Page 16 of Silver Treasure
“But...” Whatever Parker was about to say was cut off when Travis came riding upon a beautiful buckskin.
“Afternoon.” He tipped his black Stetson at me.
I nodded back as I asked him. “Is there somewhere that I can ride Stormy? Somewhere where we will be out of the way.”
“Boss, I have already told her.” Whatever the man was about to say had been cut short when Travis looked at him with death in his eyes.
Well.
Then he pointed over to a stretch of land that was mirrored to the pasture the mares were all kept in, “You can ride her over there.”
Smiling I nodded back and then I moved around Parker who seemed a little white in his face. Serves the man right.
I opened the gate for Stormy and then she walked through prancing. She knew what was about to happen.
The moment I had the gate closed back I saw the opening in the fence between the stable that led to that stretch.
With a smile, I jogged, and Stormy was right on my heels.
“You ready girl?” I asked her when I came to a stop on the other side.
And then she did what she always did when we were free reining, she knelt down and laid on her belly with her legs and hoofs underneath her.
I climbed on her back and laid down on her as I attempted to wrap my arms around her neck.
When Stormy stood I smiled.
I had missed this.
With glee, I grabbed a hold of a section of Stormy’s mane, and then I clicked at her.
Like a bullet out of a gun, we were off.
As the wind whipped at my hair while Stormy’s hoofs ate up the ground, I felt free. I felt alive.
There was no other feeling quite like the feel of being on a horse’s back, riding free with the wind.
Around and around the massive stretch of land we rode. Stormy never once eased off her pace and I didn’t dare tell her to.
Just as we crested over the next rise, Stormy slowed.
And then she slowed even slower to a walk.
As soon as we made it to the stables, I slid off. Yes, I was going to be walking funny the next two days, but this was worth it.
I led her to her stall, locked her door, and then I gave her a little water in her bucket.
After I grabbed a brush and a curry comb I got to work.
This had been our ritual. If we rode, she got a rub down. If we did anything, heck she still got a rub down.
When I had ridden in on Stormy, I had missed the men that were gathered at the railing of a corral.
I hadn’t realized what I had started.
I also hadn’t seen the look of pride in one set of deep hazel eyes.
And I hadn’t noticed the look of surprise, shock, and respect in about twenty other pairs of eyes.
