Chapter 5

Chapter 5


Walking to the stable, Harley was telling Richie about the horses. “Are you sure you can handle yourself on a horse?” she asked him. Richie responded with “ I think I can handle it” Harley asked “have you ever rode before?” and Richie shook his head “No, never have.” Harley promised to stay close and help him as much as possible. “You’re a pretty tall guy, so I’m going to put you with Midnight. He is a Tennessee Walker and stands at 16 hands. He’s also one of the easiest to ride.” to Richie she was talking gibberish, but he was interested, so he decided to ask questions, “hands?” he asked. “Oh yeah, sorry. Hands is how you measure a horse. Take your hand and go from the ground up to top of his back.” Richie nodded “ah, gotcha! He’s a beautiful horse. Which one are you riding?” he asked her. She pointed to a dark burgundy colored horse. “She is a Strawberry Roan, stands 15.3 hands and her name is Brandy.” Richie asked “was she your husband’s horse you pointed to earlier?” She nodded “yep, she sure is. I try and ride her as often as possible. Come and help me get your saddle on” she requested. It was too heavy for her to lift up on Midnight. Richie walked over and lifted it without any problem. She wasn’t surprised but was surprised to see the muscles in his biceps bulge out of his tight fitting t-shirt. She thought to herself “52? Damn!” She had to fight the urge to touch them. What a complete turn on he was for her.

They’re hands were tangled in each others as they tightened the saddles on the horses. Both liking the way the others hands felt when they touched. Even though she could lift the saddle for her horse, he did it for her. “Before we get on these horses, tell me you know basic commands? Like whoa or halt?” she asked. Richie smiled “whoa would be stop?” Harley laughed “I’ll help as we go.” She told Richie how to mount the horse.

Helping him put his foot in the stir up. Harley had her hand on his calf muscle. She rather enjoyed the ability to have these small moments of touching. Harley jumped up on Brandy without any thought. It was a natural thing for her. Richie was feeling a bit uneasy as he’d never done this before. He wasn’t too sure what to do. Harley instructed him on how to get Midnight to walk and turn. Taking an already made trail on Brad’s property. Things were going well. “Do you have horses on your ranch?” he asked her, once they reached a steady stroll. “I only have one right now. I ride her nearly everyday.” Harley explained how Brad wanted Midnight after Tim died. That it was difficult to separate from him as he was such a big part of Tim, but necessary, because it was too hard to see him daily. Richie understood what she was saying and thought now would be the time to tell her that he had lost his father nearly 5 years ago to lung cancer. He wanted her to know he understood what she had gone through medically and somewhat emotionally speaking. “I’m so sorry, that you had to go through such a horrible thing, Richie” she said to him. Richie went on to talk about his daughter, Ava.

She knew he had a daughter, as his marriage and divorce was a public mess. To hear him speak so lovingly of his daughter touched her heart so deeply. She had a lot of respect for him. Her favorite part was the way he beamed whenever he spoke of Ava. He was the most beautiful man she had seen since her husband passed. She also couldn’t help but notice how funny he was. She didn’t want to be one of those women that laughed at every joke but he really was just that funny. “Your doing very well for your first time on a horse” she told him. Richie was quick witted “I’m only experienced on steel horses, but never a real one. Sorry, you may not know that reference” he said. She smiled “I’m very aware of it, silly. What do you say we head back and I’ll make us a mean grilled cheese sandwich?” He let out a laugh, “is that all you make?” she replied “I can make my way around the kitchen just fine mister. I get by” they shared a laugh. Richie said “then lets do this”.

Taking the horses back to the stable, she jumped off her horse, walked over to help him down but was surprised to see he managed all on his own. He landed right in front of her, catching her off guard. “Impressive” she said. Again looking deeply in his eyes. She found she couldn’t look into them for long as it seemed he could read her soul. Feeling flushed she looked away to catch her breathe. Making Richie feel like he did something wrong. “I’m sorry” he said to her. She looked back into his eyes with a question in her eyes “for what?” she asked. “”I’m feeling like I’m making you uncomfortable and I don’t want that” he said. Harley shook her head, still looking at him. “no, your not. It’s just, I can’t explain it. It’s so strange. But you need to know it’s not you, it’s…” He cut her off, “it’s me, seriously? Your really going to use that line?” Richie was familiar with the “It’s not you, it’s me” line. Harley looked away and said “I like you. I haven’t looked at another man since Tim died. But I’m looking at you and feeling something I haven’t felt in such a long time.” Richie brought his hand up to her chin to raise her eyes at him again. Searching her beautiful blue eyes which made his stomach do flips and his heart pound. “That’s a bad thing?” he asked softly, nearly a whisper. “it’s a scary thing” she said. “How about that grilled cheese?” she asked doing her best to change the subject. He kept her stare and walked her backwards two feet to the stable wall and whispered “sometimes, you have to do it scared, baby.” Took his right hand brushed her left cheek and leaned down. Harley could barely breathe, she never closed her eyes as he leaned in but felt herself lightly lick her lips as his met hers, softly, sweetly. There was no tongue just a prolonged softness, wet, passionate kiss that lasted maybe a minute. The want for more was in the air. He felt it and so did she. He pulled away, leaving her breathless. His hand still touching her face. Her hands never left her side. She took her left hand and took his hand way from her face. “Grilled cheese!” she demanded. Richie couldn’t help but think ‘fuck the grilled cheese already!’ “Let’s go inside” she said. 

They walked into the kitchen and Harley could feel herself starting to shake. Why did he have her so upset, he wondered. Maybe she wasn’t really as ready to date as she thought? Richie sat at the breakfast nook with his hands on the counter. Taking out all the ingredients for the sandwich but not saying a word to each other. The side door slammed open and Brad came walking in, “Hey kids! Problems solved. What’s up? Oh Grilled cheese? Harley’s specialty” he laughed at himself. Harley turned around still nearly in a panic and said “ you know I just remembered something I have to do. Brad, make his sandwich, I gotta go!” barely looking at both but turning her head to them “Richie, Brad, bye”. Grabbed her keys and nearly ran out the door. Brad turned to Richie with a raised eyebrow, “What the hell was that?” he asked. Richie shrugged and looked down at his hands, shaking his head but not saying exactly what happened. “SAMBORA? What did you do?” he demanded.