6. Ashlyn
6
ASHLYN
S tephanie Morley opened the door to let me in, but my mind still raced with conflicting thoughts and emotions. Could I really do this? Could I leave behind the bustling movement of Brooks’s Creek, with its lively crowds and endless opportunities, for the isolation of this remote ranch in the middle of nowhere?
My doubts gnawed at me, threatening to undermine my resolve. This place was a far cry from the world I was accustomed to—a world filled with people and animals, where every move I made was accompanied by a constant buzz of activity. Here, in this quiet corner of the countryside, the silence was almost deafening, stretching out like an endless expanse of emptiness.
But despite my reservations, I couldn’t shake the pull of my curiosity, as well as the excitement that tugged at my heartstrings. The prospect of working with Phantom, of unlocking his true potential, and proving myself as a trainer once more, had given me purpose and determination.
I turned to take in the view of the ranch spread out before me. And then my breath caught at the sight of Stephanie standing on the porch. At that moment, all doubts and uncertainties were swept away, by the sheer beauty of her presence. There was something about Stephanie that was undeniably captivating—a softness to her features, a warmth in her gaze. I was drawn in like a moth to the flame. Her blonde hair framed her face, creating a halo of golden light, and her blue eyes sparkled with a quiet strength that spoke volumes about the depth of her character.
As we walked down to the stable, I made a conscious effort to shake myself out of my reverie and to adopt a more business-like demeanor. This wasn’t the time nor place for introspection. I had a job to do, and that job involved learning as much as I could about Phantom and to consider plans for his future.
Stephanie spoke animatedly about Phantom, her voice filled with warmth and affection as she shared her insights into his temperament and abilities. She answered my questions with ease, her knowledge of the horse evident in the way she spoke. Each word was tinged with deep understanding and respect for the animal.
I listened intently, absorbing every detail Stephanie shared about Phantom’s quirks and habits, as well as his likes and dislikes. It was clear that she knew her horse like the back of her hand. I found myself growing more and more impressed with each passing moment.
We had reached the stable and I felt the excitement building within me. I still felt the doubts, though. Could I really do this? Could I leave behind everything I had known and start anew in this unfamiliar environment? I pushed aside the doubts, focusing instead on the task at hand.
As we approached Phantom’s stall, I could feel my tension mounting. Stephanie paused in front of it, turning to me with a warm smile. “Ashlyn, I’d like you to meet Phantom,” she said, her voice tinged with pride. “He’s . . . he’s something special.”
I returned her smile, feeling a rush of excitement at the prospect of finally meeting the horse I had heard so much about. Stephanie opened the stall door and I stepped inside, my eyes immediately drawn to him.
Phantom was every bit as impressive as I had imagined. His sleek coat gleamed in the dim light of the stable, and his muscles rippled beneath his skin. There was a sense of raw power. But as I approached him, unease washed over me. I had a feeling that something was not quite right.
I reached out a hand to stroke his neck, but Phantom recoiled, his ears flattening against his head as he snorted in disdain. My heart sank at the realization that he was already sizing me up, his instincts telling him that I was a threat.
Undeterred, I tried to regain control of the situation, speaking to him in a soothing tone and trying to establish a sense of trust between us. But Phantom remained obstinate, his gaze fixed on me with an intensity that sent a shiver down my spine.
Stephanie watched from the sidelines, her expression a mix of concern and determination. She had warned me that Phantom could be difficult and it wasn’t a total surprise that he reacted to me with such hostility. Despite my best efforts to assert my authority and show him that I was in control, Phantom remained aloof and unresponsive, his mistrust evident in every movement. It was clear that winning him over would be no easy feat, but I was determined to rise to the challenge.
As I assessed the situation, I knew that getting him out into the open would be crucial. The confined space of the stable seemed to exacerbate his sense of unease and resistance. I knew that allowing him some freedom to move would help to alleviate his anxiety.
With that in mind, I made the decision to lead Phantom out of the stable and into the open air.
I approached him, speaking to him in a calm, reassuring tone, hoping to convey a sense of trust and companionship. To my surprise, he seemed to respond to my voice, his demeanor softening ever so.
“Right, I said to Stephanie. Let’s get a saddle on and I’ll see what he can do. Have Melody saddle another horse and you can come with us.”
Stephanie nodded and gestured to the saddle on the wall and let me get on with putting it on Phantom. “He might try and kick you…” she said and although I appreciated the warning, I didn’t need it. I knew he was unsure and I knew there was always that risk with a horse like him.
“Mel, can you saddle Snow for me? I’ll take him out with Phantom and Ashlyn.”
I positioned my body at all times to avoid his back legs should he choose to strike.
He didn’t kick out at me and I was pleased with that. It was a good start.
I lead him out of the barn and into the open air and positioned myself by his saddle on his left side. I looked to Stephanie and raised my right foot asking without words in a language that all horse people understood- I was asking for her to hold my leg and boost me up onto the horse.
She moved towards me and as soon as I felt the touch of her hands on my shin, I felt a jolt of connection with her. I wanted her hands to run up my leg much further than where they were at my shin. There was something between us and I couldn’t shake it.
I hopped and she boosted me and within seconds I swung my right leg over and was astride Phantom.
This was my happy place. Riding was as natural to me as walking. I couldn’t remember a time before I could ride.
I sat quietly, allowing Phantom to figure things out himself as Stephanie mounted a smaller white horse and came to join us.
We began to move, and I could feel Phantom’s muscles tense beneath me, his movements hesitant and uncertain. But with each stride, I worked to assert my control, guiding him with firm yet gentle cues from my legs and ass.
We set off, anticipation crackling in the air like electricity, the tension palpable between Phantom and me and well, Stephanie and me. Obviously I was focussed on the horse.. but...
Things started well, Stephanie and I rode and talked and things felt easy. There was an easy peace between us that I liked. I think Phantom liked it too as he almost felt relaxed at times.
We approached a sand track that was clear it was used to run the horses and I felt Phantom becoming tense beneath me. He knew this was where they liked to run. Meanwhile Stephanie’s white horse broke into a jog beneath her and I admired her calm hands and the lovely line of her body as it became one with the horse beneath her.
Oh, to be between those thighs.
“We won’t run them today,” I said. “I know horses are creatures of habit and they won’t like it but he mostly needs to learn to relax.”
Stephanie nodded.
I could sense Phantom’s anger as I turned him past the entrance to his track and asked him just to walk for me, his muscles coiled like springs beneath me. I sat quietly. His movements became jerky and erratic as he tried to throw me off balance. I sat calmly again. The worst thing you can do with a tense horse is to transmit tension yourself or to let yourself show any fear. Phantom suddenly launched and began to buck and twist beneath me as though he no longer wanted a rider along for the journey. Each jolt sent a shockwave of adrenaline coursing through my veins and I used my core and my balance learnt from riding a thousand horses like this to stay in the saddle and stay calm.
I rode out the storm and kept asking as calmly as I could for walk and for relaxation and eventually, realising I wasn’t going anywhere and I wasn’t actually forcing him to do anything, he calmed and I felt him relax beneath me.
A small win.
It was a start.
I met Stephanie’s eyes as she smiled at me. “I knew you were the right one for him. I could sense it. Not many riders would still be sitting aboard right now, you were incredible,”
I knew that was true. Being able to stay on a difficult horse when it decides it doesn’t want you there is half the battle.
“Ah, it was easy,” I gave my best charming smile back knowing full well the effect it had on women.
I watched as Stephanie’s blue eyes looked away and a flush ran through her cheeks.
Seeing a beautiful woman flustered by me was something I was a big fan of.
Stop it, Ashlyn. For god’s sake.
We made it back to the barn in one piece and we dismounted. As I stood beside Phantom, his eyes searched mine for some sign of weakness. But then, in a fleeting moment of unexpected tenderness, he nuzzled my hand, as though a silent acknowledgment of our shared struggle.
We both returned our horses to their stalls and stripped them of the saddle and bridles they were wearing. As I removed Phantom’s saddle pad the steam rose from his body.
I left the stall and turned to face Stephanie. I could see the kaleidoscope of emotions flickering across her face— awe, uncertainty, and something else. Something I couldn’t quite name. Her blue eyes were fixed on mine. Her lips were parted.
Without a second thought, I closed the distance between us. My hand reached out to cup her cheek as I leaned in to press my lips against hers. The kiss was gentle yet passionate, a silent confession of the emotions swirling between us. A moment of vulnerability and connection amid the chaos of the morning.
Time seemed to stand still as our lips met, the world falling away as we lost ourselves in the heat of it. Her mouth opened and my tongue pushed inside.
And in that brief, stolen moment, I felt a sense of clarity wash over me—a realization that despite the challenges we faced, despite my uncertainty about the future, there was something undeniable between us.
But as quickly as it had begun, the moment was over. I pulled back, my heart pounding with exhilaration and trepidation. Stephanie’s eyes met mine, wide with surprise and uncertainty. For a moment, neither of us spoke, the weight of what we had done hanging heavy in the air. Then, with a shaky breath, Stephanie reached out to touch my cheek, sending a shiver down my spine. “Ashlyn,” she whispered, her voice barely above a whisper, “what was that?”
I searched her eyes, looking for some sign of understanding, some indication of what had just passed between us. But I found uncertainty and a flicker of fear dancing in the depths of her gaze.
“I don’t know,” I admitted, my voice barely a whisper. “But . . . but I couldn’t help myself. There’s something about you, Stephanie. Something that draws me to you like a moth to a flame.”
Stephanie’s expression softened, a hint of warmth flickering in her eyes as she reached out to take my hand in hers. “I feel it too, Ashlyn,” she said, her voice barely above a whisper. “There’s something between us, something . . . undeniable.”
I knew this wasn’t the first time I had done something like this and I didn’t want to put this on Stephanie, too.
I couldn’t shake the memory of what had happened with Monica—the risks, the consequences, and the heartache. Despite the undeniable connection I felt with Stephanie, I knew I couldn’t afford to let my guard down again. Couldn’t risk opening myself up to the possibility of getting hurt. And, in turn, hurting her.
With a heavy heart, I pulled away from Stephanie, my gaze dropping to the ground as I struggled to find the words to explain.
So, I didn’t.
“I . . . I would like to take the job, if it’s still available,” I said, my voice curt and businesslike. “I’ll be back tomorrow to go through the paperwork.” I could feel Stephanie’s eyes on me, trying to understand what had changed between us. But I couldn’t bring myself to meet her gaze. I couldn’t bear to see the hurt and confusion in her eyes.
For a moment, there was silence between us, the weight of our unspoken emotions hanging heavy in the air. And then, with a nod of resignation, Stephanie spoke, her voice tinged with a hint of sadness. “Of course,” she said, her tone subdued. “I’ll have everything ready for you tomorrow.”
I turned to leave, but couldn’t shake the sense of regret that gnawed at my insides. The knowledge that I had hurt Stephanie with my sudden change in demeanor. But I knew it was for the best. I couldn’t afford to let my emotions cloud my judgment—not when so much was at stake. With a heavy heart, I walked away, leaving Stephanie behind in the quiet solitude of the ranch.