By the time I’d gotten Zeus unsaddled and cooled down, Cassidy Mae was walking Oakley around the arena. Walking in straight lines and larger circles to get her warmed up like we’d been taught when warming up a barrel horse after some time off.
“She’s lookin’ good today,” I said when I got to the outside fence of the arena.
“She feels good. It’s been a while since I got a horse ready for barrel racing again.”
“Seems like you’re in your element for sure.”
“Yeah, feels good being up here again. I was going to take her out and walk around the property. Wanna saddle up Apache and come with?”
“Sure, be back in a jiffy.” I left her walking the arena to go saddle up Apache for a ride. I hadn’t ridden him in a couple of days and I felt guilty about it. He’s my go-to horse, but with all these new horses to train and my time with Zeus, I know he’d been feeling neglected.
As soon as my boot landed inside the barn door Apache stuck his head out of his stall and started hollerin’ at me. Making sure I knew he was still there and he was definitely offended.
“I hear ya boy. How ‘bout we go for a walk with Oakley and Cassidy Mae? Whaddya say?” He obviously wasn’t going to respond but when I grabbed his halter and lead, he nodded his head in agreement.
It took less than ten minutes to get him saddled and ready to go. We walked out to the arena and I mounted up.
“Alright, Cassidy Mae. Where you thinkin’?”
“How ‘bout a walk out to the springs? I haven’t been there in a while.”
“Sounds right blissful to me. Let’s get to it.”
We rode for a little while in silence. I sat and watched Cassidy Mae look at her surroundings. She seemed at peace. A small smile crept across her lips as she watched a couple of squirrels dart out in front of us and up a tree across the way. That right there is why I loved this land. It was so damn peaceful.
“I always forget how beautiful it is here.”
“You’re the perfect touch to its beauty, darlin’.” She shook her head and looked away.
“I don’t know why you keep saying things like that, Beau…”
“Cause it’s true. I’m only ever speakin’ the truth, Cass.” Obviously embarrassed by my comment, she tried to get us talking about something else.
“So… tell me about Apache. I can’t remember him being around back then.”
“Apache came to me a couple years ago. Skin and bones. Scared to death of humans. He’d been abused much like Zeus had, only worse.”
“How long did it take you to work with him?”
“Well, he still has some bad days. Animals, like humans, are unpredictable and there’s no telling what he’s seen before that may pop up and scare the tarnation out of him that we aren’t aware of.”
“Yeah… I get that.”
“You enjoying being back?” A smile creased the corners of her mouth.
“It’s nice being home. I can’t tell you how much I missed it. I guess I just didn’t figure that out until I actually got here and started doing all the things I used to do. I don’t think Reagan would’ve let me just sit and do nothing.”
“She’s a bully, you can say it. I love my sister to pieces but sometimes she comes off a tad harsh.”
“I think I needed it. I was too in my own head when I first got here.”
“I could see that.”
“You know, I’m really grateful to you for letting me stay at the house. I’m sorry I dragged you into my mess of a life.”
“Cassidy Mae, wild horses couldn’t keep me away…”
A laugh slipped from between her lips. “You sure about that Beau Montgomery?”
“Well…”
“Hey now!” She was so cute when she acted offended. I just couldn’t help but razz her some days.
I put my hands up in mock defense. “Kidding. I’m glad you’re back. I don’t know all the circumstances or what happened while you were gone, but I’m hoping eventually you’ll trust me enough to let me in.”
She shook her head. “I’m sorry, Beau. It’s just… I can’t…”
“Hey, it’s fine darlin’. We’ll work at your pace. You’re here and while you’re with me, you’re safe. I won’t let anything happen to you. I hope you believe me when I say it.”
“I do.”
It didn’t take us much longer to reach the warm springs. I dismounted from Apache and tied him to a limb hanging from a nearby tree and Cassidy Mae followed my lead with Oakley. I should be nervous leaving a mare alone with a stallion, but last I checked Oakley wasn’t in heat so we should be in the all-clear.
We followed the path my family had created through the woods over the years back through to the spring. The spring sat smack dab in the middle of a wooded area. Trees surrounded it and light peeked down from above through the tree line, highlighting her face as she spoke.
“I’d forgotten about this…”
I agreed. “I haven’t been here in years… I always forget how pretty it is.”
“You mean to tell me you’ve never brought a lady out here and convinced her to shake down into her skivvies and go dipping in the springs with you?”
“Heck yes’ darlin’. Only girl I ever brought out here was you, just now…”
We sat down on the ledge of the springs and dangled our feet in the water. As much
