Bed of Roses (Watty Awards)

Chapter 28

 Chapter 28:

      I slowly placed my foot into the stirrup and gently placed a little weight on the saddle.  Pegasus ears flipped back and she turned to look at me. Her eyes asked the question “What are you doing?”.

       It was eleven O’clock at night.  I had been working with Pegasus for hours. She was accustomed to the saddle and a bridle with a bit.  We went through the join up process and I had her follow me around the pen making sure that she completely trusted me.  I gave her an apple when she did well also and that earned big brownie points. I knew I was being a little spontaneous, but I was ready to ride my amazing mare.  Every night before I closed my eyes I dreamed of riding Pegasus into the wind and feeling the wind through my hair.

       With that in mind I grabbed the courage to place my weight in the stirrup and swing onto Pegasus back. 

        My heart was pounding from the adrenaline.  Pegasus turned and spun in tight circle.  “It’s okay girl, it’s me.”  She began trotting roughly around the pen trying to figure out what was going on.  I felt like a ragdoll in a giants hand as he jumped on a trampoline.  

        She continued picking up her pace and I rode her around and round the pen until finally she slowed down and breathed heavily.  A smile crossed my face as I realized that I had just had the most magnificent ride in my life.  I had worked so hard for that moment and I had won Pegasus trust in order to achieve my goal.  Slowly easing my hand down her neck I felt the warmth of her.  My mind went to Jonathan and I clinched my hand in a fist trying to hold his warmth again.

         A coyote called in the distance Pegasus whipped around and I flew to the ground.

        “Ugh,” I glared at Pegasus, surprisingly Pegasus turned to face me and nudge my leg with her nuzzle. I smiled and looked up at her.  “I know you didn’t mean to girl and it was my bad. I guess I’ll just learn to not let my feelings interfere with my riding lessons, but I do know that’s enough for tonight.”

        Once I finished un-tacking her I walked out of the pen with her following me. I pushed the gate forcing her to back up and she looked almost as if she was pouting.

         “I have to say I was pretty skeptical at first, but you defiantly have a gift with her.”

         I spun around to see Jonathan in the shadows leaning against the barn door. I looked up to the sky and saw that the night had come and the full moon was beaming down upon us.

         “Well now you know never to doubt me,” I smiled at him as I walked past him and went to the tack room.

          “True,”

          I placed the tack on its racks and turned to see Jonathan leaning against the door post watching me.

           “You look tired,” I mumbled as I walked up and leaned against the wall about a foot in front of him.

           “Mh-hm. You do to,”

           “That’s because I am tired,” I smiled into his gorgeous brown eyes.

           Jonathan reached over and brushed my bangs behind my ear and stared intently into my eyes.  My heart raced and my breath caught in my throat.

          Clearing his throat he then spoke and lowered his hand, “Well we have a long day tomorrow. Best get some sleep.”

           “What’s tomorrow?” my voice came out like a whisper for I had not fully recovered from his gentle touch.