Constant

Chapter 3

(PETER)

"Now that's not very nice!" Peter said as he held up his arms to get the horse to turn the other way. It took off in the other direction running the length of the corral. Petey was perched on the edge of the fence. He rested his head in his hands as he watched the horse run. Peter could imagine what he was thinking as he watched the sun reflect off of its mane. Petey had always loved horses. Peter glanced up to see Ryah and Thea walking towards the horse corral. Peter lifted his arm towards them when they looked up at him. 

Peter could hear them talking to Petey but he couldn't hear what they were saying. Petey said something that made Thea step forward and glare at her brother. She said something to him and he reached over to shove her shoulder. Thea stumbled backwards and Ryah grabbed her before she could fall inside the corral. 

"Petey!" Peter said as Peter took a step forward to prevent a fight but Ryah intervened. 

"Yes, sir?" Petey asked timidly knowing that he had been caught doing something wrong. 

"Men don't shove girls," Peter said and Petey slumped down further under the force of his voice. Peter hadn't meant to make Petey shrink back in fear. 

"Yes sir," Petey replied and Peter could hear his voice shake. Thea and Petey started talking back and forth to each other and Ryah rolled her eyes. She stepped in between them on the fence post. Ryah said something that made both twins nod. She kept her eyes on the horse as it ran around the corral but her mouth was moving as she spoke to the children. Petey and Thea had their eyes on her face and their mouths were hanging open in awe as she spoke to them. Peter tried to hide that he was watching. 

Petey jumped down off of the fence. "I bet I can catch more frogs than you!" He said loudly and Thea jumped down to join him. 

"No you can't!" She yelled then sprinted after him with her braids flopping against her back. Ryah tipped her head back and laughed at their retreat. Peter walked up behind her and leaned his arms against the wood. Ryah turned around and jumped. 

"How do you do that?!" She gasped as she held onto the fence with a white knuckled grip. 

"Move silently and gracefully like a butterfly?" He asked earning a laugh from Ryah. "You're really good with them," He said looking in the direction of the running twins. 

"They're sweet," She replied and Peter laughed loudly.

"Now, the twins have been called many things, but I don't think that a complete stranger has ever called them sweet. Especially right after hearing them argue." 

Ryah shrugged "I think they're sweet." 

Peter laughed as he took two of the horses back into their stalls. "So, did you come here to watch me expertly tame this wild beast?" He asked gesturing to the horse that started running away from him. Ryah dropped down off of the edge of the fence as the horse ran in her direction. 

"I actually came here to watch you fall on your backside."

"Well, you shouldn't have to wait very long to get your wish." He said as he walked over to horse and got her saddle tightened. He stroked her nose and tried to get her to calm down. "It's alright," He whispered to the horse. He managed to get one foot in the stirrup and swing one leg over the horse's back. Peter sat securely in the saddle and looked down at Ryah's awed face as she stood next to the corral fence. Peter smiled at her and the horse started bucking. He scrambled to hold onto the reins but was thrown quickly. He rolled underneath the fence before the horse could crush him. 

"You were right, I didn't have to wait long at all!" Ryah said with an extended hand to him. Peter took her offered hand and allowed her to pull him to his feet. Her hand felt so small in his and he didn't want to let go of her. She took her hand back and Peter bent to pick up an apple from a bucket that was sitting near the stable. Pulling a knife from his weapons stash he sliced through the crisp fruit and offered a piece to the horse. She was happy to take the treat and Peter wiped his hands on his pants.