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“There we go, boy. Come on out.”
I grab the reins, gently leading my white stallion, Orchid, out of the truck. She looks around before I head in the direction of the barn.
Sara did say to just come right in, so that’s what I’m doing. I walk past the entryway and then over to the main barn and there’s Sara walking out with Clover’s reins in her hands.
Clover’s mottled coat shines brightly in the sunlight.
“Good day to ride,” Sara grins.
“Indeed. Glad I had a day free.”
I jumped through hoops to get today free. As soon as I heard that Orchid had recovered, I asked the vet when I could take him riding. She said within three days.
Needless to say, I made sure that my Thursday afternoon and evening are free this week.
Sara’s eyes turn to Orchid, taking in the sight. “Your horse is beautiful.”
“Thank you. This is Orchid. Orchid, this is Sara, and that’s Clover.”
Sara leaves Clover’s reins in her left hand as she reaches out to touch Orchid’s mane. The horse snorts and then leans his head forward.
“Sorry, he’s not as friendly as Clover is with new people.”
“On the contrary, I think he’s quite friendly,” Sara says, approvingly touching the back of Orchid’s head. She touches his belly coat and then moves her hand up his neck. “Definitely got some amazing coloring.”
“Thanks. He’s a show horse, so we take pride in making sure his colors are good, and he can run races.”
“Yep. And he’s got quite the muscles.”
“Indeed,” I reply, and Orchid raises his right leg. “He’s a kicker too, but don’t tell him that.”
Sara laughs as she mounts Clover. “Oh, I won’t. The horses seem compatible, so ready to go?”
I nod. I adjust the saddle on Orchid’s belly and tighten the reins a little bit. After I’m safely in the saddle I guide Orchid to turn around. He complies, just as I expect him to. Good boy.
“You good?”
“Yep. It’s just been a while since I’ve done this.” I admit. The last time I rode Orchid was about six months ago. With how busy my work has been and the current market, getting out to the farm where he lives has been a challenge. But he falls right into the rhythm, and we follow Sara down the path.
Instead of going in the direction of the entrance, she moves to the right through a cluster of trees. I enter the thicket, and soon, trees as far as the eye can see sit before my eyes.
“Wow. This is cool,” I say.
“Isn’t it? I love riding out here, and there are a lot of other cool places just like this,” she explains.
She trots down the path, and I follow, heading to the right and then up a winding hill. I follow her until a house appears before us. “What’s that?” I ask.
“Oh, this is actually where May stays,” Sara points out.
“All the way out here?” I exclaim.
“Well, during the summer months. It’s a cabin that she likes to use. She’s offered me a chance to stay out here plenty of times, but I haven’t.”
“I see. It’s quite a pretty setting.”
“It is. I’m not sure if it’s open, but it’s cool to see.”
I raise my hand and shake my head. “Don’t worry about it. I just wondered about it.”
