Born to Ride

Chapter 2: Temporary Bliss

Captain and I left the stable, both of our hearts full. I had finally found the horse that I had searched for all of my life, and he didn't have to worry anymore. I rode him through town, some looked disgusted seeing a woman rider, others had faces of appreciation for the beautiful stallion underneath me. He was a sight for sore eyes.

It was almost nightfall by the time I returned to Emerald Ranch, the evening sun fading over the horizon. I untacked Captain and put him in the paddock with the farm horses, then headed inside to get some food and some rest.

I fell asleep that night with a feeling of lightness, my happiness overwhelming me. It was hard for me not to spring out of bed and go sleep in the barn with Captain. But I knew I was being silly and stayed in my bed, waiting for the sun to rise.

There was a knock on my door early the next morning, around 7 am. I threw a cloak around my shoulders and opened the door to see my good friend, Bellamy Anderson. The youngest of the family, Belle was around 25, the same age as me. Her blonde hair was pulled into a tight bun at the base of her neck and her brown eyes sparkled with excitement.

"Good morning Kate! Sorry it's so early but I wanted to go out for a ride today, and maybe have a picnic. Would you come with me?" She asked, giving me a huge pearly white grin.

I smiled back at her, "let me get dressed, meet me in the stable."

Bellamy was a lot like me. She didn't believe in being a perfect lady all the time. She loved to ride, run, and eat sloppy foods. We took to each other immediately when I arrived to the ranch. She even helped me unpack my belongings.

I got dressed and quickly did my hair, braiding it down my back. When I got to the stables Belle had already tacked up her paint mare, Annie, along with Captain. She stood there admiring him, almost looking like a child with her 5'3 frame.

"He sure is something, Kate. Are you ready to get going? I'm thinking we ride to the Great Plains and visit Sean. He sent me a letter last week, he's got a camp set up out that way."

"Yeah that's a great idea, I haven't seen Sean since I moved here. I do miss the little Irish bastard, now that you mention him." We laughed and mounted up, ready to begin our journey.

It was a beautiful day, the sun was shining and a cool breeze danced around us. It was mid afternoon when we got to the Upper Montana River, to cross from Big Valley to the Great Plains. We stopped here to have our picnic so the horses could rest and have some water as well. They waded in the shallow water while Belle and I laid out our blanket and prepared our food.

"So Belle, I didn't know you were talking to Sean again." I said, halfway through my bread roll. Bellamy and Sean had a tiny fling two summers ago. But he disappeared with a gang shortly after.

"Yeah, he wrote to me apologizing about leaving the way he did. And you know me, I always forgive him. It's like it's my second nature, I cannot be mad at him." She chuckled shamefully.

"There's nothing wrong with still wanting to make things work." She shook her head slowly.

"There is no us anymore, Kate. Sean and I are friends, and that's all there is to it. My family would never allow me to marry an outlaw. My parents are very good people, and very lenient and understanding but that's not an option."

"That doesn't necessarily mean you can't fool around and have some fun!" I winked at her, her bread roll hit me in the forehead. We joked and laughed with each other the rest of the time, and still as we packed up our stuff and got back on the horses.

We got to the top of the hill and stopped to admire the plains. They stretched for miles, decorated with deer and bison.

"Feel like seeing how fast that nag can go?" Belle challenged me. I raised my eyebrow and at her and got comfortable in the seat of my saddle.

"To that tree at the top of the hill, loser gets to buy drinks tonight." I nodded at her, focusing on the path ahead of me.

"Ready, set, go!"

Annie took off very quick, leaving Captain and I in the dust. Literally. As soon as he realized what was happening Captain thundered after her, catching up with ease. I felt him slow next to her, making her think that they were even. Then, on his own he picked up his speed and sprinted ahead. When we reached the tree, he wanted to keep going. He wanted to keep running more than anything. About a minute later Bellamy and Annie made it to the finish line.

"I have never seen a horse run like that" she panted, out of breath from the run. "I'm serious, that's amazing."

"It felt amazing, I can't even describe it. Al told me that he used to be a racer. But I guess I didn't think anything of it really. Al stretches the truth quite a bit when trying to sell a nag."

We kept riding, we weren't far from Seans camp, we could see the smoke from the fire from the tree we raced to. My cheeks were pink from the wind and my heart was still racing, but Captain had to be held back to keep from galloping to our destination.

Finally, after 5 hours of riding we came to Seans camp around 12 pm. We dismounted and slowly walked to the fire but no one was around but Ennis, Seans American Standardbred was hitched to a tree nearby.

There was the cocking of a gun behind us and we froze.

"Who are ye and what are ye doin here, eh?" Sean asked in his thick Irish accent.

"It's Bellamy and Katherine" Belle said confidently. Sean laughed and grabbed our shoulders.

"Well it's been a while ladies, it's quite nice of yas to join me! Let's go into town an get us some whiskey, yeah?" We got on our horses and started to make our way to town. I got the eerie feeling that someone was watching us, and I couldn't quite shake it.

"So Sean what are you doing in Great Plains? I thought you and your gang were out west?"

"Oh aye, we have a little business to do here in Blackwater, if ya catch my meaning."

"You know Sean, we could take you to the law right now, if we wanted to." I said half joking, the kid never stopped talking.

"Oh Kitty," he called me, and I hate that nickname, " I know you won't turn me in because you all love me so much" I rolled my eyes and pushed on ahead, I like Sean, but he can be the most annoying person in the world.

We got to Blackwater and quickly found the saloon, a large and quite elegant place. I almost felt out of place with my ragged riding clothes and wild red hair. Everyone inside was dressed very formal and they even talked more formal than us, most of them with English accents.

We stood at the bar and ordered whiskey all around, Bellamy was paying since she lost our race. After my second drink I started to loosen up and enjoy Seans company, Belle was trying to keep herself from ripping his clothes off. Before I could even take a drink of my 3rd whiskey, I got the feeling of being watched once more. I stopped and stood there as steady as I could. I looked around, trying not to make it obvious. That's when I noticed the man in the corner, tall and completely covered. He stood there without trying to be inconspicuous. I could see his eyes switching between Sean and I.

I leaned my head on Seans shoulder, and he was already about to make a smartass comment.

"Sean, we need to leave. Someone is standing over there watching us. Pretend to be drunk and take Belle out, I'll be right behind you." He nodded and began his performance, which I have to say was pretty impressive. As the made their way to the door I took a last glance at the man, but he was already gone.

My pace quickened as I tried to leave without making it seem like I was panicked. I made it to the doors and stepped outside, immediately looking for my comrades, but they were nowhere in sight. I walked into the alley, thinking they might be hiding there.

Before I could whistle for Captain a heavy force collided with my head and everything went black.