Treasure’s in the Rain

     Warm and dry in the shed, Jet closed his eyes and sighed with contentment. He listened as the rain steadily pattered on the roof. Some of it dripped off the edge of the metal sheeting above onto his nose. Wrinkling his nostrils and snorting softly, he shuffled back a few inches. He licked and chewed until he felt no more of the offending drops on his soft white nose.

Thunder cracked overhead. It was fairly close, but Jet flicked his ears without concern. The shed stood securely around him. The grullo paint had seen many a storm in his twenty-plus years of life. He knew the rhythm of the passing weather. He sniffed the air. No hail coming.He would have been anxious otherwise. The icy precipitation got far too loud under cover. True, it was better than standing out unprotected and being pummeled by the small projectiles, but he preferred the soothing sounds of the rain.

Lightning flashed, and thunder rumbled. But a new sound joined the heavenly orchestra, this one higher pitched. Jet’s eyes flashed open, and his ears stood at attention. Again, a sharp whinny pierced the air, jerking the older gelding from his reverie. His heart quickened at the sound. The call belonged to his little friend, who was still somewhere out in the rain. Jet poked his head out of the mouth of the shed, squinting through the raindrops.

Treasure was easy to spot, as his golden coat stood out from the green grass and brown metal fencing. The little mini was racing around a section of the corral. In his panic, he had forgotten how to maneuver through the maze of fencing back to the shelter where Jet stood. His coat darkened with moisture, and with each lap more mud adhered to his hair.

Stretching out his neck, Jet called to his friend, hoping his comforting voice would guide him home. Treasure didn’t seem to hear, as he kept running and frantically calling out. Sighing, Jet tucked his chin to his chest and trotted out of the shed. He stifled a shiver and tucked his ears back against the strengthening precipitation. More thunder rumbled, and he picked up an easy lope.

Jet’s past career as a cow horse served him well; he navigated the familiar sharp turns of the corrals with ease. He soon reached his friend and stooped his great neck to snuffle his friend’s nose. Although still quivering, Treasure quieted down now that Jet stood beside him.

With a shake of his mane, Jet spun and ran back to the shed. His eyes narrowed at the dampness weighing down his coat, and he picked up the pace. He heard Treasure’s small, hasty footfalls squishing in the mud behind him. They were soon back at the shed, and Jet ducked inside. He spun to face outward, then shook to dry himself.

Treasure came to a sliding stop beside him, his breath still hurried. He smacked his lips anxiously and shook off the excess water. This time when the thunder cracked, Treasure no longer feared it. He simply scooted closer to his tall friend. Treasure’s head only came up to Jet’s chest, and the little mini felt safer in his presence. Treasure sighed and closed his eyes.

Casting a sideways glance at the mini, Jet dozed as he listened to the steady rain tapping on the metal roof overhead.