Learning to Love Again

First of; To HorsieLoverGirl: You were the first thanks! That was one of my favorite parts to write ~I can't wait to read more stuff from you! Since you were first, of course, I'm giving you the choice of reciving a cyber pony or a cyber Ty... Hm, which to pick???

Secondly: To rainpaint: That makes me feel really good that you like it that much~ To answer some questions now! Abou the me and no one else- I guess I just started going through a tough time with a friend who tries to mold me to be someone I'm not and it shows up in my writing! Sorry about that! Sometimes I just write for me. The second one, I was really thinking from an outsiders point of view. I know its not voodoo and stuff like that. It's jus that many people aren't used to seeing horses respond that way. It is natural to horses and stuff, but most people aren't used to it. Sorry if that doesn't make any sense. Sometimes I just write things without knowing why...Oh, well... AND... since you were the second and final reviewer that I recieved before this was posted, you recive a choice between a cyber cake or a a cyber trail ride... Tough choice, I know...

Thanks so much to both of you for reivew and I hope I hear from you about this chapter!

Now, enough of my blabbering, on with the story...

I know you all want to hear about Ty!!

Chapter Two: Greetings, First Impressions, Readying

"Who are you?" I blurted out without thinking. I couldn't help it; his deep green, emerald eyes threw me for a moment. He wasn't at all what I had been expecting. Well, maybe my fabrication had been a little farfetched, but could you blame me? I'd been waiting for a dark, emoish type, who wore makeup, a big ole' spike necklace, and drove a Harley. But the guy standing in front of me was far from that.

He looked any regular kid that would go to my high school, but there was perhaps just two exception. He was a lot hotter than any of the guys that went to my high school. Well, I mean, Soraya thinks that Matt's absolutely the hottest thing since microwavable popcorn, but I guess since I grew up with him and we've been best friends since like first grade, I can't think of him that way. And I guess there are a few others that could be considered relatively attractive, but always act like jerks. That pretty much leaves no one in my school.

But this guy, this guy rivaled Matt and all those other guys combined. He was really quite tall at 6'4" with somewhat broad shoulders but still somewhat on the lankier side. I could see the tendons stretched out underneath the rolled up sleeves of his shirt. He had a light tan coloring to his skin that suggested he had spent at least some time outside. The boy had dark, chocolate hair with that windswept, shaggy look. It fell somewhat mysteriously into the most gorgeous eyes I've ever seen. The deepest shade of emerald that had the slightest twists of dark blue and gold swirling through them. He gave me a rather cocky smile that reminded me of some of the guys from school and showcased a set of perfectly white teeth.

The second difference was the air he had around him. It was all over his face, his smile, his stance, the tone of his voice, the way he walked, and how he acted around me. He was arrogant to no end. That infuriatingly cocky smile and chuckle I heard repeated numerous times from the jocks at school. He held himself in a casual 'I-know-I'm-so-much-better-than-you-are' pose like it was some sort of unattainable coolness. Even in the way he wore his long sleeved dark blue shirt untucked from his jeans and had a dark leather jacket on boasted of arrogance in some form or fashion. He was used to being on top and getting his way.

He wasn't like I expected. Well, I mean, he wasn't what I'd wanted either. I'd been expecting some always moody, drug addict, who had looked like something out of Alcatraz. Instead, I was faced with a rather attractive boy who would have fit in perfectly at my school. Nothing like I'd imagined.

The boy gave another grin. "You must be Amy. They told me you'd be out here."

In an instant I hated him. The air he gave off was infuriatingly cocky and self-confident. This boy had lived on the good side of life, used to getting everything and expecting people to fall at his feet. Well, I certainly wasn't. When Soraya got back, she was going to reprimand me for my actions towards the boy.

"Who are you?" I asked, my tone cool.

"Ty Baldwin." There was a great big smirk on his face. He stepped forward out of the barn doorway and stuck out his hand. I looked at it for a moment. Over confident, self-centered brat!

"Nice to know, let's get started."

Ty looked a little taken aback before smoothly covering his face with a grin.

"Started with what?"

"Work." I could see panic flare up behind his eyes a little. "We got to feed, groom, and work this whole barn of horses, muck out all the stalls, wash down the aisle, and let some of the horses outside."

"How many times a week?" he asked, apprehension evident in his voice.

I laughed at this, pleased to see him so uncomfortable. "Everyday."

Just after I said that, I heard Lou enter the barn with a man I didn't know who was dressed in jeans and button-up shirt. "Oh, Amy, you are here. Did you finish?" when I nodded, she grinned and when the man was turned away, she shot me an evil look. "Amy," she went on, turning to the man, "this is Mr. Hedley. He's in charge of all of Ty's affairs. He'll be coming to check on him every now and then."

At Lou's consistent hand gestures and flashing eyes, I gave Sunny one final pat and walked out of the stall, wiping my hands on my jeans as I went. "Amy Fleming," I said, sticking my hand out to the Mr. Hedley.

Mr. Hedley broke into a wide smile. "Please Amy, call me Nick. It's a pleasure to meet you, and I know Ty here, is looking forward to all of it." I glanced over at Ty who was leaning against the barn wall with a look of disgust stamped onto his face. I think it was clear he didn't want to be here anymore thanI wanted him to be here. I gave a little smirk, to which Ty shot me a nasty look and sliced his finger across his throat. I grinned again.

"Well, by the time her leaves here, he'll be good and worked." I sent a sickly sweet grin in Ty's direction. Mr. Hedley smiled." Think that's exactly what he needs." He paused for a moment before speaking again. "Um, Amy, could you come here for a moment?" I nodded and walked over to him. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Lou begin talking animatedly to Ty before leading him over to the bedroom and showing him in.

He really was cute.

Stop it, Amy!

"Yes, Mr. H- Nick…"

He smiled again. "I was wondering if there was perhaps some sort of project that you could allow Ty to work with. Maybe a horse that needs to be taken special care of, but, no that would be a bad idea. I still would like you to do all that normally do with healing the horses. What about if you let him fix up the barn? Paint it, put flowers in boxes, sweep out the loft? I'm sure Lou would appreciate it."

I nodded eagerly. This was exactly what I had thought Ty was going to do anyways. Fixing the barn would be perfect. "That would be wonderful. I'll let him know you suggested it when we start." Nick smiled at me again before meeting Lou and Ty in the new bedroom.

I however, was perfectly content with the situation and went back to where I'd been with Sunny. "Hey, sweet baby. I know it's later than usual, but I'll take you out soon, I promise. I just have to take the others for an exercise first. 'Kay, Baby." Sunny gave an irritated snort and shook his head. "Thanks for being so understanding, boy."

I quietly walked out of the stall, making sure to lock it behind me. Sunny was notorious for getting out of half locked stalls and getting out loose on the ranch. I hated it when we had to go and chase him down because Sunny was devilishly crafty and quick to dart around people.

"Who to ride first?" I thought out loud. I was going to exercise all the boarders first because they didn't need any special care or handling. I looked down the barn aisle at the heads poking out of stalls. "Alright sweetheart. I see you. You're first."

Hangin' Ten, otherwise known as Dude, was being boarded here for a month and a half in hope to be cured of his fear when it came to being asked to canter. He was a gorgeous registered Appaloosa horse with a black leopard spot coat. I had cured that fairly quickly with the banning of whips around him. Dude had been beaten when with one in training for canter when he was young which had scared him for life. When he had been sold, he'd never been needed to be whipped for walking or trotting, but when it came to cantering and the crop was brought out to encourage to go, he blanched and balked the whole time, refusing most times to move at all when he saw the crop.

It had gotten so bad that I couldn't even ask him to canter anymore because he feared the twitch of the crop. It had taken a few herbal remedies that Mom had suggested for nervous and jittery horses. That had only worked inside the barn, but even then I couldn't bring a crop within ten feet of him. Outside, he was jumpy and skittish, fearful that the crop would come at any time. So, I had joined up with him, under Mom's careful supervision. Perhaps, one of the most magical events to witnessed on earth, the joining of up a person and a horse.

I had gotten Dude to trust me willingly. He had then allowed me to bring a crop into his stall but didn't approve of me swinging it around his head. Other than that, he calmed down when I would lead him around the stable yard or let him loose in the fields. The only problem was still when I would ask him for a canter, even without the crop. He was afraid the pain was coming soon.

So, I'd had to keep trying every day. I put crops all over the arena so that he saw them when we were riding. I'd trot close to them to get him used to them. Then, after a little bit of that, I dismounted and showed him that I didn't have a crop. I walked around, running my hands up and down his neck, soothing him with T-Touch occasionally. When he had finally relaxed, I remounted and started him trotting. Then, I asked for a canter.

He had seemed hesitant at first like he was still afraid that I would bring out the crop at any moment and whack him with it. But when I didn't after a few minutes, his gait relaxed, and he fell into an easy motion. I saw the instant change in Dude's mood. His ears perked up, his step lightened. He even gave a half buck to show his appreciation. He was recovering fine right now, but I was keeping him an extra week and having the owners come over four times a week to ride him without a canter just to be sure before sending him back home.

Dude was an easy one to ride with having to have much focus with him which was something I was now short on with Ty here. I was on my way to the tack room to grab his Western saddle and bridle when I heard someone clear their throat behind me.

Give you one guess who it was…

"Who do I get to ride?" why did this kid have to live in my barn? This kid? Really, any other kid would have been fine. But did it have to be this infuriatingly cocky, bratty, spoiled kid who didn't know the difference between the haunches and the flanks?

I whirled around, the agitation becoming hard to contain. I guess the anger must have been flashing in my eyes because he gave an all-knowing grin and jerked his head back towards Lou. "Your big sister told me that you were going to take me out for a ride before dinner.

"Oh, did she?" I hissed low threw my teeth. I glared over at the back of Lou's head were she was determinedly avoiding my gaze. "Fine. You can take The Devil."

I saw his eyes widen for a moment and he paled almost imperceptibly. "Devil?" he asked uncertainly.

"Yep. He's over there in the last stall. I pointed in that vague direction, paying attention to put Dude back in his stall.

"What? You mean that big, black one?"

"Sure. You got something against big, black horses?" I asked, a smirk dancing across my face. Now it was my turn to torture him.

"No… it's just he looks-" Ty was cut off by the high rear and loud whistle as I started walking towards Devil's stall. "Um, kinda wild…"

"Devil, wild? What makes you think that?" I asked as the horse reared again and snorted loudly.

I didn't want to tell him, but Devil was the biggest softy you'd find. The owner's three-year-old daughter rode him every day. In fact, he had only been sent here to cure him of his terrible barn manners when someone came down to his stall to take him out for a ride. It wasn't even when you were in the stall with him. It was as you were approaching him. Mom was still working on him. He was doing fine and wouldn't nip people anymore unless he saw you headed his way with a saddle or bridle which I had grabbed quickly before heading back towards him.

In fact, if you only saw Devil in the barn, you would say he was still wild. He looked like some type of great big wild horse that you read about in books. He filled out the stall nicely with his 17 hand, muscular, Friesian frame. He had a great flowing black mane, tail, and coat. It was easy to see why some people thought Devil looked like some kind of death bringing plague. But, he really was sweeter than honey, I just didn't plan on telling Ty that.

"Well, he just…"

"Yeah, I knew you couldn't think of anything. Now go stand outside and I'll bring Devil out when I'm done with him and Bullet." He had turned to leave when I shouted out," Ty!" he turned around and grinned.

"Yes?" the silky tone in his voice made me want to slap him. Thank goodness I had this to get back at him.

"Here." I tossed him a riding helmet. He caught it deftly and looked at it before gulping. "You'll need it," and I turned back to groom Devil and tack him up laughing silently at the stunned and frankly frightened look on Ty's face.

Now that I was in his stall and stroking him calmly, Devil looked quite content and quiet. When I had double checked the cinch to make sure he wasn't playing with me, I walked over to Bullet's stall. Misleading Speed was a tall, lean, cherry bay Thoroughbred gelding who was being boarded here. His breed was known for being beautiful in motion, but Bullet would never have been recognized as a Thoroughbred unless you had his papers in your hands. His legs were a little too long, his head was a little bit bigger than usual, he had smaller ears, he had a great deep chest that didn't go with the rest of him, a rather thin girth, and he was rather small at barely even 15 hands. He didn't look anything like a sleek and majestic Thoroughbred, but man was he fast. Bullet, as he was affectionately known around the barn when not on the track, had broken or tied the record of every track he stepped foot on.

He was a celebrity in the horse racing community internationally. When he had first been shipped out here to be boarded, reporters had swarmed in from around the world wanting to get a good look at the legendary horse. Reporters even scheduled appointments now to assess the gangly colt. Right now, Bullet was in his off season resting because his owners wanted him to recover his full strength. I thought the rest was doing this horse wonders. His ears had perked up, he ate a little bit more, he frolicked more in the fields. Bullet was pretty well behaved for a racehorse. He wasn't skittish around other horses, wasn't flighty, would trot when I asked for a trot, he could even jump reasonably well.

Yes, it may come as a surprise, but the owner had allowed me to exercise him twice a day. He had thought about sending one of his exercise jockeys down here to work with him, but when Mr. Jacobs had shown up, he saw me working with ornery Oreo, a stubborn, little Chincoteague pony mare who did the complete opposite of asked. It wasn't that the wrong signals were being given, it was because she was so darn stinking stubborn. I swear she's part mule. It was taking Mom a little longer to work with her. But as always, Mom was patient, and the little girl was coming along just fine. As he was pulling up, Mom had me working on jumps with Oreo. She refused every other one, and it was work to not fall off. Someone had to teach him who really was in charge. That then became my job because Mom found that I was unnaturally patient but firm with problem horses.

Oreo had been bucking up a fit when Mr. Jacobs had driven up, a full fledged back arched, hooves up, air between me and the saddle. But I stuck to her like a burr, and Mr. Jacobs was pleased with how well I rode. He figured if I could stay on a bucking pony, then a galloping Thoroughbred would be no problem. So, I became in charge of exercising Bullet. Mr. Jacobs had even let me start the gelding both on jumping and barrel racing. I figured Bullet needed a little routine in his life. He loved running but he must have needed something different to do. So, I added a couple jumps and quick turns.

Bullet's ears perked up at the sound of my voice as I started crooning to him. "Hey, Bullet, baby. How are you today? Ready to do some running?" I entered his stall and began doing T-Touch on his face like he enjoyed. I grabbed his light racing saddle and bridle that were hanging in front of his stall. He pranced eagerly as I fitted the small blanket on his back and cinched the saddle on and buckled up the bridle. I could see he was getting jumpier than usual as I started to wrap up his legs. "Sheesh, boy, what's up? You're edgier than usual. I'm gonna put some lavender in your feed tonight. How does that sound?" I began rubbing T-Touch between his eyes.

When he had finally relaxed enough, I led him out of his stall and grabbed Devil on the way out. Devil whinnied happily as I opened the barn door and led them over to the stable yard where Ty was waiting by the mounting block. He had gained back his good humor and was smirking at the look of Bullet. It was easy to see why so many people had looked him over when he was younger. He just didn't look like a racehorse. He was small and unproportional and scrawny looking. He didn't look anything like the masters of the tracks did. He wasn't as imposing, as demanding of attention.

Still, it ticked me off that people would write a horse off just because he didn't look pretty enough. That was perhaps the reason I snapped at Ty. "What?" I asked sharply at the smirk plastered across his face.

"Is that supposed to be a horse?" he asked with a hint of laughter in his voice as he nodded his dark head towards Bullet.

"He's a darn sight a better horse than you'll ever get to ride." Ty laughed out loud at my proclamation.

"What other horses are there in this place? Broken down ponies, a couple deadbeats that even the glue-factory didn't want?"

I decided to play my queen of spades and rub it in his face. "Surely, you've at least heard of Misleading Speed."

"Well, of course I have. Hasn't everyone? Supposed to be the fastest thing since Man o' War and Secretariat combined, whoever they are. I think I even saw him race once. He was fastest thing I've seen with four legs. Why? You think this nag here can beat him?"

"This nag," I said with distaste, "happens to be Misleading Speed." I chuckled at the look on his face. "I reckon we've a got a right sight more than broken down ponies and deadbeats the glue-factory didn't want."

I tied Bullet up to fence post so that I could help hold Devil as Ty mounted. I stood at the end of the mounting block with Devil's reins in my hands. "Well get on," I said as he just stared at me.

"How?"

"You climb up the steps, put your left foot in the stirrup, and swing your other leg over. Really simple."

"Well then you do it!"

"Are you honestly going to go there?"

His grinned slipped a little at the questioning look on my face. "No. Fine." I thought I heard him start to mumble things under his breath that wouldn't have been appropriate to say with ladies around. Ty walked up to the stepping block I was standing next to and quickly strode to the top.

"Yeah, just stick your left foot in the stirrup there."

"The what?"

"The little metal semi-circle near his stomach."

"Oh."

"Yes, oh. Yeah, now lean forward over the saddle and swing your other leg over his back."

"Are you sure this thing isn't going to buck me off as soon as I get on?"

"Just get on! And, just so you know, that thing has a name. It's Devil, and he's going to make sure you know it unless you show him some respect." Devil would never do such a thing, but it was fun anyways to see that cocky grin fall from his face.

I watched with a bemused expression as Ty placed his sneaker in the stirrup and attempted to swing his leg over before falling backwards and having his leg stuck in the stirrup. "Go again, and I'll give you a leg up." I stepped out from in front of Devil and gave him my hand to step into. "Don't put your foot in the stirrup, push off from my hand." He did so and this time managed to sit himself in saddle, an arrogant smile making his usually handsome features look less appealing. "Finally. Now, put your feet in the stirrups. Here, I'll hold them. Put on your helmet, and hold the reins."

His voice came out in a squeak. "H-hold the reins?!"

"Um, yeah. I've got to get up on Bullet."

"Look, would you feel better if I tied you to the post. I promise he's not going to buck you off. Devil'd never hurt a fly. A three-year-old kid rides him every day. Calm down, or he really will knock you senseless."

I walked over to Bullet who had been calming watching the whole event with a bored expression but was now whinnying loudly at my approach of him. "Yeah, you want to go boy, don't you?" I scratched the star between his eyes. "Here we go." I mounted up smoothly from the ground (he was rather short) and trotted over to Ty who was staring at with accusation written all over his face.

"Why didn't you tell me he was…normal? I thought he was going to murder me."

"You never asked." I said simply. "Come on," I said. I had all the patience in the world for horses but none when it came to dealing with people. Mom called that a drawback. She'd never been that comfortable around other people other. "Look, you can't ride, and I don't feel teaching you right now. So here's the deal. I'm going to lead you to a pasture at a walk where I'll teach you some basics there. once that's done, you will dismount off Devil, I will tie him to one of the branches, and then I'll proceed to exercise Bullet. When I'm done, you will mount back up on Devil and ride back here without my help. Is that clear? Good. Let's go!"

Okay, so I know Amy seems kinda bratty and snotty in this chapter, but she sees Ty as arrogant, self-centered, bratty, and annoying. I mean, I'd be that way to a guy who acted like that around me too. Trust me, things will get better!

They learn to, uh... settle their differences...

You'll just have to read and see.

Amy really is sweet and stuff, she just annoyed and mad at Ty's attitude to start with...

Yes, that was a shameless plug to get you to keep reading and reviewing!

Whew! That was a long chapter!!! I hope all of you guys review it! I know you all like getting reviews, well so do I. It makes me happy. I've got anaynuous- or however you spell it I can't spell- reviews too so anyone can review!! PLEASE, I'd love to hear anything from you, liked it or not.

Anyone who reviews gets either a cyber pony or a cyber Ty yourchoice!.

HHTF

Okay, I love all of you guys who read this and I especially want to thank my two favorite reviewers!