Into My Own

Forty-Four

Some time later, I pulled myself together, furiously wiping away the multitude of tears and putting on a look of determination.

"Coda, are you sure you're okay?" Kellan asked gently.

I nodded. "No sense in crying. It's gonna happen anyway and I just need to put on my big girl boots and deal with it."

"That's the spirit!" Blake cheered, untangling herself from our huddle and pulling me to my feet. "Alright, cowgirl, let's go rope shit and kick some ass!"

I grinned, readjusted my hat, and followed her to the barn.

"Here's your halter. Catch Winston and meet me back here so we can saddle up and get going."

The blue roan had watched me the entire walk to the barn and was now waiting patiently at the gate.

"You know, I think you got yourself a horse. Winston is gentle as hell but the only other person he greets like that is Kellan," Blake informed me, brushing past.

I stared in his soft brown eyes with wonder. "You like me, huh?"

He obviously didn't comment, being a horse.

Nonetheless, I felt incredibly special to have been chosen, especially by such a pretty, sweet animal. Then again, Tabby had taken a liking to Kellan. Maybe it was some sort of sign.

Winston stood quietly while I slipped on his soft, braided halter. We met Oakley and Kellan on our way back to the barn.

"Are you two gonna rope with us?" I asked.

Oakley nodded excitedly. "Yeah! And you and me are gonna kick butt!"

I shook my head. "Whatever you say. I'm just excited to have some time with this pretty boy."

"Who, me?" Kellan asked innocently, eyes sparkling.

"I was talking about the horse, but you aren't so bad either."

"Hot damn, you just got a compliment," Oakley winked, sauntering away.

I turned to Kellan, rolling my painfully puffy eyes.

He was grinning but his face softened in sympathy once Oakley was out of earshot. "Seriously, are you okay? Do you need anything?"

"I'm fine. Cowgirls don't cry, right?"

His baby blues locked on my cowboy hat. "I suppose they don't."

"So let's just pretend that nothing in the past hour ever happened, okay?"

A conflicted gaze stole over his features before he gave in. "Okay."

"Now go get yourself a horse! I have butt kicking to do!" I grinned, repositioning Winston's lead rope and continuing my trek to the barn.

Blake was already there, placing a purple saddle blanket on Leroy's back.

"How come you're using Leroy? I thought he was your barrel horse?"

She shrugged. "We like to give the horses a taste of everything. I thought Leroy needed a refresher on roping."

"Isn't he Mark's horse?"

Blake nodded. "And your point is?"

"I thought Mark did a lot of roping."

"Well, yeah..."

I pinned her with a gaze. "Then why do you say he needs a refresher?"

She sighed. "Alright, I just really like Leroy. He's a lot more calm than the fancy rodeo horses my mom picks out for me."