Mine

Chapter Seven "Unexpected Support"

Disclaimer: I own nothing but my made up characters!

Monday, November 14th

"Mr. Ely, how are you?" I said in surprise to Kit's Grandfather, Mac, as he stood in front of me in Katie's training barn.

He smiled widely at me. "Call me Mac." He took my hands in his. "I thought maybe I could come and see how you were. Talk to you a bit since my grandson is gone."

"Oh, um, sure. We can go up to my apartment, just let me put Bailey here away first." Bailey was a chestnut gelding of Katie's I had started working when I had the time. Katie had suggested that if I wanted to, I could take on some of the younger horses.

"Take your time." Mac sat on a bale of hay as I untacked Bailey and put him into the stall. Feeding time wasn't quite yet but I gave him a treat and filled his hay net. Mac followed me up to my apartment and I went to the kitchen to wash my hands.

"Would you like some coffee or tea?" I offered, turning to face him as he looked around the living room.

"Coffee would be nice if it's not a problem." Mac smiled and sat down at the counter. I poured him a cup and sat it in front him along with a canister with sugar and some creamer. "Thank you Molly."

"It's no problem. It's nice to have a little company." I replied with a smile of my own. And it was, I mean Katie and I hung out, I had plans to hang out with Nate later this week, but it was nice to have company now.

"You feeling a little bit out of sorts with him gone?" Mac asked his tone gentle. I shrugged, trying not to show any sadness.

"A little, I miss having him around, but I'm keeping busy. I've got my lessons, working Honor, working horses for Katie; we have some more students here soon so I'll have plenty to keep busy." I stirred my coffee slowly.

"I remember when he first discovered he loved rodeo." Mac shook his head with a sigh. "All my grandsons have done something for their initiation—manhood initiation—it's an old tradition within our heritage. Kit did kind of a survival quest. He lived on the land, stayed out in the wild for a week. It's as if he left and never really came back, he was so determined after that to participate in the rodeo after that. He said college wasn't for him and that he loved rodeo. Left right after he graduated."

"So he's been gone almost seven years."

Mac nodded. "Yeah, he's always on the road. The weeks he was here with you has been the longest he's stayed around since he left."

Why did Kit never come home? Why did he always stay away? I guess that's something I'd have to ask.

…..

Thursday, November 24th

I had just came in from the morning feeding when Kit called. "Hey Kit."

"Hey Mol, how are you?" I smiled at his nickname for me.

"I'm good. How are you? How did the rodeo go last night?" There had been a semi-big rodeo last night in Northern California and I knew he had competed in it.

"Got second place. Not too bad. Jason got first." I could hear the smile in Kit's voice. That was the great thing with Jason and his friendship; they didn't get mad when the other person won. They were truly happy for them.

"That's great!" I told him sincerely. "Are you guys doing anything special today?"

"We're thinking of hitting Buffalo Wild Wings this evening for the football games. How about you? You're not going to be alone today right?"

I laughed at his worries. "No Kit, I'm not. I'm going over to your parent's house for a late Thanksgiving lunch and then I'm having dinner with Katie and Drew. I told you I would be fine."

"I know I just worry about you being alone."

"I know and I feel so cared about when you do. But don't worry about me, I'll be okay." Then I grinned. "Plus I have plans to go riding with a very handsome man this weekend then I'm coming to see you the next weekend."

"What man are you riding with?" Kit demanded and I chuckled. "Molly, I'm serious!" I erupted into giggles and it took me a minute to calm down while Kit huffed on the other end of the line. "Molly!"

"Oh calm down, Ely. It's with your grandfather, Mac. He's going to ride Honor and I'm riding one of Katie's younger horses in training. No need to get all jealous. Don't you trust me?" Mac and I had been meeting up in the past two weeks. Whether it was him coming here or me going to his house—which was beautiful—or meeting in Darton for coffee and pie. I loved meeting up with Kit's grandfather. He was so great in this time when I was alone and I guess it felt like the grandfather I never had.

"I do trust you…" Kit said, sounding calmer now. "I just know what a great girl you are and you're so beautiful so I wouldn't be shocked if someone there was pursuing you while I was away."

I rolled my eyes. "Yeah, okay. Well the only guys I see are your brothers and father, Mac, and Drew. Don't think I'm getting pursued by any of them."

"There's your student Joe too." Kit added. My eyebrows furrowed together.

"Joe? Really?" I asked in surprise. "I mean, I guess I do see him every week but he's just my student."

"Doesn't mean that's all he wants to be." Kit pointed out.

I rolled my eyes again with an exasperated sigh. "But I don't want him Kit—and how many buckle bunnies do you get greeted by each night?"

"But I don't want anyone but you Molly."

"Exactly my point!" I laughed. "We just want each other and we'll both be faithful to each other no matter how much we're apart. I knew what I was getting into when we started dating."

"I know and I'm glad I have you Mol."

I smiled. "I'm glad I have you. On a better topic, I think I'm going to enter into the barrel racing and maybe roping competition when I come to see you. I miss it a little."

Kit chuckled. "Too much in your blood. That'd be great Molly. Is Lynn riding with you?"

"No, we just decided to meet up halfway and follow each other. Easier that way."

"You're gonna be driving alone?" Worry was clear in Kit's voice again.

"No, Mac said he and Nate would like to come along—if that's okay with you."

"Yeah, that'd be awesome. I don't think Grandpa Mac has ever came to one of my events."

"I'm sure he'll love seeing you compete." I replied. "Oh and the rodeo won't be the only thing I'm competing in those few days." I added, a bit sheepishly.

"Oh yeah?" Kit sounded curious but confused.

"Well Katie's letting me borrow one of her trucks and trailer…in return she asked if I'd be willing to take Bailey to a small show a few miles from where we'll be. Of course, I said yes because I'm borrowing her truck but also because I like working with Bailey. He's such a good horse."

Kit groaned. "She really is turning you English."

I laughed. "She is not! Kit, I like jumping. It's fun, that's it. I still love barrel racing and I'd take a Western saddle over an English one any day."

I heard a shout from his end of the line. "Molly—I hate to cut you short but we're getting ready to head over to grab some breakfast. Call me later okay? I want to hear all the details about how your Thanksgiving went."

"I will do. Bye Kit." I hung up and grabbed a drink out of the fridge. I leaned against the counter and sighed. I was happy. I was happy. I repeated to myself. And I was. I just missed Kit.

…..

Thursday, December 1st

"You're leaving?" Hope asked in disappointment. "Who will be here for our lesson tomorrow?"

I smiled at her and my other students. "Katie will be here to teach you. I'll only be gone until Tuesday and then I'll be back with Honor and Bailey."

"I can't believe you're going to do two events in one weekend. Aren't you nervous?" Destiny asked with wide eyes.

I shook my head. "Not too much. I've been competing my whole life. It's a way of life for me. I am a little nervous to be jumping in a show though. I'm not too used to that but it's just the beginning for Bailey."

"Is the rodeo event going to be televised?" Brianna seemed excited, which turned into excitement for the other girls at her question.

"Maybe. You could check channel seventy-four—that's the channel most rodeo events are shown on. It'll be happening on Saturday afternoon. I believe my event is around four and six. My jumping event is on Sunday." I was doing barrel racing and team roping. Kit just didn't know but another reason Nate was coming, was he was going to be my roping partner. We had been practicing for the past few weeks with each other and it was fun. Nate was a good roper too and it was nice to have someone to hang out with besides Katie.

"We'll watch you!" Brianna said excitedly. "And cheer you on from here!"

I smiled at her. "That would be great. I could use my own little cheering section." I nodded towards the barn. "Now go get your horses untacked and give them their treats."

They all went off without a word and Katie grinned at me. "I'd say you're doing great if they're all that sad you're not going to be here for their lesson. They love you already."

"The feeling is mutual." I told her and it was completely honest. I loved teaching the kids and being around them. It's everything I've ever wanted besides having my own kids. "I love being their instructor."

"I'm glad you're enjoying it Molly." Katie put her arm around me.

"Thanks Katie. I'm glad too. Makes me happy to be able to do what I love."

I looked up at Joe's shout. "Does he know I can't do his lesson tonight? That you're doing it?"

"I left him a message but I'm not sure he got it. It'll be okay." Katie shrugged.

"Hey Joe!" I waved at him, as he got closer. Joe's eyes took in my duffle bag and the keys in my hand.

"Are you going somewhere? Did you forget our lesson?" He joked and I chuckled nervously.

"Uh no, not exactly. Katie left you a message earlier. I won't be able to do your lesson but Katie is stepping in to do it. I'll be in Southern California until Tuesday with Bailey and Honor."

Joe's face dropped for a moment but then he pulled his smile back up. "Oh okay. Are you competing then?"

"Yeah, on Saturday, I'm doing barrel racing and team roping with Honor and Sunday I'm jumping Bailey in his first show. Should be exciting."

"Well that's great. Good luck." Joe turned towards Katie. "I guess I'll go get Hershey tacked up and meet you in the arena."

"Yeah, I'll be there in a few minutes. Just get him warmed up while you're waiting." Joe walked off and we both just looked at each other. "Did you see his disappointment? Molly, he's got it bad for you."

I shook my head in denial. "No, he just thinks I'm a fun instructor."

"No Molly, he's got a crush on you." Katie laughed quietly. "Better tell Kit you have some admirers."

"No!" I replied quickly. "God, he's already worrying about me having admirers while he's away. He says I'm beautiful and men around here will notice."

"He's right." Katie bumped my shoulder. "And no one knows you really, you're mysterious. You're exotic."

I laughed. "Katie, I'm not exotic. I'm just like anyone else."

"Yeah but Darton and Alkali are such small towns that anyone new is exotic." She giggled.

I rolled my eyes then noticed Nate's truck and trailer pulling in. "That's Nate and Mac. Help me load Honor and Bailey?"

"Sure. Let's grab 'em." We headed into the barn to load the horses.

…..

"Are you sure you're still good to drive?" Nate asked, as we got ready to leave our last rest stop. "You've been driving for the last few hours."

"We don't have that much longer to go—an hour at most." I waved off his concern. "The third coffee really helped."

"Yeah, you'll never be able to sleep tonight." Mac joked from the backseat. I laughed at him.

"No I will most definitely sleep tonight. I will be out. Thank goodness, I have until Tuesday to be with Kit. There's no way I'll be good company tonight."

"He'd understand even if you didn't. What matters to him is that you're showing up, you're coming to visit." Mac patted my shoulder. I gave him a smile in the rearview mirror.

An hour later, I was in Kit's arms again and I couldn't imagine anything better. I know I needed to slow myself down—we had only been dating for a few months—but man, if he didn't make me feel cared for and secure in his arms. "I'm so glad you're here." He whispered into my ear.

"Me too. I missed you."

"I missed you so much, Mol." Kit leaned back to hold me at arm's length and I took in his tan face, his black hair, and his "happy wolf" grin as everyone had deemed it. "You look so beautiful."

"Now I know you're lying." I said, amused. "I am a tired looking mess after driving almost six hours to get here."

"A beautiful, tired looking mess." Kit winked. I just bit my lip to keep my laughter inside. Nate groaned.

"Could you two cut the lovesick couple crap so we can go to the hotel and get some sleep?"

I made sure Honor, Digger, and Bailey were doing okay in the barn before we left. I had gotten the barn manager here to let me keep Bailey in the barn over the weekend too. Honor and Digger were allowed because it was a part of their entrance fee but I had to pay a small fee to keep Bailey here since he wasn't a competing horse.

Kit walked to me to my room and Mac went ahead in. Mac and I were staying together, while Nate and Kit were staying together. "I wish it wasn't so late so we could hang out for a little while."

"What would we do if we hung out? It's so late, everyone is going to sleep, and I don't want to keep your grandfather or Nate awake." I was tired but I was more than willing to spend time with Kit.

"There's a little diner a few blocks down. It's open all the time. We could walk down there and have some pie or something to eat. I've just missed seeing you and talking to you Molly." Kit's eyes were pleading and I gave in.

"Sure, let's go." I knew I was making the right decision when Kit grinned and kissed me so long it made me dizzy. I peeked into the room. "Hey Mac, Kit and I are going down to a diner a few blocks down. I'll be back in a while. Don't wait up; I'll try to be quiet when I come in."

"Alright, you two have fun."

After making sure I had the key to the room, I took Kit's hand and we made our way down to the diner. I couldn't wait to spend some time with Kit.

…..…

Joe POV

I knew I was sulking a bit but I couldn't help it. I looked forward to my two lessons weekly with Molly. She was a fun teacher and a sweet girl. She was different from the girls I knew. It was hard to find a girl, it seemed so anyway, that liked horses and riding. She was easy to talk to, easy to joke with.

I liked her. I could admit that. Of course, she had a boyfriend though. Kit Ely, famous bronc rider. Hometown hero. I heard Molly's younger students asking about him. He was gone for now, running around doing rodeos.

Molly deserved more than that. She deserved more than waiting on a guy to come home while he was off having fun, probably cheating on her with the many groupies that surrounded the rodeo. Molly deserved someone to be here with her and to treat her like she should be. Take her out to dinner, take her on real dates, made time for her.

"Hey Katie…" I said to the dark haired girl after some mental debating with myself. "Molly—where in Southern California is she this weekend, do you know?"

Katie nodded. "Yeah, somewhere near San Diego I believe."

"It's beautiful there. I hope she'll enjoy herself."

"Oh I'm sure she will. She's going to see Kit compete and do a few events herself." Katie said with a smile.

I ground my teeth together. Kit. Of course. Why did I care? She had a boyfriend. She was off limits. I just had to suck it up and get over it…Right?

….…

AN: Hey readers! Sorry it's been a while since I updated! I got this up as fast as I could for you. Had a bit of a busy week dog-sitting six dogs and then a busy weekend. But here it is and I'll try to keep updates coming! On August 25th, I start back up at college so it might be slow on updates then. I am thinking of just trying to finish Ripped Pictures before then so that would be one less story to update. But I'm not sure how my readers would feel about that. I wouldn't be updating any other stories until I finish Ripped Pictures. It'd probably be 4 or more chapters before it's done. I don't know, we'll see! Did you like how I added Mac (Ely's grandfather) into the story? I always wished Terri would have given him a little bit more of a part into the story.

To my reviewers:

Jessica: Glad you liked the last chapter! And yes I cannot wait until she figures out that she's teaching her half-sister! Can you say surprised?! Ah, yes she will be leaning on both but I think it's going to be unexpected who she leans on the most!

Guest: Sorry it took so long to update for you! I will keep trying to get updates for you!

Jessica: After seeing your new review...I just put her and Mac together in the same room rather than Kit because even though they spent time together and he spent the night in her bed-Molly, well she just doesn't want to sleep with him in the same bed all the time. She wasn't too sure about it when they were doing it. That's why I put it that way. She's going to try to put her foot down about stuff like that, because as she's said before, she wants to make sure she waits for marriage.

Thanks for reading! –Quinnandseth'sgirl15. My next update would be: Stronger Than I'll Ever Be OR Ripped Pictures. It should be up soon!