Born to Ride

Chapter 23

It's Monday morning. Arizona and I are cleaning the horse stalls along with some of the workers. But as siblings we both like horse that also means to like horses you need to know how to maintain them. I look over a Clover's horse. I hate that horse. The horse is beautiful but it's also majestic. Not many people can ride it. The horse has. Mind of his own. I look over at Arizona who is polishing the saddle. I love my sister. But why doesn't she like Bonnie? Sure, Bonnie is a handful but she's not that bad. She's pretty, naturally pretty. She's a bit young. I go back to brushing the horse. Bonnie doesn't like horses. I know she did some horse back riding backing in the day but she doesn't really talk about it. I look over at Arizona, she could bond with Bonnie. They both did horse back riding at some point. Now, Bonnie doesn't seem to like it but maybe she could coach Arizona once were married. Maybe I should tell Arizona. Maybe she can get open to the idea of having Bonnie around.
"I am marrying Bonnie," I tell Arizona who drops the saddle she was polishing.
"What?! You're joking? Tell me you're joking," She comes over to the other side of the horse to see my face.
"I am not. We've been dating for a while and I think it's time." I continue to brush the horse.
"Time? For what? To ruin your life? Austin, marriage is for life."
"I know that."
"I don't think you do. Why Bonnie?"
"Arizona, I've been dating Bonnie, who else would I marry?"
"Clover?" She answers like if I asked a trickle question.
"I'm doing Bonnie."
"Bonnie doesn't love you, Clover does. "
"You don't know that." Clover is a friend. She has never claimed that. I know she cares about me but she has never expressed that.
"Yes, I do. You love Clover too. Not Bonnie." She storms off
"Arizona," I try to call after her but she doesn't answer me. My dad enters the stalls as Arizona exits, "What is that about?"
I let out a sigh before I tell my dad, "I am marrying Bonnie."
He gives me an Oh like expression but doesn't ask why instead he congratulates me.
"Not going to lecture me." I ask but only teasing him.
"You're old enough to I know who you want to marry. Not much for me to say." I know where my dad is coming from but I wish someone would tell me I am doing a mistake. Why can't anyone tell me I am going to regret this. I don't want to get married. But every second I think about not getting married means I will be stuck looking at Clover. I can't break up with Bonnie, I won't do it for Clover. I can't. I know what Arizona is thinking but if i do that I am stuck. Clover is not predictable, she is like a fly, she's there one day and the next she appears. She's not consistent. I can't do that. I don't want to be living on the edge of not knowing what she is thinking. Bonnie is safe. She's not my number one choice but I know she won't breaks up with me. At least if I marry her, she won't. "I guess, late-night calls and shy smiles are forgotten quickly uh?"
"What?" I am shocked that my dad would bring that up. Clover and I used to call each other everyday until she moved to the city. But that was a long time ago. I didn't feel a point in talking to her. Whenever I talked to her, her mind seemed to be on something else. Sometimes I could hear other people talking to her when we would call each other. At first, I would send her pictures of the newborn calf's we had but there were less texts and less phones calls. It felt like I shouldn't keep trying.
"I thought you would chose Clover. Not because I prefer her but you look happy with her. You seem to enjoy yourself when she's around." He leaves me as he walks off with the bucket full of waste. Everyone can see it, I am at ease with Clover.