Dutch's Girl

Chapter Eight

Chelsea

My heart began to pound. There she is. I moved to hop off of The Count. Dutch dismounted as well and began to approach, but I held up my hand to stop him. He looked confused. "I need to do this myself. I've broken horses before, and she needs to meet me. Only me." Dutch nodded and stood next to The Count.

I approached her slowly, each step as quiet and tentative as I could make it. She was watching me intently, every move. "Hey girl," I said. She reared up slightly and was growing fearful. I was softly talking to her, and I stopped moving when she reared up more. "Hey, it's okay girl. It's just you and me." She got closer.

I focused solely on her. She was as black as the night, and I could tell she was as graceful as a doe. Please trust me. I kept talking to her, and somehow I was right next to her. I reached out and stroked her neck. She huffed indignantly but didn't bolt. Now's my chance!

I scrambled on and grabbed her mane. She began to buck wildly. "Whoah! Easy girl! I ain't gonna hurt you!" She didn't stop. I couldn't see where we were going as she was moving so quickly, but I guess we were barreling towards Dutch and The Count as he yelled out and I could see a flash of white hurry out of the way.

I began to slip slightly, but I clung to her as tightly as I could. She kept bucking and kicking and throwing us in all different directions. I pulled hard and steadied myself and kept in a certain position. Soon enough, she stopped bucking. I took to immediately trying to soothe her.

I was panting heavily from the energy used to stay on her. Once she calmed fully and began to trust me, Dutch appeared at my side. "That was interesting to say the least. She almost got us killed!" I busted out laughing, and Dutch joined. "Oops!", I said between laughs. Dutch shook his head chuckling. "Well, Cmon. Let's go to Valentine and get you a saddle for her and everything." I nodded and together we galloped in the direction of town.

Upon entering, I told Dutch about my deed with the O'Driscolls. "You what?! Well, I guess you are capable of taking care of things, but you really need to be careful. They ain't the type to take things like this lightly. Luckily you killed both witnesses so I guess you're good for now." I nodded. We entered the stable and the stable hand whistled in awe. "Them are some fine horses. Don't see much Arabians around here."

Dutch told the man what we needed. He got to work in pulling out saddles for me to look at. It was very hard to choose, but I then realized I had no money to afford one. I turned to Dutch and whispered in his ear, "I can't afford a saddle, do we have one back at camp I can use instead?" The outlaw shook his head and laughed. "My dear, don't worry, whatever you want I told you that you could have, but you don't worry about price, I told you I'd pay." He winked, his minuscule performance used to tease me.

I blushed and then decided the most expensive would be nice. I got the improved version of a large saddle, the Gerden Vaquero in charcoal and ash. Dutch's face looked neutral, but his eyes showed his true feelings. He shook his head and payed. "So, what's this beauty's name?", the stable owner asked. I thought it over and smiled. "Nightmare. Get it? She's black as night and a mare? Plus she was a nightmare to break!" Dutch scoffed. "Atleast she didn't almost run you over."

The stable owner laughed and wrote it down. I led her out and mounted on her. "Wait! Here!" Dutch and I turned to face the stable owner. In his hands were a brush and treats. "She'll be needin' these." I took them and thanked the man before giving Nightmare a pat on the neck. I felt so happy to have her. I felt powerful.

Dutch was at my side in an instant. "Ready to head back?" I nodded. We left town and trotted down the path. By now I knew where camp was, so an idea sprang to mind. "Race you back!", I yelled before spurring Nightmare onward. "Hey!", Dutch called out in surprise before racing after me.