He texted MJ to let her know where he’d be in case he didn’t get home before she did.
He pulled up to Wayward Ranch just before two and walked to the barn to find Tyler. His friend had saddled a jittery mare that moved back and forth under the weight of a western saddle. An older, fifteen-and-half-hand Paint gelding stood cross-tied and saddled. With his head down, he looked so relaxed Rob thought he might fall asleep. He rubbed the paint’s neck and spoke softly to him.
Tyler looked up and lifted his chin in greeting. “That’s Chieftain,” he said, pointing to the older horse. “I thought he’d be a good one for you to ride for your first time out in a while. He’s solid, and very responsive, so you won’t risk reinjuring your knee trying to get him to mind.”
Rob breathed a sigh of relief. Tyler had faced his own service-related injuries, so he knew about the trepidation Rob would have about this first ride. “Thanks. Sounds perfect. Who’s that little minx?”
“This is Emmalyn.” He rubbed the mare’s neck and then pulled up on the girth to tighten it. The horse stomped her foot in protest, and Tyler scratched her chin. “Sorry, girl. I’ve got to get the saddle tight enough so it won’t slide underneath you with me on it. That’s not a good way to ride on the trail.” Her tail swished, but he stayed out of range.
“Have you ridden her before?”
“Around the arena and in the pastures, but not on the trail. It’s time I took her out. With you along, I’ll have company for the long walk home if she throws me.”
Rob gave him a look. “Hope it won’t come to that.”
“Me too, but you never know with these animals.”
Rob checked the girth on Chieftain and then swung into the saddle. He checked the length of the stirrups and dismounted, adjusting them to make them longer. He mounted again and checked his position to make sure it was comfortable.
“Nice to have a horse big enough, isn’t it?” Tyler commented.
“Is he the one you usually ride?”
“No, I’m usually on Diablo, a black Quarter horse stallion. He’s a handful. I like a challenge when I’m riding. It keeps my head in the game.”
“I know what you mean. It’s too easy to lose focus and quit paying attention. That’s when the crazy stuff happens. Somebody’s got to be the leader on the trail. If it isn’t you, your horse will take over.”
“Sounds like you’ve had some experience with that.”
“Sure have. I’ve been riding since I was in kindergarten, and horses have thrown me more times than I can count. I’ve even slid off the trail with my horse when I didn’t pay close attention a time or two.” Rob shook his head ruefully.
“Well, let’s see what you remember, Emmalyn.” Tyler mounted the mare, and she shied sideways as he swung his leg over her back. He patted her neck, and she settled quickly. He clucked and urged her forward, with Rob and Chieftain close behind.
Tyler opened the gate and moved her through, and Rob closed it behind them. They moved at an easy pace onto a worn trail through the trees, and wove through the wooded area, soon climbing the hill that led up the mountain.
Rob paid attention to Chieftain, and his position on the horse’s back. He kept his posture relaxed, and shifted his weight to direct the mount’s movement, careful to keep his knees from clenching.
Tyler confidently guided the mare up the incline, and she seemed to settle down. He turned slightly to check on Rob’s progress. “Are you doing okay?”
“Chieftain’s a dream,” Rob replied. This was a disciplined horse: he didn’t steal leaves off the trees, and he quickly responded to all the directions Rob gave him. Rob felt the rhythmic movement and relaxed into it. The true test would come at the end, when he’d see how well his body reacted to the ride, but this felt good. He’d forgotten how much he loved being on horseback and feeling the gentle sway of the horse’s movements from side to side as they moved forward along the trail, sometimes climbing, sometimes leveling off as they rode through the woods. He inhaled the smell of the pines, and the earthy smell of the fallen leaves under the trees that lined the trail. The sound of the horse’s hooves, and the crunching of dead leaves that lay on the path through the forest, reminded him of other rides through lower altitudes in Colorado.
After coming up a steep section, Tyler called a halt to let their horses rest.
“How often do you ride?” Rob asked as they dismounted.
“Every day at the ranch, but if I’m lucky, I’m on the trail about once a week.”
“Well, let me know any time you want company. It feels good to be back in the saddle.”
“Do you still have horses in Colorado?”
“No, I left them behind when I went into the Marines. Didn’t figure I’d have time to keep up with it. Then my dad fell on hard times, and his health suffered trying to manage by himself. He ended up losing the ranch and had to sell off equipment and livestock, including all the horses and cattle.”
Tyler winced. “I got lucky, I guess. Dad kept things going, and when I got shrapnel in my thigh, he and Mom retired and moved to Florida. They signed the ranch over to Jason and me. He’s not interested in it, and I’m slowly buying him out.”
“You’ll end up with a great piece of property. Do you know of any land that would be suitable for cattle ranching in the county?”
“No, but I’ll keep my eyes open for you.
