Eternal Love

Wild Horse Race

I woke up around 7, Saturday morning, Mitch's parents were dropping him off around 8:30 to help me muster, it shouldn't take to long with two people if we get it right the first time. I rolled out of bed and onto the floor. I had been sleeping terribly with out Brooks. I continue rolling until I get to the draw and I pull out a pair of old jeans and a shirt before actually standing up. I slothed down the hall until I got to the kitchen where I made an instant hot chocolate and sat down to fully wake up.

It took me about 15 minutes to wake up enough to make breakfast, which was just toast and an apple. I finished the toast and walked out to the stable whilst I munched on my apple. It was a little brisk out so I had my old hoody on. I rubbed my hands together to keep then warm as my breath blew out white.

I open the door and look in. The beautiful horse stables that could hold at least 10 horses looks empty and slightly run down. I grabbed an old faded halter of the hook and slowly putted over to the Blue mares stall and gave her the rest of my apple to her before going to Denny's stable.

"My old boy," I said rubbing my hands down all of his legs to feel for any tightness or sign that I shouldn't ride him. 13 isn't to old for a horse, but you can never be to sure. I put the halter on and throw the rope around his neck and tie it back to the halter. I open the gate and jump on bareback. We just walk around for a little while checking the troughs close to the house. I looked out to the paddock west to the house and saw a lonesome belted galloway standing and watching me. It was peppermint. I hadn't seen here really since I was 14.

Soon a ute with a float pulled up to the house paddock. Mitch. So it turns out I had met his parents through work, one of their dogs got kicked pretty bad and Mitch suggested taking him to the vet, so I met them a few weeks ago.

I trotted over to the ute as they all climbed out. Mitch's mum Karoline and Dad Wayne all piled out of the car as Mitch worked on unfloating his horse.

"Mornin'" I greeted them.

"Morning," said karolin with a smile.

"Thanks for letting me steal your son away like this," I said as I shook Wayne's hand.

"All good, he needed to get out of the house and do something productive, he's been spending all his time talking with some girl," Wayne said eyeing his son.

I just laughed.

"well we best be off, If you need anymore hands just give us a call," Karoline said with a smile.

"Will do," I said with a smile. And with a few quick words to their son they were gone.

"Ready to rumble Mitch?" I asked clapping my hands together.

And he nodded with the biggest grin.

For some reason I slep like a log that night. The truck was coming at 12 , Mitch had been such a good help yesterday which was a big relief, so all I had to do was just push the cattle in to the yards and wait for the truck. I planed on heading over to the rodeo tonight to watch Mitch because he asked me to come. He had been trying to get to close to Ellen and she just wasn't falling for his cowboy ways, he needed to think out of the box, that girl had many-a men looking at her and she didn't even know it.

It was around 7 when I started working the cattle, didn't need the horses it was all ground work.

"Get up," I was shouting to get the cattle moving so I could draft them out. I was on the ground opening gates and pushing cattle, then suddenly out of know were I felt an impact on my leg then pain spread and I struggled not to drop to the ground.

"SON OF A!" I shouted, scattering the cattle. I looked up to see the culprit but I was just met with a sea of black faces. I quickly gritted my teeth and shook it off before carrying on, well limping along.

Soon the truck pulled up and all of the cattle were loaded and left. I hobbled inside for some lunch before having a shower and inspecting the bruise. Well it was yellow and purple and covered most of my upper right thigh. I jumped in the quick shower before getting changed in to a fresh pair of wranglers and a singlet shirt. I grabbed my year 12 jumper and Akubra before running out the door and to the rodeo.

It was a short ride into town with the radio up, bit of Lee playing. I pulled up at the show ground, payed to get in and walked over to get some food. I was soon greeted by Nathan of all people.

"Hey Mrs West, hows your day been?" he asked, resting his hand above my head on the pole.

"Good Nathan and how have you been?" I said stepping out from under him.

"Ah pretty good, Mrs West, I'm riding today, plan on winning big," he said looking up squinting.

"Ah that good, I see you still haven't grown up most since we were 14," I said in reply.

"Yeah pretty much.. don't plan on ever changing. Not gunna become soft like Brooks."

"Ah Nathan, silly Nathan, one day you will find the right girl," I said as we walked, "Have a good day Nathan." After that strange encounter I went to take a seat to watch the rodeo.

The night went quick and the cowboys and cowgirls went round and round, soon came the wild horse race, which Mitch had entered with one of his mates. I went over and found Ellen sitting on the seat closest to the arena.

"Hey chickie, how you goin'?" I asked giving her a slight nudge.

"I'm gunna kill that son of a gun," was all she said.

I just sat back and laughed. The horses were let out and the cowboys were off. Ellen sat worried next to me and I was trying not to laugh, as Mitch and his mate ran around after their wild horse.
Then out of nowhere Mitch was kicked, fair smack in the chest. I heard Ellen next to me gasp. But he got back up but only for another team to fully saddle their horse. The buzzer went off and the boys had to leave the ring.
I took one look at Ellen as she ran to Mitch and I knew where I was suppose to be, it reminded me to much of my young love and the fact that he was not right here. With out even saying goodbye, I left for my ute. I jumped in and drove and didn't stop driving until I got where I needed to be.
It was getting dark and I had my high beams on as I drove the 3 hours to the Hunter Valley to the rodeo where he was.
I pulled into the show ground as the sun set. I jumped out of my ute, ignoring the wolf whistles from the cowboys. I only had one cowboy on my mind and I was going to limp through this show ground until I found him.
"Brooks Michael West!" I said, as he had his back to me. He turned around and I looked up into his eyes as I was limping towards him, those beautiful green eyes that I fell for all those year ago.
"Audrey!" then he started running. He got close and swept me into his arms, "why are you limping?" he asked but I cut him off with a kiss.