Saddle Up Our Horses

The outdoor arena at the Michaels' place was large enough to put on a small rodeo. There were metal bleachers on one side that ran the length of the main event area. The shoots for the horses and bull events were on the opposite side with the announcer box off to the side. There was also shoots built for roping and steer wrestling events. Stacy's granddad had built the arena with the intent to start a rodeo school for youth in the area. It had been finished just the past summer and the first and only event held there had been the Chuck Wagon races in the fall. Unfortunately, her granddad had his heart attack shortly after and had died. Stacy knew her parents were not interested in going the rodeo route and were not likely to support her following in her granddad's shoes.

She was glad Amy Masters wanting to start a barrel racing school and wanted her to help with it. The fact they already had a full schedule of girls lined up for the rest of the summer said there was a demand for someone to teach girls to barrel race. Who better to teach young girls, than someone who had won two runners up titles to the National Championships in barrel racing? Granddad Michaels would have been happy she had no doubt to see what was going on in his arena.

Stacy approached the arena leading Rascal, knowing it was time for Beth Hogan to be finished with her lesson with Amy. It was frustrating having to watch Beth ride her horse and act like she owns the place. This was the third day Beth had hauled Bud over for practice she had one of the early Monday, Wednesday, and Friday schedules. After practice she always made a point to chat Mike up after each lesson. Today was no different, Stacy arrived as Beth got off Bud and wrap the reins around the bars on the fence. Stacy watched Beth prance over to where Amy, Mike and her father were talking. Sincere no one was looking over toward Bud, Stacy decided it was time to check on him.

As she approached Bud, she noticed he pulled back on the reins, but they didn't give. He was trying to come to her, she could see it in his eyes. She knew she shouldn't approach him, but she looked over at the group they were not looking her way. Taking Rascal over to the fence closest to where the group was talking, she wrapped the reins around the bar just like she saw Beth do. She ducked under the reins to the other side of Rascal. Using Rascal to block their view, she was able to finally reach out her hand to touch Bud, but he pulled back until he heard her soft voice. He pushed into her with his head and she couldn't resist throwing her arms around him and putting her forehead against his. She felt a shudder go through his body and realized he felt the same way she did.

“There boy,” she whispered. “I’ve missed you.” She knew she had made a mistake by touching him. Now, she didn’t want to let him go again. She wasn’t sure how long she stood just hugging her horse, but she was so focused on Bud she didn’t know Beth was on her way back over. She heard Beth’s laughter first and turned in time to see her undoing Rascal’s reins from the fence.

A moment later Beth’s eyes meet Stacy’s as Rascal moved enough for her to see Stacy with Bud. The next instance Beth let out a scream, “Yeeeeh…..” and threw the reins down letting Rascal run off leaving a furious Beth dancing around rubbing her backside with her hand. “That horse bit me!” she cried furiously. “It’s all your fault Stacy Michaels! You’re going to pay for this!”

Stacy wanted to laugh but she knew that was the last thing she should do. She turned her face away and gave Bud one more hug before whispering, “I love you Bud and somehow I am going to bring you home where you belong. I promise.”