It Goes On - Book l

Color Me America - Part 1

This is all fluff - and I love writing Simon as a supportive horse girl husband even though horses aren't really an interest of his. I just think it's so cute! 

Enjoy! Next part is in the works now! 

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Simon's Point of View:

I stood as I watched Kiera's face gleam with a smile, testing riding the horse she was loaned for the performance tonight. I could tell that it took her a few minutes to get used to this horse's gait, but she handled it like the talented equestrian she is and sat deep in the saddle. She practiced the routine with the team, even though she was only galloping two laps around the arena before she would have to stop in the middle for the "Cowboy Prayer" and for the National Anthem, but it was still meticulous by how it looked, and I could tell that she felt like she was under a lot of pressure.

The team was performing to Dolly Parton's "Color Me America," and Kiera was due to come out to the final chorus of the song with the American flag, and it was planned that the announcer was going to tell the audience, and Baler, that his mother and father have come home for good. I couldn't wait for that moment, to see the moment of pure happiness in his eyes as well as seeing my twins. Eva assured us that she was going to be there, riding along with Dirk as this rodeo was a big thing for Baler. I could only hope that us surprising him like this wouldn't alter his focus and drown his mind with nerves when he would know that we're going to be watching him and cheering him on.

"How do you like him, Kiera?"

"He's great!" She sighed, flicking her eyes at me before she leaned down to pat the roan gelding on the neck, and I could tell that she was wanting this horse. "Why're you selling him?"

"I have six horses, and he's my best one, but I don't ride him as much as I should," Her friend sighed. "Besides, you ride him good. You two seem to click."

"Really? I really like him. He's so smooth!"

"I'm just saying... He'd be a perfect horse on your ranch. He can cut, tie a cow, gun broke, he can team rope, do a drill team performance... He's an all-around perfect horse for you."

"I think so, too, but I can't afford him right now," She frowned, and I knew right then that I was going to put a smile back on that pretty face of hers. "He's worth his weight in gold, I'm sure. I just have to think about it."

"No problem, girl. A few people are wanting to come and look at him tonight during the rodeo."

"He'll make a great horse for someone. If it's not meant for me, then it's not meant for me."

"That's right. Oh! I also meant to tell you that we're doing a military flag ceremony too if you want to be a part of that?"

"Sure!"

"Awesome. We'll each carry a flag for each branch of the military, and all we have to do is make a single lap around the arena before we meet abreast in the middle. You can trot, lope, or gallop if you want – whatever you're comfortable with."

"Okay. Can we practice that?"

"No problem! What branch are you wanting to carry? You get to choose, girl."

"Oh, no, I—"

"Kiera. You fought for one of these branches and served. You have the first choice."

"I'd like to carry the Marine Corps flag, if nobody has claimed it already. I was in the Marines early in my career."

"You got it, girlfriend."

I continued to watch Kiera confide within the comfort of being on a horse again. She was truly happy when she got to do what she loved, but I couldn't help but notice one of the girls giving her a subtle and disgusting glance, like she wasn't happy that Kiera was there. All I know is that the lass better not say anything, because if Kiera doesn't rip her head off for disrespecting her, then I certainly will.