Chapter 2: First Ride

I saw him hooking his horse to the rings. Apollo was so beautiful.
"Apollo is so beautiful, Troy," I said as I hooked Ex beside Apollo.
"Thanks, C'mere," He said as he opened the tack room door.
I patted Ex's neck and went in the tack room.
"Luke said I'd find it," I said.
"Find his name plate," he said as he picked up Apollo's tack.
There were so many saddles and stuff in there! I managed to find Ex's tack and picked it up.
"Alright, you got it?" he asked as he watched from the door.
It was very heavy.
"yeah," I said smiling at him.

Tacking up was actually pretty easy to me, and Excalibur didn't try to blow up his belly to make the saddle loose. We first walked them out of the stabbled and then got in the saddle. We went out towards a big meadow. I had never felt so alive before, being on Ex's back.
"So, tell me about yourself. I'm curious," he said.
"Well, I'm the middle Child. Luke and I have a younger brother, his name is Daniel. My dad only really likes me and my mom absolutely loves Daniel and I. But it's hard on Luke. We've lived in the city our whole lives but when Luke turned 18 he moved out and came here. He's very protective and, so am i, especially over Daniel. How about you?"
"I have a younger sister, her name is Connie and her fiance's name is Gary, he's an ass. I think she could've done way better but really, who am I to judge? Our father passed away a few years ago from cancer. I am now the man of the house and mom is sicly and still depressed. I help look after her,"
"I'm so sorry, do you guys live here on the farm?"
"no we live a few miles out, do you?"
"Yeah,"
"Oh that's cool, maybe you can show me sometime,"
"okay, so do you have anyone?"
"No," he chuckled, "I don't. You?"
"Not at the moment. Most guys I meet are assholes. You seem sweet though,"
"Thanks, so do you,"
I blushed and he smiled at me. I reached down and patted Excalibur's neck.

When the sun started setting we headed back to the stable.
"I'll beat ya there!" he said as he sped Apollo up until they were in a full out run.
I did the same with Excalibur. We finally caught up to them.
"Woohoo! Ride that horse girl!" he shouted over the roaring of hooves.
I laughed as I sped Excalibur up more. We beat them and had to ride past the stable to gradually  slow the horses back down to a halt.
"How about we just lead them the rest of the way? I'm sure they are tired now," He said to me.
"Okay," I said as I dismounted.
He dismounted as well.
"So, what time will you be here tomorrow?" I asked as we led the horses.
"10 a.m. Always ten. Will I see you?"
"you'll be seeing a lot of me actually,"
"oh really," he said jokingly as he smiled at me.
"Oh you hush," I said, blushing.
He chuckled.
"I'll hose him down for you and everything today. I want you to get settled in," he said as we stopped in front of the stables.
"Oh, okay. Uh.. Thanks Troy," I said as I handed him the reigns.
I turned to Excalibur. He was all sweaty. I scratched his cheek.
"I'll see you in the morning baby. Be good for Troy,"
He put his muzzle to my forehead and nickered softly.
"I love you too boy," I said as I kissed his nose.
He took a step back and I looked over at Troy.
"See ya in the morning," he said, smiling.
"Okay," I said as I started to walk to my place.

As soon as I walked in the door I sat down on the couch and let out a deep sigh. I thought about calling Daniel to see how his day went. I pulled out my cellphone and there was no service. I looked beside me and there was an old rotary phone.
"Wow," I said as I picked the phone up and began to dial his number.
"hello?" he sounded very confused.
"Daniel, it's Rosalie,"
"Oh hey sis, how did it go?"
"Amazing, I met this really amazing guy. We went riding together and got to know each other some. His name is Troy."
"Sounds great, he just better be good to you,"
That made me smile.
"So how did school go today?" I asked, still smiling.
I heard him sigh and pause. My smile quickly faded.
"Today they pushed my face into Seth's crotch and called us faggots. I don't get it, why do they think I'm gay? I'm not even a sissy,"
His voice started trembling. Tears started streaming down my own face.
"honey, I don't know. You're an amazing man. I wish I could be there with you right now like I always have. I'll always be your sister and remember, call anytime you nneed me. Expect a call from me every evening," I said.
"I love you Rosalie,"
"I love you too kiddo,"
We talked for about an hour and then we both had to go.
"Well I'm gonna let you get settled in and everything. Mom and Dad want me to go eat dinner," he said.
"oh hun,"
"I love ya sis,"
"I love you too, bye,"
"bye,"
When I sat the phone back on the hook I felt so lonely, after always having Daniel by my side like a puppy. I stood up and started unpacking all my things. I couldn't get Troy out of my head. His smile, his voice, his eyes, his laugh... Just everything about him seemed perfect to me.

Chapter 1: Hello

Today is my first day coming to Valley Rose Farm. I never thought that a city girl like me would end up turning country and owning a horse of my own. Ever since I was a little girl I always loved horses but thought the country life was outragous. I never actually planned on owning a horse until my older brother, Luke, decided he would surprise me on my birthday with one.
My horse's name is Excalibur, a solid black Arabian geilding. He was rescued and he isn't very fond of males. Though he is an Arab, he doesn't really have the look of one. In his past home a group of teenage boys would beat him because they didn't know how to break him for riding. They thought that beating him would work, but it only made him angry and afraid of the boys. One of the boys was sent to the hospital from being kicked by Excalibur. Surprisingly, he trusted Luke just enough to get him away from that horrible home.
Luke has issues. He has a very short temper and thinks he is a grade A badass, yet deep down he's a big softie. Everyone thinks he is just a rich kid who just needs to be taught some lessons, but with me being his lilttle sister I know the real reason he is the way he is. My dad has never had anything to do with him and my mom is always hard on him. It hurts me to see what he goes through but our little brother and I always try to keep his mind off of it.
Our younger brother's name is Daniel. He is very shy around females but is really sweet. I just can't wait to meet the woman he ends up falling in love with because I am sure she will be just amazing as he is. With the singing and guitar playing talent he has I am surprised he doesn't already have lots of girls all over him like Luke. Although Luke only has looks, he has no talent whatsoever.
"Rosalie, look," Luke said as we turned into the driveway at Valley Rose Farm.
I looked out the window to find horses grazing in the field, a big stables, and guys gathered by a catching pen with a white horse running around in it while another one was trying to catch it. When we parked the truck and trailer Luke got out and started talking to them. I just stood behind him with my arms crossed, looking at the ground.
"hey guys, whose horse is that?" Luke asked as he put one foot on the bottom rail of the pen and leaned against the side of it as the rest were.
"Well Marcy and Frank wanted us to break this mare for a friend of theirs. The only problem is we can't catch her to take her to the arena," said the guy to Luke's left.
"Oh, well I brought my little sister and her horse here to meet everyone," Luke said as he turned around.
All the guys turned around and looked at me.
"Hi. I'm Rosalie," I said as I raised one hand and blushed.
They all gave a tilt of their hat to me and turned back to the horse. Luke walked up to me.
"How about we take Excalibur to his stall and then I'll show you around," he said as he sat his hands on my shoulders.
I shook my head to say OK and we walked to the trailer. He lowered the ramp and I got Excalibur to back out. We hurried to get him to his stall in the stables because of all the men around. Once we got him in his stall he pressed his muzzle gently against my shoulder and nickered as I took off his halter and lead rope. I patted his neck and sat them on a hook. I turned back to Excalibur.
"I think we will love it here, what do you think?" I asked him as I pet his nose.
He shook his head as if he understood me. I smiled.
"I have to go now boy, but I'll be back," I said as I kissed his nose and left the stall, closing the door behind me.
He walked up to the stall door and looked out, watching me as I left. Luke was waiting in the entrance of the stables, leaning against the wall with his back.
"Ready?" he asked with a smile.
"Yeah," I said, smiling back at him.
We hopped in the back of his truck and sped off, leaving the rest of the guys in a cloud of dust.
"So uh, I see that you and Excalibur have already hit it off and are really close," he said.
I smiled.
"Well he does love women and he trusts me so, yeah,"
"I guess we will have to keep the mares and fillies away huh?" he said, winking at me.
I playfully punched his arm and he laughed. He showed me the head owener's house, his place, the arena and finally the place I would be staying. After that he drove us back to the stables and dropped me off.
"Hey, tomorrow I'm taking you to get a truck so be ready," he said as I opened the door.
I smiled at him.
"Okay?" he asked.
"Okay, thannks Like, you're an awesome big brother," I said, getting out of the truck.
"anything to make my little sister hapy. I put Ex's tack in the stables, you should find it,"
"okay," I said as I closed the foor and walked ino the stables.
I got some brushed and combs and took them to Ex's stall and began grooming him. I softly spoke to him and petted him.
"Nice horse you got there," said a voice at Ex's stall door.
It was a tall man with darnk brownish black hair, tanned skin, brown eyes and he had the cutest smile I had ever seen, other than Daniel's.
"Thanks, his name is Excalibur," "Mind if I- ?" He asked. "Go ahead, but he doesn't really like males," "Agh, just watch this," he said as he opened the stall door. "Hi Excalibur," he said as he held out his hand and let Ex smell it. Ex smelled it and gently sat his nose acceptingly into the man's palm. The man scratched Ex's forehead. "So what's your name, mister?" I asked. "Oh, I'm Troy. What's yours Ma'm?" "Rosalie, Luke is my older brother. He got me Excalibur and brought me here from the city." "Oh okay, well did he show you around?" "yup," "Good. Uh, wanna go riding? I can get my horse Apollo and I'll show you some trails and stuff you might like," "Do you think Ex would be up to it after just getting here?" I asked as I softly patted my horse. "Yeah! I'm sure he will love it," I looked to the floor. How do I tell him I don't know how to tack up? "What's wrong?" He asked. "I don't know how to tack up," I said as I looked up at him. "Oh! I'll show you! I'll go get Apollo, meet me near the tacking area. Hook Excalibur to the rings in the posts," he said as he exited the stall.

Characters

Luke 

28

Daniel 

17

Seth  17 (Daniel's best friend)

Thor (30) and his horse Apollo (6)

Connie (Thor's "little" sister)

Gary (Connie's fiance)

Excalibur 

5

Shelby

3

(One of Apollo's "kids")

The mystic white mare and a stable hand