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Austin goes for the American Quarter horse, Monty.
And I go for the Appaloosa, Dotty.
She was my favorite anyway.
Plus, the only mare.
We tack up and mount the horses, Tripp’s horse, Casper, is probably the rowdiest one of the group; its tail held high, ears pricked forward and nostrils flare as he gazes out onto the open fields.
“Last one there has to swim in the creek!” Riggs shouts as he kicks off his horse, moving straight into a canter.
“Cheater!” I call as I spur Dotty on and let my hands reach up her neck as I lower myself over her and kick her into a gallop. “Come on girl, don’t let me lose.”
I blaze past Tripp and Austin, lifting myself from the saddle and looking over my shoulder, giving them both a small smile as I chase the pretty Arabian in front of me. Zayn was completely black, he was stunning. Dotty was a Grulla blanket with a thick white blaze down her pretty face.
“I’m coming for you, Pacey!” I call out and I hear his boyish giggle as he shrieks, kicking Zayn on.
“Dream on, Penny!” he calls back, looking over his shoulder and throwing me a wink. Pacey isn’t hard on the eyes; in fact he is beautiful. Freckles scattered over his cheeks and the bridge of his nose. He is cheeky, playful… but he isn’t Riggs.
Something about Riggs pulls me to him, like a moth to a flame.
But he doesn’t see me like that. I’m just the girl next door. His best friend’s kid sister.
And I’m okay with that.
I can admire him in secret.
I give Dotty another kick forward, loosening the reins slightly so she feels it on her bit, and she surges as we pass Pacey and Zayn, the sound of her hooves beating down on the grass is all I hear, my heart beating along with the music that she is making.
This is where I belong.
Lovelock Bay, on the back of a horse and riding free.
This is what life is about.
This moment right here.
I was never going to give this up.
My life revolved around horses, I was good at riding, I knew I was, and I wasn’t going to let anyone stop me from reaching the goals of becoming a world renowned show jumper.
“Riggs,” I call out, he’s out of the saddle, cowboy hat sitting on his curly hair, and he looks amazing. He was made for this life as well.
“I can’t hear you!” he mocks and I laugh.
“You’re a liar, I’m so close to you,” I shout, but I don’t have a chance to catch him. I can see the creek and I can’t push Dotty any more.
I watch as he slows, Rhodes moving from a gallop to a canter, to a slow and steady trot before Riggs lets go of the reins and Rhodes walks towards the creek, taking a well-earned drink. I slow myself and Dotty, my heart is racing, my breaths ragged, and I pat Dotty on the neck.
“We would have beaten your ass if you didn’t cheat,” I shake my head from side to side as I swing my leg over the back of Dotty and dismount her before I close the gap between me and Riggs and I shove him in the arm.
“Of course, you would,” he rolls his eyes and I don’t miss the sarcasm that drips from his tone. Riggs swings his arm round my shoulder and pulls me close and I swear my heart stills.
He smells like fresh mountain air.
Crisp, clean but earthy at the same time and I don’t miss the hint of tack cleaning soap and leather that surrounds him.
Delicious.
