Racing to a Chance Future chapter 4
Ronald raised an eyebrow curiously as he trotted up to meet Will and Prince near an old willow tree. The old, shriveled up branch covered their path. William met the blond's puzzled look with a smile. Ronald could have sworn he heard the sound of rushing water. A creek? He saw William pull back the willow's limp branches with ease to revel the most beautiful place Ronald thought he'd ever seen. It was a small lush, green meadow with a large old apple tree in the center. A small creek ran around the tree like a mote.
William hopped off of Prince and held the reins as he led the silver Arabian into the opening. Ronald, again, copied Will's actions and led Lighting into the clearing. He was surprised when William tucked the reins under the saddle and let the horse roam around and graze. He looked over at the blond and nodded. Ronald did the same and let Lighting feast on the green grass.
"I always come here. Prince enjoys it and so do I. It's better than being held up in the house. Here I feel at peace." William explained as he jumped the creek and laid against the apple tree.
Ronald jumped the creek, or at least tried to. He felt himself begin to lose his balance as he landed on the other side. William acted fast and grabbed the blond's shirt and pulled him forward. Ronald felt himself buried into his boss's son's shirt. He felt his cheeks become hot as he blushed and quickly backed away from Will. The taller teen smiled and chuckled softly.
"So I must say... I was impressed by your jockey stands." William said as he cleared his throat.
Ronald cracked a smile and removed his cap.
"Thanks. I've always wanted to be a jockey ever since I was little..." The blond confessed.
William reached up and grabbed a ripe apple and handed it to Ronald before sliding down to the ground.
"Why didn't you sign up then?" He asked.
Ronald's back slid down the trunk as he looked down at the red fruit in his hand. He rolled the apple in his hands before sitting it in his pocket. Silences fell upon the clearing. Ronald couldn't tell Will the truth about his past.
"My father... He didn't let me do anything for myself. It was always do this and do that. Go here go there. So I ran away..." He said, only spitting half the truth.
William felt pity for the stable boy. He managed a smile and folded his hands behind his head as he leaned at the trunk of the tree.
"Well you don't have to worry about him ever coming here." The taller teen said in an attempt to reassure the blond, "I think your riding skills are perfect and I might just throw word to my father about a certain unfilled jockey position that can now be filled."
Ronald's head shot up as he looked at his boss's son. He met his gaze and saw that he wasn't lying. His throat dried up as his jaw quivered.
"Ya do that for me?" He whispered as his eyes went widen. William nodded and chuckled slightly.
"Of course I would. We're friends, aren't we?" He said, opening one green eye to look at the blond.
Ronald cracked a smile and nodded, even though he wanted to be a little more than 'just friends'. He felt the back his head lean against the tree as he let out a soft sigh.
"Ya right... This place is peaceful. I wish I could stay here." He whispered as he closed his eyes.
William smiled.
"I do too." He whispered back as he looked at the blond. He seemed so peaceful as if he were sleeping.
I wonder... William thought. He was about to open his mouth to speak when Prince whinnied. It was then that he noticed the sun was going down. It was almost dusk. He looked over at Ronald. He was sound asleep in the sunset. The last of the sun's golden rays hit the blond's face, turning the yellow locks a fiery gold. A small blush came to his face as his cheeks tinted pink.
Lighting snorted as he trotted over and nudged Ronald awake. Ronald groaned as his eyes fluttered open for a second before closing again. The horse began nibbling on his golden hair. The blond let out a soft chuckle and he gently shoved Lighting's muzzle away. He smiled as he opened his eyes and looked at the horse.
"Kay. I"m up!" He said as he continued to laugh. He stroked the horse's neck as he looked at William.
Will cleared his throat before he spoke.
"We should get going. It's getting late."
Ronald nodded as he stretched and stood up. He loosened the reins free from under Lighting's saddle. William gave him a leg up before mounting his own steed.
Instead of going fast, trying to beat the sun, they took a nice walk through the trails. William didn't know why but he felt comfortable around the new stable boy, like he could actually relate and understand him and Ronald with William vise versa.
The barn was completely empty upon their arrival.
"Murphy must have taken an early leave again." Ronald said with a sign as he slid off of Lighting's back, "I can untack the horses. Ya can go up to the house and join yer father. I betcha he was worried bout ya."
William shook his head as he lead Prince to his stall.
"I can't let you do it all by yourself." He replied, "Besides, I enjoy my time in the stables even if its dusk and I mostly enjoy spending time with y-"
William shut his mouth before he spilled anymore. He felt his cheeks become hot again. Prince let out a whinnied as to laugh at Will's spilt up. He narrowed his eyes at the horse and sighed as he finished untacking the silver Arabian. He lifted the saddle onto his shoulder as he closed Prince's stall door. Will saw Lighting already set out in his pasture and thought Ronald already retired for the day. He turned the corner into the tack room and was surprised to see the blond staring at the single golden trophy. He smiled and set the saddle on its rack.
"That's the only trophy Oakland's won in over 50 years."
The sudden sound of Will's voice made Ronald jump a bit. He turned to meet the taller teen was a puzzled look.
"Really?" He asked.
William nodded.
"Yeah… it was when my grandfather ran the stables. My father was just a boy when they won that at the London Cup."
Ronald cracked a smile as he glanced back at trophy.
"But I know if my father agrees to you becoming a jockey we're going to need a bigger shelf." William said as he smiled down at the blond.
Ronald's eyes widened. He actually thinks I can do it... His mouth dried up as he tried to speak but just ended up staring at Will in disbelief. He really thinks I can do it... William looked at Ronald's shocked face was a smile. He nodded as he rested a hand on the blond's shoulder.
"I'll talk to my father immediately. You on the other hand, better get some sleep. It's been a long day for the both of us." He whispered.
Ronald looked at him and waved goodbye before going their separate ways for the night.
