Finding Home

Chapter 3

We all tacked up and I helped Issy with Porter. I gave her my comfy saddle but the latigo was hard to tie on it so I offered. We mounted on and warmed up in the round pen we started out in the field towards the land that Dave pointed out to me earlier. "So Luke, first thank you for the note. It was cute." His cheeks turned red and the other two looked curious. "But you know this place best. Is my ground dry enough to run on?"

"Yes ma'am it is. You feel like a race." He pushed his gelding, Tucker, closer. I took this time to really look at him. His eyes constantly caught my attention with the bright green they held. He had short-cropped hair that was a dirty blonde. And he was tall I guessed around 6'3 the way he towers over me. And he was definitely fit. He wore a white shirt that hugged his body and an old pair of wrangler blue jeans. He looked really good. I blushed noticing him looking over me as I was him. I was wearing my Cowboy Take Me Away grey tank and blue Rock and Roll jeans and my Ariat belt with a silver buckle. My hair was braided and thrown over my shoulder with my trucker hat on.

"Ya, I'm down. It'll be sad when you eat my dust though." I smirked.

He bumped Tucker into my leg, "It's on cowgirl." He said with a voice that made my tummy fill with butterflies.

I looked at Issy who was busy flirting with James, who was flirting right back. "Hey lovebirds!" Their faces went bright red, "You mind being our markers for our race?" They nodded and Luke took James to one side and I took Issy to the other. Luke trotted back over. "Issy if you want, once we start you can run him out too. He'll follow pretty close to Tucker." I sent a wink at Luke who must have understood what I meant, by the look on his face. That Porter was slow as would Tucker be.

Issy laughed, "Okay line up you two crazy's." We did as told and lined our horse's heads side by side. "On your marks, get set, GO!"

We both raced forward. I sat up like a jockey and tucked myself in. We were currently tied, maybe Tucker was ahead slightly and I could tell Tucker was at max speed, which is still dang fast. But Dolly had another gate so I whispered to her, "Fly Dolly, Fly" She took off eating more ground. Her long legs showed no mercy. I laughed with joy. My hat flew off and my eyes were tearing from the wind. We passed James and I slowed her down. I patted her neck. Tucker was huffing but Dolly went to a near patch and began grazing. Her diva-ness was amazing. I watched Issy lope Porter over and park by James. They looked in awe at my buckskin. I picked up the reins and moved Dolly over to Luke, and held out my hand. "Good race." He shook my hand but didn't say anything. And I didn't blame him when I felt the spark at the contact. We held eye contact for a while but was broken by Issy.

"And the best cowgirl won the race!" She shouted for all. I laughed and moved Dolly back towards my lost hat then towards the farm. The others following.

I was about to speak when a loud boom erupted. We all looked up and saw a thunderstorm was rolling up quickly. James yelled, "Get on!" and his horse burst forwards towards the barn. We all followed suit. I made Dolly run ahead so we could get the tie stalls ready. I don't think the boys could make it home on horseback.

I trotted into the barn and hopped off. "Dolly into the stall." She lazily went into her stall. I grabbed two straw bales and shook them over the tie-stalls. I filled the trough with water for both and then went back to Dolly. I untacked her and gave her some grain and started to brush her. The others made it back and hopped off. The boys said thanks for making the horses stalls. I just nodded my head and continued to brush Dolly.

We finally got the horses put to bed. James looked distressed as did Issy. He finally spoke up, "I need to get home. My sister hates thunderstorms."

Issy followed with, "I should too. Connor will need me if the storm takes out the power."

I looked between the two and tossed James the keys. He gave me a questioning look, "Take Issy and yourself home. When the storms are over you can get your horse. I'll take care of her until then. Same for you Luke. You're free to leave."