Life on the Farm

Chapter 3

I saddle up Raspberry, and slide on my helmet over my braids. I mount on her, and walk her out of the barn, where we break into a trot until we get to the woods. I turn her to the left, a way I know well. So does she. I can feel her getting excited under me, I press my hand to the side of her neck.
We wind past a bend, then I cluck my tongue and press my heel to her side. I urge her into a canter, but I don't need to tell her twice. I know she's been itching to run all day. We race up a small incline, around a tree, and break free down a straight path. I see a log coming up. We've been over this many times. As we near, she knows what's going to happen. I pull back the reins, and we leap into the air, and land and continue our trot like nothing ever happened. But when I'm in the air, jumping over that log, I feel like I'm flying. I always lift out of my seat the tiniest bit, and close my eyes, feeling the sweet air against my face. I smile to myself as we continue, and the path slowly widens, until we're in a clearing. This clearing always seems to stretch on forever. I twitch my hand on the reins and Raspberry knows. She presses into a gallop, and I literally feel like I'm flying. We fly down the well known and well worn path, and I lean down over her back. I whoop, and Raspberry goes even faster.
"Hey! Hey!" I hear someone call. I straighten up, and slow Raspberry to a canter, spinning her around. I see Dalton on a horse. On Mano.
"Easy, easy!" He calls as I slow to a trot. I come to a complete stop beside him.
"Dalton."
"That's my name."
"Hi." I pant, a little out of breath.
"So you're serious about the whole horse thing."
"What's that supposed to mean?"
"It means that when you were showing us around the horses, I saw how you looked at them. Like they were your pride and joy. And you just proved yourself."
"So you followed me?"
"I wouldn't exactly say that."
"Oh yeah? Than what would you say?"
"I would say that I saw you go into the barn, and saw you saddle up Raspberry, and I wanted to know where you were going. I asked Mark if I could take ride into the woods. He already had Mano saddled. I saw you turn left. I just kinda followed from a distance."
"So you were following me."
"Not exactly."
"Why not?"
"I was just seeing where you were headed. I wanted to know more about you."
"You want to know more about me?"
"Yes."
"Hm. You were so quiet earlier."
"I'm not good with new people."
"So?"
"So...do you wanna go on a ride?"
"I'm already on a ride."
"Wanna continue the ride?"
"I was planning on it."
"Can I tag along?"
"Let's see if you can keep up. I know Mano can, but can you?"
"Let's see."
And I take off. I canter out of the clearing, taking a right instead of a left this time. Not too challenging. No jumps, like the left had. Practically a beginner course. Of course, I was riding here when I was eight, so.
I hear Dalton behind me. He's noisy on Mano. Raspberry is much quieter. We canter up a hill, then over flat ground. The path curves, and I would love to keep going straight, but it's getting late, so I take a right downhill. At the bottom I wait for Dalton, and when I see him, I press forward. We arrive back at the barn, and I hop off of Raspberry. I lead her through the arena back into the prep room, where I tie her up. I head back out to where Dalton is standing with Mano.
"I got him," I say, taking the lead from Dalton.
"No. Let me." Dalton takes the lead back from me.
"Ok. Follow me."
I lead Dalton back to the second prep room.
"Take off the saddle, and bring it into the tack room. Each saddle has its own stand, for each different horse. Find the stand that says Mano's name. And hang the lead next to it on the nail on the wall." I walk back to Raspberry, and take off her saddle, and set it on the ground. I take her saddle blanket off of her back, and set it on the rack on the wall. I bring the saddle into the tack room, and hang it up. I shake the saddle blanket, then set it on top of the saddle. Dalton walks in, swamped in saddle.
"Um...help."
"What, too heavy?"
"Yeah. A little."
I laugh, and pick up the saddle with ease. He stares.
"How is that even possible. That thing weighs like six hundred pounds."
"Not really. You live on this farm your whole life, you get used to heavy lifting." I set the saddle down. "Now you clean the horse."
I walk into the prep room, Dalton at my heels. I give him a curry comb. "Comb him down with this. But-here." I take the brush back and demonstrate brushing in small circles. "Like this." I hand the comb back. "Then take this brush and just brush from top to bottom," I say, tossing Dalton another brush. "Thomas will clean off their shoes."
I walk back into my prep room and brush Raspberry down, then lead her back to her stall. I step into Dalton's prep room as he's untying Mano.
"Lock him up then join us back at the main house."
I walk into the kitchen, and walk into the bathroom to wash my face and my hands. Then I head upstairs to change into legging and a sweater. I trade out my boots for slippers, and head back downstairs. My parents, Mark, Thomas, Oliver, Lesser, Hank, and Dalton have gathered. Lesser and Dalton are engrossed in conversation. I smile to myself. Always good to see a blooming bromance. Of course, being the only girl besides my mom, has its ups and downs. It does quality me for piggy back rides and more food, but it's always incredibly hard to find my own time.
I go and stand next to Oliver. "You met Dalton and Hank?"
"Yeah. Dalton's a cool kid."
"He's nice."
"So are we gonna have dinner or just be clustered around here?"
"I'll pull something together."
I grab my mom and we boil potatoes and green beans. I slice up tomatoes and sprinkle salt over them as my mom chops carrots.
"Need any help?" I look up and Lesser stands there.
"Hey Oliver!" I yell. He wanders over. "Help your friend set the table." They set the table and I turn back to dinner. The green beans are done, so I drain them and set them in a bowl, then set the tomato slices on a plate. Oliver comes back and mom hands him the bowl of carrots and another bowl filled with ranch. I hand Lesser the tomatoes and green beans, and my mom pulls the potatoes out of the water. They've gotten soft, so as we put them in a bowl, they mash up. I take a slice of butter and put it in a bowl, and my mom adds a scoop to the potatoes. I take the butter to the table, and my mom chops up some herbs, and sprinkles it over the potatoes before setting them down on the table.
"Summon them." My mom tells me.
I take a breath. "Boys! Let's eat!"
The troops are coming. They run down the hall, whooping like wild Indians. They come to the table, but when they see me and my mom, mirroring poses, arms crossed, defending the food with a stern look, they stop.
"Wash your hands first." My mom orders.
"Yes ma'am," they mumble, and turn around. My mom takes the head of the table, and I sit next to her. The boys file back, one by one, until we're all seated. My dad says the prayers, then we dig in.
"Hey Aubrey!" Lesser yells from across the table. "Pass the tomatoes!"
"Lesser. I am two feet away from you. Stop yelling." I pass him the tomatoes, then dig in to my potatoes.
••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••A/N:
Hello lovelies<3
How do you guys like the story so far? I love it. Who likes horseback riding? Meeeeeeeeeeee!
Whelp, I'm off to write!
Byeeeeee
<3