Ashleigh's Dream

9780061062223

0061062227

Chapter OneWhite fence rails flashed by as Ashleigh Griffen steered up the drive of Townsend Acres. All day long at school, she couldn't stop thinking about her mare, Wonder. The chestnut champion Thoroughbred was due to have her first foal at any time.Ashleigh braked to a stop in front of her parents' house, slid out of the car, and headed directly across the graveled drive to the foaling barn. The rolling pastures of the huge Kentucky breeding and training farm stretched out around her. The grass was a brilliant fresh green, the trees were bursting forth with new leaves, and the air had the soft, sweet scent of April.Ashleigh hurried around the corner inside the foaling barn and nearly collided with her mother. "I heard your car," Mrs. Griffen said excitedly, pushing a strand of her shoulder-length blond hair from her eyes. "Wonder's having her foal!""She is? Oh, my gosh! How is she?""Don't worry; your father and. I have been with her the whole time. So far, so good."Ashleigh rushed ahead into the dimmer light of the barn and ran down the wide, immaculately clean aisle. Her heart was pounding with excitement and fear. Wonder had nearly died at her own birth, and Ashleigh was so afraid the same thing would happen to her foal.Ashleigh saw her father, the barn manager, Bill Parks, and several of the stable hands standing outside Wonder's stall. They turned when they saw her approaching. Her father motioned to her."It"s going well," he said softly.Ashleigh looked in over the stall door and saw Wonder stretched out on the thick bedding of the roomy box stall. The mare lifted her head when she saw Ashleigh and whickered softly."Yes, girl, I'm here!" Ashleighwhispered. "I'm so glad you waited till I got home from school to have your foal." Ashleigh turned to her father. "Can I go in?""I don't see why not if you're careful. She might be a little nervous and confused, especially