CHAPTER SIX
Bree Ann couldn't help the smile that came to her face at the sight of how wide Sadie's eyes went, at the presence of the muscular and handsome stud in front of her. The pretty blonde's breathing seemed to catch in her chest, as she gripped Bree Ann's hand a bit tighter. Nervous energy emanated from her body in his presence, the indifference of the stare he returned her way seeming to intimidate the therapist.
"Go ahead, silly. I really want you to touch him," Bree Ann said with a smile of anticipation.
Sadie tore her eyes away from the powerful-looking male to look briefly at Bree Ann, her eyes seeming to ask for clarity in the matter.
"He's not going to bite, and he wants to feel your touch," the auburn-haired beauty said with a laugh.
Reassured but uncertain, Sadie's hand tentatively went out, trembling slightly as her fingers approached the male's broad chest.
"He's so firm!" Sadie said in awe, as the horse tossed his head and whinnied his approval at her touch. Bree Ann laughed, as Sadie seemed to jump at his reaction, the pretty blonde's hand retracting slightly before settling again against the Appaloosa's neck.
"He likes you," Bree Ann said, with a grin as her arm slid around Sadie's tiny waist. "And it's a good thing because you will be riding him today."
"I'll be doing what!" Sadie replied, her tone filled with shock. "But I've never ridden a horse! I wouldn't know where to start!"
With a laugh, Bree Ann said, "Don't worry, city girl. He will be doing most of the work, and he's very gentle. The service uses him with most first-time riders and teens who are still inexperienced at handling the reins."
"What will you be riding?" Sadie asked, her eyes never leaving the magnificent, chestnut-colored beast in front of her.
"I'll be riding Raven, my horse," Bree Ann replied, pointing to the stall across the way.
"You own a horse?" Sadie replied, her eyes gone wide as she turned to her date.
"I do," Bree Ann replied. "I bought him with some of the money from the sale of our property back home. I used to ride regularly with Jon and didn't want to let it go. I board him here."
Sadie turned and looked across to where Bree Ann was pointing and found herself staring into the dark eyes of a magnificent, black beast. The horse stood tall as if proud of its beauty, as it stared back at them in almost a regal manner.
"He's so beautiful," Sadie remarked, a touch of awe in her voice.
"Thank you," Bree Ann replied, with a smile. "Now, let's get these beauties saddled up and hit the trail."
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The horses walked the trail at a steady pace, the two women sitting astride them enjoying the beauty of the ranch from the backs of the powerful equines. Bree Ann couldn't help but marvel at Sadie's beauty and tenacity, the pretty blonde holding tightly to the horse's reins as she rode next to Bree Ann.
"Are you doing okay?" she asked.
"I'm fine," Sadie replied with a smile, as her horse trotted alongside Bree Ann's. "Though, I think I may have broken my hymen a couple of hundred yards back."
Bree Ann threw her head back and laughed, Sadie's ribald sense of humor, was one of the things that had always attracted her to the beautiful blonde.
"That's surprising," Bree Ann replied with a smile. "After a husband and all those younger women, I'm surprised to hear that you are so virginal."
"I'll have you know that I'm pure as the driven snow," Sadie replied, releasing the reins with one hand to bring a hand to her chest while pretending to be offended. "I was merely biding my time with all those other people while I waited for the right woman to come along."
"Oh, I didn't realize my date was so virtuous," Bree Ann remarked with a laugh, as they came to a fork in the trail, the auburn-haired beauty leading them down the path to the right.
"Very much so," Sadie replied, tipping her nose into the air in a display of mock indignation that drew another giggle from her date.
The pair rode in silence for the next several minutes while enjoying the beauty of the shady path. A creek off to their right fed through the woods, the sound of gurgling water melodiously ringing out and reaching Bree Ann's ears.
"And have you had any luck with your hunt?" Bree Ann asked, at last breaking the comfortable silence between them.
"Maybe," Sadie replied with a mischievous grin. "I've got my eye on a woman, but I'm not sure about her. She seems really stuck on her horse."
Bree Ann threw her head back and laughed once again, saying, "Well, perhaps you just need to take a few risks to catch her attention."