Born to Ride

Chapter 20

Today, it's a me, dad and plus Clover. My dad and I usually take time to look through the fields and fences making sure that our fence are not tampered or if they need more alteration to prevent foxes or other animals from trespassing. Clover was offered to come along by dad as he thought it was a good idea  for her to take some pictures of some of the scenery we were going to pass through.
"You seem to be able to keep up." My dad compliments Clover.
"Yes, sir. I don't think my feet will ever forget how to walk in this land." She takes some snapshots of the scenery.
After a few hours, we start to notice that the sky has started to darkened, my dad decides that we split up and have Clover follow me to show her other places before rain start pouring. Clover and I make our way to a near by water hole. As we get there she awe at the scene. I have to say it's very peaceful. It's like a miniature version of a river and a pond. Very little fish liver here but it seems to be a mall community for deer who may come to get a drink.
"How's  your girlfriend doing?" Clover breaks the silence.
I don't know what to say, I've learn to pay too much attention to Bonnie. She tends to be everywhere but no where. "She's good. I think she went to a Bistro restaurant yesterday with her friends." I haven't really hanged out with Bonnie lately. She just shows up and does her own thing. I take a look at my watch and let Clover know we need to start heading back to make it back to dinner. "Got all the shots you need." I ask Clover.
She nods and as I lead her back towards the house, I warn her," Watch out with the rocks. They are very slippery when are wet." As I finish my sentence, my foot loose its place and I fall right on my back. Clover standing next to me, bursts out in hysterical laughter.
"You're a curse, Clover." I cover my eyes with my arm as I lay on the floor. I am embarrassed but I can't help to smile.
I feel her hover over me, "I think it's WE. Nature seems to be throwing shade whenever we are together. Just like when we were kids." We start running as the rain starts to pour harder.

As I open the door, I encounter my girlfriend with her arms crossed. "Where were you? I have been waiting here for you for hours."
"We were just checking the fields again with my Dad. I told you yesterday about it." I make way for Clover get pass me and through front door. Clover heads inside without looking back, most likely trying to not get involved.
"Why not do that some other time? We haven't spent time together." She tries to get in the way of me walking towards the inner part of the house.
"Bonnie, I told you, you could come with us. Next time tag along." I make my way to my bedroom to change my shirt.
"You know that I don't like to do that." She seems to have started pouting. Bonnie doesn't like the outdoors, I know that but this is my life. I like being part of the ranch. My interest like here. Helping out my dad is something I want to do.
"I don't know what to tell you, Bonnie. I need to get things done, this is part of me. I live here and I like to help my dad out. I asked you before to come with me. You chose not to. That doesn't mean, I won't go, my father depends on me to get things done." I try to reason with her.
"Then ask him to find someone else to depend on." she rebukes as she gets in way stopping me from entering my bedroom.
I move pass her opening the door of my room but enough to block her from entering it, "Bonnie, I want my father to depend on me, not on someone else."
"Why are you trying to go behind my back? You know I don't like going out in the field why not do something I want." She starts raising her voice.
"Bonnie, all we do it what you want. When have you gone with me and my dad out there?" She doesn't answer. "When?" I raise my voice.
"I don't want to. Why is that a crime? That doesn't mean you should hangout with Clover," She's yelling now.
"I didn't mean to hangout with Clover. It's for work. Why don't you understand that? I am not trying or doing anything." I try to reason with her.
"Why are you yelling?" She starts to wail and it seems that my mom has heard us from the kitchen as she looks at me and then at Bonnie. My mother pats Bonnie on the shoulder and signals me to go my room. I take it as I want to change my drenched shirt to a dry one.

As we finish saying grace, my mother opens the conversation with asking Clover what she thought about strawberries and the weather. "You miss it, don't you?" My mother asks Clover.
"Of course. I don't think I can ever not miss this place, ma'am." Clover answers with a smile as she serves her self mash potatoes. "I have to say I miss horse back riding.
"Yes, I remember that you and Austin always looked forward the rodeo. Didn't you place 1st once?" My mom ask.
"I did. But that was only once. Training got harder with there was so much going on. But sure did love the competition. Unlike Ace, she's the true rider." Clover smiles. 
"Oh, come on, I was not that good." I try to sound humble. " You were a pretty decent horse back rider."
"Do you still ride?" My dad starts to pitch in.
"Sadly, no. Living in the city, there's not much room to do that. I would have to look outside of the city to keep riding." Clover takes a pause before adding, "Or move back here." she jokes.
Arizona must have like that idea because she exactly adds, "There's an idea. We would all like that. You could teach me to ride."
"I don't know, maybe one day. I could still teach you to ride," Clover smiles shyly.
"So Clover, Do you not have any other place to be or anyone to spend summer with?" Bonnie doesn't seem to be pleased with my family and Clover being close.
"I plan to spend a part of the summer here. Helping with ranch."Clover answers. "What about you? Big plans for the summer?"
Bonnie doesn't seem to like the question being redirect, "Spending time with my boyfriend is on the list. But it just seems like you have a lot of free time as a woman your age."
"I didn't mean to intrude," Clover directs her apologize to my parents. "I thought you guys needed the help and I really do miss this place. I am happy that I was able to stay in your home."
"Don't worry about it. You've been a great help these past few days," My dad reassures her.
"I'm glad to hear that. I really did miss everyone. You're all like my second family, the memories I have here are unforgettable. Especially Ace. We were pretty tight back then." She smiles at her plate.
Bonnie slams her cup on the table to grab everyone's attention, "Ace? Was the message not clear? He has a girlfriend. Are you really here for work, because it seems other wise."
Clover stays silent looking at Bonnie, not knowing what to say. The silence seems to have become heavy as everyone else doesn't say anything about Bonnie's outburst, until my mother speaks.
"Bonnie, Clover grew up here," My mother tries to explain. "Austin and Clover are childhood friends."
"She's a family friend, she's always welcome here." Arizona looks at dad before adding, "It's only natural for her to come and visit us."
Bonnie unsatisfied looks at me like if I need to say something. I take a moment to add, "Bonnie, Clover and I are just friends." I don't know what more Bonnie wants from me. My family and Clover have a bond. But as my girlfriend, Bonnie could have tried to interact more with my parents. I know she doesn't get along with Arizona. Now my sister isn't an angel but there is tension between them. I never once have I seen Bonnie try to spend time nor try to bond with my family.