Born to Ride

Chapter 7

Imagination is a tricky thing. Living in a fantasy or made-up world, I detest that. My life is focused on what's real and possible. And this time imagination, my own stupid fantasy has cost me, my girlfriend. 

As a man, I'll admit that I did brush her off. But, I can't give her what she wants. I know why she left, she was trying to teach me a lesson. A few days ago before she left, we had a family dinner, some of her friends had come over. She was all dolled up as if she was going to compete for a beauty pageant. I knew something was up, but I honestly want to avoid it. So I did the next best thing and did a toast. Man, they all squealed as if I were announcing the pageant winner before I even began. I made a toast for the best girlfriend,  not a marriage proposal as I know Bonnie was hoping for. I know I played with her heart the look on her face when I didn't pop out a box with a ring said it all, but I can't give her the hope that I will propose. 

Bonnie brings up marriage, every moment she gets. It's not that I haven't thought about it but I am not ready to be tied down and start a home. I actually don't plan on proposing. or at least to her. I don't know what I desire. 

Or maybe I do. 

Because there, leaning against the entrance of the horse stalls were the owner of the white boots I've been daydreaming about. 

I breathe in as if my life depended on it. 

"Howdy, Cowboy, " Clover smiles as she approaches me. Her hair is as purple as can be and not to mention her clothes are very city-like. "I asked around town where I could find the best bull rider and I was told that I would find the best bull rider here, at Knight's Ranch. 

"Is that right?" I try to soak in her presence. 

"Or have I taken a wrong turn?" She raises her eyebrows to challenge me. 

I know what she's doing. It's a way of discreetly asking permission to enter my life again. But I don't think I can trust her, even if I let her in my life once again. I am not ready to get hurt again. 

"What?" Her forehead furrows. I realize I was staring instead of responding. 

"Nothing," I don't think a girl will like to hear that she looks different.

"You know, I would appreciate a tour if that's not too much to ask." 

I swallow, "You seem to know your way around for someone who wants a tour." It takes me a while to realize what I said because Clover's face has become very serious. 

"Where did that come from?" She furrows her eyebrows very confused. 

I have trouble hiding my emotions, which is why I avoid confrontation. I know if I face the problem I will not hesitate to spit out the truth. "Nothing. Do you want that tour? I have time to show you the horses."

I lead her to the horse stalls when she speaks up. "Tell me."

"I'm sorry?"

 "If you have something on your mind then tell me. You were always shy, but I would have thought that you had grown out of it by now," she nudges me. 

It's really nothing other than I have a complete stranger in front of me. It's someone I dreamt to come back but now I don't know if I detest my own desires. 

"Your accent... It's gone."

She gives me a blank stare before bursting out into laughter. "You mean this one. Howdy, ya'll. You look mighty fine cowboy." 

I try to search within her eyes the old clover, the one who carried brown warm eyes. 

"You like what you see?" She smirks. 

She's outgoing as ever but I don't ever remember her being flirty. Does she flirty with everyone? Or is it just to me?

"Or I guess you don't, " She crosses her arms leaning against the wall. "You're awfully quiet. If you want for me to go, all you have to do is say it. 

I shake my head to focus. 

"What? No..." I try to make my words into sentences. "It's just been years since we've had a conversation. It's not really the same." 

I continue to walk down the stalls before I can say anything I will regret later. 

"Not the same?" She pauses to analyze my movements before she continues to walk beside me.

"It's just been like 10 years, I mean like we both-" 

"OD!" Her closed fist hits me right on the pit of my stomach. 

I clutch my stomach, trying to shake off the pain. I look up to see Clover running to the last horse stalls. 

"You've kept them together!" She turns to me showing me a huge smile. "Howdy, Lucky. Well, slap my head and call me silly! Ace, you've grown quite well." 

I laugh a little. She hasn't lost some of our southern expressions. But she's not the same Clover from before, she's just not.

I lean between the horse stalls, "I couldn't separate them. We did name them-"

"You kept them together because they are named after us."

"Yeah," It was a lie though. There were countless times, I wanted to separate them because she never came back. "I remember I named her Lucky because clovers are lucky."

"And I named him Ace because you always Ace your competitions. Do you still ride? for competitions, I mean."

I had forgotten we had drifted apart. She used to be up to date on my competitions, now I think I'm just a memory she wanted to get off her conscious. 

"Remember when we used to ride for hours, then the next day we would be so sore to even move. That was fun." She smiles so innocently. 

Her laugh I missed that. In reality, I missed every inch of her. 

****

As I wake up, get dressed, and ready for a day, I can't help but smile.  I feel well-rested and delighted as if all my worries were lifted. 

"Look at you, never seen you smile like that," Arizona sitting at the breakfast table as she sips some morning coffee, teases. 

I am not even bothered by her comment, I just smile. "Any coffee left?" I feel like drinking coffee today, there's just something about today that has made my mood lighter. 

Amazed, Arizona gives me a weird look," Yeah, there is...."

Moving toward the cupboard, in search of a mug I can feel Arizona's stare. 

"What?" 

She stops staring, but half whispers, "Nothing. There's just a different aura, that's all." 

"Is dad awake? I need to get the horses ready for Mr. Whithney." I change the subject while keeping my voice at my normal volume. 

"I saw him go out, so I take it he's at the stalls. Is today inspection?" 

"Yes, we have to get the horses ready for the events coming up." 

"Gotta love inspection." Arizona finishes up her drink and puts it in the sink. As she was leaving, she comes back to say, "Oh right. Keep it down, Clove is sleeping. Try not to wake her." 

In shock, I look around to catch any glimpse of her. Finally, my eyes rest on the large couch. Fully aware that I shouldn't, I approach the couch as quietly as possible. 

Then I see that face. A few days ago I would have thought I would never see her again. But she has changed so much, she's real. The fact that she's sleeping on this couch in my home, proves that Yesterday, wasn't a dream.  Her nose is straight as ever, she's somehow become paler than what I remember. 

Lost in thought, a pair of hazel eyes meet my gaze. 

"Creep much?"