So this one's a lot shorter than the others, mostly because it's kind of like filler. I didn't have a lot to work with for this one, other than it was the Horse Festival and I just wanted to write with the image of Vaughn riding a horse, haha. The chapter's not entirely for nothing, though, since it does kind of develop the plot and their relationship a bit. But anyway, I've said enough. Enjoy!
"Aw man!" Chelsea said, crossing her arms. "I can't believe I lost again!"
Vaughn shrugged as he brushed her horse. "So you lost," he said, sparing her a glance. "It happens. Go for it next year."
"I know, I know…" She sighed, patting her horse as it nudged her shoulder. "I just…I really thought I would win this year."
A curious brow rose as he looked at her again. "Does it bother you?"
She grinned a little as she returned his gaze. "Well…not really," she admitted.
With a smirk, Vaughn finished up and handed the rancher back her animal brush. She removed her rucksack and placed the brush inside, then pulled an apple out and fed it to the horse. It nickered softly, taking a bite out of the red fruit.
As he watched her feeding her animal, he slid his hands into his pockets. "I guess you'll need to take your horse back to your ranch."
When the apple was gone, the girl brushed her hands and turned to him. "Well actually…it's still a little early, and I thought I'd take a ride somewhere." She favored him with a shy smile. "You…wanna come?"
He blinked, glancing at the horse. "Think she can carry us both?"
"Sure she can!" Chelsea replied, gently patting the horse's neck. "Isn't that right, Rin?"
The horse neighed and bobbed its head in affirmation.
With a soft laugh she turned back to the animal trader. "Since you've been walking me home after festivals lately, I thought it might be fun if we went riding somewhere. Besides…" she added with a playful grin, "since you're a cowboy and all, I thought you'd look good riding a horse."
Vaughn smirked, pulling down his cap. "Is that so?" Then with a quick jump, he hopped onto the horse's back. Rin nickered in surprise, but the trader calmed her before glancing down at the rancher. "How's this?" he asked.
Though a faint blush colored her cheeks, Chelsea laughed softly. "Not bad," she replied.
He rolled his eyes. "You coming or what?"
Eyeing him curiously, she placed her hands on her hips. "Shouldn't I sit in front?" she wondered. "Rin's my horse."
He shrugged. "I'm a cowboy, remember? I look good on a horse."
She laughed again and shook her head. Then, with a shrug, she hopped onto her horse behind Vaughn. "Okay," she said, "all set."
Gently patting the horse's neck, he glanced at the girl over his shoulder. "Hey, how fast does Rin run when you ride her?"
"Um…" Chelsea thought for a moment. "A trot…or a canter, I guess. I don't know."
"Hmm…" With another smirk, he said, "Better hold on, then."
"What do you mean?"
Without answering, he lightly kicked the horse's sides. With a neigh, the horse took off into a gallop, and Vaughn smirked when he felt Chelsea's arms wrap around his waist and cling to him tightly.
"The moon's so bright tonight," Chelsea murmured as she stared up at the sky, her arms still around Vaughn.
The trader didn't reply, keeping his attention on steering the horse to the beach. They had spent the afternoon and late into the night riding around the island, and it was close to the time the ferry would leave the island. He would have preferred taking Chelsea back to her ranch before coming here, but to walk from her ranch to the beach would take too much time, and he could miss the ferry.
"Are you sure you'll be all right?" he asked as they neared the dock.
"Don't worry, Vaughn," she replied. "I promise I'll head right back to the ranch after this. Besides, it's kind of nice dropping you off somewhere for a change."
He glanced at her. "You trying to get rid of me?"
She laughed. "I didn't mean it like that. I just meant…well, you've been nice enough to walk me home before. And I just like the chance to return the favor."
When the horse came to a stop, Vaughn carefully slid off the horse before helping the rancher down. "You know you don't have to do that," he insisted.
With a small smile, Chelsea shrugged. "I know," she replied. "But then…neither did you."
Silence fell between them then as they stood together at the docks, both unsure of what else to say to the other. A gentle sea breeze blew overhead, bringing a light marine mist in its wake. They stared out at the ocean for what felt like hours, but just as Vaughn was about to say something, his words died down in his throat when he was interrupted.
"Hey!" a voice called from the boat neither of them noticed before. As they looked, they could see a shadowed figure waving over the railing. "We're about to shove off! Are you two coming or what?"
With a sigh, Chelsea looked up at the cowboy. "You better get going," she said softly. "They might leave you behind."
He turned to her with a small frown on his face, several things for him to say running through his mind. In the end, though, all that came out was, "I guess I'll see you later."
She nodded, folding her hands behind her back. "Yeah," she replied slowly. Then, with a smile, she added, "Have a safe trip."
He pulled the brim of his hat down as he turned, his boots clacking against the wood as he walked along the docks and onto the boat. A low horn sounded from the vessel as some of the crew pulled up the walkway, and the boat gave a low groan as it slowly floated away from the dock. Gaining speed, the boat soon drifted farther and farther away from the island.
Even so, however, as Vaughn stood on deck and leaned against the railing under the night sky, he could see Chelsea standing on the docks and waving him goodbye. No matter what, he saw her standing there; even after the island itself disappeared, all he had to do was close his eyes, and he would see her smiling at him.