I have always loved animals so when Janice, a long time friend of mine, mentioned this farm called "Shady Acres" that was just outside of town would give riding lessons to anyone interested in it for a small fee. I didn't hesitate to jump on the idea of it. I already knew how to ride, thanks to the farm next door to my parents and I had always loved spending time with them.
I often begged my parents to get me a horse, more so once the neighbors decided they no longer were able to handle the responsibilities of horses due to their ages. It hadn't yet happened that I got the horse of my dreams though and with me living in a small apartment in the city, I didn't think I would get my wish any time soon.
I decided that the farm would be the perfect way for me to get closer to the animals I love and that I would ride out there the next day and see if what my friend had mentioned was legitimate. If nothing else, maybe I could go out there on the weekends to help others learn to love the horses as much as I do by teaching kids to ride.
The next morning I put on a pair of jeans and a tee shirt, quickly ran a brush through my hair shoulder length blond hair and just enough make-up to make me feel human and went to the car heading for Shady Acres. I felt like a little girl again, racing to the neighbor's house in the hopes that they would tell me that today I could ride one of their horses.
As I headed out of town I was beginning to think Janice had given me the wrong directions. I was three miles out of town and beyond all the farms and still had seen no mention of a horse farm that offered riding lessons. I went another two miles and had just about decided that I would have to give up the idea until I got better directions when I saw a very tiny sign almost hidden by some brush that read, "Shady Acres".
My relief was immense because I had found it, but I wasn't sure that they offered the riding lessons since there was no mention of it. "Why would they be willing to give riding lessons and yet not advertise it or even clear out around the sign so people could easily find it?" I questioned myself.
I turned into the driveway beginning to wonder if I really should. "Maybe Janice had the name wrong?" I thought. It was then that I saw the most amazing horse that I had ever laid eyes on. She was jet black with white socks and a white blaze down her nose. Her big brown eyes seemed to hold the mystery of the universe inside them. All hesitation at continuing up the drive left at that moment. If I succeeded at nothing else, I wanted to ride on her. I just had to hope that whoever owned the farm would understand my need to be close to horses in general and her in particular, that they would be willing to let me ride her.
I pulled into a clearing and was in awe over all that I saw there. First thing that I noticed was the house, an amazing two story log cabin type house. There was a porch that went all across the front and as near as I could tell down the sides with rocking chairs scattered randomly around and little wooden tables sitting around. Each up stairs room looked to have its own set of glass doors and a balcony. I wanted so badly to see inside of the house.
Next thing I saw was the stables. They looked just as glamorous as the house, done also like a log cabin would be. It had a large barn door that opened into a central walkway. There was hay scattered over the floor between the stalls. What I could see of it was all "clean" hay and I was surprised at how well taken care of the horses much be here.
The last thing I saw was a man step out of one of the stalls and come toward the open barn door. He looked at me in confusion, probably because I was still in my car just looking around. I turned off the ignition and stepped out of the car.
I could see his questioning look the closer I got to him and I could also see how handsome he was. His blond hair was slightly darker than mine, or maybe it was the shadow of his Stetson hat that made it appear so. He wore dark blue jeans and a button up western style shirt. His eyes were a soft brown color that I felt sure would change with his moods.
"Sorry to bother you." I said when I had gotten close enough to not need to yell at him. "I heard that you gave riding lessons here?"
"Hi there. Yes, I give riding lessons to some of the kids in town. Do you have a child you would like for me to teach?"
Blushing slightly I said, "No Sir. Honestly, I was hoping you would let me ride?"
He smiled and the little lines on each side of his eyes crinkled up, giving his face a sexy masculine appeal that I have never seen before. "You want to learn how to ride?" he asked with what I am sure was quite jokingly.
"Uh, no, actually, I already know how to ride. I just had hoped that you would be willing to let me ride since you give lessons and all that. I was raised around horses and miss spending time with them. I live in the city now and there isn't much opportunity. If it means I'll be able to spend time with horses, I would also be willing to give you a hand teaching the kids. Uh, that is if you want me to." I finally finished my explanation, blushing more since to myself I sounded like a mumbling idiot.
Laughing he said, "As you can tell, I don't have a load of kids here to teach. Today it's just me. No kids are coming, and I wasn't expecting company. Not sure I need the help right now, but, if you want to ride I'll be more than happy to let you. All the horses are turned out, so we will have to get one up here to saddle. By the way, I'm Trevor."
"I'm Kate. I hope it isn't an inconvenience that I came since you weren't expecting anyone. I can come back another day if you want."
"No you're fine. You're just an unexpected pleasure." He said with a small wink and I wondered if he was only teasing me.
"I uh, I know that I've already asked enough of you, but I was wondering if I could ask of you one more thing. You see, I saw a horse when I came up the drive. She was black with white socks and the white on her nose. Do you think I could ride her?"
"Of course you can. Her name is Raven. She is one of my best. Raven is very calm and doesn't get spooked by anything. She will give you a perfect ride. She is a big horse though. If you haven't ridden in a while she will make you sore. Her back is a lot wider than most."
"Well it's been several years since I've ridden anything. But I think the pleasure of riding again will be worth a little pain." I stated.
"Well good. I will go and get her. Feel free to look around and make yourself comfortable in the barn and get ready for one of the best rides of your life."
I did as suggested, and went into the barn while he went to get Raven. I couldn't believe how neat the inside of the stables were. The one where he kept the saddles and stuff had some hay scattered around, but nothing compared to what most stables have inside them. The stalls where the horses stay had fresh hay. There wasn't the normal smell of a horse barn, instead it smelled clean. Even pictures on the wall were straight and not overly dusty. The more I looked the more I saw how much he must love his horses to take care of them so well.
I even found a bathroom off the tack room and I went inside it to answer natures call before getting on a horse. I didn't want to have to stop riding later just to answer that need. Even the bathroom was pretty near spotless. I figured he must have a wife or something that came down to the stables to help him keep it all clean.
I was just finishing up and coming out of the bathroom when I heard Trevor entering the barn. His boots making a soft sound on the hay in the main passageway. "You ready for her?" he asked.
"Absolutely." I said again feeling like a child excited by some grand adventure.
"Would you mind if I tagged along? I was just finishing up in here when you pulled in and haven't yet had my ride of the day. I could show you around a bit if you want."
"That would be great. I wouldn't mind the company at all."
"Good. Do you know how to saddle her up or want me to do it?"
"Uh, its been a while but I think I can manage."
"Great. Here's her saddle and stuff. I'll get my horse ready and then we will go."
Trevor checked to make sure I had saddled her right and I liked his concern even though I knew it came from him teaching kids to ride. Of course he would want it to be safe for them. Any mistakes could be horrible. I watched while he checked to make sure all was well and my eyes were drawn to the way his shirt stretched tight over the muscles in his back.
Raven was a much bigger horse than I had expected her to be, and I even needed help getting up on her back when he was finished. It wasn't that she was overly tall, but I had forgotten how difficult it was to lift yourself up like that with one foot in the stirrup. Trevor had laughed at me when I asked for assistance, the old foot in the hands routine, and I laughed along with him.
The horse he had chosen to ride was almost as breath taking as Raven. We walked the horses for a while with Trevor explaining that with Raven pretty much all you needed to do to guide her is barely let the reins lay to one side or the other. To speed her up tighten my legs slightly and she will take the hint. Tug on the reins a little to slow her down.
With all the explanations done, I let Trevor take the lead as he picked up the pace a little. I stayed reasonably close behind him, and must admit that I enjoyed the view. If he was good looking to stand and talk to then he was beautiful riding a horse. His body flowed with the horses movements in ways that I had could only dream of. Even when he looked back to make sure I was still with him and then picked up the pace to a run, his body still managed to move as one with the horse. I found it amazing that even with the increased speed his hat managed to stay on his head.
As we heading into the woods in the back of his house, he leaned down over the horse's neck as if whispering in her ear, allowing his butt to come off the saddle slightly and my eyes were drawn to the tight denim there. I couldn't help blushing at the course my thoughts had taken.