Cowboys and Mustangs

My Guys- Codi

I crack six eggs over the edge of the mixing bowl, spilling the eggs in one by one as I prepare the french toast mixture. After I whisk the eggs I add the other ingredients, just as I did the front door opens revealing my father, my grandpa, and my hunk of a boyfriend. Their faces are slightly flushed with red from the cool brisk wind this morning but I could tell they were warm when they start discarding their wild rags off their necks.

I also notice the looks on their aged faces, they were pleasantly pleased and happy. I wasn't paying attention to their words, but I could tell their conversation was not forced nor was it one sided. I could tell they genuinely enjoyed talking to each other and that made my heart very, very happy.

I love that Weston gets along with my dad and my grandpa, who are the two most important men in my life. I know my dad thoroughly liked Weston because he always asks about him and wonders what he's doing all the time. Honestly, I think they have a little 'bromance' of their own.

But my grandpa, he can be a little close minded sometimes. I worried it would take a while for grandpa to warm up to Weston because my grandpa is very protective of me and has never taking a liking to boys who have interest in me. But I can tell grandpa approves of Weston because he always asks for Weston's opinion, which is rare for a stubborn rancher to do. So when I see all three of them together, my heart grows three times bigger.

After they take off their boots and jackets they come into the kitchen. I already have two cups of freshly brewed hot coffee ready for dad and grandpa, and a cup of 2% milk for Weston. Weston is one of the few people I know who still drink milk straight, something I personally think is gross but it doesn't make me love him less.

He lightly places his hands on my hips as he stands behind me then he kisses my cheek, "Hey." He says, then rounding the island to sit to the left of my grandpa on the island chair.

"I hope you used your grandmother's secret ingredient." Grandpa checks me, but I've already covered it.

"Sure did." I confirm as I take the mixing bowl over to the stove to begin making breakfast for us.

I gently slide my hand over the soft buckskin hair of my newest mare, Honey. We just finished our workout in the arena, which consisted of two laps of walking, three laps of controlled trotting, and three laps of controlled canter. After that I set up a maze course for her, to get her used to walking over things and/or getting sensitized to her riding next to other animals. She was hesitant at first, but with my encouragement she got through the course with ease.

But now, I want to see how she will do outside with me on her back outside the indoor arena for the first time. This means letting her see the wide open spaces and other animals that aren't saddled. I want to see how she reacts knowing that she is the only one being controlled as she is, but I have high hopes for her.

We get to the door that leads outside and I gently use my reins to move her forward and backward as I open the door with my free hand, opening the door. The outside light causes her to throw her head and let out a whinny, but when I direct her out, she does so freely.

I watch her ears with caution, trying to notice what noises she is picking up. She takes notice of the cows grazing out in the pasture, and my brothers messing around in the bucking chutes. I let her have her head with my loose reins, just letting her walk. She constantly looks around the area, obviously knowing where she is but she's never been ridden out here by me.

Then I squeeze my left leg on her side without much rein and she follows my direction, going to a pasture gate. I position myself so I can lean down to undo the hatch, gently pushing the gate open. Then I pull back on the reins so she steps back until I release and squeeze both legs so she moves forward and she does.