An Unlikely Pair

Chapter XV

Prince Andrew

I squeezed her hand three times just like what Cole does when I'm feeling upset. I took her to the stables and asked, "Would you like me to tack up my horse?"

"Yes. I won't fly this time," She said.

"You won't? Why not? It seems like you really like flying," I said.

"You are right, but I can't fly unless I'm wearing my riding gear," She said, "You'll most likely have to lift me onto my saddle,"

"Why would you want me to lift you onto your saddle?" I asked. We went outside and started down the path to the stables.

"Wow. I didn't think you'd be really dense. I'm in a dress. I'll need help getting on top of Blizzard's back," She said.

"Oh, yeah, right. Will you need help tacking up Blizzard?" I asked.

"I wouldn't mind you helping me," She said. We entered the stables. Margaret went to grab her sidesaddle and her other tack, but I grabbed her tack before her. "Why did you do that?" She asked, a little peeved.

"I thought I could help you so you don't have to carry them," I said.

"Thank you," She said. She looked at me and smiled. My face grew hotter and hotter as I watched her smile at me.

"No problem," I said, smiling back. We laughed as we walked to Blizzard's stall. I helped Margaret with getting her tack onto Blizzard's back and around his stomach.

Once it came to his bridle, Margaret said, "I can take it from here," She took Blizzard's bridle from the hook just outside Blizzard's stall.

"Are you sure? You don't need any more help?" I asked.

"Yes, I'm sure. And, besides, he won't let anyone else other than me to put it on," She said as she started to put on Blizzard's bridle. He was so calm as Margaret slipped the bridle over his nose. I walked to my thoroughbred horse, Grandiose Balletic. She was a beautiful palomino sabino with a cream colored mane and tail. I got my tack and tacked up Grandiose Balletic as fast as I could. I stashed her halter and a lead rope into my saddlebag. The moment I got Grandiose Balletic's bridle on and led her out of the stables, I saw Margaret leaning on the ring's white fence. She was smiling and petting the bridge of Blizzard's nose, then she hugged Blizzard's head. I smiled warmly at her cuteness. "She's so connected to that creature. It's adorable," I muttered to myself. Margaret stopped hugging Blizzard's head and looked at me.

"Why do you have such a goofy grin on your face?" She joked.

I walked up to her with Grandiose Balletic beside me as I pulled her with the reins. "I don't know. I guess I just have a goofy looking face," I said and she giggled.

"Now could you help me mount?" Margaret asked.

I turned to a passing stable boy and asked, "Stable boy? Could you hold Grandiose Balletic's reins for me?"

"Of course, Prince Andrew," The stable boy said, taking Grandiose Balletic's reins from me.

"Hujig! Gyolp!" Margaret yelled and pointed to the ground. Blizzard laid down and I grabbed Margaret's waist. I hoisted her up onto the sidesaddle and set her down carefully on the sidesaddle.

"Okay. All set?" I asked with my arms hovering out in front of me.

She shook her hair out of her face and looked at me, then she said, "Yes. I'm all set," She smiled, slyly, and joked, "You don't have to keep your arms hovering over as if I might fall,"

"Sorry. Sharah always seems to fall from her sidesaddle when servants hoist her onto her sidesaddle," I said, lowering my arms slowly.

"Just get on your horse, you gorbellied, rough-hewn joithead," She insulted in a flirty manner.