Get Back On

Chapter 13

"I haven't had time. And besides, I just won you over and now I have to leave."

I snuggled into his side and we watched Storm eat his hay.

"What time do you leave?"

He kissed my forehead. "Six."

"You should get home soon then."

He stood up and pulled me up with him. He lips met mine and I tangled my hands in his hair. This kiss was urgent and something we both needed.

He pulled away and leaned his head against mine. I didn't realize tears were falling until he brushed them away.

"It's just 6 weeks fireball. I'll be back before you know it."

I wrapped my arms around his neck and tucked my face into the crook of his neck.

"Don't forget about me."

I felt his body shake as he chuckled. "How could anyone forget about you?"

I pulled away and with one last kiss on the forehead he was gone. I sat back down in the stall and storm walked over,putting his nose in my face.

"I know boy."

It was around 10 at night by now and no one was around. I grabbed Storm's halter off the hook and quickly put it on. I took of his sheet and polos and quickly tacked him up.

I pulled the girth tight and put in splint and skid boots to protect his legs. I quietly walked him out of the stable.

We arrived at the ring that was barely used at the very top of the hill. It was away from all the barns and out of people's site.

I set the barrels up and let storm in the ring. I closed the gate and put the reins over his head so that they rested on his neck.

I got on the mounting block and placed my foot in the stirrup. I pulled myself up and sat up straight. I patted storm and walked him around the ring.

He looked intensely at the barrels and sniffed around the ring. I kicked him into a trot to loosen his muscles. His stride was smooth and flawless like always. I smiled.

I trotted him in and out of the barrels and around the pattern. He was tense but slowly he loosened up.

Now we needed to pick up the pace a little. I tapped my heels against his sides and he started cantering.

He snorted at the barrels but soon got the feel for them again. He dropped his shoulders on time and he spun around the barrels like he had done many times over the years.

I pulled him to a stop and patted his neck. I slowly dismounted and kissed his nose.

"Come on pretty boy."

I led him down the hill and to the stable. I put him in his stall and took his tack off. I put it on the rack hanging off his stall and put his sheet and polos back on.

I kissed him goodnight and shut his stall door. I turned the lights off and walked to my jeep. I jumped in and leaned my head against the headrest. I pulled out my phone and sent a quick text.