Chapter Two
A Walk around the Ranch
Annabelle's POV
I was sitting on the balcony looking over our green front lawn. Then I saw a group of cowboys walking passed our front gates. I quickly got up off my chair and headed downstairs. Before I headed down the last flight of stairs I check if my father was in the main hallway. When I was sure the cost of clear I ran down the last flight of stairs and out the front door. I walked out of the grounds and started down the road where I was for sure the group of cowboys were heading. After about a half an hour I found myself at a cow ranch. The most offal smell filled my nose which I guessed was coming from the cows. I walked along the fencing with my parasol resting on my shoulders as I looked at the cows.
"Well, well, well look what we have here," called a voice from across the way. I looked up to see a very tall man walking towards me. The man looked to be in his late twenties with short very dirty brown hair and dark blue eyes. The man wore the traditional cowboy outfit hat and all.
"Hello," I greeted softly as I looked back to the cows.
"Why would, a pretty lady like yourself be hanging around these parts?" asked the cowboy as he leaned against the fencing.
"I've never seen a ranch before," I answered as I glanced at the man.
"Where are you from," laughed the man who never heard any woman from these parts say such things.
"I'm from New Orleans," I answered with my sweet southern accent.
"Ah so you're the daughter of that trader who just moved here," chuckled the cowboy as he tipped his hat back.
"Yes I am," I answered with much discussed behind my voice.
"I see the pretty lady doesn't like the oldest west I see," smirked the cowboy.
"This pretty lady has a name and its Annabelle, thank you," I barked at him.
"I see," said the cowboy as he pushed himself off the fence and walked up next to me, "So Annabelle have you ever rode a horse before?"
"Yes of course," I answered completely shocked at the question.
"Oh really," chuckled the cow boy as he looked down at me.
"Yes really I would ride my horse every day after lunch," I stated as I glared at him.
"Would you like to accompany me on a little horse backing trip?" asked the cowboy.
"I would love to," I smiled as I shut my parasol.
"But I think a change of cloths would be first," said the cow boy as he started to a large farm house. I raised an eye brow and quickly fallowed him while lifted my dress slightly so mud wouldn't dirty up the bottom.
"Hey do you have any cloths, Carmine?" called the cowboy as he entered into the farm house.
"Why do you ask?" called a woman's voice from the kitchen.
"I have a little lady who wants to go for a little ride," answered the cowboy as he entered into the kitchen with me tailing behind him.
"Look what we have here," chuckled a very beautiful Mexican woman. Her skin was such a beautiful tan color and her black locks fell to her shoulders and glimmered in the sun light.
"Carmine this is Annabelle the trader's daughter. Annabelle this is my wife Carmine," introduced the cowboy.
"Forest have you even introduced yourself to this lady?" asked Carmine is a very strong Spanish accent which I've only heard from my father's Spanish friends.
"Oh I apologized Annabelle my name is Forest Maddux," smiled the cowboy as he removed his hat.
"You need to work on your manners," muttered Carmine as she turned away from us and turned her attention back to the stove.
"So do you have any cloths for the little lady so she can ride comfortably?" asked Forest as he put his hat back on.
"Yes I do," smiled Carmine as she tasted what was inside the pot, "You watch the chilly while I give this girl some riding cloths." Forest switched places with Carmine.
"Fallow me," called Carmine as she exited out of the kitchen threw a swinging door. I fallowed after her at a fast walk since Carmine had longer legs than me.
"Let's see," whispered Carmine to herself as she looked threw her closest. She pulled out a pair of very worn out blue jeans a tan colored long sleeve shirt a brown leather vest browns boots and a light colored cowboy hat.
"Put those on," introduced Carmine before she exited the room. I undressed out of my southern belle dress lying it on the queen sized but that was also very cowboy like. I dressed into the pants which were slightly big on me but a belt with large oval shaped silver belt buckle held keeps my pants up. I finished dressing by putting on my shirt and vest. While I was putting on my boots Carmine came in two leather pieces that has silver pieces hanging from it.
"You don't look half bad," giggled Carmine as she walked over to me, "Sit down for a second." I nodded my head and sat down on a flat top wooden chest. Carmine quickly hooked the metal leather thing onto my boots.
"What are those?" I asked as I looked down at my boot.
"They are called spurs," answered Carmine as she got up.
"What are they for?" I asked.
"They help control your horse," answered Carmine as she headed to the door, "Come on Annabelle!" I quickly got up from the chest and fallowed after Carmine.
"Where are we going?" I asked as we headed to the back of the house.
"To the stables," answered Carmine as she pushed open the door and exited down the steps to the ground. I fallowed her down a dirt road. In the distance I saw a large wooden stable.
"Marco where is Forest!" called Carmine as she stopped in front of the stable. I looked towards the barn door to see a boy around age 12 or 13 with short black hair and dark skin like Carmine.
"1Sr. Bosque salió a dar una vuelta rápida," answered the boy in Spanish.
"When will he be back?" asked Carmine as she pulled open the barn door.
"2Él debe estar de vuelta en cualquier momento," answered the boy whose name was Marco. After the boy said that the sound of hooves came to my ears. I turned my head in the direction of the sound to see Forest riding towards us on a beautiful black horse.
"Whoa," called Forest as he pulled back on the reins. The black horse slowed down and came to a stop in front of us.
"He's beautiful," I whispered since I've never seen such a beautiful horse before.
"His name is Toro," giggled Carmine as she grabbed the reins that Forest dropped and held the horse steady as Forest got off his horse.
"What does Toro mean?" I asked as I looked into the horses large brown eyes.
"It means bull in Spanish," answered Forest.
"Why?" I asked as I looked at Forest and then back to the horse.
"Because when he was only a foal he came at one of our bulls with no fear," answered Carmine as she pat the black horse's forehead, "And still now he has no fear for the bull."
"So what horse am I riding?" I asked as I watched Forest and the Mexican boy Marco entered into the stables.
"You will be riding my horse," answered Carmine as she led Toro into the stables. The stable was much smaller than the one we have but it was clean. The stables had 6 stalls. Forest and Marco were unlocking one of the stall doors that was near the back of the stables.
"How many horse live here?"I asked as I sat down on a bench and watched Carmine put Toro into an empty stall.
"About 14 since we have 9 cowboys, my horse, Marco's horse, Forest's own horse and our 2 wagon puller," answered Carmine as she took off Toro's bit and reins.
"What kind of horses are the wagon pullers?" I asked.
"Their names are Ava and Alexis and they are both shire draft horse. Those two pulls our wagon into town," smiled Carmine as she removed the saddle.
"Annabelle here's the horse you will be riding today," called Forest as he came out the stall he was in. in his right hand was reins that were tied onto a beautiful light brown quarter horse with white hooves and a white diamond on her forehead and a black mane and tail.
"This is Rosita Carmine's horse," smiled Forest as he stopped in front of me. Rosita wore a very beautiful brown saddle with what looked to be a brightly colored woven blanket underneath.
"The saddle is huge," I stated as I now noticed the size of the saddle.
"Of course it's big do you really think we cowboys could ride long distant on those little saddles," laughed Forest, "But get on." I glared at Forest before getting up onto Rosita.
"I'll take out, Forest," giggled Carmine as she took the reins from her husband and led her horse out with me on Rosita's back.
"Ok before Forest takes you out for a ride let me give you some pointers," smiled Carmine, "First of all you don't have to hold the reins with both hands one will due and when you want to turn use both the reins and your body. Got it."
"Um yes," I answered in surprise at the new information.
"Good, now the only thing you need to worry about is not falling off," laughed Carmine.
"Are you ready to go Annabelle?" asked Forest as he rode out of the stable on a black and white colored horse with a white mane and tail.
"What kind of horse is that?" I ask as Forest's horse walked over to me.
"This is a mustang caught her about a year ago since my old horse had to be put down because of an injury," answered Forest, "And Carmine named her Diablo since she destroyed 3 training arenas before she was broken."
"You two have fun now!" called Carmine in her Mexican accent as she and Marco's walked back to the farm house.
"Fallow me!" called Forest as he hit Diablo's side gently. Diablo started at a fast trot towards a dirt path that led down towards the fields. I tapped gently on Rosita's side. Rosita moved swiftly and trotted after her companion.
1 Mr. Forest went out for a quick ride
2 He should be back any minute
Thank you for reading sorry it too so long DX I didn't know what to write comment thank you ^_^
