We Can Love Again

Let's Ride

"Since we have time, how about I finally learn how to ride a horse?"

The look on her son's face was impenetrable, Regina knew she would end up falling for it.

"Please?" Henry knew if he pleaded, he would always get a yes from his mother. Just as planned, Regina rolled her eyes in surrender.

"Fine, I guess we could try it out... What's Roland going to do though?"

Henry gave her a look. "He's four, I think he'll figure something out."

Knowing she couldn't argue with that, she followed her son out through the back door. "Well, if you're going to ride a horse, you first have to dress right," she told him, waving her hand out in front of him. "You don't want to make the mistake of ripping your pants on your first ride- it isn't fun."

Henry stifled a laugh, admiring his new outfit. "Mom, you made me look like a mini David."

"I couldn't help it!" Regina smiled, "my son is finally learning how to ride a horse, you have to fit the bill."

They walked across the green pasture, side by side, towards the two grazing horses. As they neared them, Regina couldn't help but recall the first lesson she had with Daniel; she was fourteen, he was sixteen. He had such a passion for horses; she didn't realize how much she appreciated his lessons until he was gone forever.

"The first thing you need to know about horses is that they're just like people." Regina started, "the more you love them, the more they'll love you. They need attention, and they need to be taken care of. You think you can handle that?"

Henry took a glance over towards the pile of poop Nightshade had recently made. "I guess so, but when can ride them?"

"Soon," Regina answered, finding his enthusiasm amusing. "What did David say about taking care of horses?"

Henry dug the heel of his boot into the soft ground as he thought about the days he lived with his grandpa. "He made me muck out Isabelle's stall for about two weeks, but... I never got to ride her with all the stuff that happened."

Regina couldn't take the saddened look on his face. "Well, what do you know about saddling one up?"

The boy took no time in taking off towards the side of the house, where the bridle and saddle lay neatly in a pile. He hauled them both over across the field while Regina started off towards Nightshade, calmly holding her hands up to not startle the black mare.

The first thing a horse perceives about you is how confident and collected you are...

She stroked her fingers over Nightshade's velvet nose, smiling when she nudged closer to her as she did so.

"Did you know that horses can hear what you say?" Daniel asked, turning towards the bright eyed girl.

Her long curls blew freely in the wind as she gave him a questionable look. "How do you know that?"

"Because I've been around horses my whole life," he explained, "I know they listen. They can be the best of friends too, when you need someone to talk to."

She could still hear the sound of his voice carried in the wind, feel his comfort and his love when she stared into the innocent animal's eyes.

"Take care of my son, okay?" She whispered to the horse, just as Henry arrived with the saddle and the bridle.

"David showed me how to do the saddle," he said, heaving it over the horses back. Regina watched (and tried not to intervene too much) as Henry strapped and tied everything in place, seeming exceedingly prideful as he did so. Then, she helped him properly put the bridle and the bit in place.