Chapter 19
Leonard woke up in the middle of the night. The fire by the fireplace has turned into embers as he heard crickets chirping faintly from outside the cabin. He decided to go back to sleep as he slowly placed his arm around Penny who was sleeping on her side. He was surprised to feel that someone else was snuggled up to Penny. He braced himself with his elbow to look over and saw Sarah cuddled with Penny. Penny felt him move and turned around to look at him.
"Shhh...she woke up and decided to snuggle up to us." Penny whispered. "Don't worry, we got away with it." she smiled and gave him a quick peck on the lips. "Now go back to sleep." she smiled as she placed her head down on the pillow. Leonard kissed the back of her neck and pulled her close to go back to sleep.
Leonard opened his eyes and tried feel the floor for his glasses. He felt his glasses and put them on as he heard some noise coming from the kitchen. He focused his eyes and saw Penny and Sarah cooking breakfast. Penny was at the stove while his daughter gave her whatever help her small hands can give. He smiled seeing them interact and bond over making breakfast. He stood up while putting on his robe as Sarah saw him.
"Good morning daddy!" his daughter greeted him. "Penny and I are making toast and eggs!" she said gladly.
"Good morning mister!" Penny smiled at him. "Coffee?" she offered.
"Good morning. Coffee...yes please." he said as he made his way to the kitchen to hug his daughter and get the cup of coffee from Penny. "Thanks. What time is it?"
"Six thirty." Penny said. "We have to be early at the ranch so it won't be as hot. Right sweetie!?" she lightly pinched Sarah's cheek.
"I want to make the horse jump daddy!" Sarah exclaimed.
"Uh no way honey…that's too dangerous!" he said to his daughter.
"Your father's right sweetie. Jumping is for professionals." Penny said. "Now why don't you go and help your father prepare the table so we could eat, ok?"
"Ok!" Sarah said.
"Ok, I'll just freshen up in the bathroom." Leonard said putting the cup on the table. He decided to take a quick shower so Penny and Sarah can have the bathroom to themselves after breakfast.
Leonard came back after ten minutes and started to prepare the table as Penny was finishing up in the kitchen. They started to eat breakfast while making small talk. Sarah ate quickly and went to the bathroom to take a shower. Penny followed her to make sure she has what she needs. Penny and Leonard was done eating when Sarah came out of the bathroom. Penny then went with her to the bedroom to help her get dressed while Leonard cleans up in the kitchen. After Sarah was dressed in her denim pants and t-shirt, it was Penny's turn to take a shower. She was done after ten minutes and went straight to the bedroom to get dressed.
After Penny got dressed and ready, they came out of the cabin and made their way to the ranch. They walked along a dirt path while Sarah was running up front enjoying the wide open spaces of the ranch. Penny held Leonard's hand as they look on Sarah walking ahead of them.
"We should do this more often honey." Leonard said looking at Penny.
Penny nodded and looked back at him. "We should." she said smiling at him.
They continued to walk in silence until they reached a fenced area of the ranch and a girl stable-hand saw Sarah and the couple approaching. They introduced themselves. "Hi, I'm Leonard, this is Penny and this is my daughter Sarah….she's here to ride a 'small horse'." he said.
"Good morning! I'm Amanda. I'll be teaching your daughter." she said leaning over to Sarah. "Hi Sarah! My name's Amanda. Are you excited?" she smiled at the child. Sarah held on to Leonard's hand and nodded at Amanda.
"Don't worry honey, Amanda here will teach you how to ride." Leonard assured his daughter. "And Penny will help too, ok!?" He said to his daughter.
"You know how to ride?" Amanda asked Penny.
"Yeah. We have a few horses in my family's farm back in Nebraska!" Penny said.
Amanda eyed her for a moment. "You look familiar…have we met before?" she asked Penny.
Leonard decided to butt in. "Maybe you saw her on TV!?" he smiled at both women.
Amanda gasped. "Oh right! You're the one on the commercial with the horse!" she exclaimed. "Oh my god! I can't believe I'm meeting a celebrity!...can I take a picture with you?" she said.
"Yeah of course!" Penny happily said.
Amanda took out her phone and gave it to Leonard who volunteered to take the picture. They let Sarah join in.
"Thank you Penny!" she said and then looked at Sarah. "So...are you ready baby girl?" she asked the child.
"Yes!" she jumped with excitement.
"Great! You wait here while I go get Bunny Rabbit ok?" she said.
"Bunny Rabbit?" Sarah asked.
"That's the name of the pony you'll be riding." Amanda said then walked away into the barn nearby.
Penny turned to Leonard. "Honey, I'm famous!" she smiled while putting her hand over his shoulder.
"I know...I can't believe my girlfriend is a celebrity!" he whispered to her.
Amanda came out of the barn pulling a young pony. She tied the harness onto a fence beam as she motioned for Sarah to come near the animal. Penny took Sarah's hand and walked with her to approach the animal. Amanda gave the child a carrot for her to feed Bunny Rabbit. The pony slowly approached Sarah, smelling and whining a little bit. The animal then moved it's head to take the carrot from Sarah's hand. Leonard was watching by the fence. "Look daddy! He ate the carrot!" Sarah exclaimed.
"That's great honey...now don't make any sudden movements ok...it might get scared and run off." Leonard said.
Amanda then motioned for Sarah to slowly touch the animal's coat and let it smell her to familiarize with her presence. Penny stood by so Sarah would feel at ease. After about fifteen minutes of petting and feeding, Amanda told Sarah that the animal is ready for her to ride on. Amanda lifted Sarah onto the animal's saddle while Penny stood on the other side to make sure she doesn't fall over. Sarah was scared at first but slowly settled as she got comfortable sitting on the saddle. Amanda taught her how to use the reins and stirrups while slowly guiding the animal to walk forward. Sarah was ecstatic as the animal slowly walked along the fence. She waved at her father. "Daddy look! I'm riding now!" Sarah happily said while holding on to the pony's reins.
"That's great honey….just be careful alright!" he yelled at his daughter while Penny joined him on the fence. "Look at her honey….she's so happy!" he said to Penny as they looked at Sarah.
Penny put her arm over his shoulder. "I know the feeling honey...are you sure you don't want to ride?" she asked him.
"No I'm good…" he smiled at her.
"Come on honey….I'll teach you!….if you want we can ride together…" she teased him.
"I don't know…." Leonard was hesitant.
Penny tugged on his arm. "Come on...don't be scared...I'm pretty sure the horses here are used to people….please!" she said with a pleading look.
Leonard sighed. "Fine. But promise me you won't make it run…" he said.
Amanda and Sarah were just coming up to them finishing one round around the fenced area.
"Yes!...I'll ask Amanda." she said. "Hey Amanda….do you have a horse in the barn big enough for Leonard and me?" she asked.
"Uh yeah...why don't you hold Bunny Rabbit here and I'll go get Cornflake ok!?" she said as she handed the reins to Penny so the pony won't jump or run off. She came back with an adult horse with a brown coat. Amanda tied its rein onto the fence and returned to Sarah's pony.
"Daddy are you going to ride too?" his daughter asked.
"Yes….Penny and I are going to ride Cornflake!" he said a little nervously.
"Come on Leonard, don't be nervous….it's gonna be fine...I promise." Penny smiled at him.
"She's right daddy...it's gonna be fun!" Sarah encouraged her father.
"Let's go honey...we have to familiarize the horse to us before we can ride it." she said as she pulled his hand towards the animal. The horse whined a little as they approached it. Penny gave Leonard a carrot to feed it. The horse slowly turned its head towards Leonard and took the carrot from his hand. Penny then patted its head and neck, Leonard did the same to calm the animal down.
After about ten minutes. "I think she's ready." Amanda said referring to the horse.
"Ok honey...just put your foot on the stirrup and grab the horn over there so you could climb up….there that's right…." she said as she held on the Conrflake's harness to prevent it from rearing or running off. Leonard managed to get on the horse holding tightly on the saddle. Penny then put her foot on the stirrup and climbed on the animal to position herself behind Leonard while the horse rein was still tied to the fence. Amanda then pulled Sarah's pony towards them to untie Cornflake's rein to give to Leonard and Penny.
"Relax honey and let me control the horse." she said as she put her chin on his shoulder looking forward while pulling the reins to make the horse walk away.
"How can I relax if you're at my back breathing on my neck?" he said feeling goosebumps on his arms and neck.
"Just calm down...it's not like this is the first time we've done this right?" she whispered to him as she guided the horse on a steady pace.
Amanda continued to guide Sarah's pony around the fenced area while Penny does the same to their horse. Leonard has calmed down and got used to the pace the horse is walking. He looked over at Penny as she smiled at him and gave him a quick kiss on the cheek.
"See!?...it's not so bad now is it?" she asked Leonard.
"Yeah…I guess you at my back makes it easier." Leonard said to Penny.
Penny directed their horse and rode alongside Sarah. "Everything ok over there sweetie!?" she asked the child.
"Look Penny, Bunny Rabbit likes me!" Sarah happily said.
"Sure does sweetie!...just keep your pace ok?" Penny said.
"Ok Penny. Are you having fun daddy?" Sarah asked her father.
"Yes honey….we're having so much fun over here." he said as he tried to pay attention to the reins.
Amanda butted in. "Hey Leonard? Is it ok if we get a bigger horse for me and Sarah?...It will be totally safe...I promise…" she said. Leonard was hesitant.
"Please daddy please!" Sarah protested.
"Come on Leonard...Amanda knows this stuff." Penny assured him.
"Ok...but no running or jumping." he demanded Amanda.
"Don't worry, We'll get the most behaved horse in the barn." she said as she directed the pony to the barn.
Penny then continued to direct their horse to walk while waiting for the Amanda and Sarah to return. They emerged from the barn after ten minutes with Sarah riding up front and Amanda behind, supporting the child. Amanda directed their horse alongside Penny's
"If you follow us, there's a horse trail over there by the treeline." she added. "come on I'll show you." she said as she directed the horse towards the trees.
Penny pulled the reins to follow them behind. Penny gave the reins to Leonard so he could try to control the animal.
"Here...pull left if you want to go left...right if you want right…pull back to stop and light kick on the side to move forward…" she said as she rested her chin on his shoulder.
"Ok...I think I'm getting the hang of it…" he said as he carefully directed the animal. "Are you having fun?'
"I'm having a great time honey….thank you for taking us here." she said as she kissed him on the cheek.
"I'm just want you and Sarah to be happy." he looked back at her.
They continued like this for the whole morning until the sun got too hot and they all needed some rest. Sarah was exhausted when they arrived at the barn to put the horse in its stall. Leonard was a little sore on his inner thigh and had some difficulty standing up and walking straight. Penny thought it was funny. Amanda invited them to eat in the kitchen by the house seeing that no other people were in the ranch. They walked towards the house as Sarah held on to Penny and Leonard's hand. They arrived at the house and went straight to the kitchen. An older woman greeted them as she was finishing up cooking lunch. "Hi! I'm Meryl! The bathroom is over there if you want to wash up or you can sit at the table. Lunch is almost ready."
"Hi Meryl! I'm Penny, this is Leonard and Sarah." Penny said. "Sweetie why don't we go to the bathroom to freshen up ok?" she asked the child. Sarah nodded. She took her hand and went to the bathroom.
"So...did your wife and daughter enjoyed riding the horses?" Meryl asked Leonard.
"Oh?...Uh...Penny is my girlfriend. But yeah, my daughter really enjoyed riding on the horse." Leonard answered her.
"Oh I'm so sorry...I didn't mean to offend." Meryl apologized.
"It's alright...don't worry about it….Sarah's mom passed away four years ago." Leonard gave her a weak smile.
"I'm so sorry to hear that." Meryl said.
"It's fine Meryl….you don't have to apologize." he assured her.
Penny and Sarah returned to the kitchen and sat down by the table. Leonard then stood up to wash up in the bathroom.
"So did you have fun riding the horse?" Meryl asked Sarah.
Sarah was a little shy and looked up to Penny.
"It's alright sweetie….this nice lady is making us lunch…" she smiled at the child.
"It was fun….they were well behaved…" Sarah said to Meryl.
"Well I'm glad you had fun!...I'm almost done cooking." she smiled at Penny and Sarah.
Leonard came back to the table as Meryl started to serve lunch. Amanda joined them as Sarah told everyone about her horse riding experience. Leonard was glad to see his daughter very happy.
They thanked Amanda and Meryl for the lunch before heading back to the cabin. Sarah was sleepy on the way to the cabin so Leonard had to carry her. Leonard laid his daughter on the couch as Penny went to the bathroom to wash up. He sat on the chair to catch his breath and rest his eyes for a while. He kept his eyes closed as he heard Penny came out of the bathroom. He then felt her lips on his as she placed her hand on his chest. "Wake up cowboy!" she teased him whispering in his ear.
Leonard opened his eyes and pulled Penny onto his lap. "Come here pretty lady." as Penny sat on his lap and put her arm around his shoulder.
"How're your legs...still sore?" she asked.
"Not anymore." he said as he pulled her in for a kiss. He looked over to his daughter still sleeping. "She really enjoyed herself today huh?"
"Yeah she did….did you enjoyed our ride." Penny asked him.
"It was difficult at first but I got the hang of it afterwards….now I'm paying for it with my legs…" he smiled at her.
Penny was about to speak when they heard someone pull over the front of the cabin. She stood up and opened the door to see Amanda with three fishing poles and a bucket of bait.
"Hi! I thought you might like to fish later at the lake so I brought you these." Amanda put the fishing poles against the side of the cabin and handed the bucket to Penny.
"Wow...thank you Amanda….what kind of fish do you have in the lake?" Penny asked.
"Oh? I think there are some catfish and trout there. Maybe some bass." Amanda said. "Is Sarah asleep?" she asked as she looked inside the cabin.
"Yeah...she's pretty knocked out from riding all morning." Penny smiled as she looked at the child.
"She had so much fun…she kept asking me to make the horse run...I told her Leonard would kill me if I did." Amanda chuckled.
"No I won't!" Leonard yelled from inside the cabin.
"Anyway….you guys have fun at the lake ok?" Amanda said as she walked away.
"Thanks Amanda!" Penny said as she closed the door. She returned to sit on Leonard's lap.
Leonard wrapped her in his arms. "I hope we catch some big fish later so we could cook them for dinner."
"Yeah...why don't we lay down for a while….I'm getting kinda sleepy." he yawned.
"Ok let's lie on the bed." she stood up and took his hand.
They laid on the bed but kept the door open in case Sarah wakes up.