Dream Valley Read Online Free PDF Page B

everything is going to be alright ... you're pain will soon be gone ... no more hunting ... no more
    jumping ... no more excitement ... no more suffering ... you'll soon be on your way ... to where all good little horses go ...'
    There was real sadness in his soothing voice. But there was also hope in his heart. He thought of Jenny. Perhaps this little horses's
    demise was the price to be paid for the full recovery of his rider - he fervently hoped so. One thing he was certain of: that kind, sad eye, now staring at him, would not object to such a deal. If that little horse - with his limited brain - could understand that his passing would, in some way, ensure the recovery of his young rider, then, like a true faithful servant, he would gladly offer that sacrifice.
    The offending root was cut at both sides of the horse's leg,
    and now free, Poker slipped down into the dike. They held him there as comfortable as possible until the vet came. Soon it was all over.
    * * *
    As the ambulance skidded to a halt, Ken jumped out and dropped to his knees beside Jenny. Her pale ash colour, with the angry red swelling just below her hairline startled him. He stroked her hair, smoothing back fine wisps from her temples.
    'Jenny ... Jenny darling ... it's Ken .. you're going to be
    okay .. do you hear me?'
    He had hoped for a twitch of her familiar smile, but she couldn't oblige. Having gently checked her arms, legs, and rib-cage for breaks, he was glad he found none. As they prepared her for the journey to the Clinic,
    he was more concerned about her inner parts, places that he couldn't see or feel - especially her head.
    Sitting unsteadily beside her in the ambulance, with one hand gripping the chrome holding bar, the other clasping her limp hand, the
    journey seemed an eternity. Nurse Wall travelled in the front with the driver. She had sensed that the doctor preferred to be alone with Jenny on that sensitive and emotional journey.
    He knew she wasn't in pain, but he dreaded the next few
    hours - they would be the most critical. He gazed lovingly at her serene face, prayed fervently that the shining glow of her bright warm smile would again return, those now closed eyes would light up to illuminate, as they always did,
    the darkest shadows of everyday life.
    The drops of cold sweat formed on his forehead like rain on a glass roof. He could feel his whole body become moist and sticky with the pressure of tension and emotion. He knew he was rapidly losing the battle to
    stay calm, while desperately trying to remember that he was a doctor and doctors must be strong. He had been in this situation many times before, accompanying critically ill patients to hospital. Most survived - some didn't
    make it. He always acted professionally, in accordance with his years of study and training.
    "But, damn it! This is different. This is my wife - my love above everything else in the world. If she doesn't make it - what am I
    going to do?"
    He quickly banished the thought - the doctor in him said she would. He couldn't wait to get her to the Clinic, to diagnose her injuries, to treat her, get her quickly recovered.
    The thought of surgery frightened him - it shouldn't. God
    knows, he had assisted at enough operations without any hint of weakness. Mr Bailey was a world renowned surgeon. If it had to be done, there was none better. But could he bring himself to assist? Yes, but it would be tough. He
    dreaded the thought of witnessing the invasion by a surgeon's scalpel of the beautiful body of his darling wife. He would feel every cutting stroke, every heart murmur, every pulse, as if it were his own. But he would be there - there
    when she needed him, sharing the pain.
    He felt the ache in his heart become sharper and more intense as he blamed himself for all of this. If it wasn't for his abject failure, things would have been different. If he had been able to give her the
    child she so desperately wanted, she would not have been forced back to this