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Winter Horse #winterwordsflashfiction

December 17, 2019 by Sheri

Another thud shook the roof. Lillian jumped and spilled scalding tea on her knee.

“If that horse does not settle down in one minute—” Mam popped her pricked finger into her mouth, clutching Lillian’s torn shirt with the other.

“It’s a winter horse, Mam. It doesn’t know how to stand still.”

“Tell me again why you agreed to watch a winter horse on this night, of all nights.”

Lillian stared into the fire, avoiding Mam’s glare. “He was injured. He couldn’t stay at the stables alone. Peter was desperate.”

A bang. The plaster ceiling shook, dust filtering down.

Mam shot to her feet. “That’s too much. Get out there and calm him. I won’t have this roof down on my head on Christmas Eve.”

Lillian set her tea on the floor and rose slowly. “I don’t know how to calm him.”

“You should have thought of that before you took him in. Or up, as the case may be.” Mam spun and stormed into the kitchen.

Bundled in her cloak, Lillian cracked the door and a wintry gust took her breath away. A wild, lonely call filled her ears. The poor horse.

She shut the door on the warm cabin and waded through drifts until she could see the white creature poised on the roof. He looked too big for his perch, his wings shadowing it on either side. The only sign of his injury was his front left paw, curled under him.

At the sight of her, he snuffed and shivered his wings, sending a sparkling cloud of snow over her. The moon emerged from a cloud and his white coat glimmered, the shadows beneath him deepening.

“Hey boy,” Lillian murmured, inching closer. Her heart pattered, but her awe was overcoming her fear of the massive creature. He reared back as she placed one foot on the rung of the ladder, his paws effortlessly gripping the icy roof.

“It’s all right.” What had Peter said? A winter horse can always tell when you admire them. “You’re beautiful, boy.”

He stilled, dipping his long snout. Lillian climbed a rung, and he didn’t move. By the time she’d reached the top, he’d moved within reach. His coat gleamed so brightly it almost hurt her eyes, but she couldn’t look away. Slowly, she reached out. He sat, straddling the roof like it was a comfortable bed. She held her breath as one finger brushed his icy forehead. Cool magic swept through her, like a delicious hint of snow on a hot summer day.

Distant tinkling bells. Lillian settled next to the winter horse, weaving her fingers through his white mane. A gleaming shape appeared across the night sky, lit by the moon. Seven winter horses, their massive wings pulling a sleigh behind them. It was too far to see, but Lillian knew a man in red held the reins, and a boy with two dimples and curly brown locks sat in the back, watching their cargo. She imagined he glanced her way and saw her tiny shadow next to the horse on the roof.

“Merry Christmas, Peter,” she whispered.

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About Sheri

Here Goes Something New!

Hi, I'm Sheri Yutzy. I love forests under the night sky, trying new foods, and drinking Irish tea.
I'm married to a musician who looks good in black, mama to two toddlers who love to eat, and happy resident of a Cape Cod cottage in Ohio.
I write YA fantasy and am acquisitions editor at sparkflashfiction.com.
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Find some magic with me!

sheriyutzyauthor

I know, it looks like I’ve only read fantasy thi I know, it looks like I’ve only read fantasy this year. This is not true, but they do make such lovely pictures. 🤩 Fantasy, especially YA fantasy, is the genre of my heart, and since my bookshelf space is limited, I tend to buy more of them. Did I mention they’re pretty?😅

⛸️Wishtress, by @nadinebrandes 

🌊A River Enchanted, by @beccajross

🏇The Scorpio Races, by @maggie_stiefvater

🌲The Hundred Thousand Kingdoms, by N.K. Jemisin

🐉League of Dragons, by @naominovik

Have you read any of these?

Can you name five books you’ve loved this year?
🌿☀️🌿 My best tip for finding magic every 🌿☀️🌿
My best tip for finding magic everywhere?
Go out and catch a few children.
Release them in your backyard.
Let them rummage in your cupboards and tiptoe into your bedroom with their treasures.
In the morning you’ll smell daffodils everywhere.
🌿☀️🌿

#twentywordtuesday #sheriyutzy #daffodil #daffodilday #cottageflowers #poetsofinstagram #shortpoem #flowerpoetry
What is a day for? I found myself pondering this q What is a day for?
I found myself pondering this question as I meditated on Scripture this morning. I love to achieve things, and sometimes I get lost in the maze of caring for little ones while wanting to get something—anything—done. I’m living a dream life, saving money every day (by not using daycare😅). Half the time it feels too good to be true, the other half it is just too real and never seems to end.
But this morning I was seeking silence before God and it occurred to me that what I was doing was the point of my days. I am here to love Him and be loved, and show my children how to love Him and be loved. And I can do that to better effect because of the many tiny tasks they need me to do for them. They’ll see His love in how I prepare their food, teach songs, finally make the Playdough they’ve been begging for.
It’s the task of my life, and when these children are moved away, it will remain my task.
How lovely is that?
What are ways you let God show you He loves you?
#moodycottage #walksoutside #sheriyutzy #slowliving #dresses #thrifteddress
My chubby cheeked sunshine. ☀️♥️☀️ My chubby cheeked sunshine. ☀️♥️☀️
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