Page 9 of Jagger
Throughout the night, I’d wake up and stare at the closed door that connected our two rooms, and more than once, I wanted to walk through the connecting bathroom and crawl into bed with him. But I remained behind the door, hoping he would join me.
When I woke up and checked my phone, seeing it was five-thirty in the morning, I knew I was finished with sleep for the night. I didn’t know why I was up so early, but I didn’t want to lie in bed, so I quietly got dressed in a pair of jeans, a clean T-shirt, and slipped my socks on. After grabbing my phone and my boots, I opened the bedroom door and heard snores coming from Jagger’s room.
Not wanting to wake anyone, I crept downstairs and into the kitchen. While my cup of coffee was perking under the machine, I pulled my boots on and pulled my hair into a ponytail. The coffee was done, and after dropping some creamer into the cup, I slipped out the side door and took a seat on the swing bench.
Sipping my coffee, I watched the sky turn from black to gray, and when the first rays of sun began to shine, turning the skya beautiful peach color, I stood from my seat. The ranch hands were beginning to stir at the bunkhouse, and I saw Carl, the ranch boss, release the horses from the barn into their corral for breakfast.
The mare Trent had been working with for the last few months was let into a separate paddock as fresh hay and oats was placed into her bucket. Carl saw me and waved as he turned back to the barn, and with careful steps, I walked down the side stairs and out to the fence to watch the mare eat.
She was beautiful, with brown, white, and a few patches of black in her coat. She wasn’t a huge horse, but she was powerful. I’d watched Trent try to get her tamed, and when she finally relented to allow a saddle to be placed on her, I saw her true personality begin to rise to the surface.
Lost in watching her, I wasn’t paying attention to how close she was getting until her nose nuzzled the side of my head. Carefully, I reached up and petted the side of her face. A noise startled her, and she took a step back from the fence.
I whispered softly to her, “It’s okay. You’re okay.”
She didn’t seem too sure, and without thinking about the ramifications of what I was about to do, I walked to the fence and opened it, allowing myself into her paddock before closing it behind me. She neighed and stomped her hoof against the dirt as I cautiously walked to her with my hand extended.
I kept offering her reassuring words until I was in front of her. When she leaned over, allowing me to pet between her eyes and down her nose, I felt a connection to her unlike anything I’d ever experienced with any other animal. She was without a bridle or halter, and when she stepped to the side, I allowed her to walk past me.
She was so beautiful, and her spirit was shining in the morning sun as she began to trot around her paddock, seemingly enjoying the exercise. I wasn’t ready to leave her, but I wantedto take a seat, so I walked to the fence and climbed up, settling on the top railing as the mare continued to move around her enclosed area.
The smile on my face must have looked ridiculous as I watched the majestic animal. Her movements slowed and she began to meander over to where I was sitting. I was prepared to jump off the other side and away from her if she got aggressive, like I’d seen her in the past, but I was shocked when she walked up to me and turned sideways, giving me her flank.
I reached out and petted her back, watching as I hit a sweet spot and she shivered under my touch. Something whispered in my ear,She wants you to ride her, and without considering how badly I could be hurt, I reached over, gripped into her mane, and hoisted my leg over her side. She shifted slightly but didn’t object to me being on her.
Clicking my tongue, I kept hold of her mane on both sides of her neck as she slowly walked along the edge of the fence. We were both unsure, but the trust she had for me was reassuring as she began to trot. Her speed was slow, but her gallop was graceful.
For a moment, I felt the connection to my ancestors and their bond with not only the earth but with the animal that walked it. For centuries, my people had lived on harmony with horses, and feeling this powerful animal under me, trotting without a care in the world, brought tears to my eyes.
Something caught my gaze from the far side of the paddock, and I looked to see Cheyenne, Trent, Jagger, and a few of the ranch hands standing away from the fence, watching the mare and I bond. I believe she sensed them because I felt her tense under me, so I clicked my tongue a few times, and when she slowed to a stop, I slid off her side to my feet and placed a few scratches on her neck.
As I began to walk away, leaving her in peace, something nudged the back of my shoulder, and when I turned, the mare was walking behind me. I stopped, and she leaned down, placing her face close to mine. I rested my forehead against hers and continued to pet her as the energy flowed between us. When she’d had enough, she pulled back, and I watched as she walked back to her bucket and began eating her breakfast.
Smiling, I turned and was met at the gate by everyone, and they all seemed astonished at what they’d just witnessed.
“That was incredible,” Cheyenne said.
“I never seen her act like that with anyone,” Trent added, then asked, “Have you always had that kind of connection to animals?”
Jagger smiled at me as I answered Trent. “Not really. I love animals, but that was unique for me. I . . . I hope you’re not mad.”
“Mad? Hell, I’m impressed and thinking she doesn’t need to go to the auction today. I think she’s chosen her person,” Trent responded.
“I can’t . . . she’s valuable to you,” I tried to reason, only for Jagger to walk up and take my hand into his.
“I think what Trent is saying is when a person and animal have that kind of connection that quickly, there’s a reason for it,” Jagger explained.
“I don’t think I can keep her. I live two hours from here, and the costs of taking care of a horse are big. I don’t have that kind of time or money, and she deserves someone who can give her the right attention, treatment, and care. I appreciate the offer, but I think she’ll find her person.”
“Can I ask you something?” Jagger inquired as the group of ranch hands went back to the barn and we began to walk back to the house.
“Sure,” I replied.
“If those issues weren’t a factor, and she was able to stay here but still be yours, would you want to keep her?”
“Are you kidding? She’s amazing and so calm, but she deserves someone who can give her a proper place to live.”
“Then it’s settled, Roughstock,” Jagger said as we climbed the stairs leading inside.
