The Bridle Path

Chapter 2

I woke up to the smell of coffee and bacon, and immediately crawled out of bed. Food was my weakness, what can I say? I threw on a sports bra, blue tank top, and a pair of jeans.I headed downstairs to see dad quickly dishing the food onto plates. I checked my watch; 7 am. That's not too bad considering there was a ton of stuff to be done around here and I was practically dead after yesterday.

"Hey kid, here's your breakfast. I am heading out, Dierk is meeting me here and I'm riding with him to go look at some cattle. I have my phone, just take care of the horses and the truck is here if you need to go to town. Love you" He said before rushing out the door.

I sighed, quickly eating my food before it got cold. It was gonna be awful lonely here with Dad working hard again and not having any new friends other than Grace.

I swiveled off the stool at the counter and put my dishes in the sink before brushing my teeth in the bathroom and brushing my light blonde hair. I threw it in a ponytail, put a hat on, and put boots on before heading out into the the hot dry heat.

I walked out to the pasture with 3 halters, catching the three geldings and putting them away, followed by the two mares. I quickly got to work graining them and giving them fresh water in their buckets. By the time they had stopped eating, I had decided I would get Malibu out and saddle her up. 

I brushed her down, threw a western saddle and pad on, and then walked her out to the outdoor arena. I went to unlatch the fence gate when I hear a dog barking. Confused, I look around when a little black and white blur runs behind me, spooking Malibu. I was caught off guard, letting go of the gate and trying to avoid her flying hooves as she reared. I feel her feet hit me, then all of a sudden my vision goes blurry and I begin to see darkness.

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I roll over and groan. My mouth was full of chalky sand and it felt like I got hit by a bus. I squint up into the sun to see see a pair of gorgeous blueish green eyes standing over me. A guy with a long but attractive face with short black hair and a cowboy hat peek over my head. 

"Are y'all right? Looks like you took a beaten to." I sat up too quick, moaning and grabbing my head. I spit the dirt out of my mouth and slowly looked around before realizing what had happened, and began to dust myself off. Then I remember Malibu took off, and I frantically looked around before I saw her tied up in the wash stall. Then the blurry white and black fuzzy thing jumped on top of me and licked me with cold wet kisses. 

"No gambit, down! Go lay down!" The guy yelled at the little cattle dog. He whined and walked towards the pasture. 

"Sorry, he tends to get excited. I'm Walker Johnson. You can just call me Walker. I came over cause my Dad wanted to see if I could um.. get a job here?" He asked, scratching the back of his neck awkwardly.

"I'm not sure if my Dad is hiring, we just moved in yesterday." I say, starting to inspect myself for any injuries.

"Oh okay. Well I'm terribly sorry for spooking your horse. When I walked in Gambit got through the truck door and took off, he's still in training." He looked down on me and bit his lip out of an anxious habit. I caught myself staring too much and blushed, deciding it was time to get my ass off the ground. 

I went to get up when he reached down and picked me up by my waist as easily as if I were the dog. I put my arms up as a sign that I was fine, but if only I had seen what I did look like. I was covered with dirt, and I could feel a bruise coming on my shoulder as well as a tiny egg on my head. Other than that I seemed to be fine, but when I looked up I saw his concerned eyes.