Toni Petti - Horse Girl Homicide

Chapter Twenty Two

My butt is asleep. There are pins and needles in my legs and I'm paralyzed. But all my discomfort is instantly forgotten when I'm caught and held aloft in Teodor's arms. Pinned between him and Prince, I'm enveloped in his scent, and tranquilized by the scars on his handsome face. His big brown eyes stare down and he seems so attractive now, so intelligent, caring, and compassionate. This is the second time in two days he's held me close. If he wanted to kiss me now it'd be okay. But my fall from the saddle must have surprised him, for the moment passes.

"You're a real trooper," Teo lowers my legs, but still holds me upright in his left arm. He wipes dirt from my brow. I try to stand but crumble when my legs won't work.

"My buttocks..." I don't mention how my legs feel like they're being stabbed by a thousand tiny pickle forks.

"It'll pass." He holds me closer, "put your arms around my neck to stretch your back." He pushes my arms around his head and then stands-up straight to lift me off the ground.

"Oohh." Our faces are inches apart. I stare at him for a half second as the bones in my back separate, and then I kiss him. I can't help it. It's an involuntary response. He chuckles under my lips and ruins it. He pulls back to refocus on me and check my expression. I give him a serious face and close my eyes for another go, and this time he kisses me proper. But then he laughs again because he cannot keep holding me off the ground. He sets me down and some sensation returns to my hind quarters. Now he watches while I suffer; the pickle forks have become steak knives.

"Oww. Owe. Owe." I hop up and down and climb on him again. "Does this ever happen to you?"

"Used to. When I was seven. After riding all day."

"Must be nice."

"Except now I walk with bowlegs. People notice." Teo gathers the horses' reins while still supporting me. "But that's not the first thing folks take away when they see me."

"Your face?"

"Uhuh."

"It's not unattractive."

"It wears on me."

"Oh, I suppose."

"It's been ten years."

"The gravestone?′

"My mother," Teo points up the trail.

"I saw her grave."

"My father will never forgive me. He's reminded every day, every time he looks at me." Teo says softly and I know he believes it's true. Maybe it is true, and why Mr. Brummel yells at him so publicly.

"What happened?"

"Black stallion," Teo says. The memory is too painful to speak all at once, "went into mirrors." He points to the stable as we climb the trail. "In the old riding arena. Gone now. They broke."

"Mirrors?"

"For practicing," Teo says, and I nod like I understand, but have no idea why any rider would use mirrors for anything.

"Mirrors are Plexi now, but back in the day..."

"How is that your fault?"

"It was. It was my fault."

"How old were you?"

"2010. I was thirteen."

"Then it's not your fault. Period."

"Changed me."

"I'll bet it did. It made you awesome." I want to kiss him again, but I'll settle for a hug. "Now get over it. Ya big galoot." I squeeze him as we walk and he smiles with warmth at my positivity.