But what neither Hershel nor Maggie expected...was that the horse didn't shy away — didn't even flinch.
Jason's hand landed gently on its head, stroking its mane as if they'd known each other for years.
"How is this possible?!"Hershel blurted, his eyes bulging. His beard seemed to stand on end as he stared at Jason, then at the horse — and back again.Was he dreaming?
Maggie stood frozen too.The horse had no reins — no one was holding it back.Normally, even Otis would get a warning snort or a sharp kick for trying to approach.But Jason, a complete stranger... was petting it like it was a golden retriever.
Jason grinned at the stunned pair."Since we're good friends now," he said, "let's go for a little stroll."
Under their disbelieving eyes, Jason expertly saddled the horse, tightened the girth, and, with a smooth swing of his body, climbed onto its back.
"Be careful—"Maggie started, instinctively reaching out — expecting Jason to be bucked off at any second.
But the disaster she braced for... never came.
Tap, tap, tap...
The horse flicked its ears forward and trotted out of the stable, carrying Jason easily.It even turned its head toward him, snorting softly, as if asking, What's next, boss?
Jason leaned down, patting its neck."Take me for a run," he said.
As if understanding, the horse reared up on its hind legs — a magnificent display of strength and spirit.
Maggie gasped, heart leaping into her throat.That rearing? That wasn't anger — that was a warm-up, like revving an engine before a race.
"Let's go!" Jason shouted, laughing.
He squeezed his legs, and the horse launched forward with a powerful kick, galloping across the farm like a red-brown blur.
"Oh my God..."Maggie could only stare, stunned.
Jason wasn't thrown.He wasn't struggling.He rode the wild horse like a natural, guiding it in wide circles around the open field.
Everyone nearby turned to look.
"Isn't that Jason?" Andrea said, squinting toward the figure racing by.
"Who knows," Amy said with a pout."He has nothing better to do anyway."
But the sourness in her voice was obvious.She tugged at a strand of her hair and muttered, "He doesn't even have time to talk to me anymore... all he does is hang out with her."
Andrea raised an eyebrow knowingly."I think you're jealous."
"I am not!"Amy's cheeks flushed a deep pink."Why would I be jealous of him? He's... he's not even related to me!"
"Yeah, but you wish he was."
"Stop it!"Amy buried her face in her hands, mortified.
Neither of them noticed Jason galloping by, laughing freely as the horse carried him with power and grace.It was a sight few people ever forgot — a man and beast moving as one.
After a few exhilarating laps, Jason pulled the reins gently and slowed the horse to a trot, then dismounted with a practiced ease.
He patted the horse's side affectionately and scratched behind its ears.
The horse, delighted, turned and licked Jason's face like an oversized dog.
Jason laughed and wiped his cheek."You're a good boy," he said warmly."I like you."
Meanwhile, Hershel stood frozen a few feet away, still trying to process what he'd just witnessed.
Was he hallucinating?
Had the world gone mad?
For the first time in a long while, Hershel — the stubborn, grounded man of faith and reason — began to doubt everything he thought he knew.