Carry On Dreaming (The Cowboy's Promise sequel) (SLOW UPDATES)

Chapter 10

BLAZE'S P.O.V.

I watch the black horse with awe as the men continue talking behind me. He moves fluidly, muscles rippling under his hide. His long tail is braided, scarlet ribbon running through it. The gaits are smoother than water. And his rider matches him in beauty and expertise.

Wavy raven hair spills down her back, and her legs direct him subtly. With a slight change in the girl's posture, she urges him to canter. She keeps her seat as she rocks with the gait. Eventually Chad whistles, and the girl and horse ride to the fence. She nods at me.

"Didn't your mama teach you it's not polite to stare, lover boy?" the girl asks.

I blush and turn my head. Red and Chad laugh. Chad starts listing the bloodline of the Arabian. Lots of famous sires in his lineage. I feel my phone vibrate halfway through. Chad finishes and walks to the stalls. Walking behind them I pull out my phone.

Hey, Blaze. Tell my bro Andrew wants to get married in December. We're getting married at Sabian's barn. Elliot's text reads.

Congrats guys! Didn't know u were engaged.

Yeah. Forgot about that. He proposed before u showed up.

Alright. I'll tell him, I type. Then I pocket my phone and run to join the men.

Red is asking Chad about something when I reach the front porch. He gestures to me, and I notice his body language change slightly. Chad tips his head in my direction, and Red calls me up. I see a smile in his gunmetal blue eyes, the corners crinkling slightly. The corners of his mouth also lift up. But he still has the sloped posture and bowlegged stance of an old cowboy.

"Hey, Blaze. I saw you watching Hades earlier. Red's told me how much you love his Arabian, so I'll give you a deal. Would you like to have Hades?"

Oh, God yes. I nod my head excitedly. To have that fine piece of horseflesh under me would make, not my day, my life. Chad grins at me. He tells me he owes Red, and I can have Hades if I can saddle and ride him myself. Red and I agree, then he and Chad resume talking before heading to the barn. The Hispanic girl, Chad's niece, shows me Hades's tack, and I take him out of his stall, cross-tie him, and saddle him by myself. We walk to the indoor arena. I swing my leg up on Hades and give him a minute to adjust to the new weight.

I'm definitely lighter than the Hispanic girl. She's not chubby by any means, but I am literally skin and bones. I've gained weight since coming here; it hasn't helped much. I confided to Red that I used to have an eating disorder years ago.

Anyway, the horse adjusts and obeys all my commands flawlessly. I ride for half an hour before dismounting. Chad agrees that I can have the horse. We load him and his tack up, then Red notices we're late to meet Mrs. Speed and her son. With a quick goodbye, we jump in the truck and head out.

€*€

"So, Mr. Dodge, and Blaze. This is my son, Nathaniel. He asked me if he could come along," Mrs. Speed begins as we join her at the restaurant. She has her laptop and several files tucked away in a messenger bag. "Now, I found some interesting information while Blaze was living with his relatives, then a while with his foster parents."

"Interesting in abuse? Behavioral? How?" Red asks. I wince when I realize what she's about to reveal.

"Interesting in eating habits. Blaze. Are you comfortable with what I'm about to say? If not, it can be discussed privately at a later date."

I shake my head. "No. Go ahead."

"Okay." Rebeccah nods curtly, but not unkindly. "Blaze was admitted to the hospital shortly after Mr. Lykes was arrested. A few injuries were treated, then he was admitted to the psych ward for several days for observation. During that time the doctors suspected he was battling anorexia. Which was confirmed when his meals were barely touched, if at all."