The next morning I was awakened by Casey's lips on mine. It took me a second to respond to her but as soon as I realized what was going on I began kissing her back. The next thing I knew our clothes were on the floor and we were laying there panting softly. Indiana: check. Missouri: check. OK, OK I know I said the whole sex in every state was a bad idea but that didn't mean I could have some fun to myself during this trip. I caught myself smiling as Casey looked up at me with a serious expression on her face.

"Cap?" she said softly.

I quickly wiped the smile off my face as I turned to look at her.

"I just wanted to thank you," she said. "I don't know why I didn't tell you about the whole fire thing earlier. You really made me feel so much better about the whole situation. And I want to let you know that it is officially out of my mind now. I am one hundred perfect here with you and Christmas break."

"Well I'm very happy to hear that," I replied. "And I meant every word I said. If for any reason you guys are at fault, you won't be alone in the situation."

"Thanks Cap," she replied.

The two of us spent most of the day on the road. Our next stop was Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. It was about an eight hour drive from Saint Louis so I didn't have anything planned when we arrived. Everything we were going to do was going to be the next day. The drive itself was the best yet. Casey seemed to be back to her old self. We talked just about anything and even found a ninety's radio station and sang loudly to some of our favorite songs growing up. I swear people were laughing at us from the cars that I passed by but I didn't care. I was having the time of my life. We stayed in another Holiday Inn which for some reason was even nicer than the last one we were at in Saint Louis. Casey and I grabbed dinner once we got into town and spent the rest of the night cuddled in our hotel room watching TV and a movie we ordered off of the pay-per-view.

We woke up early the next morning and headed to a western store downtown. Now I already owned a cowboy hat and boots but I knew for a fact that Casey didn't. So I had to take her to do some shopping before we could start our day. She, of course, picked out a pink cowboy hat which I think looked absolutely amazing on her. She also found a pair of brown cowboy boots much like mine. I paid for her new items and we were off to the ranch. I heard Casey gasp as I pulled up to the Rebel Hill Horse Ranch.

"Are we going horseback riding?" she asked excitedly.

"We sure are," I replied with a smile on my face.

I saw the smile that Casey got on her face and I knew this was one of the perfect things to pick. When we dated freshman year Casey and I had a discussion about horseback riding. I told her that I used to ride all of the time being out in the wilderness with my parents. She then admitted to me that she has never ridden one and how she always wanted to. Ever since she told me that I have always wanted to share a horseback riding experience with her. I was planning on taking her the summer after our freshman year when she came to visit me in California. But that didn't happen of course so I'm using this time to redeem myself.

We walked up to the stables and I had to admit that I was a little scared myself. Even though I have ridden horses in the past, I hadn't been on one in years. Since Casey was a first time rider one of the workers there took her out to educate her on how to control the horse. I almost asked to go also but being the macho professional I made myself out to be to her I realized I would look pretty dumb asking to go through the tutorial. So I stood back and tried to listen in. But I didn't learn much of anything at all. Once I saw Casey on the beautiful black horse she picked out, I became mesmerized. She looked more beautiful than ever with her pink cowboy hat on and her hair flowing in the wind behind her. She looked so happy giggling and becoming more familiar with the horse. One of the stable owners eventually interrupted my gaze and told me to pick out what horse I wanted to ride. I scanned the stable trying to find the friendliest one I could. I came across a brown horse named Mimi and thought she would be harmless with a name like that.

After Casey's education session we were both suited up and headed out towards one of the trails.

"This is so much fun," she said as we approached a stream for the horses to stop and take a drink at.

"I'm glad you're having a good time," I replied. "You certainly look like a natural when it comes to riding a horse."

"Well you're the pro," she said with a smile. "But I guess I'm doing alright for a beginner."

The two of us spent a couple of hours out on the trail. I almost forgot that we were on Christmas break. Even though it was a little chilly out there wasn't any snow on the ground. I could see green fields for miles and miles.

"So you didn't show me any of your cowboy moves," said Casey as we neared the stable on our way back.

"See, one hand, woo hoo," I said as I took one hand off of the reigns.

"Woo hoo I can do that too," said Casey as she took one of her hands off of the reigns.

I realized that I needed to probably do something more impressive to show off but I really had no clue what to do since it had been so long since I had been on a horse. The only thing I could remember was how to make the horse start to gallop and go faster. So that is what I did. The horse and I began to get further away from Casey as we entered the pasture. I saw the stable hands looking at me with worried looks but I knew what I was doing. I pulled back on the reigns to get the horse to slow down but to my surprise the horse didn't slow down. Instead she began jumping up and I suddenly became nervous. So much for showing off to Casey. Now I just felt like a complete idiot. And sure enough, a few seconds later I was on the ground. Right in a pile of horse shit. Wonderful. I stood up as the stable workers came running up to me and Casey became trotting over on her horse.

"Are you OK guy?" asked one of the workers.

"Yeah, I'm fine," I replied getting my bearings once on my feet.

One of the other stable hands helped Casey off of her horse once she got near me.

"Cappie, are you OK?" she yelled as she ran up to me.

"Yeah, I'm fine," I repeated.

She looked me up and down and began to laugh.

"What?" I asked her finding her reaction most inappropriate.

"I'm sorry," she said through her laughs. "But you are just absolutely covered in horse poop."

I turned around and tried to look at my behind. I couldn't see it but I knew it was completely covered. At that point I couldn't help but laugh too.

"Come here darling give me a hug," I joked as I walked towards her with my arms reached out.

Casey turned and ran away from me yelling at me to not touch her. A part of me wanted to playfully put my arms around her and tackle her onto the ground. But I was pretty sure she didn't want to be covered with horse poop also so I backed off and began walking towards the stable. I turned around and saw her slowly walking behind me, still laughing softly to herself. The nice people at the stable were able to find a pair of sweatpants and shirt for me to wear home so I didn't have to sit in the Jeep with all that crap on me. However, the only color of pants they could find was purple. I felt like Barney the dinosaur and probably looked as ridiculous as I felt. Casey couldn't keep herself from laughing pretty much the entire way back to the hotel.

"Sorry I kind of ruined the day," I said as we walked into the hotel room.

"Hey, I still had a great time today," Casey replied. "Actually you made the day probably more fun than it was meant to be."

"Glad you could have more fun at my expense," I said as I took the awful purple sweatpants and shirt off of me.

Casey came up to me and wrapped her arms around my bare waist. Shivers instantly went down my spine. I bent down and kissed her but it didn't last long. She quickly pulled away.

"I'm sorry," she said with a laugh. "But you still smell like the horse farm."

"Well I was on my way into the shower but you're the one who stopped me," I eyed her with a smile as I leaned closer to her again.

She put her hands on my chest and pushed me away.

"Go take a shower," she said as she went over and sat on the bed.

I looked at her one last time as I headed into the bathroom. I thought only about Casey as the warm water ran down my body. I have never had more fun with one person in my life than Casey. Not even Beaver and everyone knows how much of a trip Beaver can be. I guess my time with Casey is different than it is with Beaver. Not only do we laugh and have a good time but we also have the affectionate part. I love putting my arms around her tiny waist and pulling her close to me. I love feeling her lips against mine and when her tongue playfully moves around in my mouth. I guess overall I love her. And while in the shower I realized that this trip is my perfect opportunity to tell her so. I wasn't sure when or how I was going to do it but she needed to know. And I know she will say it in return to me.

As I began rinsing the shampoo out of my hair I quickly realized I wasn't alone in the shower anymore. I turned around to see a naked Casey in front of me, the water dripping off her body looking just about as sexy as she could get.

"I figured I would give you enough time to wash up and join you before you finished," she said as she stepped towards me.

"Hey, no complaints from me," I replied as I once again put my arms around her and kissed her passionately.

One thing led to another and well, you know. Oklahoma: check.

A/N: Hope everyone is enjoying this story so far. And the best chapters are yet to come.....trust me :0)

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