A week later, I've went on 7 more trail rides, and helped Jayden feed the horses everyday afterschool. On Saturday, the frightening sound of thunder and horses woke me up. I checked the clock on my bed stand that read; two-thirty-seven in the morning.
I wrapped my housecoat around me and I snuck into the darkness of the living room and the creaky floor panels. The flashlight in front of me guided me to the front door. I quietly stepped into my boots and slipped out the door.
The darkness of the night was loud. The storm roared as I stumbled into the barn. The horses were freaking out as lightning brightened the pen. I tried to calm them down as something fell behind me. I turned around, frightened, "Uncle Sam?" Nothing, "Jayden? Is someone there?"
I turned back to face the horses as something wrapped it's hands around my waist. My body froze as I turned to see Jayden, his eyes gazed into mine, as he stood just a breath away. I was too scared to breath as he steadied my cold body, "You alright?"
My eyes pried of of his as the horses banged against the stables. Lightning struck the top of the barn and lit up the room, "I..I'm fine."
"What are you doing out here? Alone?" He asked again, his hands still on my waist.
"I heard the storm and the horses seemed frightened, so I came to calm them down." I replied, looking down.
"Okay, I heard someone out here, so I came to see." He said, removing his hands.
But for some reason-Some strange reason-I'm kind of disappointed.
"You should head back up to the cabin. Do you want me to walk you?"
He rested his arm on the stable.
"Uh, I'll be fine." I replied nervously.
He walked me to the end of the road and then let me walk up to the house. I glanced behind me and he waved.
Before I knew it, I hit the ground hard and painfully, and my name was being called. It got darker and quieter until I couldn't hear or see anymore.
"Charity!" Someone called from behind me. I turned, into a path in the woods, running, running, running. I ran faster than a horse. Ma's horse. She was chasing me, catching up to me. I ran faster. I didn't know why I was running. I just was. I was terrified and confused as the calling grew louder.
"Charity!" Ma's voice. Why was I running from Ma?
"Charity!"
I blinked a few times before opening my eyes completely.
Jayden. He was in front of me. His eyes were directly in front of mine. I could smell his cologne and his shampoo in his hair.
"Mmmm?" I mumbled, as I rubbed my head.
"Charity?" He sat me up and looked at me.
"What happened?" I asked, confused.
"You tripped over a rock and fell on your head. Are you alright? You were only out for a couple minutes. I couldn't leave you."
It all came back to me. The rock, the slam of my head on the hard ground as pain shot through my body. It signalled alarm.
"I'm fine."
He helped me up slowly by my waist. I liked it.
He pulled me into a hug as my head rested against his chest. His laundry detergent smelled like lemons. Mmm. Lemons. Focus, Charity.
"I'm so glad you're okay. I didn't notice you were down until I heard your boot clack against the medal pole in the ground."
I nodded and wiped a tear from my cheek.
"We should get you inside and explain the situation to Sam."
"I'll be fine. We'll explain it tomorrow." I replied, pulling away from him.
"Okay, but at least let me bring you to your room." He said, leading me into the house with my flashlight.
We entered my cold room as he laid me into my bed. My head shot pain through my body as it hit the pillow. I flinched.
"Charity, are you okay?" He repeated.
"Yes, I..I'm fine."
"Okay." He pulled the covers over me as I felt like a little girl again.
He left the room as I heard his footprints going down the hallway.
After a half hour, I pretended to be asleep as he came in to check on me. He sat at the foot of my stomach and stared at my face. I tried not to smile. He touched my hand gently and brushed his lips against my cheek.
"Goodnight, Charity." He replied, and walked out of the room.
Excitement leaped through my body. And I don't know why.
