The day that Jenna’s tiny family moved, the weather was bleak and wet. Jenna peered out the slightly fogged-up window and up at the overcast sky, which was heavy with more rain to come. She shuddered as the small, rickety car swerved on the slick, water-coated pavement. With the edge of her coat sleeve, she rubbed away some of the fog on the window so she could see outside. Everything looked the same: miles of open green pasture, and fences stretching as far as the eye could see. Occasionally, small chicken farms and silos broke the barren landscape. Otherwise, there was nothing interesting to see.

Life had become quite sad for Jenna. She lived with her adoptive mother and her brother, Kaden, but it had always been that way, just the three of them, living together in Los Angeles. Then, “for a change in atmosphere”, as her mother had described, they had packed up their belongings, put what didn’t fit in their pitiful Volkswagen into a moving van, and drove north, where all of the farmland was.

Jenna leaned back in the comfort of the seat, retreating deeper into her thick red coat. Her eyes shifted over to Kaden. He was fast asleep, his forehead pressed against the ice-cold window, his pink lips pouting in a round little O. She had to smile. He was an adorable four-year-old, with chubby cheeks, a rounded chin, long eyelashes and very straight brown hair, his bangs chopped in a neat little line across his forehead, nearly covering his eyebrows.

Although he was related to Jenna, Kaden looked nothing like her. The thirteen-year-old had recently gone to a cheap beauty salon, where the hair stylist had attempted to cut her straight, strawberry-blonde hair into a bob. Her eyes were round and expressive, a light blue, and her freckles stood out against her milky-white skin.

“We’re almost there,” her mother said softly. Jenna ignored her, but chanced another look out the window.

“Almost where?” she asked in her best ‘I-don’t-like-this-situation’ voice. The place was deserted.

The car was now huffing and puffing down a rough gravel road. The rain was coming down harder now, the fat little drops battering the vehicle with sharp taps.

“Our new house is just at the end of this road,” her mother replied, turning on the windshield wipers.

Jenna craned her neck to look through the front window. Sure enough, a looming brown form was crouched off in the distance. As they came closer, she realized that the one-story ranch house was made entirely of wooden planks. White, ivory-colored antlers were very visible above the garage door, and on the porch, a rocking chair had been blown against one log railing from the force of the wind.

Kaden was jolted awake as his mom slammed on the brakes, stopping just in time to avoid hitting a scampering woodchuck.

“Are we there yet?” His voice was high and whiny from fatigue. He stretched and began to squirm impatiently.

“Yes,” said Mom. “We are.”

With that, she pulled into the gravel driveway, finally stopping. For a few minutes no one moved, said, or did anything. The rain’s pelting became almost deafening. Jenna put on her best frown. She refused to like this place, despite the large acreage, miles of fences, and nice, homey ranch house. She wanted to return to her brightly colored loft apartment in L.A., and be surrounded by the hum and buzz of the city again.

“Well, are you two ready to make a run for it?” asked Mom.

“What about our stuff?” Jenna asked grumpily.

“We can get it when the rain stops. I have the key to the house, so we should be able to get inside where it’s warm and dry.”

“Whatever,” Jenna mumbled. Suddenly, she lurched open the door with a squeak, and bolted from the car, skittering straight to the porch with little effort. Her mom and Kaden quickly followed suit, joining her up on the wooden planks.

“This place is too dusty,” Jenna complained, swiping her finger across the windowsill and withdrawing, critically eyeing the dark gray dust she had collected. Kaden sneezed.

“I’ll sweep when the rain stops,” Mom said, shading her eyes and peering out into the green and gray world of nothing but open fields. She reached into her pocket and pulled out a small brass key. She thrust it into the old lock, and with a click, turned the handle and opened the door.

The ranch house was very open, yet very dark on the inside. Everything, from the floor to the walls, was made of polished wooden boards and covered in a thick layer of gritty dust. To Jenna’s disgust, a deer head gazed at them from above the empty fireplace with flickering glass eyes. A table and chairs, made out of logs, had been pushed against a far wall, next to a sagging couch, which was covered in an old Mexican blanket.

“Didn’t the previous owners clean up?” Jenna asked, staring.

“No. We got the house cheap,” Mom replied, pushing her inside. “Look! You’re the first one in the house!”

Jenna just glared.

“Mommy, there’s a deer staring at me,” Kaden squeaked. He stared directly at the animal’s glass eyes.

“It’s gross, isn’t it, Kaden?” Jenna hissed.

“Go down the hall and fight each other for the best bedroom,” Mom encouraged. This excited Kaden, and he pounded through the kitchen and into the little hallway behind it. Jenna followed slowly. She was not interested in living here.

Jenna picked a medium-sized room, which overlooked the vast backyard, if one could call it that. It simply looked like an empty plain, although there was a small grove of scrawny trees just a few feet from the house. They looked like some sort of fir tree. Jenna sniffed.

The walls were white, and made of plaster, but the ceiling and floor were made of polished oak. I suppose I can make the best of this, Jenna silently thought as she collapsed on the empty bed frame. It sagged nearly all the way to the floor, and she sighed with frustration, tightly closing her eyes, and grimacing at the thought of all of the hard work it would take to make this room likeable.

By that evening, Jenna had unpacked all of the possessions from her suitcase, and pushed a few empty crates under her bed for support. Her favorite blanket was spread neatly across the mattress, and some of the posters of her favorite rock band were already hanging up on each wall, the closet door, and above her bed. Her glass animal figurines were perfectly arranged on her windowsills. Her mom called her for dinner, and Jenna took one last look around the room before shutting the door.

“So, are you two settled in yet?” Mom asked, spooning some soggy canned fruit cocktail next to Jenna and Kaden’s pitiful sandwiches. They wouldn’t have a real dinner until the next day, when they could go shopping.

Kaden, who was perched in one of the wooden chairs, nodded his head up and down, his legs swinging back and forth and making rhythmic tapping sounds as the back of his sneakers hit the wood.
“Jenna?”

Jenna shrugged. She wasn’t settled in, and she would never be. She wanted to go back to Los Angeles!

“The movers should come tomorrow. In the meantime, we will make the best of what we have,” said Mom.

Again, Jenna simply shrugged. “I’m not hungry.” She threw her uneaten food and paper plate into a trash bag that hung on the back of one chair, and then stretched.

The rain had stopped for a while, so she ventured outside. The taste of sunlight calmed her down a little. She leapt off of the porch without using the steps, and walked a little ways down the road. Where did it go?

Insects made buzzing and chirping noises from the long and dry golden grass. A soft breeze made the grass stalks dance, and fluffy white clouds kept the sunlight to a minimum, so the temperature was pleasant. Jenna picked up a stick that was sitting in the earth by the roadside, and walked along with it sticking out, hitting the wooden fence poles as she trudged farther from the ranch.

She stopped and gazed back uncertainly at the still house when she reached the paved road. Her mom was going to worry, but she did not care. She threw her stick as far as she could, and it was lost in the massive sea of grass. The girl kept walking, even when she lost sight of the house. Where was everyone?

Her question was answered when she spotted a large moving figure out a great distance down the road. It came closer and closer, until she finally made out what it was: a young boy riding on a horse!
He stopped when he saw her. The boy was unlike the boys in L.A. He wore an oversized plaid shirt, a white cowboy hat, worn jeans, and brown boots. The horse looked like an old one. It was dun with a black mane and tail.

“Hello, there,” the boy said.

“Hi,” Jenna said shyly.

“I’m Aaron and I live just a mile down the road with my six horses. What’s your name? Where do you live?”

Jenna reached up and touched the horse’s soft, gray nose. “My name is Jenna Rosen. I live in a ranch back that way,” she pointed, “with my mom and my brother, Kaden.”

“What about horses?” Aaron asked, giving his a strong pat on the side of the neck.
“Don’t have any,” Jenna said.

“No? Everyone in this town has at least one horse! Do you know how to ride?”

Jenna smiled feebly, and then shook her head. “I’ve never ridden before.”

The boy looked incredulous, and wiped a bead of sweat from his brow, fanning his reddened face with his hat. “Whew! I’m hot!” He exclaimed, and then chuckled. “What would you say if I let you ride Belize back to your house?” he offered.

“I don’t know how,” said Jenna, but excitement was squeezing her chest. This was an awesome opportunity!

“Here, I’ll help you on.” Aaron got off, and knitted his fingers together, like a stepstool for Jenna. “Put your left foot in my hands, grab the saddle horn, and swing your right leg over,” he instructed. “Don’t worry; Belize’s well trained. He’s eleven years old!”

Jenna shakily climbed into the saddle. It was a lot higher up than she had expected! Aaron smiled. “Now just relax, and rock with the horse’s motion. Hold onto the saddle horn, and I’ll lead Belize up to your house. You move into that big wooden ranch down the left road?” he asked.

“I think so,” said Jenna. “It’s a ranch, it’s big, it’s made of wood, and it’s down a gravel road to the left.”

Aaron nodded. “I know where that is. An old man in his wife used to live there; nice folks, they were. Now, relax.” He began to walk, Belize following right behind him.

Jenna loved this! It was a little uncomfortable, but she felt so free and independent on the creature’s warm back. She even leaned up against his neck, feeling his coarse mane.

“So, how old are you?” Aaron asked her.

“Thirteen.”

“Thirteen?” He looked back at her, grinning. “Really? I thought you were ten!”

Jenna blushed. “I do look a little young,” she admitted, petting the horse’s mane.

“Guess how old I am,” instructed Aaron. He took a long piece of yellow grass out of his back pocket, and began to chew on it. His dark hair, which was just visible under his cowboy hat, hadn’t been cut in a while. He began to walk backwards, facing Jenna, but Belize’s steps never faltered. The horse’s hooves made calming clip-clop sounds on the asphalt.

Jenna stared into Aaron’s hazel eyes for a minute, contemplating. “Seventeen?” she blurted out.

He laughed. “I wish! I’m just fifteen,” he confessed. “Gonna get my driver’s license next year. Thankfully I don’t need a license to ride a horse!”

Jenna was smiling so much that her face hurt. “That’s a good thing!”

They had reached the gravel road. Aaron steered Belize to the left, and they began the long walk to Jenna’s house. Jenna could make out the figures of her mother and brother on the porch if she squinted.

“Horse!” Kaden called out when the teenagers approached them. Mrs. Rosen stood with her hands on her hips, her lips pursed.

“Uh-oh,” Jenna said.

Aaron glanced swiftly up at her. “What’s ‘uh-oh’?” he asked.

Jenna brushed a lock of hair back behind her ear. “Mom looks mad; I didn’t tell her where I was going,” she explained.

He smiled. “Little troublemaker, eh?” He smirked. “I’ll cover for yeh, kiddo.”

“Jenna!” Mrs. Rosen rushed over to her daughter, ready to be protective. She seemed like she wanted to sweep the girl off the horse, but drew back in fear of the large animal.

Aaron grinned ear to ear. “Everything’s okay, ma’am. I let your daughter ride my horse, which I must point out, is very well trained. There was no danger. In fact, Jenna’s a natural. I hope you’re going to let her get a horse, or at least allow her to take lessons.” He took the grass out of his mouth, and tossed it aside.

Kaden looked at him with huge eyes, which were shining with admiration. “Are you a cowboy, mister?”

Aaron laughed and affectionately rumpled the little kid’s hair. “I wanna be one, but Mom would have a fit. If I wanna be one, though, then I’ll be one.” Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Jenna tense as if ready to jump down from Belize’s back.

“Here, let me help you there.” He took the girl’s hands and made sure she didn’t fall as her feet hit the gravel.

“Thanks.” She blushed as a feeling of shyness consumed her. She hoped her face wasn’t red. “That’s the most fun I’ve had in a long time.”

“Do you have the time?” Aaron politely asked Jenna’s mom.

She took a peek at her wristwatch. “Yes, it’s about a quarter ‘till seven.”

Aaron whipped off his hat and took an awkward bow. “Best I be getting home now,” he said. “I’ll see you around. Nice to meet you, Jenna.”

Jenna waved. “See you, Aaron.” She stood with her mother and her brother, who was now running about the driveway as if galloping on horseback, and watched Aaron mount his gelding and trot off down the road.

“It’s nice to see you making friends,” her mom said cheerfully as they went back inside the house. “But next time, tell me where you’re going.”

“Right now I’m going to bed,” Jenna sighed.

Her mom’s eyebrows furrowed together in a frown of concern. “Why, Dear? Are you feeling ill?” She attempted to feel Jenna’s forehead for fever, but the girl pulled away.

“No. I just want some time alone to think.”

Her room was welcoming, but Jenna flopped onto her bed with a slight sigh of homesickness. The mattress springs groaned in protest.

Jenna did what she had said she would; she gathered her thoughts. Her feelings were turbulent. There was apprehension; when school started next month, would she fit in? There was excitement; she had a new friend, who actually owned six horses! There was sadness; was meeting Aaron betrayal of her friendships back in L.A.? Jenna eventually fell asleep when the last light disappeared from the clear evening sky.

“Morning, Honey,” her mom greeted her the next morning as Jenna shuffled into the kitchen, still wearing her clothes from the day before.

“Mom, where’d you get the coffee?” she asked, rubbing her eyes.

“I went to the store. You were still asleep. It’s about ten now.” She breathed in the steam from her drink, and turned her eyes back to the morning paper. “Look at this!” she exclaimed. “It’s a horse race for kids ages six through fourteen. Maybe you should enter.”

Jenna took a look. “Yeah, Mom, except I’m missing one thing: a horse!” she scoffed. “Plus, I don’t even know how to ride.”

“Well, Jenna, I have a surprise for you,” said her mom, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear.

Jenna’s heart began to pound with excitement. “Really? What? Where?”

“Look out back,” her mom laughed. “I think you’ll find Kaden there; he can’t get enough of it. I think I left it in the abandoned stables.”

What kind of surprise would be safe enough to leave outside? Jenna shrugged, zipped up her jacket, pulled on her worn boots, and made her way through the long grass and around the back of the house.

What she saw made her breath catch in her throat. Disbelief clouded her eyes. Illuminated by the golden morning light was a horse, a beautiful, gleaming chestnut mare, which was being showered with love from Kaden.

Jenna’s jaw dropped. “Kaden…” she was in too much awe to speak.

“Lookit! Lookit what Mommy bought us! We have a horse, Jenna! A real, live horse!” He dashed between her and the incredibly calm animal, which stood contentedly chewing a few bits of hay. Kaden’s eyes were bright from joy, his cheeks round and red as apples from smiling so much.

Jenna could hardly believe it. It seemed surreal, like a wonderful dream. She ran her fingers down the magnificent, red-brown coat. The horse snorted in reply, a welcoming gesture that warmed Jenna’s hands. She loved the smell of horses; it was a sweet, earthy smell, which could calm even the most anxiety-ridden person. Her homesickness dissolved in the horse’s charm.

“You like her?”

Jenna turned around. Her mom stood there, draped in a heavy brown wool shawl, beaming.

“Mom, she’s gorgeous, thank you!” Jenna rushed over to her mother and threw her arms around her neck.

“Her name is Misty, and she’s fifteen,” said the woman.

Jenna’s heart sank. “She’s old! How could I ride her?”

Her mom rolled her eyes. “Jenna, work with me here! I got her cheap: 250! Most horses cost over a thousand.” She thoughtfully stroked Misty’s mane. “Anyway, horses live about 30 years.”

“Yeah, so that’s half of her life I never got to experience with her,” Jenna sighed.

“Honey, she’s not a show horse, just a trail pony, for you to ride. I bought you some used tack and it’s over there on top of that hay bale.” She pointed.

Jenna cradled the leather bridle in her hands, the buttery material soft against her skin. “I have to show Aaron. He’ll be so happy for me!”

To Jenna’s surprise, her mother suggested that she ride Misty to his house. “I have the address,” she said. “And it’s not far down the main road.”

“Mom, I hardly know how to ride on my own,” Jenna said with a hint of worry.

“It’s easy. I owned a horse when I was your age.” Her mom threw the saddle onto Misty’s back. “This horse is easygoing,” she said, tightening the girth, “and she’s used to inexperienced riders.” Misty accepted the bit, and stood proudly as Mrs. Rosen tightened the straps around her muzzle and forehead.
“Now, climb on top of the hay bale,” Jenna’s mother insisted. Jenna did, and then climbed cautiously onto the animal’s back.

“Now, Aaron’s house is very easy to find,” her mom said, handing her a black velvet riding helmet. “It’s just down the road, and when you come to a sign that says ‘Sparrow Street’, turn right and keep going. His house number is 4775.”

“Uh, Mom?”

“Yes?”

Jenna swallowed. “I don’t know how to get the horse to move, or stop, or anything…”

“That’s simple. To get her to walk, either cluck your tongue or squeeze your legs gently into her sides. For stopping, pull lightly on the reins. For left and right, Misty’s used to voice commands. Why don’t you practice in the yard, first?”

Jenna clucked her tongue, and Misty began to walk forward at a steady pace. Please let her be a good listener, Jenna thought silently to herself. She pictured her fingers being crossed, though they were firmly gripping the reins. Uh-oh, Misty was headed directly for the fence. “Left!” Jenna commanded. Misty obeyed, and Jenna was thrilled.

“The man who sold her to me trained her specially for his young daughters. That’s why she’s great for you and Kaden.”

Jenna gave a nervous laugh as she had Misty walk into the driveway. Kaden and Mom followed close behind. “So it’s number 4775?” Jenna called to her.

“Yes! Be careful, and stay on the side of the road!”

It didn’t take long for Jenna to reach Aaron’s street, and when she was right outside his house, she realized she couldn’t get off Misty by herself! There was only one option…

“Aaron! Aaron!” Jenna sat up in the saddle, cupped her hands around her mouth, and shouted at the house. The front door swung open and hit the wall with a crash.

Aaron stood framed in the doorway, questions playing with his facial expressions. “Jenna! You’re riding!”

She smiled and sat up straighter. “My mom bought a horse for me today, from some old guy who was selling her cheap.”

He walked over in nothing but his socks, and opened Misty’s mouth, peering inside. “Fifteen, ain’t she?”

“Yes!”

“That’s good. You get a horse older than ten and it’s guaranteed to be well trained.”

Jenna nodded, and patted the horse on her neck. “Misty responds to voice commands.”

“Impressive.” He looked her over and ran his hands down her legs. “I’m no vet, but she’s definitely sound. A little fat, so lay off the grain.” He chuckled. “Big middle.” He scratched her flank, and she gave a sigh of contentment.

“Why don’t you wait here while I go and get Dixie? She’s my mare, and since Belize’s lame with a small hoof problem right now, it would be good for me to take her out and we could ride down into town. I could show you around.”

Jenna nodded eagerly, as Misty ducked her head to nibble some tender shoots of grass.

Aaron was back in no time, but to Jenna it seemed forever. Dixie was a paint mare, with light bay splotches and a white body. She was independent and high-spirited, and Aaron had a little difficulty getting her out of the fenced pasture. “Sorry this is taking so long,” he said apologetically, a little impish grin on his face.

Eventually the two were ready. They made their way to the road once more, and then Aaron led the way into the small suburban town. There was a beautiful white church, a small public school, (which Jenna would attend in early September) bakeries, a few family-owned businesses here and there, and tiny secluded restaurants. “So horses are allowed down here? The only horses I saw in L.A. were ones the policemen rode.”

Aaron nodded. “Here, people don’t really take their cars into town. They usually ride their horses. But if they work down here, they’ll walk or maybe ride a bicycle. That’s why there is hardly any air pollution here.”

Jenna inhaled deeply. The air smelled of horses, fresh bread, sagebrush, and sunshine.
A man stepped out of a small practice and waved at them. “Hey, Aaron!”

Aaron smiled and waved back. “That’s the town’s doctor. He makes house calls,” he explained to Jenna, who was looking a little shy.

An elderly woman was sweeping the steps to her shop. “Good afternoon, Aaron!” she called.

“Same to you, too, ma’am!”

Jenna gathered the courage to wave before putting her hand firmly back on the reins. “And that was…?”

“Mrs. Sithery. She owns that bread shop. I love her homemade pretzels. We could get one sometime, if you want. But we can’t bring our horses.”

“I can imagine they’re not allowed in the store!” said Jenna, and the two friends laughed.

Suddenly, Misty began to paw anxiously at the ground, her hoof making loud scraping noises on the asphalt. “What’s wrong, girl?”

Misty twisted around at nipped at her own stomach, and then shifted her weight.

“That’s strange. She’s all antsy.” Aaron handed Dixie’s reins to Jenna, who sat forward in the saddle with anxiety. Aaron rubbed Misty’s back and then her round stomach. “Aside from being a little too bloated, and needing a serious horse diet, I can’t see anything wrong with her,” he said, trying to soothe her. “But like I said before, I’m no vet.”

Jenna frowned. “Maybe that old guy sold us a sick horse,” she said, ill at the thought of someone conning her mother.

“It could be colic. Let’s get her back to your house, but on the way we can stop at the doc’s.”

Aaron jerked his head in the direction they had come. “There’s a vet right next door to the family doctor. He could drive her home in his trailer.”

He reached up and helped Jenna slide off of Misty’s sweaty back, and then assisted her in climbing onto Dixie. “She’ll carry both of us,” he stated, indicating his own mare, and then hopped on with remarkable ease, leading Misty (her reins were tied to Dixie’s saddle horn) to the vet’s.

The vet took a brief look at Misty, and loaded her in the trailer. Jenna and Aaron followed close behind on Dixie, all the way to Jenna’s house.

Her mom was outside planting flowers in flower boxes on the windowsills, and she stood up, wincing from her aching back, when she saw the trailer. “What’s going on?” she asked in alarm.

“We think Misty’s sick,” replied Jenna.

Mrs. Rosen rubbed her forehead in fatigue. “Oh, dear,” she moaned. “I knew that 250 was too good to be true.”

The vet led the weak horse around back to the stables. Jenna sank down on the porch steps; not wanting to go back there and witness what was taking place. Aaron went back to check on the horse instead. The girl buried her face in her arms, and rocked back and forth for a few minutes, until she felt a tender touch on her shoulder. It was Aaron.

Jenna was very shocked to see him grinning ear to ear. “Jenna, you have to come and see Misty,” he said. “I think you’ll find that she’s all better.”

Jenna followed him around back, and then when she saw her mare, her breath caught in her throat, for there, sleeping in the safety of her mother’s shadow, was a wet, bedraggled newborn filly.

“Oh my gosh!” Jenna was over by the two horses in a flash. The little one let out a shriek as it awoke with a startle. It attempted to stand on shaky, skinny legs, but instantly fell to the ground, snorting bits of dandelion seeds out of its nose. Her coat was a dark, shimmering, velvet brown, and her fluffy mane and tail were jet black. Her eyes were a chocolately brown, and she had a white star on her forehead as if someone had spotted a bit of paint on her fur.

“So this is why Misty was acting so funny!” said Mrs. Rosen, who had just appeared from the front of the house. “How much to I owe you?” she asked the vet.

“Nothing, it’s fine. I really didn’t have to do anything,” the vet said. “She did all the work. Both of your animals are healthy, ma’am, although the mother is a bit old. But everything should turn out fine. Call me if you have any questions or concerns.” He took a business card out of the ragged pocket of his dusty tweed jacket and slipped it into Jenna’s mom’s smooth hand.

“You’re too kind,” she mumbled, and then stood by Aaron and Jenna, holding Kaden’s hand, as the man left, horse trailer and all. “These people here are so nice,” she stated, almost to herself.

Aaron smiled. “I love this town. It’s like having a gigantic family. So,” he said to Jenna, “what are you going to name the foal?”

The thirteen-year-old closed her eyes for a short moment, twirling a lock of light hair around her finger in thought. This is such a beautiful place, Jenna sighed with peace. It’s my sanctuary. Wait–sanctuary? Is that a good name? No, that doesn’t fit this little filly. Hmm, how about ‘Haven’? Jenna shivered with happiness. “Haven,” she stated. “Her name is Haven.”

That day, Aaron stayed over for lunch, and they all gave a toast to Haven, the ice in their soda glasses clinking. Aaron phoned his mother, who came over to see the newborn. It turned out the word of the birth had spread, and there were over seven people at the house, crowded around the baby horse. Oohs and ahhs swirled through the little group of people. They were fussing over Haven as if she were a baby human. But Jenna liked the attention, and it seemed that Misty was enjoying herself, too.

By the end of the summer, the fuzzy filly was very steady on her four gangly legs, growing at a rapid pace, and racing around the pasture, exploding with sharp whinnies. She was very hyper, and so adorable that drivers would sometimes pull over and watch her for a moment if she was in the pasture by the road. Her coat was light and smooth, and the tips of her black, wispy mane and tail were sunbleached. Little whiskers sprouted from her velveteen nose as well, and her ears and eyes were too big for her face.
She didn’t strike Jenna as being a potential hero, but Haven would prove herself the day Kaden went missing.

The morning dawned cooler and wetter than usual, the grass, now a cool green, covered in pearly drops of dew. Heavy white mist hovered along the fence, and the air was crisp, fresh, and motionless. Over the mountaintops the sun was just peeking out, its long orange fingers reaching out over the tops of the trees, gently beginning to bake the sleeping earth.

Jenna yawned and stretched, receiving an unpleasant shock as she stuck her feet out from under her blanket and was bitten by the harsh morning air. Fall was on its way, and that meant school. She sighed, gave one last yawn, and slipped into a thick sweater and jeans. Her mom was in the kitchen as usual, groggily reading the paper. “Honey, go wake Kaden,” she ordered. “I’m surprised he hasn’t woken up yet.”

Jenna didn’t protest, but made a big deal of shuffling down the hall to his room. The wooden door was wide open, and his bed was empty, the sheets tousled, his ragged teddy bear lying on the floor. Jenna rolled her eyes and checked the bathroom. It was empty. A slight bit of panic struck Jenna, and she clenched her hands into fists. “Mom!” she called, sounding irritable, “Kaden’s not here!”

Her mother hugged her light blue terry bathrobe about her slim figure, and came over to stand next to Jenna. “I’m sure you’re just not looking hard enough,” she said, her tone one of denial.

After taking a swift but thorough look about the room, making sure to check the closet, she became considerably worried. “I’ll check out by the horses,” she exclaimed. “Call Aaron to see if he’s seen your brother.”

Jenna skidded into the kitchen, swept the phone off of its hook, and punched in Aaron’s number.

“C’mon… c’mon!” she hissed impatiently through gritted teeth as it rang.

“You’ve reached 555-6235–“

Jenna slammed down the receiver, cutting off the automated answering machine. She decided to help her mother look for Kaden outside.

A light breeze was causing the tall grass to sway peacefully, and Jenna squinted, studying the miles of Montana grassland that lay before her. A little boy could easily get lost out there!

“Kaden! Ka-den!” The young girl’s cries fell on the world’s deaf ears. Nature’s only reply was the rushing of the wind through the trees, and the distant whinnying of the neighbor’s horses.

Suddenly, Jenna felt a tug on her sleeve. For a split second she saw Kaden standing beside her, but it turned out to be Haven. “What are you doing, girl?” she asked, amused that her filly was exhibiting such dog-like behavior. The horse danced on the tips of her hooves, tossing her small head.

“What do you want?” Jenna fell to her knees, and felt the moss beneath her cushion the fall. “My brother’s gone and he’s so little!” she began to sob. She hid her face, and a second or so later, something was yanking relentlessly at her hair. “Stop!” she reached out and her hand touched the velvety fur.

Haven raced back and forth, nonstop and urgent, from Jenna to the edge of the grove of trees. “What?” Jenna wiped away her tears. “Haven–do you want me to follow you?”

The horse continued her odd pacing.

“Okay, I’m coming.” Jenna stood, and brushed mud off of her jeans. “Show me what you want me to see.”

The small horse took the bottom of Jenna’s sweater in her teeth and pulled viciously.

“Stop!” Jenna pushed her away.

Haven dashed furiously to the closest tree. Jenna followed her with a sigh. “You think you know where Kaden is? That only happens in movies. You’re Haven, not Lassie.” Deep inside her heart, however, Jenna sort of trusted the persistent companion.

Suddenly, the little animal disappeared between two leafy shrubs. “Hey! Haven!” Jenna screamed. First her brother was gone…now Haven?

She found a large gap where some of the old wood fencing had collapsed. At that moment, Jenna thought she felt her heart collapse as well. She ran like mad, jumping over a small section of decayed wood. “HAVEN! WHERE ARE YOU?” She heard a squeal, and looked to her right. The little foal was pawing at the soil next to a patch of tall grass. Her large brown eyes pleaded for Jenna to listen to her.

“You’d better have a good reason for having me come way out here.” Jenna looked back, and her eyes met a large wall of foliage. “I can’t even see the ranch!”

The horse galloped further into the dense undergrowth, and Jenna grew fearful as she pushed twisted vines and thorn branches out of her way as she struggled to tear through the tunnel of tangled wilderness.

The dark path then opened up into a large clearing, enclosed by a tight circle of gnarly conifers. Haven stood in the middle, in a patch of grass that had to be at least three feet tall. Surrounding the grass were poppies and aloe plants, along with daisies and even a ring of mushrooms, which Jenna remembered was sometimes called a fairy ring. It was beautiful. “Get out of there!” she hissed to Haven. “There could be snakes in there!”

She practically waded through the grass to get to the stubborn little horse. That’s when she saw him: Kaden! He was sound asleep, curled up peacefully in the bed of grass. He was still in his pajamas, and his head rested on his hands. He sat up with a sigh, when he heard the commotion. “Hi, Jenna. I got lost. But isn’t this a pretty place?”

“It’s a haven,” she said softly.

“It’s a horse?”

She laughed, and put a hand of her filly’s bridle so she couldn’t wander off again. “No, silly. It’s a place of safety, like a sanctuary.”

“I like it. I feel safe here,” he said.

“Me, too,” replied Jenna. “I also feel safe at home. Mom is going to worry if we don’t get back soon!” She then took his hand, her mind filled with many plans on returning to the beautiful spot in the woods.