Chapter 4

"So, what do you want to talk about with me?" asks Mallory once they got out of sight and sound of the heartland ranch. She and Amy had gotten back from Maggie's and tacked up their horses Spartan and Copper and hit the trail. Amy said she wanted to talk to Mallory about something but wanted it to be in private and Mallory's heart had not stopped racing since she found out. She swore everyone could hear it. Copper's hoofs beat along to its rhythm.

"Well" says Amy sweetly. She wore a beautiful smile and had genuine care in her eyes. "I have noticed that you seem a little absent minded lately. Like something is bothering you."

"No, I'm fine Amy. Really, it's all good." Say's Mal she couldn't let Amy know anything.

"Are you sure? I know you really well Mallory. You're like my sister and I can tell that something is off. I want you to know that you can tell me anything! Are you being picked on at school? If someone is messing with you Ty and I will set them straight but I can't help you if you don't talk to me."

"Amy, I swear nothing like that is going on. I promise. Look, maybe something is going on but I can't talk to you about it ok? I'm not being mean but it's just not something that's easy to discuss." Mallory felt really bad lying to Amy but she couldn't let her know. She couldn't tell her that all she wants is a kiss from those soft rose colored lips. That she dreams about the two of them together every night and that she cries knowing that won't ever come true. No she just didn't want to lose the little relationship she has. "Come on let's run!" Both her and Amy click to their horses and take off. When Mallory runs with Copper it felt like no one could hurt her. Nothing could go wrong. All of a sudden, Amy stops her gelding and Mallory couldn't believe her eyes.

"So, this is it. This is the secret spot that my mom and I used to come. It sure is beautiful isn't It.?" Mallory nodded her head as she took in the view. They had stopped in a beautiful clearing with soft green grass, huge oak trees with limbs you can lay in, and a beautiful lake that was crystal clear. The sun shone through the clouds in the sky making the special place look like a slice of heaven. Beautiful dragon flies hovered just about the grass and the sweet sound of birds filled the air.

"It's amazing Amy!" Sighs Mallory as she dismounts Copper. She grabs the reins and quickly ties him to a tree branch and she goes to sit on a log placed around a bon fire pit. "Thank you so much for bringing me here. It means a lot that you shared your special spot with me."

"I just want you to know that you are important to me. You're important to everyone at heartland and I can tell you're upset and I want to help you the best way I can." Amy comes and sits down next to Mallory on the log and puts her arm around the young girl. Mallory's heart leaps out of chest as she leans her head on Amy's shoulder. They sit like that for what seems like hours.

"Hey, you know what would be cool, if we make a huge bon fire!" Mallory suggests. Both girls jump up and begin quickly collecting firewood. They accumulate a large pile and Amy sits it ablaze.

"This is a great fire!" exclaims Amy with a huge smile on her face as she watches the flames dance Mallory nods and smiles. She looks down at Amy's hands that are resting on her lap. Mallory takes a deep breath and with her heart thumping at its fastest she slowly moves her hand over and wraps it around Amy's. She wasn't sure what it was that gave her the courage but she loved the warmth that grew inside of her from holding onto Amy. She felt so safe like nothing could touch her.

"Amy, you know how you and Ty love each other?" mumbles the younger blonde.

"Yes. I do. We love each other very much." states Amy. She used the same tone as she would if she had been telling someone the sky was blue.

"Well, that's kind of what's been going on with me. I love someone the way you and Ty love each other except, the person I love already loves someone else." Mallory was glad that it was dusk now because Amy couldn't see her face turning the color of the apples sitting in their saddle bags. Amy always brought food on trail rides because she wanted to be prepared for anything. She brought apples because they could feed both horses and people.

"So, that's what it was huh, your love sick! I should have known that!" Amy says as she chuckles. "That's so simple Mallory you just have to make your presence known. Show him that you're interested and once he has you in his sighs how can he say no? You're a hard girl to turn down."

"So what your sayings is just come out and tell this person I love them and just hope for the best? Just lay it out on the line, all the cards on the table?"

"Yes! That's what I did with Ty and look what happened. Just open yourself up and take a leap of faith. "Amy pats Mallory on the back and gets up to put another log on the fire. As she sits down Mallory looks at Amy and all of a sudden closes the distance between their lips. Amy jumps up in shock. "What was that all about Mallory?" She screams as she wipes her face with her hand.

"I'm sorry! I'm so sorry!" Mallory quickly runs off, mounts Copper and gallops away. Amy quickly kicks sand on the fire and follows after Mallory on Spartan. No one was allowed on the trails after dark but Amy had to find Mallory. She still wasn't familiar enough with the trails and with it being dark she could easily get lost.