"I don't think I could do this Kammie, I'm too scared", Kaylan said wringing her hands in panic. The horse made a disturbing noise, and she quickly backed up and grabbed Kameron's hand.
It was Kaylan's idea to go horseback riding but she didn't think she would be this fearful of horses.
Mr. Petríllo, the ranch owner, stood beside them securing the saddle on the horse. He wiped the beads of sweat off his forehead. "No need for worry! This here horse", he petted its head, "is a standardbred", he looked over at Kaylan and smiled, "the most friendliest breed of horse anyone would ever meet", he said in his thick Italian accent.
"See baby?" Kameron rubbed her back as she trembled in fear, "it aint go hurt you...it's friendly."
Once the saddle was secured properly on the horse, Mr. Petríllo motioned for a scared Kaylan to come near it but she shook her head no.
"No need to fear at all, Carver loves everybody, especially women", he tried convincing her.
Kaylan was petrified. "I don't want to go anywhere near that thang. It might try to attack me." She squeezed Kameron's hand tighter as she watched the horse in horror.
"Come on pretty princess." Kameron kissed her hand that he was holding. "It's not gonna hurt you", he said softly, trying to sooth her.
He put his hand near the horse's mouth and it licked his palm. "See?---it don't even bite."
"But it's so big." She looked at it in fear as it nibbled on the grass, the wind blowing through it's shiny black mane.
"Thats cause its a horse baby, horses are meant to be big, but all because they're big don't mean they gonna hurt you---here, let him see your hand".
Kaylan squeezed her eyes shut as Kameron placed her hand near the horse's mouth. She opened her eyes when she felt it's long, rough tongue swirling in the palm of her hand, tickling her.
"See?" Kameron said as the horse licked it. "It don't bite...I think Carver likes you ma"
Kaylan smiled looking down at her hand, which was now drenched in drool.
"I think it likes me too babe", she agreed, the fear slowly easing away.
Kameron kissed her forehead. "See now was that so bad? That wasn't so bad was it?"
"No." She smiled. "I think I'm ready to ride his back now."
"Look at you ma." He smiled."My lil princess so brave", he said proudly.
She sighed. "Just hope it don't get too rough with me"
He stared down at her and caressed her soft cheek. "Aint nothing go happen baby", he assured her, "cause umma be right there with you---and if it hurts my princess", he looked over at the owner with threatening eyes, "Carver go fuckin die."
Mr. Petríllo gave a friendly smile. "You kids worry too much these days." He waved them off. "He's a perfectly good horse---you're in good hands with Carver", he assured them.
"Yea..you betta hope so nigga", Kameron grumbled.
He didn't too much give a fuck about his own safety, he can handle whatever happens to him---he just wanted to be sure nothing happened to Kaylan. After all, it was his job to protect her, and if Kaylan gets as much as a scratch on her he had absolutely no problem beating this old ass man to death. Call him cold-hearted, he didn't give a fuck.
"Ouch!" Kaylan cried out, causing Kameron to turn to see her rubbing her arm with her face scrunched up in pain.
"What's the matter baby? What's wrong?" Kameron asked with concern for his princess.
