Taming Grey

Chapter 16- Work

I remember staying up late playing the play station but the exact time we fell asleep is a mystery. Cautiously, I stand up and grab a blanket off her bed. Laying the blanket gently on her I lean over and kiss her forehead.

On my way out I look at my watch to see it's about 4 in the morning. I drag my butt back to my place after trying so carefully to leave her house without waking anyone up. I practically fall on my bed before I fall asleep for another 30 minutes.

When I wake up again I brush my teeth and shower. My mind wanders back to Kory. She was beautiful and looked peaceful sleeping there. I can't help but be attracted to her. She's fun to be around.

I hear my alarm go off telling me I need to start my chores. I walk out my door and towards the barn. I'm the only ranch hand that wakes up before the breakfast bell; this allows me to get twice the work done. However, if I keep hanging out with Kory I will only begin to slack off.

I work hard, continuing through breakfast. No one notices I'm gone anyway. However, this morning I was not the only out here working. I caught a glimpse of Kory swinging her leg over a chestnut horse. She walks off and disappears around the side of the house.

Placing a pitchfork at the bottom of the latter I climb up into the hay loft. I sit down on a bale and lean back, closing my eyes. This work is tiring.

Apparently I doze off because I wake up to the sound of something heavy being dropped and incoherent muttering. I climb back down and see Kory picking a western saddle up off the ground. I small smile comes to my lips.

"Need help?" I ask. She's jumps then turns to glare at me.

"I can handle it."

"You sure?" She doesn't say anything, instead a she practically drags the saddle into the tack room. Before she comes back out I grab a brush and begin to brush the horse down.

She comes back out only to stop and cross her arms over her chest with a irritated look on her face. "Really? I thought I said I was fine."

"I just thought I would help a little."

She sighs and picks up a brush and begins on the other side. When were done I follow her out to the paddock where she lets the horse loose.

"What's his name?"

"Banjo. Dad gave him to me for 15 birthday when he was a baby. Trained him myself."

"Impressive."

She turns to me. "Yeah. Do you know anything about training horses?"

"I trained a few with some help."

"Do you mind helping me with Grey? Ever since she bucked me off she's been...different."

"Um..." I'm a little hesitant.

"Please," she smiles.

Oh god. That smile. "Yeah I guess I can. Can't guarantee I'll be much help though."

"That's okay." She grabs my arm and pulls me to Grey.

I stand a little behind her and allow her to circle Grey around us. Dirt flies up behind the horse as she digs her feet in the dirt, pushing off, as she almost gallops around us. Kory was right when she said she was different. Her time she spent free shows more everyday as we hold her back from that freedom. This horse needs more room than this arena, even though the arena is not that small.

Kory is tense. She holds the rope tightly, leaning back a little, preventing it from slipping free from her grasp. I step a little closer to her.

"Kory relax," I say softly. She relaxes and soon Grey relaxes, too. "Talk to her."

"Hey, Grey baby. It's alright." Kory talks soothingly, "Sshh. You can chill. We won't hurt you."

"Good." I comment and she half smiles.

When Grey gets down to a trot I tell Kory to bend down a little and look at her hindquarters. This is suppose to put 'pressure' there and cause her to turn them away from you, also making her look at you. Grey responds immediately and looks at us.

Kory's beautiful smile widens when Grey slowly comes to her. "Oh, good girl. Good job! Good girl!" She praises her.

After we let Grey roam the arena again we sit on the gate and watch her.

"Thank you. For helping me."

I look at Kory. "Anytime."

"Where did you learn to do that?"

"At a few horsemanship clinics," I shrug and hope off the fence. Kory does the same. Well, I'll see you tomorrow?"

She nods and hugs me. I don't respond at first, but slowly I place my arms around her back and hug her. We stand there in each other's arms longer than necessary and when we pull I can't help but fall for her a little more.

"See you later." She waves and walks off towards the dining hall.

I walk back to my cabin and clean up. I make a sandwich and sit on my bed eating it. When I finish I take off my shirt and jeans and slip on only a pair of plaid pajama pants. After I brush my teeth I lay down and almost immediately fall asleep.

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