Cowgirl Up 2 (Sequel) ✔️

Chapter Forty Five

It was yet another beautiful early Spring day in the Riverston district.
Sunday.
It was usually our lazy day, but today we were on the go again anyway.
The dogs barked, indicating an arrival at the farm.
If it was Graeme and Ashley they were right on time.
Though I was sure Paint and River would be devastated to have Tango leave.
They'd become quite the adorable little trio of bachelors.
"They here?"
I turned around to see Blayze walking out of the tack shed.
"Think so."
I agreed.
The rattling of a horse float reached my ear's.
It was Graeme and Ashley or a total coincidence that somebody else had arrived towing a float.
I turned around to see the dual cab Ute and horse float pull into the yard.
Blayze stepped up alongside me and slung his arm around my shoulders, making me smile.
Zeus and Azlan sat at Blayze's side obediently, knowing what they had to do when somebody arrived.
By now Blayze didn't even have to command them.
Zuke pounced forward, barking several more times.
"Zuke!"
I called.
He looked over his shoulder at me questioningly.
I snapped my fingers at my side, indicating for him to come back.
With a whine he turned around and bounded to my side.
"Sit down."
I told him.
Wagging his tail and wearing a wide doggy grin, he obeyed.
The driver's and passenger's doors both opened and a person climbed out from either side.
Graeme came into view from the driver's side and Ashley appeared from the passenger side.
"Howdy!"
Graeme called, raising a hand in a wave.
"Gidday."
Blayze replied.
"Hi!"
Ashley chirped, practically bouncing towards us.
Out the corner of my eye, I noticed Zuke squirming.
"Stay Zuke."
I warned.
He whined but remained sitting beside me.
"Hi Ashley!"
I greeted the other girl with a quick smile.
"My gosh he's grown so much!"
Ashley exclaimed, placing her hands on her knees as she bent over to peer at Zuke.
"Are you a dog person?"
I asked.
I was trying to teach Zuke to only greet people when he was told it was okay.
Ashley nodded vigorously.
"I love all animals!"
"Okay Zuke."
I told the Pup whom was positively squirming in excitement.
He lurched to his feet and speedily covered the ground between us and Ashley.
"Hello beautiful!"
Ashley crooned, giving him a scratch behind his ears.
Zuke closed his eyes and leaned into her hands, completely loving the attention.
"How's it goin'?"
Graeme asked, his boots crunching on the ground as he came forward, adjusting his grey coloured Akubra on his head.
Blayze stepped forward to shake his hand, sliding his arm off my shoulders.
"Not bad thanks. Yourself?"
He greeted.
"Good, good."
Graeme nodded.
"Can we are Tango?"
Ashley asked, straightening from patting Zuke, her face bright with excitement.
"Of course."
I told her with a smile.
"He's just over here."
I explained, turning on my heel to lead the way.
"You can catch him if you want."
"I've missed him so much!"
Ashley gushed as she walked beside me.
"And oh my gosh look at you!"
She exclaimed, gesturing towards my body.
I couldn't help but laugh.
"Yeah."
I massaged one hand over my rounded belly.
"Time's flown."
"Do you know if you're having a boy or a girl?"
Ashley asked.
I shook my head.
"Nope."
"Wow!"
I couldn't help but laugh.
A neigh erupted from a nearby paddock.
I couldn't help but smile.
"Tango!"
Ashley's energy seemed boundless.
She picked up a run, aiming for the small paddock that Paint, River and Tango were sharing.
"You can use that halter that's hanging on that gate there!"
I called after her.

Ashley spent some time brushing and talking with Tango who stood happily tied at the hitching rail while she fussed over him.
Although they'd been given documented progress reports on Tango's training, Graeme wanted to see Ashley work with Tango and ride him before they took him home.
I for one was glad they were so invested in the process.
While Ashley set about her task, Graeme and Blayze stood off to the side talking about various things Tango had been exposed to during his time here.
"We're ready!"
Ashley called suddenly, backing Tango away from the hitching rail.

"Thank you so much!"
Ashley gushed, leaning in to hug me.
"Oh!"
I half hugged her back, surprised by the gesture.
"I didn't really do anything."
I told her.
"It was all Blayze. But you're welcome."
I patted her on the back, then turned to leave her alone in the float with her horse.
They'd spent enough time apart that they more than deserved some alone time.
I walked towards Blayze and Graeme, where Graeme was patting Blayze on the shoulder.
Blayze looked shell shocked as the older man stepped back.
"Thank you both."
Graeme said as he took another step back, towards his car.
"At this rate I'll be more than happy to recommend ya to anybody seekin' a trainer, Blayze."
"I'm happy to take on most clients."
Blayze told him.
"But the farm work comes first coz I'm first and foremost hired as the Overseer."
Graeme nodded.
"Fair enough. We've all certainly gotta do what we can to keep the farm's runnin'."
"Feel free to let me know how they're gettin' on in the next few weeks."
Blayze offered.
"But as I said, so long as she keeps his mind active I don't think they'll cross any problems."
"I'll be sure to tell her that."
Graeme agreed.
"But you certainly worked wonders with him. He seem's a completely different horse to the one we dropped off."
Blayze shrugged the compliment off.
"All in a day's work."
"Don't be so stubborn."
I chided and nudged his side.
"We all know you're a wizard with horses."
Graeme laughed!
"That I'll agree to! None of my boys could ride that horse!"
"That's because Tango's special!"
Ashley remarked as she skipped down the float ramp.
"Ready to close those doors?"
Her Dad asked her.
"Yup!"
Ashley nodded.