A Picture Worth A Thousand Words

Chapter 17

Authors note!!!!

I really hope you all who read my story are enjoying it. I haven't had comments or votes in a while. I want to know what my readers think and hopefully I can satisfy it with my writing.

Comment and Vote!!!

-Taylor Elyse- <3

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

ABBY'S POV(still)

With just one phrase and three little words, my life changed forever.

"Abby, I think we should tell the group about us. I know now that were gonna get through this together and there's no sense in hiding it from our friends. I trust them. Do you trust me?"

"Yes Niall I trust you. I want us to stay strong, so no lies and no keeping any secrets, right?"

"Deal, but on one condition!"

"What's that?"

"You have to kiss me first."

"Deal!", I smiled and kissed him with all the love in my heart.

I brought Spirit out of the stall and saddled him up. I asked Emilia if she would hold into him so I could show Niall his horse.

"This is Casper. You two will be riding together today.", I said as I brought the beautiful palomino out of his stall to meet Niall.

"He's beautiful love. Where'd you find such pretty horses?"

"Rescue shelters, and horse sales. If we didn't save all these horses, god only knows where they would be."

I felt a sudden sorrow. I knew where they would go if I didn't save them. Off to the glue factory and slaughter houses. These poor horses would never have a chance. It makes me think of my sister. I realized I hadn't told Niall about my tragic past. I had to tell him tonight while we are out riding. Hopefully I can get us alone...

"Abby...What's wrong?", Niall asked, snapping me out of my trance.

"Nothing.", I lied.

"Abby, something's bothering you. What is it? You can trust me."

"Can we talk about it later? I don't want to tell you unless we are alone."

"Yeah. That's fine. Whenever you feel ready just tell me, I'll listen. I promise.", Niall told me as he embraced me with a genuine Horan Hug.

"Thank you Niall. It's going to be hard for me, but with you I know I can.", I whispered to him.

Casper broke up our hug with his giant nose.

"Woah there Casper. It's okay boy.", I soothed him.

"I think someone is jealous.", Niall retorted.

Casper pinned back his ears and snorted at Niall. While I rubbed his head gently, Niall put on his saddle and blanket. He struggled with the belt a little so I had to help. Our hands moved to grab the halter at the same time. He looked at me and I did the same. His eyes became my whole world. Those big, glossy, icy blue eyes and cute, tender smile was all I needed to feel safe. I knew he would never hurt me. I was ready to reveal my past to him. I just hoped it wouldn't hurt me as much as the day it happened.

NIALL'S POV

I stared at her beautiful face for what seemed like minutes. Instead of her usual smile, I saw sadness and sorrow.

"Abby...What's wrong?", I asked.

"Nothing.", she exhaled the word.

"Abby, something's bothering you. What is it? You can trust me.", I told her, hoping she would trust me with whatever troubled her.

"Can we talk about it later? I don't want to tell you unless we are alone."

"Yeah. That's fine. Whenever you feel ready just tell me, I'll listen. I promise.". My heart went out to her with every word. I meant what I said and I hope she will learn to trust me.

Holding her was a sweet reminder of just how much my life has changed. Just a couple of days ago I was single and had no reason to love someone. Now I have a beautiful young lady in my arms who I am grateful for every minute of the day.

Her words flowed through my ears but all I could think about was the problem she was facing. What could make her so sad that it was hard to even talk about? Did she have a secret that she didn't want me to know? All of these things whirled around in my head until Casper's huge nose was in between us.

She had this special way with horses. Casper instantly settled down when she spoke.

"Woah there Casper. It's okay boy.", she soothed him.

"I think someone's jealous.", I chuckled.

He looked over at me and snorted. It was nasty but I guess they do that all of the time. Abby laughed at him and rubbed his head while I tried to put on the saddle and blanket. I couldn't get the straps to work. I began to get very frustrated but Abby saw my anger and helped me with the strap. I went behind her to get Casper's halter. Our hands joined together at Casper's halter. She looked at me with so much intensity and passion I couldn't even speak.

We stood there for minutes on end, not looking away from each others eyes. I was consumed by her beauty and I didn't want to ever let her go. I had to make her believe that I love her. I have to show her I can make all of her dreams come true. Most of all, I have to show her that she can trust me.