Trust the Cowboy

Chapter Twenty-Six

I took a deep breath. I inhaled the clean, fresh air and I wanted to be out here forever. Timber and I loved trail rides. I heard the familiar clip-clopping of her hooves hitting the hard ground. I always thought that taking horses on trail rides helped settle their minds. 

"Should we resume our game of twenty questions?" Tatum asked behind me. And I chuckled.

"Let's do it." I responded, "What's your horse's name?" 

"Ray," he said and I faced him and smiled.

"Cute," I say.

"How did you get your horse?" he asked.

I smiled at the memory, at this point there was enough room on the trail for us to ride next to one another. 

"We went to a feedlot. My mom and I. And she was standing there in the corner and she was frightened but I just knew that she had potential. Potential to walk out of there, to a much better home. I was 13 and she was just weaned. That year was hard on everyone, so that's part of the reason why she ended up there." I leaned down and pet her on her neck. 

I continued, "I told my mom that she was the one. And we bought her for $150. The owner didn't think she'd be able to do anything, but I proved him wrong when I had her halter broke in two weeks and loving people, well a select few people." 

"Wow, she is an amazing horse. That's how it was for me and Blue but I'm going to be retiring him and Ray is my next up and coming." He says with a pat to Ray's neck. 

"They're incredible animals aren't they?" I say.

"They sure are." 

We had a comfortable silence and it was nice to take in the beauty of the red cliffs and desert area. 

"Tell me about your siblings." I say.

"Well Abby, she's getting married in a couple weeks. Brick is a star in high school rodeo, and Ryder is a brat. Ryder's two years younger than me and he's made some decisions that are kind of kicking him in the butt right now. They're making him kinda mean so that's your warning for when you're meeting him." Tatum says.

I whip around in my saddle and look at him incredulously and he just had a goofy grin on his face. 

"What?" I ask. 

"When you meet him. He'll be a jerk at first."

"When am I meeting him?" 

Tatum smirks, "When you come to Abby's wedding with me." 

"Excuse me? What makes you think I'll come to your sister's wedding with you?" I ask. I'm shocked, I don't remember ever agreeing to this. 

"It'll be another date Gem. Just think about it, you falling right at my feet and looking smoking in a dress." He says. "Besides, I already told my family you're coming." 

I just look at him, flabbergasted.

"Maybe," I said.

*****

"That was great, Gem." Tatum says, finishing up his sandwich and rolling up his napkin.

"I'm glad it was." I said with a smile. 

"We should probably head back, it's two and tie-down is up first." He said. I nod my head in agreement and we put the saddle bags back and head back to the fairgrounds.

*****

A/N: Hi, I know it's been awhile, just got some stuff going down. Anyways, this chapter kinda sucks and it's short but I still updated. But the wedding will kick butt. Have a great day! 

~Kay