Billy the Kid ~ imagines

002: Riding Lesson

Growing up in the Kansas there are a handful of things that have to be learned from a young age, riding a horse was one of those things. You had always loved horses ever since you were little you would gravitate towards them when you should have been helping around the house.

You couldn't help it though, they were beautiful creatures. The way their manes moved in the wind and the sun shone on their coats, you were mesmerized.

However, growing up you were always told that riding the horses were jobs for the men in charge so you were never taught how to ride. Now that you were older you had a longing to ride and Billy was just the person you wanted to teach you.

It was a random afternoon when you were helping Kathleen clean around the house when Billy came in and stated that he was going to run an errand and asked if you would like to join. You happily agreed to tag along, anything to get out of the house.

Don't get me wrong, hanging out with Kathleen was always a treat but being stuck in the house all week has you feeling like a caged animal. You followed Billy out to where the horses were tied and he hopped on the back of his steed, reaching his hand down and pulling you up onto the horse behind him.

You wrapped your arms around his torso and he began to lead the horse into the direction town. As the two of you were traveling you figured now was a great time to ask Billy to teach you to ride.

"Billy?" You questioned.

"Yes?" He replied.

"Would you want to teach me how to ride a horse by myself? I never learned." You asked.

"What is riding with me no fun anymore?" He playfully inquired.

You chuckled at his question and responded, "Riding with you is always a pleasure, but I have always longed to be able be in control and feel how free it is to ride alone. Wind in my hair, the stride of the horse below me."

"I understand completely, it really is a great feeling". Billy replied, "I'll teach you."

After hearing him agree to show you the ropes you were ecstatic the rest of the journey to town and all you could think about was how excited you were. Upon returning home from town Billy decided that your first lesson would be that day.

You both brought in the groceries you had retrieved from the store in town and then you headed towards the barn, following behind Billy. He instructed you to tack up a horse and lead it out to the open field and you happily did as you were told.

After successfully saddling up the steed you lead it out where Billy was waiting for you. "The first lesson you need to learn is how to mount a horse without help, it may seem small but it makes all the difference when it comes to riding". Billy stated.

You nodded towards him and lifted your left leg, placing your foot into the stirrup, and hoisted yourself onto the back of the animal that was now beneath you and you placed your right leg into the opposite stirrup. Based off the look on Billy's face told you all you needed to know, you had nailed the mount.

"Alright, not bad at all. Now, the dismount is just as important as the mount." Billy instructed again.

Nodding in agreement, you removed your right foot from the stirrup it previously occupied and you swung your leg over the back of the horse, gripping onto the horn of the saddle as you slid back down to the ground.

"Well darling, it looks like you are ready to start riding. What do you say?" He responded.

You pressed your face into the side of your horse as you couldn't help the blush that spread across your cheeks at the nickname Billy had given you.

"I'm ready." You stated happily and remounted the horse in front of you. He followed suit and went to grab the horse he had hitched after the previous trip the two of you took.

From watching others ride for years now you knew to gently squeeze the sides of your horse and click your tongue together, signaling for it to start walking. You lead it in the direction that Billy had started heading as he signaled for you to follow him.

You kept your horse at a steady pace as you soon were side by side with Billy. The two of you riding in peaceful silence when Billy decided it was time for the lesson to resume.

"So are you ready to increase in speed now?" He questioned. In response you squeezed the sides of your horse yet again and it began to pick up the pace. You learned quickly that your body has to move to match the stride of your horse and you discovered you were actually a natural.

Soon enough the two of you were riding full speed together smiling from ear to ear as you enjoyed the way your hair blew in the wind and the way that time seemed to stand still. You were in awe of how it was exactly what you had dreamed of all those years.

You also couldn't help but smile as you thought about how the boy beside you had no idea how much this truly meant to you.

After what seemed like only a few minutes but in reality ended up being a few hours the two of you decided it was time to return home. You couldn't wait to tell Kathleen all about how great of a day you had learning to ride.

Once you were back you dismounted and led your horse back to the barn where you started to take of the reins and saddle and place your horse back in its stall as Billy did the same. After you realized that Billy had also finished his task you ran towards him, jumping into his arms as you giggled uncontrollably.

"Thank you so much Billy, today was the best day I've had in so long". You said with the biggest smile spread across your cheeks. "I didn't do much, you were quite the natural out there. Horses tend to respond to their riders so yours must've known as I do, just how amazing of a woman that you are".

Just like that, the redness in your cheeks returned and a new feeling overcame you.

Butterflies.

You were having a physical reaction to Billy's sweet words and the way his arms were wrapped around your body as he squeezed you just as tightly as you did him.

You pulled back a few minutes after the embrace and smiled up at him as he looked down into your eyes. Time seemed to stop as he lifted his hands to grab the sides of your face as he leaned his head down and captured your lips into a gentle kiss and without thinking, you kissed him back.

Once again, the butterflies.

You never knew how much you longed for this until now and you could not be happier that it was with the person you knew better than anyone in the world.

Billy truly was your best friend, the one who is always there no matter what.

The kiss ended and the two of you spent a minute just admiring each other. Billy tucked a strand of your hair behind your ear and sighed as he said, "I have wanted to do that for so long, I just didn't know how you would feel".

You stood on your tiptoes and pecked his lips again.

"Well, now you know". You responded innocently as you returned back to your normal stance.

He smiled and reached his hand out for you to take. You obliged and slipped your soft hand into his rough, calloused one and smiled to yourself as he began to lead you towards the house.

Oh yeah. Best. Day. Ever.