Chapter Two
CHAPTER TWO
Leading Apollo outside and stopping at the mounting block, Heather climbed into the saddle and rode to the ring. Reaching the gate she leaned over and opened it, then turned him around and closed it. She could feel eyes on her. Not everyone could do the simple maneuver, and though they were surrounded by new sights and sounds Apollo took it all in stride
“You’re such a good boy,” she said softly, stroking his neck. “How did I get so lucky?”
After a few minutes of walking around, she was about to break into a trot when she noticed Courtney walking King Henry towards the ring. The horse had a chain around his nose attached to the lead rope. It was a practice Heather hated. She was about to look away when King Henry spotted the water truck parked nearby. Terrified of the odd looking thing he shied and tried to bolt away. To Heather’s horror Courtney jerked on the rope and began yelling.
“Like that’s going to help,” Heather muttered under her breath as her blood boiled. But noticing the commotion was starting to affect some of the other horses in the ring, Heather lifted her phone from her pocket and sent an urgent text to Blake.
Courtney’s in trouble with her grey by the warm up ring. Hurry.
He immediately responded and said he was on his way, but Heather continued to worry. Courtney wasn’t wearing gloves, and it was possible the spooked horse still prancing would jerk the lead rope from her hand. But a moment later Blake appeared from the barn and jogged towards them, breaking into a walk when he neared. Hastily handing him the lead rope, Courtney quickly stepped back.
Heather watched as Blake stood completely still while the big grey continued its nervous dance and tossed his head. When he finally stopped and snorted, Blake encouraged him to move from side-to-side, then in a small circle. When the horse finally relaxed Blake led him slowly towards the water truck. It was only a few minutes before Henry was sniffing the tires. As Blake walked the horse back to Courtney, Heather glanced around at the other competitors. They all wore spurs and carried crops. She had neither.
“People,” she grunted. “I hate them all.”
Riding across to the gate, she headed out and was starting back to the barn when she heard Blake calling her. Turning back around, she rode up to join him.
“Where are you going? You were only in the ring a short time.”
“I’m sorry, I do want to face my fears, but this is no place for us. I can’t stand being around all these people. They don’t understand the first thing about horses. All they do is bully them.”
“But you can lead by example.”
“I’m not sure anyone would pay any attention.”
“You’re wrong. People take notice when their horse isn’t doing well and there’s someone around them that seems to have answers.”
“Maybe, but I need to be back in the peace and quiet of the ranch.”
“You can be so stubborn sometimes.”
“I’m not stubborn, I just know what works for me and what doesn’t, and if I see one more horse with a stupid chain around its nose I won’t be responsible for my actions,” she exclaimed. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to yell but it pisses me off.”
“I agree, but you can’t live in a bubble.”
“Sure I can.”
“You’re impossible sometimes.”
“Yeah? Well, so are you.”
“Are you leaving because you don’t like being around people like Courtney, or because you don’t think you measure up?”
“What does it matter?”
“Just answer the question.”
“I will if you say please.”
“I swear…” he grunted. “One of these days…”
“One of these days, what?”
“Once more,” he said tersely, “are you leaving because you don’t like being around people like Courtney, or because you don’t think you measure up?”
“Both! Now it’s your turn. One of these days, what?”
“One of these days you just might find yourself over my knee.”
Unexpected butterflies suddenly sprang to life in her stomach. Not knowing what to say, she asked Apollo to walk forward, but as she rode away her heart was racing. She’d been training with Blake for over a year and they’d had their share of quarrels, but there was one she couldn’t forget…and a part of her didn’t want to.
There was a row of blanket hooks at one end of the barn aisle. Clients were allowed to hang two blankets per horse. Any more and the area became over-crowded and the blankets would fall off, but she would consistently put up three, or even four.
When he’d remind her only two were allowed, she’d complain she didn’t have anywhere else to put them, which was true. He knew she loved blankets and had one for every possible weather condition, so he’d suggested a second trunk. She’d brought one in, but continued to break the two blanket rule.
Late one night, worried it might rain, she’d returned to the barn after work to switch out Apollo’s cotton sheet for a warm, waterproof one. Blake was still in his office, and as she was hanging the cotton sheet on the hook on top of two other blankets he appeared in the barn aisle.
“Heather!” he called sternly, striding towards her. “You have to store it in that trunk you bought.”
“It’s just overnight. I’ll roll it up and put it there tomorrow, assuming I have room. I just got another couple of the high neck—”
“No, not tomorrow. Put it away now.”
“Oh, for goodness sake, you’re totally overreacting.”
Without warning he’d lunged forward, grabbed the sheet, somehow managed to wrap it around her body, then threw her over his shoulder and carried her into his office as she squealed and squirmed.
“You can sit there until I’m done,” he’d said sternly, plonking her on the love seat and settling behind his desk.
“Are you crazy?”
“Nope, but I am fed up. You may be a talented rider and one of the most gifted horse handlers here, but the rules are for everyone. Now be quiet, I have to concentrate. Give me any trouble and I’ll spank your ass.”
Now approaching the barn the memory wrapped around her like the cotton sheet, and she felt a warm shiver ripple through her body. She’d had a crush on Blake since the first time she’d seen him. She’d driven into his ranch to ask about boarding and training, but when she’d rolled to a stop all she could do was stare at the handsome cowboy. He’d been shirtless, and marched out of the barn carrying a bag of feed over his shoulder. His muscled body had glowed copper under the hot summer sun, and as she’d climbed from her truck he’d paused his step and smiled across at her.
He’d looked like Adonis.
It was a moment she’d never forgotten.
Climbing off Apollo and leading him into the barn, she had no doubt, at some point, Blake would make good on this threat to spank her.