Chapter Two:

Wow who would think a night of parting would tire these girls out so much!

Kate thought to herself as she peeked around the door where the girls slept silently. She tip toed down the stairs and grabbed an orange and a glass of water then went out side. The sun was rising over the horizon of trees casting a pink glow over the fields of horses that Kate could see in the distance. A she peeled the orange she thought over the day before, it was the first time which she had been able to act herself and be free and that was quite rejuvenating for once.

Kate was never one to sit for long so soon she was fidgeting with energy and decided to go for a run. She quickly went inside and checked the house computer for any important emails, but it was only 7:20 am so she guessed most sane people would be sleeping. She quietly slipped back into her room grabbing her running shorts, shirt and shoes. In 5 minutes she was outside doing her morning stretches when she heard someone coming up the path. A sweaty Jack appeared wearing only his shorts. He slowed down to a walk and came over to Kate.

"Hey, early morning runner as well?" Jack smiled.

"Hey, yeah it seems to clear my mind." Kate replied blushing as she watched the sweat drip down his toned chest.

"I think I still have a couple more kilometres left in me. Want to run with me?" Jack asked hopefully.

Kate chewed her lip, she never really ran people but anytime with Jack would be fun so she caved in and nodded. The two of them took off at a fairly decent pace running side by side. Both were aware of the breathing of the other person and the close proximity they were in when they had the whole woods to run in.

"Follow me, I want to show you something." Jack breathed.

He took a sharp right turn up a smaller path and Kate followed close behind. Her chest started to burn with the exertion of running. Wow, I stop running for two weeks and this is the payback. Kate thought as her legs became heavy.

"Just up this hill then we are there." Jacks voice floated back.

Kate felt the incline and her muscles protested but she pushed on and when she felt level ground she looked up and the last of her breath was taken away. They had reached a clearing where there was a small lake and a beautiful sandy beach surrounding it.

"Wow! Beautiful" She exclaimed as she absorbed the surroundings glory.

"You like it? Want to swim?" A grin appeared on his dripping face.

"Swimming?!" Kate said.

But before she could complain Jack had picked her up and thrown her over his shoulder ignoring her protests.

"JACK PUT ME DOWN. IF YOU DON'T PUT ME DOWN I'LL-" Kate's sentence was cut short as she felt her self fly through the air and submerge into the cold lake.

"You will do what?" Jack asked innocently as he stood at the lakes edge.

"I'll do this"

Kate grabbed his leg and pulled him into the water. Jack submerged under the water and didn't come back up. Kate felt something pull her leg and she was forced once again under the surface of the water.

An hour later a very wet but thoroughly happy Kate re-entered her house. By this time it was close to 9:00am and movement was occurring in the house. Groggily Hillary fumbled down the stairs.

"Why are you wet?" she managed to get out through her sleep deprived mind.

"I went for a run with Jack and he brought me to this clearing where there was a lake and through me in so we had a water fight then sat on the beach before walking back here" Kate tried to suppress her giddiness.

"OMG do you mean 'The Clearing' like the most amazing place ever, or so I have been told by Jack. He found it last year and never let us go there with him saying that it was a special place for him. And then this skank named Sarah tried to make us believe he took her there but he didn't… Oh I am rambling sorry. BUT OMG" Hillary shrieked.

Soon after Hillary had rounded up all the other girls and made Kate re tell everything and they all had the similar response to this so called "The Clearing". They had all decided to stay in for breakfast since they wanted to get every detail out of Kate. So after eating Eggs and Toast the girls finally left Kate alone since they had to ride in 20 minutes.

Kate quickly showered then slipped on her breeches and half chaps and picked a green t-shirt out of her suit case. She was so excited to start riding again. It felt great to lace up her boots and she and the rest of the girls left the house with five minutes to spare. They walked down the same path that Kate had run down earlier that day but turned left instead of right. And came upon a pristine outside ring with brightly coloured jumps and the barn was located right behind it. They could see that there was a group of people waiting around so they joined them. A man in his mid forties stood in front of the group sporting a plaid shirt and cowboy hat.

"Howdy Ladies and Gents. For those who are new my name is Mick Johnson, In my youth I was a excellent barrel racer and won many trophies. I will be the head of teaching the western part of this camp and my buddy James Kentwood is the head of the English portion and will teach the future Olympic competitiors. So enough of this chatter. I will assign you a horse and if you bond it will be yours for the summer. Once you are ready to ride we will observe you and place you into groups regarding your skill. Everyone understand?"

There was a universal muttering which Mick took as a yes and continued by listing out names.

" Kate Austen you will be riding Secret in Disguise, his barn name is Gus. Go ask Gary to help you catch him"

Kate left the group and walked up to a twenty something year old guy in cowboy boots and jeans. He led her to a paddock where three horses resided.

"He is the Chestnut in the Back." Gary drawled pointing to a beautiful chestnut horse grazing in the back of the paddock.

"What is he like?" Kate asked.

" He is a 6 yr old Dutch Warmblood. He is really friendly loves having his neck scratched and LOVES treats. He is sensitive so approach him slowly and calmly but he is just a big teddy bear."

Gary opened the gate for Kate and she walked to the back of the paddock where she could see Gus's real beauty. He was probably at least 16hh and had two stockings and a blaze down his face. As she approached him he looked at her with big expressionate brown eyes and put his head down so she could put his halter on.

Once back in the barn Kate gave Gus a treat and brushed him until his coat shined then she asked and was shown where his tack was so she tacked him up and walked out to the ring. She could already feel a bond.

"Hi Kate I am James Kentwood, I am going to be watching you today to assign you a group. Just a couple things about Gus, he is very sensitive about riders due to his age but from videos I have seen you are very gentle and calm. So just be slow with him."

Kate adjusted her stirrups and tightened his girth than one of the staff gave her a leg up and for the first time in the last 8 months Kate was free. She felt an instant connection with Gus and when she was asked to began walking around the ring Gus seemed to know what she was thinking. They were a team and it felt great.

"Ok pick up trot, he likes to go fast so keep some contact."

Kate gently squeezed and Gus smoothing transitioned into trot. She felt as though she was floating.

"Great Job. Try Canter and I'll set up a small cross rail."

Kate sat deep in the saddle and asked for canter. Gus didn't even fuss he picked up the right lead and they glided along as if they were made for eachother.

" Back to Trot and over this jump."

Kate sat back and Gus responded by slowing down, Kate steered him towards the small jump and she went into two point. Gus flew over it like it was nothing.

"Great job Kate. I will put you into the Advanced group. Just cool him out and then let him back into his paddock. You guys are a great match. I can't wait to see Gus's full potential."

Kate returned back to her house after cooling out Gus and giving him lots of hugs. She felt like she was walking on clouds. She opened up the house mail and saw an email from some girl she had never met so she opened it up and it read:

Hey Jack stealing skank,

Jack is mine, we are meant to be so you get your dirty little hands off him or else.

S

Author Note:

Sorry for taking so long to write this I have just started University and I am really busy but I'll try to keep writing more often.

- Julia