Jillian's Dream: Barrel Racing

Prologue

October 5th

I dismounted from Delta, rubbing the mare's neck and loosening her girth. We had just finished our barrel racing lesson with Megan. Linda was also there practicing with her new Christmas present. On Christmas, Linda picked me up from my house and took me to the stables to show me her new barrel horse. 

My best friend's horse was a sleek black quarter horse mare named Charm or Prince Charming. She was 15. 1 hands high and had the sweetest temperament. I had been looking to buy this mare before but I stuck with the one I have now, it was worth it. 

Fortunately, the two clicked and formed a bond instantly. Delta and I, along with Linda and Charm, clocked a time of 18. 61 on a standard pattern. It was pretty laid back and fun, but I made sure to keep my posture correct so Mrs. Mruz wouldn't pick on me when I returned. 

"Jill hurry up so we can go to Runza!" Linda called to me from a cross-tie down. I rolled my eyes and laughed, pulling off Delta's saddle and giving her a brush.

"Yes, Linda" I replied, clipping my lead-line to Delta's halter. Suddenly my phone rang, the music that played startled Delta and she shied away from it. "Sorry, baby girl." I pulled my phone out of the pocket of my jeans, looking at the name on the screen.

Bentley Berli

I froze, before clicking the green phone button on the screen. It took a moment before it picked up, and my entire body went ridged. 

"Hello?" I asked on the phone, my voice getting shaky. 

"Jillian?" Bentley's charming voice responded through the phone.

"Hey!" I said, holding the phone with one hand and leading Delta with the other. "How's your break?"

"Really good, a little freezing. I've been riding as much as I can though! I could almost see Bentley smiling on the other end, which caused me to smile. "What about you?" He asked.

"The same actually! I've been riding so much. I just got done finishing a lesson with Delta." I slipped Delta's halter off and left the stall, latching the gate shut. Delta darted towards the hay net and greedily snatched the wisps of hay out of the net.

"That's great," Bentley replied. We both sat in silence for the other to say something, and I shifted my weight nervously.

"Did you get anything nice for Christmas?" I blurted, trying to think of something to say. I then smacked my forehead at the stupid question. His dad is rich, duh. He could probably get a new horse if he wanted to. 

"Yeah, actually I did!" Bentley said. "I got all new equipment, like a new roping saddle, bridle, and some other things... it sounds stupid but I was pumped."

"That isn't stupid! You're so lucky." I flirted on the phone. "I got a new barrel saddle, bridle, pad, and so much more. I also got some gift cards to our nearby tack store so I will pick some other things up there." Linda walked up to me and asked who was on the phone. I shushed her, embarrassed. 

"Who was that?" Bentley asked, a serious tone entering his voice. 

"It is my friend, Linda." I held out the phone and she yelled into it, "Hi!"

"Tell her I said hi," he said, which I did. "Anyways, I just wanted to check in with you." I couldn't help but smile, and I sighed in relief.

"Well, thank you. It means a lot to me." I switched the phone to my other ear, and I heard someone talk on the other end.

"Well, I'd love to stay and chat, but I am about to try out a new horse," Bentley informed me.

"A new horse?" I asked, incredulous.

"I've been looking for a while. I love Blue, but he is getting up there in age and I want him to have an enjoyable retirement," he explained.

"Aww, I understand," I responded. "Well, I miss you."

"I miss you too." I heard footsteps and the clip-clop of hooves on the floor.

"Bye, Bentley."

"Bye, Jillian."

I clicked the 'end' button on my phone and felt satisfied with the call. Suddenly, the snapping of fingers in front of my face forced me back to reality.

"Is that your new boy?" Linda teased.

"Shut up," I retorted jokingly.

"Oh, whatever happened to Chris?" my friend asked, even though she knew every detail of the story. I punched her arm lightly as we walked by a few rows of stalls.

This stable differed so much from Lazy L. It was probably 1/4 of the size with only one indoor and one outdoor arena. The horses here, although they were all adorable and had their own story, weren't as built as the specially bred barrel horses at Lazy L. I patted a pony's nose as we made our way toward the stable entrance, Linda's mom waiting outside to take us to Runza. How healthy.

"I'm like 99% sure my mom is pissed at me for spending the majority of my break at the barn," I giggled as we walked outside. It wasn't cold enough for snow, but it was definitely on the cooler side. I zipped up my light Nike jacket a little more as we made our way past a few pastures to get to the parking lot. The horses grazed in their blankets, nibbling at the brown winter grass.

"Same, girl," Linda bumped her shoulder with me in a friendly gesture. "I'm at school from 8 to 3 and then I'm at the stable until 7!" We laughed as we spotted Mrs. Ruby's Jeep Grand Cherokee in the parking lot. We climbed inside of the car, Linda's mom greeted us with a smile.

"Hello, girls!" Mrs. Ruby exclaimed.

"Hey, mom!" we replied in unison, causing us to erupt into a fit of laughter. It was a joke between us to call each other's moms, "Mom."

We pulled out of the parking lot and I didn't know if it was the weather, horses, or the fact that Bentley called, but I was feeling so content it put a smile on my face.