!” he cried, losing himself in the surge of powerful muscles. Wind blurred his eyes, but he wanted to keep them open, he wanted to see … everything.

Dark streaks of shadow rushed up before him. There was plenty of room to swerve if he had wanted, but instinct was guiding Alec's hands and body. He breathed regularly and kept driving straight ahead, riding without any hesitation or tension.

Even before they crossed the shadow line, Alec knew they'd be all right. Something lost had returned to Alec, something hard to describe. It was in the way he received the stallion's back, the way he spoke to his horse with legs and hands. A rush of emotion flooded him. He felt like
he'd just won a race, a very private race against a very powerful rival.

Back at the ranch Alec cooled out the Black, packed his things and brought the Black in from the corral. Ellie met him at the driveway. Wes and Jim stood on the porch, watching them. Jim nudged Wes and gave Alec an exaggerated wink. Ellie and Alec walked around to the other side of the van to say good-bye to each other in private.

“This has been some trip,” Alec said. “Now that it's over, I feel as if I've been playing a part in some old Western movie myself.”

Ellie moved closer to Alec and smiled shyly. “Then I guess this is where you ride off into the sunset.”

“Sunrise would be more like it.”

“I'll miss you, Alec,” she said, waiting for a good-bye kiss.

“How would a good movie cowboy handle this situation? Ah. Now I remember.” He leaned over and kissed the Black on the nose, like a cowboy lonesome for the trail. Ellie laughed and shook her head. They both knew that with a little luck, things could have worked out differently between them. Maybe another time it would.

When he was done loading the Black, Alec gave Ellie a hug and a sisterly kiss on the cheek. He shook hands with Wes and Jim. The old trainer's eyes twinkled. “Come back, Alec, anytime. You and your folks should think about relocating out here. There isn't a better place for raising horses than California.”

Alec grinned. “Thanks for the hospitality. If there's anything we can do …”

“I think we'll be all right now. Say hi to Henry for me.”

Jim popped into the house for a second and came out again holding an eight-by-ten black-and-white photograph.

“Hey, Alec. I almost forgot to give you this. Kramer had it sent over when he heard you were leaving.” He handed Alec an autographed publicity photo of Kramer in full cowboy regalia.

Alec grinned. “Henry'll love this.”

A note was clipped to the photo.
Stop by my restaurant if you come back to California next year
, the note read.
I'm going to name a sandwich after you and the Black—New York style roast beef on Arabian pita bread, with carrot sticks on the side! Happy trails. Your friend, Paul Kramer.

Alec smiled. Roast beef?

S
teven Farley is the son of the late Walter Farley, the man who started the tradition with the best-loved horse story of all time,
The Black Stallion.

A freelance writer based in Manhattan, Steven Farley travels frequently, especially to places where he can enjoy riding, diving, and surfing. Along with the new
Young Black Stallion
series, Mr. Farley has authored
The Black Stallion's Shadow, The Black Stallion's Steeplechaser
, and
The Young Black Stallion
, a collaborative effort with his father.

If you love the Black Stallion books, don't miss this brand-new series by Steven Farley:

Y
OUNG
B
LACK
S
TALLION

#1: The Promise
#2: A Horse Called Raven
#3: The Homecoming
#4: Wild Spirit

And coming soon:
#5: The Yearling
#6: Hard Lessons

Available wherever books are sold