Colton

Penny called Colton the next morning. He woke far later than normal, blinking sleep from his eyes, reaching for his blaring phone. She wanted to know if he would saddle the new horse to see if she was rideable. Penny thought the horse was ready. She took a saddle well but she was still unpredictable. He’d helped out with the horses before. Penny was reluctant to put Asha up in the saddle of a horse no one knew well, though she rode far better than Colt himself. He totally agreed with the sentiment. He would rather be maimed than see a scratch on Asha.

Colt arrived at the farm, planning on just saddling the new mare and working in the corral with her. However, when he caught sight of Asha through the window of the cabin he knew was Gabriel’s, he changed his mind. He didn’t like it one bit that Asha was in the cabin alone with that pup. Not that Colt didn’t trust Asha. It was Gabriel he didn’t like.

Colt’s boots made dull thuds on the dusty old boards of the small porch. He raised his hand and rapped on the door. A second later, Asha was there. Her cheeks were flushed a bright pink and he was sure they darkened a shade when she saw him. He didn’t like the way her eyes flicked over him, like he shouldn’t be there.

“I’m going to take out the new mare. Try and ride her. Penny thinks it’s time.” He remembered what she’d said about her dream in the middle of the night. He’d sensed right away something was different when he found her in his kitchen, in the dead of the night, tackling dishes that were days old. That dream resonated with her. She’d been freer than ever before. Unafraid. She hadn’t held back. Right until the end, when reality came crashing down between them and she’d thrown on her clothes and retreated when he was sure she was going to break her own unstated rules and spend the night. “Care to join me?” He forced the words out, his throat raw and scratchy with emotion.

She smiled, illuminating her beautiful face. She’d probably been up with the sun. Had she even slept after she’d left his place? He doubted it. “Yes. I would love to.” She glanced behind her, but hesitated for only a second before stepping out onto the porch. She shut the door behind her and fell into step beside him as he led the way to the barns.

The new mare, Colt didn’t even know if she had a name yet, was already saddled and outside waiting, alone in the corral. Penny stood off to the side and Asha joined her.

The mare shook her head but seemed friendly enough. Colt approached the horse carefully, giving the mare time to get used to his presence. He extended a hand and eventually set it on the mare’s nose. She nuzzled him and he smiled, a little in disbelief that a horse just rescued from a neglectful situation could learn to trust again so easily.

Penny grinned. “Good luck, Colton, though I doubt you’ll need it. This one is truly a gem.”

“I think so too.” Colt took the reins carefully, placed his foot in the stirrup and deftly swung up into the saddle. The horse stood placidly, hardly minding his weight. He gently nudged her forward, testing her. She responded to his commands though he was overly gentle. He hardly needed to guide her at all.

“Why don’t we take her out?” Colt wheeled around to face Asha. “You could get Cinnamon and we could ride together.”

She blinked. A shadow passed over her eyes and he wondered if she too was thinking about that dream of hers. Finally she nodded. “Okay. I’ll be right back.”

She walked off, into the barn and appeared a few minutes later, on Cinnamon, of course bareback. Colt didn’t like it one bit but he said nothing. He knew arguing with Asha was pointless. He would have better luck taming the wind.

Asha nudged Cinnamon into a trot. Colt followed suit, riding abreast. His mare didn’t seem to mind in the least so he kept pace. They reached the end of the corral and slipped through the open gate. Asha’s land extended for miles in either direction. Colt waited for her to make the first move.

Because she had no care for her own safety, Asha urged Cinnamon into a gallop. She laughed as she took off, hair streaming out behind her like a blonde banner. She tucked down low, becoming one with her horse as she rode hard, turning into a spec the longer Colt sat and watched her. His heart pounded in fear at her breakneck pace.

He urged his horse into a much slower cantor and, shaking his head, trailed after Asha.

She eventually doubled back, when she was done with her daredevil ride. She slid from Cinnamon’s back and the horse followed behind her like a puppy. Colt dismounted as well. His boots hit the straw that had yet to be swathed.

Asha stared at him, an unreadable expression on her face. He’d never seen that look before. Like when she looked at him she truly saw him. He stared back in question.

“I would say this is as close to a forest as we could get around here,” he mumbled. He meant it as a joke but Asha’s eyes darkened. He felt his body tighten in response. Her eyes grew stormy.

“Colt,” she whispered, voice heavy. “Everyone saw us leave. They’ll know we’re out here.”

He shrugged. “So what. What exactly are you afraid of, Asha? Do you think everyone doesn’t already know we’re a thing?”

That seemed to spark Asha’s ire. The embers of anger rose in her eyes. Colt liked that, the way she always burned with life. He just wished for one second she could let down her guard and just be unafraid to… be.

“I’m not afraid of anything,” she fired back. “It’s just not…. anything like my dream.”

Disappointment washed over him, but he blinked it away. He’d be damned if he ever let her know just how deeply she could wound him. Her rejection stung and she must have known it would. Her face reflected her regret but she turned a second later, escaped back to her horse and mounted quickly. She was off, racing through the fields again. Except this time he wasn’t sure if she was riding for the pleasure of it or to get away from whatever emotion he’d stirred in her.