Only Mine

Chapter 21: Our First Ride

Blake wakes at the crack of dawn and I stretch out my limbs. "Go back to sleep." He murmurs quietly and I look at him. "I'm awake now, there's no going back." I say and he kisses my lips. "I'll see you at around nine." He says and I nod. He walks out and I cuddle into his pillow until I fall asleep again.

I wake again at eight thirty and go wash my face and brush my teeth. I go into the kitchen and find a note on the counter. I smile, reading the note. It was a sweet love letter from Blake. I fold it back up and place it back where it was. I pour myself a cup of coffee and put a coconut creme creamer in it. I stir it and slowly take sips. I look around and notice how the house seems uniquely Blake's. It was comforting.

Blake walks in at nine forty and I was making breakfast. I don't sense him until his arms are wrapped around my waist. "Good morning." He murmurs and he presses a soft kiss to my ear. "Good morning, how was moving the cattle?" I ask and he sighs. "It was weird. Two of our calves were found dead in the center of the pasture. The herd was circled around them and I could smell their fear. Something ate up their calves and my dad has two of the sheepdogs on watch." He answers and I look at him. "Rouges maybe?" I say and he shrugs. "Whatever is was killed them quickly but messily. It was a bloody massacre." He says while shaking his head. "I hope you catch whatever it is, no animal deserves to die." I say. He nods and I push him towards the island. "Sit down." I say and he doesn't let go. "Blake, go." I say and he finally sits down. I finish cooking and place a plate in front of him. I make a smaller one for myself and sit beside him.

We finish breakfast and I clean the dishes. "Lex, want to go for a ride today?" Blake asks and I look up from the dishes. "Sure." I say and he pushes off the wall and comes towards me. "Have you ever ridden a horse?" He asks and I shake my head. "Never." I answer and he leans in closer. "That's good." He says and pecks my lips. I kiss him back and he pulls back. I let out a sound of disappointment and he smiles. "That's what you get, Vixen." He growls playfully and I growl back. I dry the plates and put them away in the cabinets. I go to the bedroom to shower and get dressed for today. "Livia gave you a pair of pants and boots for today." Blake says as he comes out of the shower. I watch the water roll down his body and my eyes snap up to his. He smirks and brushes past me. I close the door behind him and undress. I step into the shower and turn the water on. I scrub my body and hair with vanilla scented shampoos. I dry off and pull on underwear and a bra. I put on the pants and a plain white t-shirt. I pull on the boots and put my usual mascara. I find a black cowboy hat on the bed. "It's yours." Blake says and I put it on. I look at him, "How do I look?" I ask. "Beautiful." He smiles and he kisses my cheek. "Come on." He says and he grabs his keys from the hook. I get in and he drives down the road towards David and Calla's home.

He drives on a road that turns northwest. I notice shadows in the trees following alongside the truck and I look closer. "What's wrong?" Blake asks when he notices what I am doing. "There's shadows following the truck." I answer and I meet his eyes. "They're just following the make sure nothing happens during our ride." He answers and I nod.

He parks in front of a large stone stable. He opens the door for me and helps me out. We walk into the stable hand in hand and he brings his hand to his mouth. He whistles and multiple large heads poke out of the stalls. One whinnies and I walk to it. I run my hand down its face and it bumps it muzzle against my hand. "She wants a carrot." Blake says and he hands me one. I hold it out and fuzzy lips clamp onto it and she eats it. "I guess you'll be on Rain." He says and she whinnies again. She nods her head and I laugh. Blake opens the gate and walks her out. He brings a saddle and bridle and slips them on. He adjusts the bridle and helps me up onto the saddle. "Hold up, let me get Yukon ready and we'll head out." He says and I nod. I run my hand over her neck and she neighs. Blake says as he saddles up a large brown Quarter Horse with white socks on his legs. "Okay, follow my lead and you'll be fine." He says and I nod. He positions my hands and I take a slow breath. He was teaching me how to ride Western style. My right hand was holding onto the horn and my left was holding the reins. Blake gently squeezes Yukon's sides and he slowly starts walking. I barely put in any pressure and Rain goes off at a trot. I easily fall into the way of riding and am quickly at Blake's side. "That was quick." He grins and he slows down Yukon. I slow down Rain and she follows quickly. We walk off side by side, talking and laughing.