"I asked if you wanted to come to the barn dance afterwards. The girls asked me to invite you. And I figured we could all have a great time together. The barn is a mile into the woods here, on this path behind us, so you would have to walk but I think it will be a lot of fun!" He explained.
"I'd love to." I answered back dreamily as I watched the captivating way Elsa's hips swayed as she left the table.
"Alright ya'll," the intercom voice spoke, "It's almost time for our last event, cattle coralling. Make sure to tie your calf all the way not just hooked. This event will determine the winner! Last chance to earn points before we shut down and ya'll head to the barn dance."
Kristoff and I headed back to our spot on the fence. All of the ranchers were in the main arena this time so I would get to watch Elsa. I had no idea what this event was talking about but I was about to find out.
I watched as all the teens lined up again against the fence. Then they each partnered up. Elsa and Esmerelda were obviously paired. I looked at Olaf and the orange haired boy he was sidled up next to.
"Olaf is paired with Oliver. It's his buddy. They always rope together." Kristoff explained.
We watched as the first group of young kids brought their horses to the corner of the ring. In this corner one would set up on the right side of a shorter, smaller version of the pin we saw earlier and the other lined up on the left. The horn went off and the pin flew open and out sprinted an adorable little calf. The horse and rider on the left side followed on its tail. Each rider had a lasso. The one on the left swung the lasso and it landed right on the calf's head. The other rider, right behind the first, swung his rope and it landed under the calf's back hooves. They each kind of pulled tight and the calf stopped, standing solely on its front hooves. The horn blared and there were some cheers. I watched as the two riders undid their ropes and the calf jogged over to the opening to what looked like a long chute filled with more calves.
After a few more it was Olaf and Olivers' turn. They beat all the other groups by 10 points. Kristoff explained that they get points not only for how quickly they rope the calf but also how clean the rope is.
"The rope has been in the dirt. It's super dirty. Shouldn't they lose points instead?" I questioned.
He chuckled, "No, Anna. Not like an actual clean rope, like how smoothly they rope the calf and if it's the right technique."
I blushed after that but he just tugged my braids and side-hugged me. There was only one group left and it was Elsa and Esme. Elsa was on the right side, which I had gathered was the tougher of the two sides. As soon as the horn blared, Esmerelda roped the calf's head and within a few more second Elsa had the back hooves. I barely had time to blink before it was over. They roped the calf in 7.6 seconds. They were each awarded 15 points. The horn beeped twice after a few minutes of Elsa and Esme exiting the ring.
"I am proud to announce the winner, with bragging rights for another year, is Elsa Snow!"
I jumped up and screamed so loudly that she glanced my way and smiled. Everyone else was cheering and all of the other riders were patting her on the back. I watched her the entire time that her friends congratulated her. When they dispersed a little, some heading towards the woods, she looked my way and slowly started trotting to me still standing on the fence. As she got closer I felt the heat rise to my cheeks. She had a continuous smirk on her face. She then got right in front of me and just stopped, staring right into my eyes. I stare, mouth open, as I felt her look deep inside me. She let out a low chuckle and took an audible, deep breath. She then leaned closer next to me and with the roughest, sexiest voice whispered in my ear.
"I'm glad to have such a sexy little red head to cheer me on." She pulled back and smiled at me, teeth and all, and I felt my legs start to shake and loose blood flow. I clenched them together.
She took off her hat. "I am in need of a beautiful lady, such as yourself, to escort me to my victory party. Would you do me the honor of being my date?" Her and her horse stepped back and at the same time, they both bowed. I could have melted from the sentiment right there but I was busy trying to make my mouth say something.
"I…I…" I could barely form a thought. I knew I wanted to say yes but my mouth hadn't quite received the memo.
She chuckled again. "Well if you can't answer yet, I might as well introduce myself." I truned to look at Kristoff for help but he was nowhere to be seen and there weren't very many people left. Most had packed up and left. I watched as Elsa hopped off her horse and up onto the fence right in front of me. She again removed her hat.
"I am Elsa Snow. And you pretty little lady, what might your name be?" She suavely asked.
"Ah…Anna. M-my name is Anna. I-it's nice to m-meet you E-Elsa." I smiled. She openly laughed and I blushed hard, cursing my stupid brain for not computing.
"Well Anna, will you please be my date to the barn dance?" She tried again.
"I-I w-would love t-too." I barely stammered out. Great going, genius.
"Then I need you to hop this fence." She stated, expectantly.
"What?!" I barely had feeling in my legs right now because of this gorgeous blonde, and she wanted me to hop a fence? Oh my God! My heart won't slow down. This time was more for panic. Panic that she would see how weak I feel right now or even more panic that she would see the wet spot I could feel in my pants.
"Come on! Just put your foot here, lean up, swing both legs over, and jump down to me. Don't worry, I'll catch you." She smiled, charmingly.
"Why?" I asked. I think she understood what I meant though because she chuckled and spoke.
"I can't have a beautiful date like you walking up to the barn dance. No, we are riding in style on the back of my trusty steed, Marshmallow." She grinned. I wasn't sure about this but my body wanted so badly to touch her and be close so I began to hop the fence. Being my clumsy self, I slipped at the last second and started to fall. I braced myself for the impact but it never came. I opened my eyes to look directly into Elsa's cold, blue ones. She smiled and just held me for a second.
I broke the tension, "That was like some crazy trust exercise." I exclaimed and she gently set me to my feet. She turned me towards Marshmallow.
"Alright, set your foot in the stirrup here and swing your leg up and over." I did as was told and surprisingly, didn't screw up. She then hopped up behind me. She put one arm around my waist and the other on what she called the reigns.
"Are you ready?" She asked with a smirk.
"I was b-born ready." I answered, a little unsure. She laughed, and smacked the reigns and off we went. I shrieked a little when we first took off but I stooped after a minute. Once we got to the pathway she slowed down.
"We have to be a little careful because people walk this path and it's dark." She said I nodded, finally feeling my heart rate calm down.
"So, Anna, I can tell you're a little nervous, but there is nothing to be afraid of. Please tell me a little bit about yourself." I could hear the soft, encouraging smile in her voice even though I couldn't see it.
"W-well," I started, "I live in Chicago. I'm not used to being in the middle of nowhere. I like to go to concerts. Rock concerts. Paramore is one of my favorite bands. I like sandwiches. I like them so much I decided to work in a sandwich shop down the block from where I live. I also love chocolate. Like for sure, I am definitely a choco-holic. My favorite colors are green and pink. You make me nervous. I live on my own with my best friend Kristoff. I don't know what I want to do with my life. I am 18 years old. My parents disowned my when I told them I like girls. Oh my God, I am rambling. I am so sorry I am rambling. I'll just shut up now."
I thought she was going to ask me about all of the things I just spilled about my personal life, I almost never tell anyone about my personal life, but instead she started humming and then she began to sing.
"'Ain't it fun, ain't it fun, baby now you're one of us. Ain't it fun, ain't it fun, ain't it fun.'" She continued to hum and I lost my breath. Her voice was like a well-strung harp that has been wrapped in iridescence and tickled lightly by young angels as they learn how to play. I almost teared up AND creamed my pants. At the same time!
She spoke. "I'm sorry that your parents abandoned you. Especially for that reason. They probably weren't worth it in the first place. I think I'm a choco-holic as well. I love all different types of music. Sandwiches are nice but I love chicken nuggets. I don't know what I want to do with my life either. Kristoff seems nice. I don't understand why I make you nervous, I think you are to beautiful to be nervous. My favorite color is blue. I happen to find rambling very endearing. And we are now here."
I didn't think I could fall for this woman any more but after everything she said, I knew I was under her spell. She hopped off the horse and gave me her hand. When she saw me struggle, she clicked her tongue. I was about to question it, until Marshmallow knelt. She grabbed my waist and hefted me off of her steed. She then brushed off her clothing, and offered her arm to me. I looped my arm through hers and with her other hand she grabbed the reigns. She led her horse over to one of the stalls and got him comfortable with some hay, then shut the gate, my arm never leaving hers. She looked at me and softly smiled, the gesture reaching her eyes. She led me to the barn where everyone happened to be. Some people were eating food, others were drinking beer. Yet, most of the population was line dancing in the middle of the room.
"Elsa," I loved the way her name sounded, "I can't even dance regularly, let alone, line dance." I stated hesitantly.
She smiled. "Don't you worry that pretty little head, I'll teach you." And with that, she led me to the dance floor. She spun me around until I was facing her. She had a hand on my hip and the other held my hand. I looked around and realized the music had changed to a slower song. I put my other hand on her shoulder, right next to her perfect side-braid. I couldn't help but run my hand down it. Her hair was so soft.
"You love to tease me don't you?" She asked breathily.
I scoffed, "I believe you are the one who loves to tease me, Ms. Snow!" I replied in mock indignation.
She chuckled deeply. "My sincerest apologies ma'am." She said with a smile.
"You should be! Making a lady get all hot and bothered and not doing anything about it. Hmph!" I stuck my nose in the air, haughtily.
She leaned in, her chin on my neck, lips at my ear, and whispered, "I could do anything you wanted me to. I would love to make up for leaving you all 'hot and bothered'. Please give me a chance. I could rock your world, Angel." She then licked the shell of my ear. I shivered and gripped tighter. I played with some frills of her hair at the back of her neck as I pondered my next move.
I grabbed her hat and put it atop my head. "Is there someplace we could be alone?" I asked.
With her face now red, she grabbed my hand and led me out the door.