10. Clover
Clover
Willa
T hanks to Nash’s mystery hangover concoction, I was able to be a functional human being this morning at school. Better yet, it was an early release day due to the boys basketball team heading to finals. So, now, here I am, standing in the barn looking at my handsome Paint, Ringo, debating whether or not I am going to jump on him for a ride or dwell on it. Last weekend was huge after I got on Doc and even rode around the arena once with a little girl who was scared of riding on the back of Betty.
Being that Betty is an older red mare and probably the gentler and slower of the horses, it felt like a good second move. Now, I need to start making more moves in the direction that gets me back on a horse and racing. Not only does the rodeo team need me, and the fact that I feel a piece of me is lost, but I just got an invitation for an endorsement by the Bbr American for the March show in Fort Worth. This a huge deal and one only a buffoon would pass up. If I accept that, I have three weeks to get myself and Ringo here ready.
“Clover is set up. You ready?” Tilly hollers behind me as she walks in.
“I really don’t have a choice, do I?”
“Not if you want to take up that endorsement and hopefully ride it through qualifying for the American again.”
“Right,” I sigh as I feel defeated but place my hat on my head and climb on top of Ringo.
“Deep breaths, girl. We are going to take it slow until you feel more at ease. Dirks has been working with him and says he has a lot of speed and great balance around the barrels. Release him at the turns with pressure from your legs. He is a little different from Doc, where you are going to want to hold him back in between to rev him up more. At least until this becomes a routine for him. Full release on the straight line, and he will send it. Got it?”
“Got it. Slow and easy...Here we go,” I mutter as Tilly leads us out to the arena where the setup is.
I see Dirks off to my left, standing up on the gate, ready to be there for what I may need. I take Ringo in, and we slowly dredge our path and circle around the barrels a few times until we both feel somewhat confident with each other. After the fourth time, I am feeling more relaxed, and we pick up a canter. Damn, this horse is bendable and strong. He really is a beauty and hugs the barrels at the center, I can only imagine what he is going to be like at full sprint. We take a quick break to grab some water.
“Looking good out there, sis.”
“Trying. I need to see what happens when I push him.”
“You think you are ready for that today?”
“No, but I need to. We are on a tight deadline, and I have to respond to Henry about the endorsement by Monday afternoon. So no time is wasted. Let's do it.” I say while getting Ringo lined up at the gate, whispering a few prayers under my breath to not psych myself out.
Tilly shouts, “I got the timer. Ready?”
“Ready!”
“BEEP!” she shouts, the noise deafening to my ears.
Ringo takes off like he has done this a million times over again. Me, I am hanging on, but release his reins and squeeze as we come to the first barrel, then slowly pull back right before the second one, and he bends right around it, and the same for the third. Soon as we round the third barrel, I pull back just a bit and then let him go. Ringo hauls ass to the open gate and comes to a complete halt when I ask him too.
“Good boy,” I coo while scratching his neck. “Good boy, Ringo.”
Tilly and Dirks walk over. “Well, you got 16.53. Not bad, not great, but I can also tell you are still pretty tense out there.”
“Agree. Doc and I had down 14.17 before he got hurt, but that took us time to get there. I believe I only need to beat 16.21 in Fort Worth, based on who I saw was already registered.”
I feel my phone buzz in my pocket so I check real quick to see it is Nash calling. Knowing I need to focus, I send him to voicemail and line Ringo and I up to go again. Four more times around, we landed on 16.38. It will do for now, but I will take the win today of just being able to get out here and ride. To let loose again and push the both of us.
We all turn to see a black SUV come down the drive, and I jump off of Ringo, thinking I have a feeling of who is behind the wheel. Passing off Ringo to Dirks to untack, I head over to the car and low and behold I see Grant step out.
“Hi, Grant. What can I help you with?”
“I came to drop this off, along with these.” Grant hands me a small velvet box and bouquet of stunning wildflowers.
“Thank you, Grant. Or should I say thank you to Nash?”
“All Nash. I am just the delivery boy,” he says, chuckling.
“Well, I would hug you, but I am covered in dirt and sweat.”
“No worries, Miss Willa...You looked good out there. I caught the last ride when I was pulling in.”
“Thanks. It has been a long time coming, but I'm glad to be officially back in the saddle.” I hear him let out a “huh” under his breath and looks to want to ask more, but instead, he tells me goodbye, and that he would see me soon. I just wave back with my empty hand. Placing the box in my pocket, I head to the barn to help with Dirks before heading back to my cabin.
* * *
Finally made it back to my cabin post dinner with my parents. As I am undressing to hop in the shower, the velvet box falls out of my pocket onto the floor. Shit! I forgot all about it and have not even called Nash back. Running through the kitchen to grab my phone, I FaceTime him. Please pick up!
“Hi Beautiful. It seems you are alive and well…and practically naked.”
“Hey. Sorry…A lot was happening today, and then after Grant stopped by I got busy with the barn and then had dinner with my parents.”
“I am just giving you a hard time. Grant said he saw you riding today, and I told him I was jealous because I have yet to see this for myself.”
“Well, it is a long story, but what he saw was not my best. But pushing to get there again. So you did not miss much.”
“You going to tell me this story?”
“I will eventually. Oh, and I am not naked, I do have a sports bra on and panties.” With that, I watch Nash’s face tense with a flexed jaw as I slowly move the phone camera down my body with my black bra and pink lace panties.
“Death, just take me now,” he mutters, running his hand through his dark locks.
“So dramatic,” I say, laughing. “Speaking of Grant. Thank you for the gorgeous flowers. They are perfect and so much better than roses. And let me open this little box while I have you on the phone.”
“You are welcome, Beautiful. I hope you like it.”
Sitting my phone against the flower vase so he can see me open it, I undo the bow and slowly open the box. I gasp, running my fingers over the platinum horse charm with a red hearted diamond on its chest. “Nash, this is stunning. I can’t…There is no way I can accept this.” It is simply exquisite.
“You are going to kind of have too. Turn it over.”
My eyes widen as I read the back engraving, ‘Ride baby Ride’ with the Initials of NMH. “I take it those are your initials to this unknown last name.” I see him nod.
“It is yours, and besides, I do not know any other badass cowgirls. Especially any I want to spend time with.”
“Stop being such a smooth talker. Seriously though, thank you. I will add it to my bracelet.” Gently putting it back in the box, I debate in my head if I will actually add it on because it looks too expensive to dangle on my arm.
“I see that face. Wear it. If you lose it or it falls off, we can get a new one.”
“You are too much, Nash. Don’t go spoiling me. I am not that kinda girl.”
“Trust me, Willa. I know you are not, and that is one of the things I appreciate the most about you. I saw something that caught my eye today, and I knew the perfect person for it.”
This man makes me grin ear to ear. Makes me have thoughts and feelings I have never had before, and oh my Hades, it has just been a week. Nash has knocked my guard down. My mind has all certain thoughts on it and uneasiness. My heart on the other hand, isn’t looking back and ready to leap along with my female parts that ache for him.
We talk for another hour about our days before I realize I am the one falling asleep on the phone and still need to take a shower. After multiple attempts of goodbye, he hangs up, and I stay laying on my couch in a blissful mood as I decide just to go to sleep where I am at.