Rescued [[Nicola Philippaerts]] #wattys2017

Will You Be Mine?

[ N I  C O L A ' S   P O V ]

When I awoke some time whenever, Chelsea was curled into my chest, fast asleep and with the smallest hint of a smile on her lips. I brushed some stray strands of hair from her face and smiled to myself, wrapping my arms around her and pulling a blanket over us. She saved my life and I finally know, I most definitely love her.

I heard people come in so I closed my eyes and pretended to be asleep. I picked up the small gasp of delight from my mother and I disgusted sound from my younger brother.

"Come dears. Let's leave them to sleep." My mother said and turned off the light. I smiled in content before letting myself actually fall asleep.

[ C H E L S E A ' S   P O V ]

When I awoke, it was morning and Nicola was stroking my hair. I smiled and let my eyes flutter open slowly. I couldn't believe we went from hating each other a few months ago to cuddling and speaking civilly to each other. I looked up at the man who had stolen my heart.

"Morning..." Nicola smiled and brushed some hair out of my face.

"Morning Nic." I yawned and sat up. He giggled like a child and sat up as well, popping some of the vertebra in his back and clicking his shoulders.

"Can I ask you something?" Nicola asked me.

"Sure?" I replied.

"Will...Will you be mine? I know I've put you through hell but I realised that I actually really love you." He said genuinely.

"Nicola... I...Yes. Yes I will be yours!" I said and hugged him tightly. He hugged me back and kissed my forehead. We broke apart after a few seconds.

"So. I was thinking...How about we take you horse shopping. I know that Cherry has only just gone but he knows you still love him and if dad gets another client, they'll take Cherry's old stable. And I'll even come with you." Nicola said. I couldn't bare the thought of another horse that is not mine or Nicola's in Cherry's stable so I nodded.

"Great! Go into my room and change into something horsey because I know we'll have to get you on the back of a horse or two. If you can't find any of your tops, just use one of mine." He said and helped me up. I nodded again and trudged up the stairs, slipping into Nicola's room. I pulled out some of my own Ariat jodhpurs and slipped into one of Nicola's 'Philippaerts Stables' t-shirts before pulling on my long Ariat boots and my 'Philippaerts Stables' Storm Shield jacket.

I went back downstairs and Nicola was just zipping up his Parlanti long boots as I sat next to him. He looked round and smiled at me, handing me his riding hat.

"I've told dad that me and you are going horse shopping. He said it's fine and take as long as we need to. He's also given me a list of stables that are auctioning off their large horses so we'll take my horsebox and go find a new horse." He said and led me out to where his horsebox was parked. He already had headcollars and lead roped and travel boots in there so we didn't need to faff around with all of that. I climbed into the passenger side whilst Nicola climbed into the drivers side and started up the engine. This was hopefully going to be a nice day out.

Halfway through the journey to the last yard, Nicola started a conversation with me.

"What sort of colour are you looking for. Bay, Black, Dun, Dappled Grey, Flea-bitten Grey-"

"Appaloosa" I cut him off.

"You want an Appy?" You'd need to clarify that with my dad first. I'm okay with it though." He said, handing me his phone. I took it and called Ludo. After a few rings, he answered.

"Hey Ludo it's Chelsea."

"Hello Chelsea. What can I do for you?"

"Um...Silly question, would I be allowed to compete in competitions on an appaloosa?"

"Oh...Um...I don't know. It's never been heard of before. Let me ring the FEI Show jumping HQ and I'll get back to you. Alright? But I am perfectly happy for you to have an appaloosa stabled here at Philippaerts Stables. How different are they from a dappled grey?" He said happily.

"Thank you so much Ludo. Can you text me?"

"Sure kiddo."

"Alright Ludo. Bye!" I said and hung up.

"Well?" Nicola asked.

"He said he's going to check but he's more than happy to have an Appaloosa stabled there because they're not that different than a dappled grey." I smiled. Nicola indicated and then turned into a scrappy looking yard. It was the final one on this list.

"This is a dangerous yard Chels. The owner has been convicted of rape and paedophilia several times. Now, I know the owner very well and he knows not to mess with me but stay close to me okay babe." 

"I know not to mess with you but sure." I said and jumped out of the cab. I walked round to Nicola who came close to me and led me to an office structured building. He knocked on the door and waited to be called in.

"Come in, come in!" The slurry Belgium accent said. Nicola went inside with me following and looked the man square in the eye.

"I...err...Nicola Philippaerts. What do I- Oh, and you've brought a girl with you." The man said, licking his lips dirtily. Nicola pushed me behind him.

"Back off Austin. Now I have something to ask you. Do you have any Appaloosa horses for sale?"

"I might have? Depends what you want it for?"

"Show jumping." Nicola said. The man, Austin, let out a roar of laughter.

"I only have one Appaloosa but he's crazy. Nuts. Out of his mind. Can't even take a headcollar. I have the only Appaloosa for sale in Belgium but I'll tell ya what. I'll give him ya for free because he ain't no use to me unless he gets the bullet." Austin slurred again.

"We can work with him." Nicola growled. "Now show us the Appaloosa."

"Follow me, follow me." Austin said and walked past Nicola who kept me behind him.

We followed the man to a sandy corral where a gorgeous appaloosa stallion stood with his ears back and snorting defensively. His mane and tail were knotted and his coat matted with layers upon layers of dried sweat, blood and new sweat. His feet were slightly overgrown and his spots looked like smudges of oil on his body. Nicola put an arm around my shoulders and rubbed my arm softly. A single tear escaped my eye.

"We'll take him." Nicola declared.

"And so you don't pull any dirty tricks, I'll pay you 3000 euros which is more than what an Appaloosa cost." I said, stepping out of Nicola's grip.

"Have it your way. That stallion will never let you near him." The man said as I handed him the 3000. He took it and put in away in his pocket. He then opened a dusty box next to the corral and pulled out paperwork.

"It's his papers. Go ahead and take him. He's yours." The man said.

"Babe. Go and grab a headcollar and lead rope. I know you can get near him." Nicola said. I nodded and walked back to the horsebox, digging out one of Nicola's leather headcollars and a lead rope.

I took it back and slipped into the corral with the Appaloosa stallion......

TO BE CONTINUED -------------------->