Chapter 22
She walked back to camp and frowned when she saw Nick with Jessica. She rolled her eyes and walked over to Vida. "Are you going on the horse-back riding trip?" she asked her sister. "Chip is, but Xander and I aren't," said Vida. Maddie shrugged her shoulders. "Okay, well, I think we're leaving, so I'll see you later," she told her sister.
Maddie and about eight other people that included Jessica, Chip and Nick began their trip to the stable. When they reached the stable, the people measured the teens and weighed them that way they could determine which horse they would ride. "Now, before you get on the horse, you need to from a bond between you and the horse, that way they will get to know you," said the stable owner. "Before you ride, the stable hands will show you how to groom and tack up the horses," said the man, "That is unless you know about horses," he continued.
After being measured and weighed, they each got their horses. Maddie stroked the horse that was lead to her. It was a six mare, which meant a female horse at least four years old or over. She was a beautiful palomino mare. She had a lovely yellow golden coat with a snowy white mane and tail with a white star on her forehead. "What's her name?" asked Maddie. "Her name's Daybreak," said the stable hand. Maddie patted the mare's neck and said, "Hello, Daybreak." The stable hand smiled. He was cute and was about seventeen. "Do you know a lot about horses?" he asked. "Yeah, I do," she said. "I'm Maddie," she said. "I'm Dylan," he said. They shook hands.
Maddie and Dylan lead Daybreak to the rail and tied her up. Dylan gave her the grooming kit and the tack, which were the saddle and the bridle. She took out the dandy brush and began grooming the mare. She heard Jessica and looked over her shoulder to see Jessica grooming her horse which was next to Nick's horse. She sighed. Dylan noticed and said, "Is he your boyfriend?" Maddie looked down and shook her head. "No, just a friend," she said. Maddie picked up the body brush and brushed the mare's pelt. After grooming the mare, she put on the bridle and she tried to pick up the saddle, but it was heavy and she dropped it.
"Here, let me help," said Dylan and helped her pick it up. He helped her put the saddle on Daybreak's back and then she mounted up. Dylan smiled. "Good luck," he said. She blushed. "Thanks," she said and clicked her tongue and kicked the mare's sides to make her go forward. The mare walked up to where Chip was. He was riding a handsome dapple gray gelding. "Aw, your horse is so cute," said Maddie. "His name is Shadow. He's cool, except for the fact he stepped on my foot when I was cleaning his hoofs," said Chip. Maddie laughed. "This is Daybreak," she said, leaning forward and rubbing the mare's neck.
She trotted up to Nick. "I saw you with Jessica," she said uneasily. "Yeah, she's cool. I like her," he said. Maddie stiffened. "But I don't think I like her as a girlfriend," he said. "Really!" she exclaimed. Then she caught herself and then said in a serious voice, "I mean, really?" Nick shrugged his shoulders. "I saw you talking with that guy. Who was he?" he asked suspiciously. "That was Dylan, why?" she asked him. "Just wanted to know," he said. Maddie let out an irritated sigh. "You're not going to be all protective of me. I already get enough of that from Vida," she said. Nick laughed. "Don't worry, I'm not like that," he said. She smiled and giggled. "What's your horse's name?" she asked. Nick was riding a handsome chestnut gelding. His coat was a bright light orange brown color and he had a white stripe.
"Oh, his name's Firestar," said Nick. "Reminds me of you," she said gently. They looked into each others eyes. Her cheeks flushed pink and she looked down. "So…" she said, unsure of what to say. Suddenly, Dylan came trotting up to them on a bay mare. "Hey, Maddie," he said, not even acknowledging Nick Maddie introduced them. "Yeah, um, I want to show you around the forest. We're aloud to go off on our own now, just so long as you know how to get around," he said. "Oh, sure, um… I'll see you later Nick," she said, giving him a small smile. "Um, yeah, see you," he said, wondering where Dylan was going to take her.
Maddie followed Dylan, feeling a bit shy, but good at the same time. Dylan led her to a clearing. It was beautiful with a little creek that the two horses' waded in. "Wow, it's beautiful," said Maddie. Dylan nodded. "I've known about this place for a long time. It's a secret place. I've just been trying to find the right girl to show it to," said Dylan. Maddie smiled shyly. "Maddie!" someone called. Maddie turned in the saddle to see Nick and Chip standing there. "We need to go back," Nick said seriously. Dylan gave Nick a hard stare. "She doesn't have to," he said. "Yeah she does, now come on, Madison," Nick said. Maddie wondered why Nick was being so rude. "I'm sorry, Dylan. I have to go," she said. "No you don't. You don't have to listen to him," he said. Maddie thought for a second. She was so used to being told what to do by Nick with him being the leader of the rangers and all. "Um… I know, but I think I should go," she said. Dylan nodded and leaned forward and kissed her cheek.
She smiled shyly and blushed. "Come on, Maddie!" called Chip uneasily. She shot Dylan an apologetic look and cantered over to the two guys. She slowed Daybreak to a trot, and then a walk. "What were you thinking?" asked Nick angrily. "What?" asked Maddie, obviously confused. "Going off along with him. And then he kisses you when he hardly knows you," spat Nick. "Dylan is a nice guy. And besides, you didn't seem to have a problem when you kissed Kuinn when you hardly knew her. And you kissed her on the lips," she said angrily. "Come on, Nick. You said you wouldn't be protective of me," she said. "What's wrong?" she asked. "We just think that you shouldn't go off with someone you hardly know," said Chip hesitantly. "I can't believe you guys. I thought you guys could trust me. I can take care of myself," she said to both of them.