Breaking Free

Chapter 7

I wake myself up early the next morning- very early. To be exact, I wake myself up at 5:30 am when I don't need to be awake till 7:45.

I tug on a pair of ratty jeans and a thin, button up plaid shirt. I slip my paddock boots onto my feet, and quietly sneak down the stairs.

Beau catches me, and whines at my feet, wanting to come with me.

"Not this time boy. I'll let you out when everyone wakes up," I assure, leaning down to kiss his head.

I slip out the front door, careful to be as close to silent as humanly possible.

The barn is fairly quiet, with the occasional sound of a nicker or a hoof pawing the ground. Most of the horses are sleeping, and I try not to awaken them.

I work my way over to Flame's stall. Ever since I got back from Maple Ridge Ranch, I've been earning her trust so that she'll let me ride her. Her previous owner trained her, and even showed her. But then she died, leaving Flame a feisty basket case that nobody would take in.

I know she knows how to ride, and I really believe I can bring it out in her. But not today. I just want to go on a peaceful ride where I can sort out my thoughts. I know the doctor said I should wait two more weeks, but I know that I'm perfectly fine to ride.

I stroke the Appaloosa mare's mane, before moving over to Smokey's stall. Carter proved to me how easygoing this horse is by putting up his three year old cousin up on him.

I clip a lead to his halter, and take him to the cross ties. I rush to the tack room, and grab his bridle and a bareback pad.

Once I've slipped them onto Smokey, I hoist myself up onto his back, and lead him to the trails.

The sun hasn't come up yet, although I can see a hint of orange rising from the edge of the darkness.

I pull Smokey into a trot, and lead him off the beaten path, taking a shortcut to a field that I recently discovered on a walk with Beau.

Once we break through the trees, I urge Smokey into a gallop, and smile at the fact that I'm back in the saddle. After I've ridden around for a while, I dismount and tie Smokey's reigns to a tree, allowing him to graze.

I take a seat in the grass, and sit down to watch the sunrise, and to sort out my thoughts.

What could they possibly be hiding from me about my parents? In fact, what did my parents neglect to tell me when they were alive? What is so big that they won't tell me till I'm 18?

I'll confront them about it, but not just yet. First I just need to manage my new life here. I need to focus on school and the horses. My parents are dead- this can wait.

I sigh, and stand to my feet. Smokey lifts his head to look at me, before going back to his grazing. I untie his reigns, and climb onto his back.

"Come on boy, take me home," I urge, pressing my heels against his side.

I have him lope until we come in sight of the house. Them I slow him to a walk as to not wake anyone.

Once we get to the barn, I dismount and remove his tack, and put it into the tack room. While I'm in there, I grab a soft brush.

I return to Smokey, and brush out all of his saddle marks, and them put him in his stall, making sure he has plenty of water.

I sneak back into the house, and up to my room. I smell of sweat and horses, so I grab a towel and head to the shower.

I turn the water down as cold as I can stand, and let the cool water refresh me.

I wrap a towel around my body, and another around my hair. Then I creep back to my room, and slip my pajamas back on.

I put my riding clothes into the dirty clothes, along with the towels. It's as if I never went on a ride at all.

I slide back into bed, and wait for Carter to come in and 'wake me up' for school.

After about 15 minutes, my lights flick on, and I feel a weight on the foot of my bed.

"Wake up Taylor," Carter chuckles, tugging my covers off.

I feign sleepiness, and sit up in my bed, mumbling incoherent obscenities.

"Morning," I groan, pretending to stretch.

"Did you sleep well?"

I nod, and smile up at him. He gets up to leave so I can change, but before he leaves, he turns and makes eye contact with me.

"And did you enjoy your ride?"

My cheeks flush as I rack my brain for an explanation, before I just give up.

"Relax Taylor, I'm not going to tell," he chuckles, before leaving the room.

I pull on a pair of high waisted shorts and a tribal print tank, along with a flowy creme colored sweater.

I sling my backpack over my shoulder, and rush down the stairs.

Carter eyes me, and sighs. "Don't you think those shorts are a tad too short?"

"Maybe if I were single. But trust me, everyone at that school knows we're dating, you don't have to worry about it Carter," I laugh. "Okay, now let's go."

We go to the truck, and I hop into the passenger side.

Sooner than I'd anticipated, we arrive at the school. I lean over and give Carter a quick kiss before hopping out of the car.

"See you this afternoon," I call out.

"I'll be here," he chuckles before driving away.

I look around the courtyard, and go to meet Joy.

A/N

Sorry for this filler chapter!!! Her outfit is on the side, minus the bag!