After what felt like an eternity, Maka finished shoveling.
Though it was a down right dirty job she felt rather accomplished.
Trotting out side she found Black Star and Mr. Evans by the corral talking in hushed tones.
Probably about her if she had to guess.
As she approached them Black Star had the decency to look bashful, while Mr. Evans gave her a baleful glare.
"What's next?" She asked cheerfully, choosing to ignore his foul mood.
"We're going for a ride." He stated flatly.
Maka nodded. "I'll be ready immediately after I've seen to... matters. Where is the wash closet located?"
Soul looked at her like she had slugs coming out of her ears.
"Why do you need to wash up? You're about to get pretty dirty anyways."
"I reckon boss the kid needs to take a piss." Black Star chuckled.
Soul rolled his eyes. "There's a tree over there kid, be quick about it."
Heat flooded Maka as she looked to Mr. Evans in disbelief.
How could the man be so crude?
She leaned closer and stammered, "I . . . er, happen to have . . . um, digestive difficulties."
"Why am I not surprised. All right. The outhouse is back over that way. Hurry up. I don't have all day."
Maka quickly scurried to the outhouse before Mr. Evan's could change his mind on the matter.
As she walked she strained to think of any other major details she had overlooked.
This masquerade while fun wasn't as easy as she'd hoped.
Her secret was always foremost in her mind and the weight of protection it was taking its toll.
She had to keep going though, it was too late to turn back now, not after all she had gone through to get here.
Maybe once she turned 18 she would come clean and tell her uncle the truth.
Maybe he would have pity on her and let her stay, even though he specifically said in his letter that they had no room for women on the ranch.
If he kicked her out she'd be stranded in a foreign country with no money and nowhere else to go.
Maybe I'll go live with the Indians and become a wild native. Maka thought wryly as she stepped into the outhouse.
While she had a few moments in the cobwebby, dank privy, she made sure the knot on her chest binding would stay secure.
She wished she'd brought along the powder she used to keep her corset from chafing back home. The binding she now wore rubbed dreadfully.
After her business was finished she walked back to the corral.
Chewing on a long shaft of grass, Soul watched her as she made her way back.
He didn't bother to remove the grass as he muttered something unintelligible under his breath.
He looked piqued.
But then again he always looked like that.
Black Star on the other hand was enjoying himself immensely.
He truly meant what he'd said earlier about about her annoying the boss, he took great pleasure from it.
Maka pasted on a cocky smile, just to rile Mr. Evans a bit further.
She probably shouldn't provoke him, but the man made it so much fun.
"Think we should put her on Diablo boss?" Black star asked, a knowing smile on his face.
"Diablo?" Maka asked a little confused at the odd word.
"It's spanish for devil." Black Star chuckled.
"Maybe, if you want to kill me before my majority." Maka grinned back.
"I feel like Stein wouldn't find that very funny, coming home to a fresh grave is sure to rile him." Soul commented. "Let's make it kippie instead."
"You got it boss, I'll go saddle him up."
"No, please, let me do it. I needed to lean myself."
Soul lifted a pale eyebrow at her, but nodded his approval.
Maka quickly regretted her impulsive actions.
The beast known as Kippie was huge, and the saddle weighed a ton.
It was so much different from her light English saddle.
Everything in her arms and back screamed as she rose up on her tiptoes to fling the saddle onto the horse's back.
She managed to get the halter and bit on correctly, even though she held her breath in fear that the horse would nip her fingers.
She worked without complaint though, under the severe scrutiny of Mr. Evans.
Maka led Kippy into the yard, her heart in her throat.
The men who had been out working in the pasture seemed to find cause to draw closer to watch the show.
She tried her best to ignore their presence. It wasn't easy, since they gave a running commentary on how poor they anticipated her performance would be.
They planned on having a grand time watching her fail, and it made her smirk.
They were in for quite a surprise.
Against her papa's wishes Maka had spent every free moment she could in the saddle.
It wasn't considered overly proper in England, but she had alway been a little stubborn.
Growing up in a strict household hadn't been the best, but riding had alway made her feel a small semblance of freedom.
She steeled herself with a deep breath, reached up, and barely clasped the pommel.
Why did this beast have to be so tall?
Soul sighed, stalked over to her, grabbed her leg, and half tossed her upward.
She flew clear over the other side of the horse. If her boot hadn't snagged in the stirrup she would have landed face first in the dirt.
Never in Maka's life had her legs been spread this wide. Her papa was probably rolling in his grave all the way in England.
Kippy shuffled forward a few steps as she hung there limpy. Bloody images of being trample spurred Maka to flex her arms and pull herself back up in the saddle.
All the men howled with laughter and Soul gave her a wicked smirk.
"Sorry kid, I guess I misjudged how much you weigh. You're no heavier than a sack of flour."
That would have been a compliment for a woman. For a man, it didn't happen to be very positive.
Maka glared at him from her high perch.
He was trying to humiliate her, infront of all the men.
"Gotta adjust the stirrups for you." He tugged at a buckle near her shin. "You're pretty damn short kid."
Maka sat stock still as he ran his hand down the length of her leg with the strap.
It was a completely innocent gesture, but no man had ever been so familiar with her and she fought the telling blush threatening her cheeks.
"At least the kid knows how to hold the reins, he must have ridden a little before at least." Justin commented as he watched with trained eyes.
"Yeah but his feet are all wrong!" Little Tad chimed in.
The men all nodded in dismay.
"I've got a dollar that says the kid won't last two minutes in the saddle." Justine whispered in a hushed voice.
"Well I've got two dollars that says the kid does great!" Black Star whisper yelled.
Maka looked over to Black Star in surprise.
He threw her a not so discreet wink.
Maka grinned in return, glad to have at least one person who believed in her.
"No gambling!" Soul barked. "You know the bosses rule."
The men all grumbled but drew closer to watch.
"Heels down toes flat kid." Soul whispered under his breath as he finished adjusting her stirrups. "Keep your back straight like that, but loosen up a bit. You're way too stiff, and the horse senses it. Relax and use your knees to direct him. A little thigh pressure, and he'll respond."
Was he trying to help her?
After he had gone out of his way to embarrass her earlier?
Mr. Evan's was truly a hard man to figure out.
Maka didn't have long to ponder though. Flashing her a capricious grin Soul slapped Kippy hard on the rear sending the beast abruptly forward.
"Bloody hell!" Maka exclaimed as she lurched in the saddle.
The sudden move made her thighs tighten, and her heels instinctively dug inward to gain better balance.
Kippy began to canter.
It only got worse as she increased the pressure, and the gelding broke into a run.
"Sweet saints!" She leaned forward and hung on for dear life.
The men began to holler and laugh.
What was she doing? Acting like she'd never ridden before.
Maka then realized the pace wasn't anything new to her.
It was like she was on a foxhunt back in England. If anything, sitting astride gave her far better balance and control.
Her confidence had been shook momentarily by a red eyed scoundrel, but she could do this.
She relaxed her legs, and Kippy slowed naturally.
She could feel the horses muscles flex and give as she found her seat.
Giving herself permission to use the opportunity to play around with this new freedom, Maka kicked the gelding and got him to a full-out run.
This was how horses were meant to be ridden!
They circled around a tree and returned to the ranch yard.
"Fuck me, the kid can actually ride!" Black Star declared. "Pay up fellers!"
Soul shot Black Star a death glare.
Black Star cackled as he reached up to grab Kippy's halter for her as she slowed.
"You ride great kid, why were you so damned nervous?"
Maka grinned impishly down at her friend.
"I've never been in a saddle like this."
As soon as she made that proclamation, Maka felt a sense of utter horror.
How could she have been so stupid?
She'd just given away her secret!
They would definitely figure out she had only ridden in a womens side saddle.
Black Star scratched his stubbled chin in thought. "Those bitty little English saddles are what you used? I've seen one before. No wonder you questioned your ability."
"Yes," she breathed in sheer relief.
"I'll go saddle up so we can head out, I'd like to show you the property before lunch." Soul said as he turned toward the barn, leaving Maka with the hands.
As soon as he was out of sight Black Star laughed as he gave her an open-handed smack of goodwill on her thigh. "Kid, you just earned me three bucks. Next time we're in town, your first beer is on me."
Beer?
She'd never had beer in her whole life.
Still, Maka knew it was a sign of friendship among men.
Nodding, she lowered her voice as best she could. "Thanks. I look forward to that."
The rest of the men all gathered around, joking and congratulating her.
She stood easily with them, laughing as they clapped her on the back and ruffled her hair.
In England she had been so lonely. Her Papa had died so suddenly, leaving her alone with no family to speak of. Her friends had also left once the news of the bankruptcy had gotten around.
Now though, as she stood on foreign soil, surrounded by open sky and so many odd people she couldn't help but feel glad.
That large hole in her heart suddenly didn't feel so big and empty.
Soul quickly reappeared, leading a beautiful palomino paint into the yard.
"Stein wanted that north fence finished before he got back, I'd get started on that quick if I was y'all." Soul groused, giving the men a knowing look.
The men all shuffled their feet, looking everywhere but his face.
"Let's get going kid." Soul said as he fluidly swung into the saddle.
He jerked his head slightly to the side, as if to say, "follow me," and took off at a slow canter.
"Good luck with that, kid." Black Star smiled sympathetically.
Maka nodded, her chest suddenly feeling tight as she urged her mount to follow.
The thought of being alone with Mr. Evans made her feel uneasy.