The Boy From Oklahoma

Travis

Briefly edited. 

   I come back to work Monday mornin' after the weekend, lookin' for Sarah. I hadn't talked much to Alana after Friday night. I'm walkin' through the barn, hurryin' to find Sarah when I run right smack into Kade. He pushes me back and glares down at me. Okay, I'm 6'1", but this guy still towers over me. 

   "You better watch yourself around my sister," he says. His voice is deep and gruff. His long straight black hair hangs over his eyes and he has a silver lip ring. 

   I step back away from his reach and glare up at him. "How 'bout you mind your own damn business city boy," I say with gritted teeth. 

   "I can still kick your ass," he responds, shruggin' his shoulders. Kade may be tall, but he's got no muscle. 

   "Try me, bub," I say as I push past him, still lookin' for Sarah. I find her in the tack room of the barn, goin' through blankets. 

   "Hey Sarah, you got a minute?" I ask. 

   "Yeah, what's up?" she asks me.

   "I was just wonderin' if I could take Calico out on a ride and take Alana with me on a beginner horse? Maybe get her into ridin'."

   She doesn't say anything for a few minutes. She then lifts her head and gazes into my eyes. Her intense gaze makes me want to look away, but I have nothin' to be guilty about. 

   "All right, both of y'all can go, but I want you to take good care of her, Travis Hayes. You hear me?" she asks. 

   "Yes ma'am, of course." I respond, knowin' that she's not just talkin' about goin' for a ride. 

   "I'm not stupid, I know y'all got somethin' brewin' and I don't want you breakin' that little girl's heart."

   "I don't plan on it, ma'am," I tell her, suddenly feelin' like I'm talkin' to Alana's mother instead of my boss. If anythin', Alana will be the one who breaks my heart. 

   I head back out into the main part of the barn. I begin walkin' through the infirmary to go into the house where I assume Alana is. I glance up to see her standin' in front of Ace's stall, talkin' to him. I walk up and stand next to her.

   "Hey," she says. 

   "Hey," I respond. I look at Ace and smile. "You know, his leg's almost better so maybe then you can start ridin' him."

   "I don't know how to ride a horse," she says while pettin' Ace's nose.

   "Really? I thought for sure you did by the way that you two took to each other," I say while lookin' at her. She shrugs her shoulders slightly and glances at me with a smile on her face. She turns her head back to the horse, but I can't stop lookin' at her. 

   She looks like almost like a completely new person, even though she's only been here for just about four days. I watch her as she gazes at the horse and her whole face seems to light up. She slowly strokes her hand down his face to his nose, where he blows gently into her palm. When she had gotten here a few days ago, she seemed mad at the world, but now she seems content. 

   "What's up?" she asks in a relaxed voice. 

   "Well, I came out to see if you wanted to go for a mornin' ride, but since you can't even ride . . ."

   "Teach me," she says simply. I look at her for a moment, wonderin' why I hadn't thought of that. 

   "Do you really want to learn how? It takes commitment," I tell her.