Faith and Freedom

Chapter Sixteen

"You're sure you're okay?" Connor asked for the billionth time since I'd gotten back from my ride.

"If you ask me that again, I'm going to go insane, scream, and quit talking to you. I'm fine. I just needed a little time on my own to think."

Connor laughed at my response, putting his arm around my shoulders. My thoughts are jumbled in a tight ball of twists and turns and just when I think I have it all figured out, I'm proved wrong. I watch Connor's face contort from a genuine smile to a look of confusion, fear, and irritation.  I follow his gaze and it lands on a gorgeous redhead with bright green eyes. Her face lights up when she catches sight of Connor, who has long since removed his arm from around me. Im confused as she jogs over, jumping into his arms.

"Uhm... hey, Leanne..." is all he manages to say before my brain puts two and two together, urging me to rush over to Renegade. Which is exactly what I do.

Renegade turns toward me, snorting in my direction and walking to the fence to meet me. I let a small smile ghost across my face before it disappeared. Renegade puts his body between me and the view of Connor with that girl and I'm thankful for it. I grab his halter and secure it to him before leading him into the barn to tack him up and work with him. He was relaxed with the tacking up process so that went rather quickly. I had tried a bridle on him a couple days ago so he took the bit a little easier and I led him to the round ring where my helmet was hanging on the gate. My tall boots shined with how clean they where and I knew it wouldn't last long.

I slid the stirrups of the dressage saddle down, talking to him to keep,him calm. Next, I made sure my girth was tight before gently putting my hand into the stirrup, letting him feel the weight of me. He snorted and his head went up, but I continued to soothe him with my words. Leading him to the mounting block, I gently put my foot into the left stirrup and again, he threw his head up in the air. I managed to keep him calm as I settled into the saddle. We stood for a long time while I let him get used to my weight and my body.

I gripped the saddle tightly while I gently squeezed with my legs, ready for him to bolt. I was met with a spry trot that was both smooth and energetic. I was surprised when he tossed a playful buck and jolted into a canter. He threw a series of small bucks and crow hops and I struggled to stay on, so I did what any sensible person would do and I let go, doing a very un-graceful flying dismount.

Landing hard on my back, the wind was knocked out of me and I waited for the air to come to my starving lungs. I sat up slowly and looked to my left, where Renegade stood with his head up. Getting up, I walked over to him and grabbed his reigns. Walking him over to the mounting block, I gently swung on his back and settled again.

"Let's try this again, shall we?" I asked, tapping his sides gently.

He acted like I had kicked him extremely hard and bolted, galloping like he'd be killed. I pulled him up and made him walk. His walk was enormous, just like his height of seventeen hands. Amazed, I spoke to him, petting his neck to show him he could trust me. And soon enough, he would but right now, this was all new to him.

I felt like I was in my own world, just Renegade and me, all alone. It was the weirdest thing, like I was in a trance or something. All too soon, the spell was broken when the new girl opened her mouth with a squeal, scaring Renegade into a crazy gallop that was full of him bucking, and landing me back in the dirt.

"Oh my god, he's so cute!!!" Her voice was all I heard as I hit the ground, the air leaving my lungs once again.

Renegade tore around the round ring like someone had branded him with a red hot iron. My anger was visible and I was sure if I was a cartoon, steam would be pouring out of my ears. I got up and dusted my breeches off and pulled my helmet off. My eyes were a dark stormy gray and all I saw was red as I locked eyes on the girl who spooked my horse. I opened my mouth to speak but my voice was deadly calm and low.

"Listen, I know you don't know me and I sure as hell don't know you but what I do know is, I was making some seriously remarkable progress considering that horse had never been ridden until just now and you scared the hell out of him. I don't know if he will let me anywhere near him now and I could've been killed. So do me a favor and stay the hell away from the both of us, for your safety and for mine. I don't want you anywhere near me and I sure as hell don't ever want to see your face or hear your voice when I'm working with my horse from now on, got it? Good." It was clear that my words had rattled her and the fact that I said them so calmly had obviously come as a shock.

I pulled my hair out of the low ponytail it was in and let my hair fall in its unruly waves down my back as I made my way cautiously over to Renegade, always talking in a soothing voice to keep him calm. I grabbed his reigns and opened the gate, leading him out to the mounting block that was at the head of the trails. Swinging my body into the saddle for a third time, I gently put pressure on his sides and we walked down the trail, his body shaking at every small noise.

A few minutes into our ride, I heard another set of hooves and turned to see Hayley. I turned back around and she caught up, pulling Melody of the Heart up beside me. I gave her a smile and continued to ride in silence.

"So, I never pegged you as a bad ass kinda girl who kept her cool under pressure." She said, chuckling slightly.

"Well, I'm usually not that way but I've had enough today."

"I get that. By the way, how'd you get that horse to let you on him? He won't let anyone else near him." She asked.

"I dunno, I guess we just get each other."

By this time, we had come full circle and I looked around, seeing my sister laughing with Connor. This simple act made me smile. My smile only grew as Connor looked up, eyes growing wide at me and the horse I was riding.  We rode back to the barn and I swung off, landing on the ground. Melody ran over to me and gave me a hug while Connor just stood in shock, walking slowly.

"There is no way... how?? What?" His mouth hung open.

"Close your mouth, you'll catch bugs." Melody said, giggling.

"Yeah, it's Renegade, and I don't know how. We just get eachother." I replied.

My moment was ruined when I turned and saw Leanne walking toward us.

"Hey, Connor. Will you come show me where Redemption is? I miss my old pony and I wanna say hi to her before she is sold off." She said, her voice like nails on a chalkboard to me.

"She's in the second stall to the left on the mares half of the barn. Now, if you'll excuse us, I need to talk to Connor, alone." I said, my voice too sweet.

With that, I led Renegade into the barn, Connor following beside me.

Word count: 1372

Hey guys. So it's been a while, but I've started school and had some issues with people so motivation has been very low. However, I just got most of my motivation back and decided to bust out this chapter. Also, I wanted to make it longer and that takes time. In truth, this chapter was half written but I lost inspiration and got writers block and then the third thing I've said above, but I have been working on this chapter on and off all day today when I've found the time. I have school tomorrow so I have to go because it's 10:00 pm here in my state and I need to get to bed, but I wanted to publish this and give you all a good chapter. Hope you liked it. Night guys.

~Kassie