The sun was shining, the sky blue and barely a breath of wind was in the air.
The dark brown Quarter Horse turned a corner at the bottom of the arena, walking with a stretched, lowered neck and relaxed swinging stride's.
A grin formed on my face as I saw the toothy ecstatic grin of a pint sized person, who sat in the saddle in front of Blayze.
With deep blue-green eyes sparkling and a cheeky toothy grin splitting his tanned cheek's, my baby was in his element with his Dad's arm holding him securely and Jackaroo taking strong, placid step's even among the buzzing fair ground crowd.
I lifted my phone to capture yet another picture.
I popped my eyes open, reality setting upon me as I took in the darkened hospital room, with sunlight attempting to peek through the crack's in the blind's.
My heart beat a little fast as I thought back to my dream.
"Good morning."
A friendly looking raven haired Nurse greeted as she came into my room.
I cleared my throat before I attempted to answer her.
"Hi."
"How are you feeling this morning?"
Surprise hit me.
"I...haven't been out of bed yet."
As if to mock me, I felt my belly twist.
No!
I tried hard to squish down any nauseous thought's and feeling's.
"What- what's the time?"
I looked toward the side table for my phone.
"Ten past seven."
The Nurse shot me a smile and moved to the end of my bed to check my patient chart.
"So you haven't been sick this morning?"
I shook my head.
She smiled.
"Do you mind if I run some ob's?"
"Okay."
It's not like I really get a choice in the matter.
The only way I'm going to get out of here is when they deem my ob's to be up to scratch.
"It will only take a moment."
The Nurse dragged a blood pressure monitor around with her.
"But you've been in here for a couple of day's so you're probably well used to it."
I nodded.
Used to it, I was.
"Bailey!"
The overly enthusiastic tone in Doctor Legend's voice and look on his face made me suspicious as the young, fit English Doctor strode into my hospital room.
"Hey."
I greeted cautiously.
He laughed!
"Got you worried have I?"
"A little."
I admitted.
He seemed to just about bounce on the spot.
"I've got good new's for you!"
Now I was cautiously a little excited.
"Good new's?"
I pulled myself up into a straight sitting position in the hospital bed.
Doctor Legend grinned.
"I deem you well and able to go home today!"
I felt my eyes bug open and my heart beat faster, my excitement building.
"For real?"
I fried hard to contain my excitement.
Doctor Legend nodded, his smile six foot wide.
"For real."
"Yes!"
I fisted my hand's in my lap, trying hard not to fist pump.
Doctor Legend laughed.
"I thought you'd be happy with that new's."
His smile told me this was the type of new's he enjoyed delivering to his patient's.
I nodded vigorously
"Oh I definitely am."
"Do you want to call somebody to pick you up? I know it takes them a few hour's to get here."
He didn't have to tell me twice.
"I'll get right on it."
I reached onto the side table and grabbed my phone.
"I'll catch you before you leave then."
Doctor Legend smiled and headed out of the room.
I typed my home phone number into my phone screen and tapped the call option then held the phone to my ear, figuring that number would be the best one to try first.
Ring ring, ring ring, ring ring, ring ring, ring ring-
Don't tell me nobody is going to answer!
Ring ring, ring-
"Yullo?"
My heart hammered in my chest.
Thank god!
But hang on-?
"Why are you answering the home phone?"
I asked.
"Bail's?"
Blayze sounded somewhat confused.
"Yes it's me!"
I tried hard to tone down my excitement.
But I guess it wasn't really working.
"Uh you sound...excited."
Blayze sounded weary.
I couldn't help but laugh.
"Calm down cowboy!"
"Well what's goin on?"
He asked.
I practically bounced on my spot.
"I get to come home!"
"Sweet!"
Blayze answered.
I grinned like an idiot.
"So... I rang the home phone in an attempt to find out who can spare half their day to come and rescue me!"
He scoffed.
"Half their day? Did I not prove a couple day's ago that I can do it in less than two hour's?"
I scowled.
"No death wish drive this time!"
Even though it would be good the sooner I could get the bloody hell out of here.
I heard muffled voice's in the background.
"Who's that?"
I asked.
"Bailey want's to come home."
Blayze told whoever had spoken.
I heard a muffled voice that sounded a lot like Grandpa.
"Your Pa told ya you can sit tight and wait for the Doctor's verdict."
The smiling, amused tone in Blayze's voice made me want to reach through the phone and smack him upside the head!
I settled for growling at him.
Blayze laughed.
"She's got the clear from the Doc."
He told I guess Grandpa.
I heard muffled voice's again, but also the excited tone of Grandma's voice.
"Your Pa said I can come get you."
Blayze told me.
"Yes!"
Now I did fist pump.
Even if he didn't drive at neck breaking speed's this time, Blayze would still get here the quickest.
And I did badly want to see him.
The visit from him and Heath yesterday felt like so damn long ago.
And with Heath around, the closest we got was Blayze ruffling my hair to say goodbye.
My soul ached for more even though half the time I later wound up feeling three times as bad as I did before the closeness occurred.
"But."
Blayze continued.
My heart seemed to stop.
Now there's a but?
He know's how badly I want to get out of here!
"I've gotta file Pelican's feet and well..."
He sighed dramatically.
Pelican was 99% of the time a right bloody shit head to do his feet, whether cleaning them out, trimming or even oiling them.
He has a phobia that not even Blayze has yet been able to work through enough for him to make the job easy.
I was almost positive he was just trying to stir me up.
"You do not!"
Blayze laughed!
My heart pounded with relief.
"Okay, maybe I don't needa do that."
Blayze agreed.
"I know!"
I replied.
"But."
I groaned.
"What now?"
"I do have to locate and fix an air leak in Heath's new box of shit."
I sat quiet for a moment, trying to calculate what he had just told me.
His voice didn't give away if he was serious or not.
Heath hadn't told me he'd acquired a car.
But I did know he was going to start looking for one.
Shit.
He could have found something with just a few basic problem's that Blayze can fix.
"Well then I'll call Heath and tell him he can bloody well wait!"
That solves that problem!
Blayze laughed!
My heart pounded.
"I'll make a coffee and get my key's."
He informed me.
Relief washed over me like a bucket of cold water.
"Good!"
"Good?"
Blayze questioned.
Uh oh!
My homecoming as soon as, depend's on him.
"I mean thank you! Thank you, thank you, thank you."
Blayze laughed!
"I'll let ya know when I've hit the road."
He promised.
"Okay! See ya soon!"
"Bye."
"Bye."
I pulled the phone from my ear and tapped the red end circle.
For about the twentieth time, I looked at my phone.
More specifically, I looked at the last message Blayze sent me.
Blayze: iMessage: 11:08AM: Just left town.
So that would mean he was on the stretch to Fletcher Creek, the town where the hospital is located.
But the clock now read 11:58AM.
That means it's fifty minutes since he sent the last message.
What's taking him so long?
As soon as I got Blayze's message to say he was leaving home, I raced into the shower to make sure I was definitely ready to go by the time he got here.
It feel's like bloody forever since I was sitting on the edge of the hospital bed twiddling my thumb's.
"Yeah, she's good to go."
The now entirely familiar tone of Doctor Legend's voice sounded seemingly just outside my room.
But from where I sat, I couldn't see much into the corridor.
"I know she wanted to come home but I didn't think she'd tell me she was allowed to if she actually wasn't."
That voice I'd know anywhere.
I practically leapt off the hospital bed and grabbed the plastic bag containing the small amount of my belonging's I had to take home.
I practically skidded through the doorway in my haste to get the hell out of here.
I couldn't wait to smell the fresh outside air.
You didn't know just how much you missed it until it's taken away from you.
"Whoa!"
Doctor Legend put the brakes on just in time, narrowly missing slamming into me in my sudden arrival.
Amusement danced in his green eyes.
"Something tell's me you want to go home."
I looked up until I found Blayze's beautiful deep blue-green eyes.
I couldn't wipe my smile even if I wanted to.
"Hell yeah I do!"
"Now."
Doctor Legend began.
Something told me to be weary of the edge to his voice.
I shot Blayze a glance, then turned back to the Doctor.
Doctor Legend winced.
"I probably should've mentioned to you that as you're a minor you need a guardian to sign you out."
I stared at him, shocked.
"You're kidding me?"
I looked quickly to Blayze.
He looked like he was on exactly the same wavelength as me.
"But."
Doctor Legend spread his hand's in a smoothing motion.
I raised a questioning brow.
Doctor Legend nodded toward Blayze.
"I think we can make an exception and Blayze can sign for you."
My heart pounded in relief.
Thank god!
"To cover ourselves, we'll call your Mum and get her verbal permission though."
Doctor Legend explained.
"Well, if she'll give it."
He shrugged.
Smiling, I shook my head.
Doctor Legend raised a questioning brow.
I jerked a thumb in Blayze's direction.
"Since he was eighteen Blayze has half the time signed stuff for me."
"Okay then."
Doctor Legend nodded.
The three of us headed for a desk area that had a few worker's behind it dealing with paperwork and computer's.
"I need Bailey Harley's file please."
Doctor Legend requested from a red headed woman wearing black rimmed rectangle glasses.
"Sure."
She turned to a stack and flicked through a couple of Manila folder's until she grabbed one and pulled it free, extending it to Doctor Legend.
"Thank you."
He told her.
Atop the higher point of the desk, he flipped the folder open, rummaged through a couple of sheet's, then grabbed a pen.
He turned to Blayze and I.
"Is one of you able to get Kylie on the phone for me?"
"She seriously isn't going to care."
I insisted.
"It's policy, Bail's."
Blayze pulled his phone from his pocket and tapped away at the screen.
"Are you calling her?"
I checked.
He nodded and held the phone to his ear.
The second's ticked by.
I began to feel a little anxious.
What if she doesn't pick up?
Will Doctor Legend not let me go until he's heard Mum say it's fine if Blayze sign's?
"Kylie."
Blayze said suddenly,
Relief flooded my vein's.
Doctor Legend shot me a smile.
Blayze shot a quick glance my way.
"Yeah, all's good, but there's the small formality of needing your signature."
He paused to listen to what Mum said.
"Yeah, we both said as much but the Doc said he need's to hear it from you coz it's policy and cover's em."
Blayze explained.
"Yeah he's right here. Righto."
He extended the phone to Doctor Legend.
The Doctor smiled, took it and held it to his ear.
"Hello Kylie, so sorry to interrupt you."
He greeted.
He nodded as Mum spoke.
"I know."
He explained.
"Yes if it was up to me I wouldn't have bothered, however if I let it slide it would go through my superior's."
He nodded.
"Okay. Thank you Kylie, enjoy the rest of your day. Let's hope we don't have to see you guy's until we're delivering a strong, healthy baby."
Doctor Legend paused to listen.
"Thank you. Not a problem at all. Bye bye."
He extended the phone back to Blayze.
I all but pounced on him.
"So you can accept Blayze's autograph now?"
He smiled.
"Of course."
Thank god!
Blayze stashed his phone in his pocket and stepped up to the desk to sign what was required.
Doctor Legend flipped the Manila folder shut.
"Annnnd you're free to go!"
"Thank god!"
I realised a moment too late that my word's could be considered rude and ungrateful.
I smiled sheepishly.
"No offence. And thank you for looking after me."
"Not a problem at all."
My Doctor promised.
He grinned.
"Let's try not to see each other again until November hey?"
I nodded.
"That'd be good."
"Definitely would. The cop's are watchin me all the time now and look's like I needa give the Ute a service."
Blayze added.
I poked my tongue out at him.
He's soooooo funny sometimes!
"At least me and your kid are alive!"
Doctor Legend laughed!
Blayze smiled.
"Touché."
He agreed.
"Have a safe journey home."
Doctor Legend wished.
He turned to me and offered his right hand.
I grinned and shook it.
"Thanks for everything, Doc!"
"My pleasure."
He assured.
He turned to Blayze to shake his hand too.
"Cheers mate."
Blayze told him.
They're suddenly friend's?
Blayze turned to me.
"You ready to get a move on Bail's?"
"Heck yes!"
I turned on my heel and headed for the door's.
But a moment later I stopped, realising I didn't actually know what way I had to go.
Blayze and Doctor Legend laughed!
Blayze nodded down the corridor I'd aimed for.
"You're goin the right way."
Phew.
"See ya guy's."
Doctor Logan bade.
"Bye!"
I waved over my shoulder.
The more K's we covered, the more peace was slowly coming back into my heart.
Eventually the 'Welcome To Riverston' sign came into my view and I couldn't help but smile.
Unfortunately we were still a couple of hundred K's from home though.
But it was better than sitting in the Fletcher Creek Hospital.
Blayze glanced over at me as we cruised into the outskirts of town, still going just over a hundred K's.
"You hungry?"
As if on cue, my stomach growled.
"Starving."
I told him.
"Do you wanna stop and grab something?"
He offered,
I wanted to go home.
But just being in Riverston would do for now.
"Sure."
I agreed.
If not, it would be about two hour's until I could eat.
And I had somebody else I was eating for now too.
"Where d'ya wanna go?"
He asked.
I shrugged.
"I don't mind."
"The Pub or Georgie's?"
Blayze suggested.
I knew by 'Georgie's' he meant Codie's Mum's cafe.
We'd probably get the best for our money at the pub, considering I do somewhat have to think about what I put in my body now.
But we'd likely run into people there...
Hell, we'll run into people we know anywhere around here!
"The pub's okay so long as we don't stay all arvo."
I bargained.
Blayze shot me a smile.
"Phoenix, Aviator, Azlan and Zeus told me they want ya home pronto anyway."
I grinned, my heart suddenly feeling even more warm.
My dear Phoenix!
And the oh so cute Aviator!
And sweet Azlan and Zeus!
"I can't wait to see them."
Momentarily, I shut my eyes to stay in the sweet moment.
"Hey Blayze?"
I tried to stop him before he opened his door to climb out of the Ranger and head into the pub.
He paused with his hand on the door handle.
"Yeah?"
I gestured him forward with a drawing flick of my hand.
He raised a questioning brow at me but released the handle and turned toward me, bracing an elbow on the swell of the centre console.
I leaned forward and wrapped my arm's around his neck/broad shoulder's, pulling him into a hug.
I felt him immediately stiffen.
Whether from surprise or resistance, I wasn't at all certain.
A split second later, I regretted my move.
Then I felt him relax and slide his right arm around my back.
I felt a smile slip back onto my lip's and slowly pulled back.
Blayze raised a questioning brow, but I could see he was fighting a smile.
"What was that for?"
I couldn't help but smile.
"Maybe I mighta missed ya just a little bit."
He shot me a smile that made me thankful I was sitting down, if not my knee's may have given out.
It was his special kind of rare smile.
No wonder girl's swoon over him.
Not only does he have a body to make them stop and stare, but he can finish it off with a killer smile and a mouth and hand's to drive a girl insane.
Mentally I smacked myself away from those thought's.
It would do me no good to go down that road right now.
"I mighta missed ya just a little bit too."
I don't think he was aware of the pull he has on me, because he pushed his door open and swung his leg's out of the car while I remained stuck in my seat, my jaw hanging open.
Blayze's door thudded closed, snapping me out of my stupor.
I blinked hard.
That man is dangerous to my health.
My nerves were singing and there was something warm coiling in the depth's of my belly.
Something above my eye level caught my attention.
I looked up to see Blayze's white hat sitting in the car hat rack.
Feeling a smile tug at my lip's, I reached up to free the hat from it's cage and pushed open the passenger door.
I dropped from the car and shut the door, then pulled the way too big hat onto my head.
It dropped down to where the band brushed the crook of my nose between my eyes and I could barely see where I was walking.
Guess I won't be borrowing any of Blayze's hat's...
I rounded the back of the jacked up Ute to find him waiting.
"Forgetting something?"
I asked.
He had his phone in his hand's and was looking at the screen.
"No, I was waitin for ya."
He locked his phone and slipped it into his pocket then turned my way.
He burst into laughter, causing me to grin.
I lifted a hand to pinch the crown of the hat and lift it from my head.
"You look weird without your hat."
I told him and extended it to him.
"Gee thanks."
He rolled his eyes and grabbed the hat from me, his fingers brushing mine and causing my skin to tingle.
I grinned.
"I mean you look good all the time. Just Cowboy Blayze is my favourite!"
He smiled and pulled the hat onto his head.
"Better?"
"Much!"
I nodded.
He raised a questioning brow.
"Can we go get lunch now?"
I held a finger up to signal 'one'.
"One more thing."
Blayze opened his mouth as if to speak, then shut it and raised a questioning brow.
I glanced around the parking lot (thankfully Blayze had parked alongside the hotel where there was only availability for one row of car's to park because it was an access way to the back where the main parking area was) and couldn't see anybody milling around.
I took a step toward him and gestured for him to step forward too.
He looked curious, but obeyed, meeting me in the middle.
I stretched onto my tip toes and lifted my hand's to carefully grasp either side of his face and gently pulled him down so I could plant my lip's onto his.
This time, thankfully, there wasn't even a moment of hesitation on his part.
His lip's immediately moved with mine and his hand's came around my waist, pulling our front's flush.
My heart immediately hit a sprint, my breath seeming to instantly be non existent.
I felt the prickle of stubble under my hand's but paid more attention to the feeling of his hand's large and hot on my waist and the solidness of his body against mine as he swept his tongue across my lower lip, asking for entrance.
Every fibre of my being was alive, every nerve standing to attention and my heart beating at triple it's normal pace and the coil in my belly intensifying as I parted my lip's, allowing the kiss to morph into a French one.
It was risky.
Anybody could walk into this section of the parking lot.
But it seemed neither one of us cared enough about the risk of being caught as we clung to each other and gave in to the desire to explore each other's mouth.
With ragged breathing, we broke the kiss, Blayze resting his forehead against mine.
The brim of his hat brushed against the top of my head.
I kept my eyes closed, savouring the sweet but fiery moment and attempting to catch my breath.
Where my confidence to initiate the situation had come from, I did not know.
But my mind, body and soul knew it was well worth it as every fibre of my being still sang with excitement.
Truthfully I wanted more.
"You're dangerous."
There was a slightly breathless edge to Blayze's voice, letting me know he'd felt the intensity of the moment just as much as I had.
I smiled to myself, satisfied that it was because of me.
He planted a gentle kiss on my forehead and gave my waist a small squeeze as he stepped back.
As if to signify that the romantic side of thing's was over, my stomach gave an animalistic growl.
I felt my cheek's burn like a raging inferno.
Blayze just laughed!
He nodded in the direction we had to go to find some door's.
"C'mon. Let's go feed that wild beast."
I turned on my heel and we walked along the wall until we rounded the corner into the beer garden and entered the Riverston Hotel through the front bar beer garden door's.
"How's it goin Blayze?"
Several people immediately greeted him.
"Howdy."
Blayze responded.
I couldn't see much past his broad shoulder's as we stepped into the section known as the front bar.
Blayze moved aside and I saw several men by the bar, a few with lunch plate's in front of them and every one with a beer.
"Bailey, good to see ya."
I tried hard to swallow down my nerves.
Unlike Blayze I don't exactly walk around with my head held high knowing people recognise me.
But they do recognise me, thanks to my Grandparent's, Mum and Uncle Lukas and largely thanks to Blayze.
I forced a quick smile and offered a wave.
"Hi."
"So are ya feelin better?"
Corey Potter, Troy's older brother who is from memory, a couple of year's older than Blayze set his beer back onto the bar.
"Word has it the XR8 screaming through town at break neck speed was Blayze and Lukas playin ambo's. Troy confirmed."
Corey added.
Oh.
I pasted a quick smile into place.
"Much better. Thanks."
What exactly does Corey know?
For that matter, what do Troy and the other hand's know?
I'll have to ask Blayze...
Blayze placed a hand on my arm to guide me through to the dining area.
"We're gonna zip in and get a feed guy's. We'll catch ya later."
"Righto, have fun."
Corey and the other guy's turned back to their meal's.
"Well well well!"
I jumped, spinning around to find the source of the somewhat familiar voice.
Joel Western came around a desk, walking towards us.
Okay so how much does he know?
"Gidday."
Blayze shook his friend's hand.
"Do you ever leave?"
Joel laughed loudly.
"I'm puttin in a little extra time the last few day's coz Kristen and I are away this weekend remember?"
"Ah yeah righto."
Blayze nodded.
Okay then...
Joel turned to me.
"How're ya feelin Bail's?"
I slipped a smile into place.
"Good thanks!"
Joel patted my back.
"Ya had us worried when the boy's raced ya off to the hospital."
"I'm fine."
I promised.
"Where are you and Kristen off to?"
I don't see Joel's fiancé Kristen often, but she's super nice.
She's definitely a perfect match for Joel.
She's down to earth and friendly, the right mix of bubbly and gentle for the kindergarten kid's she teaches at the local Kindergarten.
"Just to Angle Vale. Gonna spend a few night's at a bed and breakfast and have some chill out time."
Joel explained.
I nodded.
"Sound's nice."
"She deserves it now the term's over. We'll be leaving about mid morning. The good thing about her workin Kindy is they don't do the last half day like the school teacher's have to."
"Oh really? So Lily won't be having to go to town then."
I mused.
"Nope."
Joel shook his head.
He looked between Blayze and I.
"So are you guy's after a table?"
"Yeah."
Blayze nodded and lightly nudged my arm with his elbow.
"Bail's apparently didn't find the hospital food very sustaining."
I felt my cheek's burn.
"Shut up!"
"You know the drill. If it's got a reserved sign on it then."
Joel shrugged.
"Righto."
Blayze nodded.
"I'll go a t-bone with Diane then."
I scowled at him.
"Please."
Blayze and Joel both laughed!
"I'm used to his lack of manners by now."
Joel stage whispered to me.
I shook my head,
Bloody boy's.
Although technically these guy's are 'men'.
One of these day's they might start to act like it...
"Do you know what you want Bail's?"
I snapped back into the here and now and found both guy's watching me expectantly.
I took a moment to tune into my taste bud's.
What does my baby want to eat...?
I could almost taste my meal on my tongue.
Well, taste the meal Blayze had described.
"Steak please."
I requested in an attempt at a sweet voice and expression.
Smiling, Blayze shook his head.
Joel raised a questioning brow.
"Gravy?"
"Diane as well please."
Blayze shot me a surprised look.
I was a little surprised too.
Normally pepper gravy is my choice.
"Too easy."
Joel nodded.
"Oh!"
He snapped his finger's.
Blayze and I looked at him questioningly.
Joel grinned.
"What cut of steak ya after?"
Oh yeah.
I didn't specify that bit.
Blayze placed a hand on my back to guide me toward the tables.
"Get her a T-bone. She could do with it."
"Righto. It'll be out when it's ready."
Joel promised.
"Hello! Hello hello hello."
My voice was high with pent up excitement as I greeted Azlan, Zeus, Hewey, Dewey, Lewey, Buzz and Woody,
Why everybody was here in the farm yard upon Blayze and I's return was beyond me.
But the wagging tail's and bright eyes were enough to melt my heart as I greeted each dog.
"I have to go see Phoenix."
I informed the dog's.
As if on cue, a melodic, joyful young neigh rang out to me from the direction of the working horse paddock.
Pounding hoove's sounded, informing me horse's were on the move.
Feeling my spirit's lift further yet, I headed in the direction of the paddock, more than eager to greet my pony.
All seven dog's joined me on the walk, but by the time I got almost to the paddock, I only had Azlan, Zeus and Lewey being my shadow's.
"Hey my baby!"
I called out to Phoenix.
Phoenix, Western, Cupid, Gabbi and Narnia crowded at the fence, wanting attention.
All five of the horse's waiting were golden, however Phoenix and Western had glowing, full white mane and tail's whereas Narnia, Gabbi and Cupid were gold with black mane and tail's, making them Buckskin rather than Palomino.
Narnia and Gabbi were four year old's, on their first year of being full time working horse's and Cupid is a three year old having some working horse training time before he'll spell for a bit.
Phoenix gave an over excitable squeal like whinny and danced on all four feet, seemingly uncertain of where to put each foot to make the perfect move, transforming back to Foal Phoenix before my eyes.
He stretched his nose over the fence to touch his muzzle to my nose.
My heart sang with joy as I closed my eyes and relished in the sweet smell of grass and hay.
Edited 26/5/2022