Riding The Heat

Chapter One

River
I threw my rope up in frustration and got off my horse. I have no idea what I'm doing, I have been trying to train my horse and myself to rope but as a beginner there is no way I can expect myself to train my horse as well.

I lead my horse back to the barn and begin unsaddling. I pull my phone out of my back pocket and begin texting everyone I know who has horses.
"Do you know of anyone who can teach me how to rope?" I finish my text and stuff my phone back into my pocket.

I unsaddle my horse and sigh, I got so frustrated with her tonight and I feel awful. All she wants to do is please me, but the poor girl is so confused as well.

"I promise we are going to find someone who can help us figure this out together. Then we are going to be world champions one day. You just watch!" Sierra lets out a sigh and starts nudging her head into my arm, she is definitely ready to be fed after the long ride we just had.

I feel my phone buzz in my pocket and quickly pull it out. "A guy just outside of town in Newcastle is teaching lessons. His name is Dusty Simmons. I heard he's very good and is making a big name for himself. Here's his number..." I wince at my phone and stare at the message for a whole minute. Men intimidate me, and I get so sensitive when people comment or try to correct my horsemanship, but I don't think anyone else in this area does roping lessons. I mean, one lesson wont hurt. If I don't like him, I don't have to go back, right?

I hesitate for a minute then start typing a new message to the phone number I was given. "Hello, my name is River Brooks. Do you offer roping lessons? And if so, can I get more information?" I hesitate for a moment, but finally hit send. Why am I so nervous? Within seconds I get a response.

"Yes ma'am. When do you want to come out?"

I bite my lip and stare at my phone, "I can come out tomorrow at 7?"

"Sounds good. I'll send you my address tomorrow. Bring your rope and a horse if you have one."

His response sounds so dry. I hate text messages with no enthusiasm. I'm already intimidated. This is going to be so embarrassing, I'm sure he's used to people coming through his facility with a ton of experience and here's me, inexperienced. Oh well, everyone has to start somewhere right?

I shove my phone back into my back pocket and start feeding hay to the horses. All of the horses are whinnying and pawing at the ground in anticipation of their evening feed, these noises are therapeutic to me and there's no place I would rather be. I pour grain into everyone's bucket and start filling water troughs.

Once I'm finished feeding, I switch the barn lights off and walk to my truck. I unfortunately cannot afford my own property just yet and I live in an apartment 20 minutes away. One day I will have the barn of my dreams, and one day I will be a world champion. I just have to take lessons from a seemingly intimidating man first.

I zone out on my drive home and get there quickly. Once I'm inside my apartment, I tug my boots off and start the shower. I can't wait to wash all of this dirt off of my body and get into bed. I work a full time job at the bank and ride my horses in the evening, rest and personal time are few and far between. I quickly wash my body and dry off and jump into bed. Before I know it I've drifted off into a deep sleep.