Cowgirls Don't Cry

CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE - KATIE

I didn't mind the cooler change in weather; it was still warm enough to swim in the creek and stay out late, but not so hot that even the slightest exercise would boil me alive - which was the kind of heat we'd been dealing with for the past few months.

Marlow felt easy and collected underneath me, as I cantered him around our sandy stockyards bareback. His body heat kept me warm enough, with my hands wrapped in the gelding's thick dark mane and my hair tucked under an old John Deere cap.

I liked working bareback with him like this; just settling into his familiar stride and falling into sync with his movements under the bleak Autumn sunshine. The way I figured, the more comfortable I was with Marlow's movement, the better we'd perform in the ring; knowing your horse was key in any equestrian sport.

As Marlow dropped his head and settled back into a walk, my thoughts wandered, and I found myself thinking about tonight's dance. My dress was currently hanging up on my bedroom door, and my momma had even agreed to let me wear makeup, though 'agreed' maybe wasn't the right word; she was eager for me to enjoy the occasion and dress up properly. The only thing I didn't have was a date. But that was fine with me.

Checking my watch, I slipped off Marlow and rubbed his neck, leaving him in the stockyards while I went to get changed. We'd only had a quick workout - no more than twenty minutes, and he wasn't hot enough for a hose-down or brush. Besides, I'd be back on him in less than ten minutes anyway, once I'd gotten into my bathers to meet Jesse at the creek.

I gave the gelding a final pat and ducked through the stockyard rails, jogging across the yard and up the back steps.

Upstairs in my bedroom, I changed into a pair of black and white panel board shorts and a matching bikini top, the shorts maybe a little too short for my momma's approval, but the most functional for horse swimming. I quickly shoved a towel and a cotton work-shirt into a backpack, for after swimming, and slipped it over my shoulder as I jogged downstairs.

"Momma, I'm just heading down to the creek with Jesse and the horses for a while," I called as I paused at the bottom of the staircase. "Is that okay?"

"Of course, have fun and be safe," Momma smiled, as she glanced up from the chopping board in the kitchen. "Take Molly with you; she'll enjoy the exercise, and make sure you're back by 4pm at the latest,"

"Yes, ma'am," I laughed, as I continued out the back door and towards the stockyards.

Marlow nickered as I ducked through the rail; he was a pretty smart horse, and he'd figured out that whenever I appeared in bathers and a backpack, we were going swimming, and he'd have a chance to play in the cool flow of the creek. The stocky bay gelding liked the water just as much as I did, and I knew he'd enjoy the afternoon more than any dance.

***

Jesse was waiting for me as I guided Marlow down the worn dirt track to the creek, Molly barking and dancing around the horse's legs. The Chandlers' dogs, Harley and Finnick, responded by leaping into rough play on the banks of the creek, chasing and barking and tumbling through the golden grass. Milla, Jesse's mare, snorted at their antics, and Jesse grinned.

"Hey, Kat, ready for a swim?" he asked, dressed for the water in his blue boardshorts and faded Wrangler cap. "It's warmed up nicely; shouldn't be too chilly,"

"Well, the dogs don't seem to mind it," I laughed, glancing over at the three canines as they dived into the cool flow and paddled around, splashing and play-fighting in the shallows. Jesse smiled, as we tossed our gear down on the big flat rock and nudged the horses down the bank.

Both Milla and Marlow had only a rope halter and lead attached, the leadline looped over their withers and loosely crossed over the slack beneath their necks, forming a casual set of loose reins. However, they hardly needed the guidance, as both horses were obedient to our seat and leg cues, and would respond to our direction in almost any scenario.