What happens next?

After a short ten minute cramped car ride, we made it to the barn that Ashley keeps his horse, who I later found out was called Arrow.

“Alrighty, here we are. Now let’s go see Arrow. Follow me, right this way.” Ashley said while placing his hand in Lola’s and leading us through the front doors of the barn.

On the inside of the barn, there was about ten stalls on each side of the ally way that all seemed to be occupied by a variety of different breeds of horses quite happily munching on their hay nets. We walked around the top corner that lead to another two rows of perfectly groomed horses. Suddenly, Ashley stopped abruptly in front of a stall that had “Arrow” written on a door plaque in a fancy font, with the ‘A’ in the shape of an arrow head.

“Alice, I’d like you to meet my quarter horse, Arrow.” Ashley presented him like he was the best thing on earth and meant everything no him. As I peered around Ashley, I saw the most magnificent horse that I’s ever laid eyes on! He was a chestnut colour with three white socks that travelled up to his hocks, strong muscle filled legs that lead up to his bright, alert looking eyes that scanned everything that was going on around him. He had a white blaze that started from in between his eyes that lead down to the top of his nostrils, with a white snip on his muzzle in the shape of an arrow head.

“I can see why you called him Arrow.” I remarked while stroking the gentle, chestnut giant.

“I couldn’t think of anything better to call him.” Ashley shrugged. “It suits him anyway, he’s as fast as an arrow!” Ashley stated with a proud look on his face.

“I bet he is, but I don’t think he’s the fastest here though. I’d put money on the grey being faster.” I challenged while pointing to what appeared to be a warm blood cross thoroughbred.

“What, Delilah? Arrow would beat her ass any day!” Ashley replied with a humoured expression on his face.

“Why don’t you put it to the test?” Lola asked.

“No way! Over my dead body!” CC snapped. I turned to look at him with my eyebrows raised with a ‘what-did-you-just-say’ look. “I-I… umm, I just don’t think that it’s a very good idea that’s all. I bet you haven’t even ridden a horse!” CC exclaimed as he looked in my direction.

“1. Thank you for caring about my safety, 2. I’m a farmer’s daughter, I lived in a farm for most of my life. I’ve had plenty of experience with horses, and 3. I want to wipe that smug look off Ashley’s face.” I told CC, who gave me a shocked expression to what I had just said but there was a hint of amusement in his eye when I told him about beating Ashley.

“How come your parents had time to come and visit you if they live in a farm? I thought living on a farm was hard work? Especially at this time of year back in the UK.” Ashley asked.

“As long as the weathers nice it is. But my brother stayed behind to keep an eye on things with a little help from my uncle.” I replied.

“Your brother is an ass.” Lola stated.

“That he is. Now are we going to put my theory to the test?” I asked directing my gaze at Ashley.

“Sure why not? I mean you are the one that going to have to give me money when I leave you in a cloud of dust. What do you say, $20?”

“Sure. Whatever you say wise guy.”



After about 20 minutes of tacking up the horses, myself and Ashley were at the starting line ready to begin our race.

“First one to that tree and back wins. Got it?” Ashley asked.

“Yep.” I answered while tightening my reins a little.

“Be careful.” CC said as he placed his hand on my thigh as I checked to make sure the girth was tight enough.

“Always. I’ve been riding horses since before I could walk. I should be fine.” I said placing my hand on top of his.

“Don’t go too fast, if you lose I’ll pay Ash the $20’s.” CC squeezed my thigh and placed a kiss on the back of my hand and took his position standing next to Lola who was holding CC’s bandana as a flag.

“You guys ready?” She asked.

“Sure am.” Ashley said then turned to look at me. “You ready to eat my dust?”

“If you say so.” I smirked back at him.

“Okay then, 3, 2, 1, GO!” Lola screamed as she dropped the flag.

As we set off, Ashley was in the lead. He was pushing Arrow to his limit while I let Delilah set the pace. It wasn’t long before we had rounded the tree and were on our way back to the finishing line. Arrow was slowing down while Delilah had plenty of energy left. On the last 15 strides to the finish line, I pushed Delilah to go a little faster and crossed the finishing line a stride ahead of Ashley. I mean I had to make him believe he was going to win, right?

“In your face Purdy! Cough up!” I Exclaimed as I dismounted and jumped off Delilah, stroking her neck.

“You must have cheated! No way did you just beat me!” Ashley said in disbelief.

“Suck it up Purdy. You owe her $20.” Lola said coming to stand by me, hands placed on her hips.

“Fine, here you go.” Ashley said while digging the money out of his pocket and handing it to me.

“Thank you, pleasure doing business with you kind sir.” I turned and walked away to go and put Delilah away when a stable hand came and took her off me.

“I’ll take her and put her away for you. I saw your race with Ashley, you are really good with horses and an excellent rider. My name is Taylor. Here’s my number, give me a ring if you ever need anything or just want someone to go riding with.” He handed me a piece of paper with digits scribbled across it. I was about to answer when I felt two arms slip around my waist.

“Hey babe, who you talking to?” CC asked. His voice sounded low and threatening. What is it with guys challenging each other over stupid things?

“CC, this is Taylor. Taylor, this is CC.” I said while stepping from within CC’s arms.

“Umm, hi. Its, er, nice to meet you.” Taylor stuttered while holding out his hand for CC to shake. CC sort of just glared at his hand for a few moments until I elbowed him, not so discreetly I must add, in the ribs until he finally took Taylors hand in a firm hand shake. “Well I best be talking Delilah and Arrow back to their stalls.” With that, Taylor took Arrows rein as well as Delilah’s and led the two horses back into the barn.

“What was that?” I asked CC as I turned to face him.

“I don’t know what you mean.” He shrugged as he replied.

“I call bull shit! You totally know what you were doing!” I exclaimed. Don’t get me wrong I kind of like CC having a possessive streak but come on! The guy was only complimenting my riding skills. Wasn’t he?

“I didn’t like the way he was looking at you. He was eyeing you up and down like you were a piece of meat.” CC explained his reasoning while looking at the o so fascinating ground.

“You don’t like him looking at me like that because?” I knew the answer I just wanted to hear him say it.

“Because I like you.” He said looking up at me with shining eyes. I smiled at him as he stepped closer to me. He draped his arms around my waist and pulled me flush against him.

He started lowering his head towards mine, his eyes darting back and forth from my eyes to my lips. There was only centimetres between our lips and the shape between us was closing at an agonisingly slow pace until it was almost gone.

Notes

I finally updated! I am pretty crap with updating don't you think?xD

Anyone go to the BMTH concert on Friday in Cardiff? It was great up until I got stuck in a mosh pit... not fun!

I've also noticed that my spelling and punctuation is pretty naff in the previous chapters so I'm going to change that.