Unbridled Hearts

3. Cupcakes and Unicorns

True to his word Harley bandaged her arm and helped Willow settle in.

He guided her to a cabin style mini house not far from the main house. It was the classic log style with a little wraparound front deck and wicker chairs.
The porch contained a hanging swing and flower pots with pink geraniums that clung to the roof above.

The inside was just as spectacular, filled with Western art and culture that gave it a homey feeling. The walls were painted a light beige that only made the red and gold curtains that much more appealing.

"Oh my," Willow gasped.

"What, Not to your fancy city slicking tastes?" Harley grumbled. Two of her suitcases in tow.

"N-no, it's exactly how I dreamed it would be."

He grunted in response.

"The bedroom's this way." He said, leading her around the corner.

He pushed the door open and stepped aside, letting her get a view of the room she'd be spending the next three months in.

The first thing she noticed was a framed picture hanging above the bed. It showed a horse and rider standing together, above them were the words
A cowboys' prayer
O Lord, I've never lived where churches grow; I've loved creation better as it stood
That day you finished it, so long ago,
And looked upon your work and called it good.
Just Let me live my life as I've begun!
And give me work that's open to the sky; make me a partner to the wind and sun, and I won't ask a life that's soft and high.
Make me as big and open as the plains;
As honest as the horse between my knees; Clean as the wind that blows behind the rains; Free as the hawk that circles down the breeze.
Just keep an eye on all that's done and said; Just right me sometime when I turn aside; And guide me on the long dim trail ahead- That stretches upward toward the great divine.

She hasn't realized she'd been speaking until Harley interrupted.

"That old thing? That's what caught your eye?"

She sighed deeply. "I like it."

She tore her gaze away and studied the rest of the room. The big bed sat in the middle of the far wall, its bedsheets matching the same gold and red of the curtains. Alongside it was an oak dresser with a large box atop. On the other side was a desk and mirror, a chair slid underneath.
A walk in closet was on the other side of the room, its doors open, revealing a spacious interior.

"What's in the box?" She asked.

"Some stuff Ruby thought you'd need. I don't know, she's crazy." He shrugged.
"Well, I'll let you get settled in, and you might want to change." He glanced her up and down. "Life out here isn't all cupcakes and unicorns."

"Aww, but I like unicorns." She fake pouted, receiving a chuckle from his lips before he left.

Taking to consideration what he said, she looked through the box Ruby left her. There were a few plain tees along with some ones with horse designs on them. There was also some nice pairs of jeans. She pulled those out and gave them a look over. Bell bottoms. Niiice.

She slipped into the selected pair of jeans and a simple green tee that had This princess wears boots written across the front. It was a bit snug but fit well.

Tossing her bags on the bed she left the room and stepped outside.
Immediately the sun caressed her cheeks and nose, she closed her eyes, a warm breeze tickling the hairs on the back of her neck.

She sighed, loving the feeling of freedom for the first time in a long damn time.
I guess that's the way it is when you have a mom like mine.

"Willow! You made it!" She heard someone cry.

She opened her eyes and saw Ruby running towards her, a horse trailing behind her on a lead.

"Hey," she greeted.

"I was wondering when you would show up." Ruby panted.

"Well, I'm here now. Let's get this party started!" She said, fist pumping the air.

Ruby chuckled at her enthusiasm. "What'd Harley set you up on? Walk about? Barn chores...?"

"He just said, and I quote," she cleared her throat dramatically. " 'Life out here isn't all cupcakes and unicorns'."

"That sounds like him. Let's get you up to the house, Cal will set you up with something. Maybe after I can teach you to ride."

Willow nodded and followed her towards the house.

*  *  *

"So, Ruby tells me you've never been on a farm?" Callum asked, his elbows perched on his desk and his hands in front of him in steeple form. He looked serious yet friendly.

"Uh, actually I've been on one, just not in a long time. The last time I remember riding was when I was four." She explained.

"Hmm. I think the best thing for you is to follow Ruby's lead. She'll show you the ropes and let you get a feel for how things are done. As for chores, there's some simple things you can do, but mostly this'll be a vacation for you."

"Did my parents tell you to say that? I can handle some farm work, I'm not going to break at the slightest scoop of horse crap." She lazily looked around the room, noticing the leather couch, filing cabinet, and fireplace. Some stacks of paper were falling off the desk, an empty glass sat on a coaster by the couch. Other than that, it was pretty clean and tidy.

He chuckled at her suspicions. "They did say something like that. And they did tell me you would respond in a like manner." He studied her. "Alright, there's a chalkboard in the barn that has some daily chores on it. If you do one, just tick it off in the box following the task."

"Aye aye captain." She mock saluted. "Am I free to go?"

He gave her a nod.

She stood, shook his hand, and left the room.

A/N. I made a few minor changes to the start of the story, along with adding a prologue if you want to re-read through the first chappy. It just basically introduces Ruby's character and how Willow came to want to go to their ranch. Blah blah blah. Thanks for reading!