Chapter 4

We started cleaning the stalls of the ranch horses, eating up most of our morning, before getting ready for our ride. Melanie had me pull out, groom and saddle Navigator just to see what all I remembered. 'Gator' was a 15.2 hand 1200 lb dark bay gelding, pretty imposing to little ole 5'5'' 120 lb me. But that was the great challenge, many people said riding horses was easy. That all you needed was to sit there and let the horse do all the work. When in reality, it took a great amount of horsemanship and communication for a team to make it look flawless, like you were just sitting there. The challenge is part of what drew me in.

It was about 11:30 when I had Gator saddled up, Melanie brought out one of her horses in training and together we walked down the aisle to the outdoor arena. Stopping to look at a gorgeous Stud who had his head thrown over the door. "3 Ponies was housing him for the Stud year in exchange for the use of him on some of their mares. He was a handsome devil, dark dapple gray, black mane and tail, big white blaze. He bobbed his head in my direction and woofed at me, his breath warm and humid on my face. He then lowered his head to my chest and butted it gently, lipping at my shirt. I drew back and rubbed his forehead with my open hand, revelling in the soft hair under his forelock.

Melanie just stared open mouth at me. I looked at her confused "what?"

"That's Outlaw, he is the biggest ass to everyone here. Hates the other horses, he's just fine in the aisle way here but in the pasture he's a menace. Plus none of our staff can handle him, we were going to breed him to a few of our mares, but Quinn wants nothing to do with his behavior."

"Well he's awfully pretty isn't he. What's he bred like?"

"Some pretty big names. His official name is Alligator Outlaw, he is a On a Gator son out of our cutting money earner Diamond Outlaw. Love his pedigree and his phenotype but we won't stand to have anything with that attitude on our ranch. Quinn did some digging because he has been posted at 3 different stud barns in the last 3 years. They didn't even start offering to breed him until this year. He is so much of a menace that the barns won't take him back. He is a green 5 year old with manners worse than my 2 year olds." I looked at him wistfully, Melanie noting the look on my face with a smile. She knew I could never back down from a challenge.

With that we continued down the aisle to the arena before mounting up. Melanie putting me through my paces and making sure I hadn't forgotten anything. We rode for about 3 hours before calling it quits. I stepped off the tall gelding and could feel the future soreness in my legs from moving them in ways they hadn't been moved in awhile. As we untacked our horses Melanie invited me to stay for dinner. She was making a bunch of sides and her husband Quinn was going to throw some steaks on the grill. We walked up to the house to grab a late lunch.

We spread sandwich fixings out across the counter, along with fruit, chips and sweet tea. We both sat at the breakfast bar and inhaled our sandwiches then spent a good hour picking through the finger foods and talking. I forgot how nice it was to have a friend that you could never run out of things to talk about. We talked about her expansion of the ranch, the new services they offered and finally what I wanted out of my horse hobby. Melanie knew I had always wanted to rodeo and loved it when we were together in high school. I knew I wanted to get back to rodeo, just not at what extent.

I had always loved barrel racing and breakaway roping, as well as team roping with Melanie. I even enjoyed hazing for some of the guys when they did steer wrestling. Melanie offered to let me hop on one of Quinn's roping horses and her old barrel horse in the morning to see if it was still something I was interested in. I eagerly nodded my head in excitement of hopping on some top notch performance horses.

Later that afternoon I was helping Melanie prepare corn on the cob, fresh garlic bread and a pasta salad in the kitchen when I heard laughter, followed by boots on their large wrap-around porch. It was obvious that there would be more than just Quinn joining us for dinner tonight, my only question was whom. Quinn walked in the door and straight to his wife, while another equally tall and large cross arm figure blocked the late sun from entering the room. My question was answered when the figure spoke "Well if it ain't little Stephie. Seems like I ain't seen you in a year's worth of Sundays."

"My, my. That can't be Kit Ely, all grown up and handsome." I couldn't keep the drawl out of my voice after hearing him. I remembered having a massive crush on him in high school and how sexy he had been then. But now... Damn those tight Ariats did his thighs justice, and I bet if he turned around the same would be said for his ass. He was tall, probably 6'3'' wide shoulders, slim waist. Biceps and shoulders stretching the limit of his dusty black t-shirt. His face was more rugged and chiseled, accentuated by the dark shadow of stubble on his russet face. Kit was 1/2 Shosone Indian and it showed in his handsome features and gorgeous skin tone.

"Hey now, I was all grown up and handsome in high school. But you..." He tipped his hat back off his face "You're the one who grew up real nice. Damn if you don't look good Steph." I blushed crimson at his words and I could feel Quinn and Melanie watching us from their place in the kitchen.

"Thanks..." I stubbed my toe on the rug and stared at the floor. I turned back to head towards the kitchen but Melanie handed me 2 sweet teas and told me to head out back with Kit and catch up. I could see the mischief in her eyes and knew she was up to something. I could tell she was trying to set me up. Well, hell I thought to myself, Why not?

I turned around to sass Kit "Well, are you coming or not Cowboy?"

"Right behind you Steph" I wandered out to the back porch and found a porch swing that I folded myself into. Kit followed behind me and leaned against the post across from me. We stared at each other for a few minutes gathering thoughts I guess.

"So what have you been up to since graduation?" it seemed like a good place to start.

"I'm on the Pro Rodeo circuit now, riding broncs both ways and roping calves. Been Pro for 2 years now, and finally getting myself up the ladder quite a ways. Pro Circuit is relaxing for about a month now that finals are over. So I'm visitin' old Quinn here, taking some time off. Although somehow he managed to put me to work breaking colts." I laughed at this. "He always did know how to get work out of me, and that I can't ignore a good challenge." He stopped to take another drink of tea. " How bout you Steph, you look like you've done some serious growing up since we walked off that stage?"

I took a small sip, preparing myself "I really did Kit, I walked off that stage to an apartment in Florida to enjoy the beach and bartend until I had to report for boot camp. I was recruited for ARMY Rangers not long after my first deployment. I was an ARMY Ranger Medic for 6 years. I just finished my final contract and now that I'm out, I'm working for Capital Health Regional Medical Center."

"Damn girl, no wonder you look so grown up." He moved to sit down beside me, his leg brushing against mine as he used his foot to rock up back and forth. "That's really impressive. I know a few ARMY girls, and they are bad ass. I can't believe you were a Ranger, and recruited so early. You probably make me look like a pansy" he groused. Kit always was a joker, his and Quinn's pranks were legendary.

"Haha probably not, I know I wouldn't be able to do what you do. Hell Kit Pro Rodeo that's awesome, and you mentioned finals that means you're in the top 45 in the nation for what 3 events?"

He rubbed the back of his neck, cowboy sign for anything from nervousness to embarrassment, "Yeah three this year, was almost 4 with team roping. Just missed there though. I think we were sitting like 48 this last month before Vegas. But enough about me..." We talked until Quinn was done with steaks and the butter was melting on the garlic bread. We all filled out plates and went out back to the patio and continued to play catch up. This time with Melanie and Quinn as well. Quinn looked to me over the fire the boys had built "Heard Mel put you up on Navigator this afternoon? How did it go?"

I relaxed back into the chair enjoying the heat from the fire on my face "It went great, he is an amazing horse. We got along just fine." I saw Quinn eyebrows just about hit his hairline. "That a fact?" he looked to Melanie for confirmation. "Gator is a little strong willed with most people, hell I can barely ride him anymore, the damned grouch. Guess that means you haven't lost your touch, huh?"

"Quinn she ain't lost none of it" Melanie sassed him. "Steph's as good on a horse as the day she left. Now we just gotta get her a new one." She turned to me "Whatcha say Steph, wanna go horse shopping tomorrow? If you can't find one here, I'm sure Kit could get a bead on a couple good barrel horses for ya." I looked to Kit with what must have been excitement on his face.

"Damn girl, if you don't look more amped up than a jackrabbit on a sugar high." he laughed.

"Yeah I'll call a couple friends tomorrow and see if anybody's got something." I threw myself out of the chair at Kit, as much to my surprise as his. When I collided with his chest, the two of us along with the chair, went over backwards with a crash. Kit's arms came around me and I looked at him in shock. "Well that was welcome but unexpected." I moved to get up, having to straddle him, which of course rubbed our crotches together, I heard a small moan and an intake of breath. I looked down at Kit about to apologize before seeing his head thrown back, eyes closed, bottom lip between his teeth. Well damn if that don't make a girl feel good?

I moved to get off him when his large calloused hands went to my waist. "You move and you're gonna let them get an eye full little girl." I turned around expecting to see Quinn and Melanie gawking at us but saw that they were nowhere to be found.

I hopped off Kit, and gave him a hand up. Looking him up and down again, I saw the bulge in the front of his jeans and then felt my eyes bug out of my head. No way someone can pack something that big without a concealed weapons permit. I giggled at that, and couldn't keep it in.

"What's so funny Stephie?" I could still clearly see the lust in his eyes. I took a step backwards shaking my head. He advanced on me, pinning me against the wood shed. He ground his erection into my stomach. "You think this is funny little girl? You're the one who caused this." He crushed his lips to mine pushing me back into the wall. I wound my fingers into his hair, not being able to help the attraction I felt towards him. When we finally let up for air, he put his head on my shoulder. "We need to stop, it's too early. If we don't stop now, I don't know that I can. Steph," he used his finger to make me look at him "as much as I want you. I want to get to know you first." With that he grabbed my hand and pulled me back to the fire. We sat together on the outdoor couch, I leaned into his solid chest. He had wrapped a blanket around me while we talked, watching the fire go down.

I awoke to the sound of sniggering and someone trying to contain their laughter. I was also acutely aware of the large, warm, hard chest behind me and the heavy weight of a very muscular arm across my torso. I refused to open my eyes yet, as I was quite enjoying the warmth of what I assumed to be Kit. I could feel Kit waking up behind me, as he pulled me in tighter and mumbled something about just 10 more minutes. Glad to know I wasn't the only one who wasn't a morning fan. I finally gave in and opened my eyes, rolling them when I saw Quinn bent over with his hand over his mouth in a weak attempt to hold in his guffaws, and Melanie with her camera, snapping and smiling away. I managed to unlatch Kit's arm and flip them both off as I made my way into the house towards the bathroom.

With my morning business all done I returned to the kitchen pleased to find a massive coffee pot full of black gold. Kit was leaned against the counter without a shirt holding the biggest coffee mug I have ever seen. Quinn and Melanie were preparing breakfast and upon hearing my return Melanie had pulled down another rather large chalice for my morning sustenance. Quinn tried talking to me about what had happened last night stating that "Sasquatch over there won't open his mouth" and he wasn't sure if it was because of what happened or there was not an appropriate amount of caffeine in his system yet.

I looked to Kit and not only smiled at the Sasquatch comment, considering he actually had very little body hair, but noticed his eyes were closed as he leaned against the counter. I decided that it was the later statement that was true, not only for him but for myself. I filled my mug and added the appropriate doses of sugar and Irish Creme before hopping on the counter next to Kit. I sipped my hot coffee carefully but quickly, I was also in need of a large amount of caffeine before I opened my mouth, or god knows what will come out.

Melanie of course knew this and returned to chopping onion and peppers to add to the potato hash she had started. Quinn looked at me before grumbling something about damn coffee requirements, before turning his gaze back to the massive amount of sausage and bacon sizzling away on the stove top. Once my mug was 3/4 of the way gone I set it next to the coffee pot, which was more like the ones you see in industrial kitchens, I asked Melanie what I could do to help.

"You can start cracking eggs. They are in the big cartons on the top shelf of the refrigerator. Go ahead and crack 2 dozen." She laughed at the look of shock that must have been clear on my face. "You do realize you gotta feed the twin garbage disposals right?"

I rolled my eyes in return and grabbed 2 cartons before pulling a large glass bowl out of the bottom cupboard where Melanie had pointed. I began the methodical work of cracking 24 eggs into the bowl. When I was done I moved back to reclaim my coffee, only to find my mug had been refilled and made to my specifications. I assumed since Kit was no longer taking up real estate next to the coffee pot that he had managed to kick start his day, and refilled my mug for me. I was answered when I heard footsteps pounding down the stairs and looked up in time to see a large mahogany expanse of chiseled chest and 8 pack abs before it disappeared beneath a well worn gray t-shirt. He got to the bottom of the steps and ran a hand through his freshly washed hair, before asking if my coffee was alright.

I was too touched to make my voice work and so I just nodded and hid behind the massive mug. Kit smiled in return and pulled his phone off the charger on the kitchen island, sitting down on the stool and typing away. I took my mug with me to the giant bowl of eggs and added in some salt pepper and cayenne seasoning, remembering that they liked it spicy in this household. Having added the peppers and onions to the potatoes before I started cracking eggs, Melanie took the bowl and began scrambling eggs, while Quinn worked the massive toaster.

I moved around the island to let them work and sat down next to Kit. He looked to me before kissing the side of my head and returning to typing away at his phone. Message sent he swiveled towards me and began asking me questions about what I was looking for in a barrel horse. What color (if it mattered), gender, age, trained, not trained, started, proven winner, price points, everything under the sun that he could think of he asked me. When he had my answers, color doesn't matter, around 5, started but not proven, and price didn't matter, we decided that I would actually end up with 2 horses. One I could ride right away and the other would be just a yearling that I could train up myself when they came of age. Kit suggested that I get the barrel horse from someone he knew who trained barrel horses and get the weanling from Melanie and Quinn. I agreed and he told me that we would go look at both after breakfast.

With that Melanie had me pull out orange juice from the fridge and I refilled everyone coffee. We ate at the island, silent except for the sound of forks scraping plates, and my trademark sounds of approval. When I finally looked up from the delicious feast Quinn and Kit were giving me strangled looks, and I knew they hadn't been unaffected. I quickly excused myself after asking Melanie to borrow some clothes and her shower.