EleMENTAL

Chapter Eleven

"So that's it?" Ridge asked.

I nodded and smiled. "You'll do fine. Don't take it too personally if it doesn't work out. Give it time," I said and stood. "Good luck, man," Lukas said and stood next to me. Ridge began to walk out of the room, then turned back to look at us. "Thanks guys," he said and smiled. He walked out the door and towards the field.

"You think he'll win her over?" Lukas asked. I shook my head. "Not a chance, " I laughed. "He seems to be serious about it though," Lukas said. "Maybe she'll give in," I said with a small smile.

We walked out into the sunlight and spotted Ridge picking flowers in the meadow where the horses were grazing.

"Wanna go for a ride?" Lukas asked. "Sure," I said. We both walked out to the meadow and haltered our horses.

I spotted Clay munching on some grass a few yards away. I hid the rope halter behind my back and began walking. Clay lifted his head up and started walking towards me. We both met at a halfway point and I revealed the halter. Before my horse could react, I slid the noseband over his muzzle, pulled his ears under another rope and tied a knot by his cheek, securing the halter. I pulled a white cotton lead rope from my leather backpack and clipped it onto a small loop under his chin. I rubbed his ears and began leading him back to the village.

Then, Clay stopped. "C'mon, boy," I said and pulled on the lead rope. He stooped down so I could get on his back easily. "You are a weird horse," I said and mounted. I attatched the end of the lead rope to the side of the halter and used it as reins. I tapped my heels to his side and he began cantering through the tall grass.

I spotted Lukas leading his horse, Apple Jack, to a tie rack. I slowed Clay to a trot once we entered the village. "Lukas!" I called out. His head snapped up and looked in my direction. "Don't bother tacking up!" I yelled.

A couple of people looked at me with a look of disgust. "Oh, hello," I said innocently. They scowled at me and went back to what they were doing.
"Did I do something?" I said loudly. "I'm sorry! I didn't notice!" I yelled. They ignored me. I laughed quietly and Lukas pulled up beside me.
"Getting into trouble?" he asked with a smile. "Always," I said and smirked.