Adopting Love

Chapter Six

Garrett-

"Fuck!" I shrieked as I hung up the phone. "Of course, it wouldn't be that easy." I started flinging shit around in the stables. Hauled off and kicked the line of muck buckets like a set of bowling pins standing still. Out of the corner of my eye, I see two farm hands coming running in. When they saw me they came to an abrupt halt.

"Boss, everything okay in here?" they questioned in unison.

I just gave them both a nod and it was enough for them not to ask any other questions. They turned on dime and exited, as quickly as they entered. I went back to huffing and puffing to myself for a few more minutes. All of this is so much right now, if I don't get away the this stress for a bit then I am gonna become demented. Now was a perfect time to reward Pepper for not running off with the others this morning. I'll just over ride to the other side of town where the good trails are and try to relieve some of this stress because it does not look like this is going to be an easy battle. Sending a quick text, I shoved my phone in my back pocket and headed to the back of the barn where the storage and tack rooms were.

After entering in the tack room, I snatched the closest Navajo printed saddle pad to place on his back first. The humidity was bound to make him sweat and I didn't need the saddle slipping back and forth, since it'll be a nice little ride. After entering the tack room, I grabbed the bridal set and saddle, resting them on my shoulders so I could man handle the equipment. When I left the tack room to head back towards the stalls, Pepper poked his head over the door. Once realizing, I was coming his way, he got all giddy when he seen me walking back with the riding equipment. He knew this meant some fresh air and freedom away from all these confined areas. Opening the door, I positioned the mounting block beside him and tossed the pad up first, followed by the the saddle. When it was situated and in place, I fastened the cinch, all that was left now was the bridal set. Placing the head piece on and getting the bit positioned, so it wouldn't be uncomfortable for him, I grabbed the reins and the horn with one hand. Followed by grabbing the back jockey with the other, I placed my left foot in one stirrup and with a little effort, threw my leg over the saddle to place my other foot. Now, we were both ready to head out on our ride, with a little nudge we were off on our little, few hour, get away.

Raelle-

The ride back to my place was completely silent. Not one word was said, although, I'm pretty sure she could read my face like a book. We had just pulled back into the driveway, when she threw it in park, not once removing her hands from the steering wheel. After a few seconds of staring straight ahead, as if she was trying to find the worlds to say, she finally spoke, "What's the verdict?"

I sat there for a moment, letting the last moments there play back in my mind like a recording. Still looking down and fiddling with my fingers, I responded. "There is no verdict, I didn't give them a chance to give me an ultimatum. I gave them one response, 'No.' I left, immediately, after." Still playing the scenario over in my head, trying to make sense of how it could have even happen. It didn't take long for the guilt to set in on top of the other mountain of emotions. I just looked at her and told her I'd call her later then I went in to cottage to see my boy. The whimpered look on her face told me she knew how this was making me feel. She never pushes for more answers, one of the many qualities I love about her.

No sooner than I made it four steps in, I could here him start moving around in the bedroom. Dropping to my knees, as he come barreling through the cottage, wagging his tail. Once his body collided with my I buried my face into his neck and cried. Pulling his face back to where my nose pressed against his, I started questioning my decision. 'The same reason I don't want to give you up, is the same reason someone out that wants you to come home. If that person missing you this much, you have got to be missing them.'

Scout cocked his head to the left and just starred me. He looked down towards the floor then back up at me, suddenly. If I didn't know any better, I would almost say, that was his way of answering my question. Giving him on last bear hug, I stood up and grabbed his leash, which made his ears perk up immediately. I knelt down and clipped it to his color and gave him a quick wink. 'Let's go for a walk, buddy.' I grabbed my backpack off the jacket peg, then we headed down the driveway.

Living on the outskirts of town had it ups and downs. Heading to work can be slow sometimes, but the short walks to the serene green wilderness, this county has to offer, out weighted that without a doubt. Scout made the walk a little difficult at times, either tugging or at some points dragging me down the road. Definitely, discovering that leash training must be the one trick his previous owner forgot about. We have some hard work ahead on that one. The amount of horses he tried to chase on the way here was beyond belief. Even the ones minding their own business just grazing in the fields as we walked passed, set the little chaser off.

Soon as we had finally made way to the clearing, I took my backpack off and sat it down on the massive rock, that could pass for a side table created my mother nature. Unzipping it, I grabbed two water bottles and his collapsible bowl then we found a spot to just sit and admire the beauty of the rolling hills. The hills were backed by the perfectly textured mountains, almost looked like a photography studio backdrop. The realism was a clear eye opener that there was so much more beauty outside the city office views. Soaking in the scenery that was picturesque, calming and welcoming, I realized that there's a part of me that wouldn't mind settling down here. I thought that living the slow-paced life would be enough to tie me over til I found myself, yet there's a tug at my heart telling me this could become home. Scout just sat at my feet wagging his tail patiently waiting for me to finish filling his water bowl. When I was done, I sat down beside him, threw my arm around him and just stared out at the beauty that surrounded us.

We must have been sitting here for about twenty minutes, give or take. Surprisingly, he sat perfectly still, well for the most part. Can't forget about the few times he just floppped on his back to have his belly rubbed. I kid you not, he looks like a flopping fish, until he gets to the point where he can just stare at me til I caved and started rubbing again. I was looking the opposite way, trying to pack our supplies back up, when out of the corner of my eye I seen Scout's demeanor change. He perked up then turned to look back towards the way we came and started wagging his tail rapidly. When I turned around the first thing out of my mouth was 'Scout don't you even think about it!' But it was too late, he was already making a bee line towards the trail.