Wadin' Deep Waters (Re-posted, Please Reply. Mature/Experienced.)

[• Echo]

POV~Joey


"What's your name, son?"
"Joey. Joey White."
"Age?"
"Twenty-six. Twenty-seven this July."
"I don't care 'bout your birthday." He spit. "Where else have your worked?"
"Around." Jacob Bateman looked at me with scrutiny up and down, and I automatically stiffened.
"No criminal records? I don't want no cops on my front step, whether they be draggin' you away or me for housin' you." He spit again, and I held back the look that almost came onto my face.
"No sir." Probably the biggest lie I'll ever tell.
"Good. You star' Monday, work through ta Sunday, sun-up 'till sun-down. On Sundays, you come in a bit later at eight, leave a bit early at five. Ye hear me?" I nodded.
"Yes, sir."
"Good. Paychecks come at the end of every Sunday workday, you share the bunkhouse with the three other hands. No bitchin' with any of them, either, and don't go startin' no brawls, else I'll kick you out sure as hell. Understand?"
"Yes, sir."
"Part of the pay is food and shelter. And yer horse's board and feed comes out of yer pay, as well."
"Yes, sir." We stepped inside the dim bunkhouse.
"Play nice, don't ask questions, work hard, and you'll do just fine here." I could hear his cackling laughter after her left the bunkhouse clear up until the farmhouse door slammed shut behind him.

I set Royal's last black hoof down on the ground, sliding my hand gently up his strong leg and muscled shoulder, patting his neck gently. The fading afternoon Summer light cast golden and sepia rays down through the wooden panels of the barn, which kept out most of the heat that lingered even after the sun went down nowadays. Roy shook his head, pulling at the forest green leadrope that tied him to the ring outside his box stall, and I could hear the clip clicking against the metal, ringing down the barn aisle. He dragged his left fore hoof against the cement a few times, flicking his long, silky black tail.

"Steady," I commanded in my deep, gruff voice, and he instantly became still again, turning his head slightly to examine me with his large, dark, intelligent eyes. Dropping the hoofpick in the tack box, I picked up the soft rag, straightening again and rubbing down Roy's dark body. The way the light was falling through the barn, I could pick up the tints of reddish brown fire that danced over Roy's back, shoulders, and flanks that marked him as a bay, not a black. He shifted his weight from his right to his left, towards me, and dropped his head, ears falling forward again in content. I continued to wipe the rag over his body in slow, clean swipes, following the pattern of his hair, his pelt gleaming and soft beneath my touch. I could hear footsteps coming towards the barn, entering it now, coming towards me.

"Excuse me." A bit surprised to hear the voice of a girl, I continued to look at Roy and brush him.
"Can I help you, miss."
"I was jus' lookin' around, you know, 'cause of the trail ride goin' on here this week."
"Well, look around all you want, but I'd appretiate it if you stay out of mine and the other hands' ways." Dropping the rag back into the tack box, I untied Roy's lead rope, turning and finally looking at the girl. She had red sausage curls framing her pretty face and was wearing low rise pants and a tight, spaghetti-strap crop-top with a V-neck that showing the tops of her budding breasts. Her belly button was pierced, as well, and the bit of belly that was showing where her jeans and shirt parted was soft-looking and nicely tanned. She moved out of my way.
"Pushy. I was jus' lookin' for someone who might be able to show me around."
"I'm busy."
"You sure you don't have any time?" I glanced back at her. She was leaning against the frame of the stall and smiling.
"I'm sure." Turning back around, I led Royal out of the stable without looking back.

The afternoon sunlight was slanting and light, the sun sinking below the 'beautiful California mountains' as everyone called them. I honestly couldn't wait to get out. The Boss was hosting a two-week long trail ride starting Sunday, tomorrow, and the ranch was crowded with teenagers who were planning on coming, though I knew none of them actually cared about the ride itself or the horses. The girls all came for the horse-riding cowboys with washboard abs who always took their shirts off, and the guys were here to see the girls in the bikini tops and short-shorts. Before, I would have been one of those guys. But not anymore, and I didn't plan on going back.

I opened the door to the large, wide-open green pasture, unclipping Roy's lead rope. He immediately broke into a trot, then a canter, high-step tail raised and flowing, neck arched, long legs carrying him swiftly away. He bucked a few times, stretching his back out, before he lowered himself to his knees and then to his side, rolling. My expression softened slightly, until I heard the voice behind me.

"He sure looks good." I turned, expecting to see another slutty cowgirl-wannabe, but did a double-take when the woman I saw was completely different from what I was expecting.





Please, if you reply, post a nice-sized entrance post and at least a paragraph hereafter. There will be cussing and other adult content.
Roy is a dark bay Anglo-Arab.
Joey's Bio (Click)

[LoveOnHerArms]

"You better watch out Cowboys, this Cowgirl is known to raise some hell" The announcer called out from his stand as the rodeo was going in full swing, people crowded the stands to watch the broncs and bull riders. Kendra wasn't listening to the announcer or the crowd talk and yell out her name, she was the only bronc rider for states around but that didn't stop her, the announcer kept talking saying that the bronc she was riding was named One Eyed Jack and had a temper like his rider. Letting out a breath she placed her hat more firmly on her head, grabbed the rope tightly in her left hand and nodded.

The crowd roared at the bronc came bursting and bucking out of the shoot, Kendra twisting and turning to keep her balance on the bronc her hat flew off landing in the dirt, suddenly she was thrown forward, the crowd hushed as she was thrown out of the saddle and went flying over the bronc's ears, the girl tried to land on her feet but ended up landing on her right shoulder,pain rocketed through her. Gritting her teeth she tried to scramble out of the bronc's way as cowboy jumped into the arena and onto horses to help her. With a crazed look in his eyes the bronc reared and came down on the young woman's left knee, a scream came from somewhere and Kendra wasn't sure if it was from her or not as she still tried to scramble out of the broncs way, her left knee was screaming in pain along with her right shoulder and ribs. A cowboy leaned down and grabbed her,tossed her into his saddle as the others forced the bronc out of the arena, everything went black after that.


Letting out a breath, I shook my head driving to the ranch, my accident happened a year and a half ago, that dammed bronc shattered my left knee,broke my right shoulder blade and broke a few ribbing while he was at it. After three surgeries on my knee, I had spent six months at a therapy clinic to learn how to use my left knee again,then I spent the rest of that year at my parents place, and went to my physical therapist weekly, never did I get on a horse, so why was I now driving out to a ranch?

Yeah, I've been asking myself that too, my physical therapist said I needed to ride again,even if I had a slight limp and my knees was covered in scars he said I need to get back on a horse, he even found this place for me and singed me up with out my knowing, said it was a easy trail right with mostly teens so it wouldn't be hard riding, hell he even paid for it saying it would do me some good.

Pulling into the long drive way I let out a breath and tuck auburn bangs behind my ear, my hair was in two lose braids,bangs hanging in my dark green eyes, I parked the truck and looked out the window swallowing hard, the place was swarming with teens and collage kids, sure I was only twenty five but I had nothing in common with any of them, "Oh just get out there" I mumbled to myself, placed my old worn cowgirl hat on my head and go out, shoving the keys into my pocket I gingerly put weight on my knees and sucked in a small hiss, it would still give me trouble when I did to much but thats what pain killers were for.

Slowly walking to where the crowd was. Kendra held her chin up and stood tall as she could being 5'5 as she got looks from other people. She went to singe in and looked around biting her bottom lip, she didn't fit in here, she was a rodeo bum not a giggly girl only here for the cowboys, Looking around she spotted a guy letting out a beauty of a horse out into a pasture, why not go check it out, she liked horses just was a little more wary about them now.

Walking slowly over to him, trying hard not to limp she smiled faintly looking at the horse and then mans back, "He sure looks good" she commented, when the guy turned around she smiled faintly hands shoved into the pockets of her worn out blue jeans, she cocked her left knee to ease the pain and scuffed the toe of a old boot into the dirt. "Im Kendra" she said easily then looked back at the horse with a smile but also a little wary.

[• Echo]

Joey
My head immediately swiveled to the side, hearing the footsteps and the girl's voice. I noticed, when she stopped beside me, the slight limp in her stride and the way she held her weight mostly off the leg, and I wondered if she had been in some kind of accident. "He does," I agree, contemplating whether or not to add a 'ma'am' at the end, and decided to, tacking it on at the end as an afterthought. "Ma'am," I said before reaching out my hand partway. "I'm Joey. Do you work here as well?" I ask, nodding slightly to indicate the ranch. I heard Roy's hoofbeats coming up to the fence, stopping about seven yards away, no doubtedly studying us for a moment, before he spun on his hocks and dashed away. He normally didn't play nice with strangers; Or anyone for that matter, I was the single exception as I had been working with him since his mother had rejected him at birth.

[LoveOnHerArms]

Kendra~
Keeping most my weight off my left knee, I looked at the horse with that wary faint smile tugging on my lips, glancing over at him I smiled a little bit more amused and tuck my bangs behind my ear again, "Theres no need for the ma'am" I said and shook his hand "Nice to meet you Joey, but no I don't work here, Im here for the trail ride" I said then looked over to see the horse coming up, studying us then spun on his hocks and dashed off, I laughed lightly then looked back at Joey and saw a look on his face "Oh, Im not hear for the cowboys or anything like that, I here for the ride" I smiled weakly and shifted my weight again wincing a little from a sharp pain from my knee, time for some more pain killers. "Um is there a place I can sit down?" I asked hating that I needed to sit down.

[• Echo]

Joey
I smiled wryly. "There is when your boss has a knack for the 'old days'," I say, shaking my head slightly. Listening to her, I dipped my head in a small nod. "Right, the entire reason all the rest of these teenagers and college students come out here. They'd never be caught dead out here any other time," I say, rolling my eyes slightly. She honestly didn't look like any of the others in my opinion; she actually looked like she might know what she was doing around horses. It'd be nice if she did. I looked at her quizzically, shifting uncomfortably and feeling awkward and out of place. "Well, there's the fence, though I'm sure you might be able to find a step-stool somewhere in the barn," I say, shrugging slightly. "Sorry I can't be more help, this is actually my first day," I say apologetically.

[LoveOnHerArms]

Kendra~
I chuckled lightly with a faint grin "Oh yes gotta love the good 'old days'" I teased back lightly, then nodded pushing my hat more out of my green eyes "Yup, this trip outta be interesting" I said dryly, I could just see a group of girls having a fit to clean up in a stream or something like that. Biting down on my bottom lip I looked at him as he explained that he was new and everything" Nah, the fence is fine" I smiled faintly, walked over to the fence. Looking at it, my knee started to protest, making me get even more stubborn, sucking in a hiss I climbed the fence and perched on the top rail letting out a sigh, when my hat fell off and landed in the dirt under me, there was no way in hell I was climbing down to get it,besides it couldn't get dirtier, I looked over my shoulder at the horse, "Whats his name?" I asked still a little wary for him but I had to keep reminding myself that not all horses were like that bronc.

[• Echo]

Joey
I nodded slightly, watching her climb up the fence. The pain was evident on her face, but there was a fierce determination in her eyes that pulled her to the top. I leaned against the fence slightly. Seeing her hat fall, I slowly bent down to pick it up, hearing her question as I straightened. My eyes followed her's over to Roy, who was trotting around with his neck arched and coat glittering. "Royal. I just call him Roy, though everyone else here calls him JackAss," I say with a slightly roll of my eyes, handing her hat out to her.

[LoveOnHerArms]

Kendra~
Still looking back at the horse, all I could see was the bronc that tried to kill me, later on I found out that me riding him was his last run cause he was to violent and tried to kill the cowboys that rode him, ha and it had to be me that was the last to ride him. Snapping out of it when Joey told me his name I chuckled lightly watching him prance around like he was hot stuff "And why do they call him JackAss?" I asked taking the hat back with a small 'thanks' smile and looked back at Roy. He was a beauty of a horse, stretching out my leg a little I let out a hiss and sighed rubbing my knee.

[• Echo]

Joey
I shrug slightly. "Because in the two, almost three, days he's been here, he's proved that he has a nasty attitude with strangers, horses and people alike," I say, eyes travelling out towards the stallion prancing around. He snapped his black legs up high, neck arched, tail flagged, ears pricked forward for once. Looking back at Kendra, I see her rubbing her knee. "You okay?" I ask, the words sounding and feeling strange and all wrong coming out of my mouth.

[LoveOnHerArms]

Kendra~
I chuckled lightly listening to him watching the stallion prance around, he sure was a beauty and reminded me of that mustang stallion I had, they both have the same attitude. Rubbing my knee, I cursed softly under my breath, why did it have to act up now? Looking over at him I nodded "Yeah, old rodeo accident " I mumbled rubbing my knee and slowly stretching it out, ok so it wasn't that old but I didn't like telling people that almost two years ago a bronc tried to kill me. Sucking in a hiss I stretch my knee out fully then slowly bring it back, damn it was time to pop some pain killers but the truck was to fare to walk right now.

[• Echo]

Joey
I watch her carefully. "Still giving you trouble?" I ask, then shrug. "Sorry. It's really none of my buisness." I watched her rub her knee for a minute or two. "So... If you don't mind my asking, what happened?" I ask, trying to strike up some small talk. Normally, I was great at talking and all that, although that had been before. Now, everything just seemed awkward coming out of my mouth, and I never seemed to be able to voice exactly what I was feeling or thinking.

[LoveOnHerArms]

Kendra
I gave a nod "Yeah, it still gives me trouble" glancing over at him I smiled small "Nah your fine" Turing back to my knee I rub it for a little while longer trying to get it to relax. Giving up I stretch it out slowly and bring it back, hearing Joey I looked over at him and licked my bottom lip thinking, it might be nice to tell someone so when your in major pain they can help. "A bronc tried to kill me" I said looking down at my knee "I used to ride bronc's, and it didn't happen that long ago, it only happen almost two years ago" I shrugged small "I was up on riding the bronc, everything was going find until the stupid horse tried to to a front flip with me on it, I went flying between his ears and landed on my right shoulder" I looked over at him "Had no idea you could break your shoulder blade but I did" I shook my head and looked back down at my knee "He tried to kill me, but I somehow scramble a couple inches and his hoof came down on my knee and not my chest, I don't really remember what happened after that. I blacked out" Tucking hair behind my ear I glance back at Roy.

[• Echo]

{ Sorry, I'm gonna be on and off quite a bit between replying v.v }



Joey
I dipped my head slightly in a sort of nod, staring down at the grass before tilting my head back up to look at her when she began to speak. I listened quietly while she spoke, the details of her story creating an image of the event in my mind. I drew my shoulderblades stiffly back, thinking about it. In the half decade I had been working with horses, I had come to think of them more and more as equals. I had used to enjoy watching rodeos, but now, the bronc riding always made me uncomfortable and tense. "I see," I say when she was finally done, catching her look over to Roy. "And yet you're here now, with a busted knee and bad memories to go on a two-week long ride?" I ask. Most people would think it bold and blunt but now, I was honestly curious.

[LoveOnHerArms]

(Its fine, I feel like crap anyway)

Kendra~
Looking at Roy, I snorted softly hearing him, looking back at him now I smiled faintly "Crazy right? my physical therapist singed me up and paid for it with out telling me, said it was high time I got back onto a horse and this ride would be easy, just riding with a group of teens" I shrugged and looked down at my knee, I wasn't going to admit it, I haven't really admitted it with myself that I was scared to get back on a horse, I was Kendra McGraw, the cowgirl that raised hell and was fearless when it came to riding. Scowling softly at myself "Some cowgirl you are, can't even get back on a horse" I mumbled to myself.

[• Echo]

Joey
I nodded slightly. "Sounds like so much fun," I say, chuckling softly. Though, honestly, I didn't see why her physict had to basically force her into going on the trip. If she'd been a bronc rider, then she must have had some serious guts, and now she hadn't ridden in nearly two years? I shrugged the thoughts from my mind. "Excuse me?" I asked when I heard her mumble something under her breath, looking out to the pasture, eyes following Roy's movements.

[LoveOnHerArms]

Kendra~
I looked over at him snapping out of it "Huh? oh nothing" I give a weak smile playing with my beat up old hat in my hands, how stupid can I be?! mumbling about it when he was right next to me. Shaking my head I wince at the pain in my knee, reminding me that my pain killers where in the truck."Um, Joey? can you do me a favor?" I looked at him biting my bottom lip "Will you go to my truck, and get my pain pills? there in one of the cup holders" I smiled weakly at him, I really hated asking for help but the pain in my knee was stronger then my pride right now. Tucking my bangs behind my ear again I rub my knee lightly again.

[• Echo]

Joey
I nodded slightly, hearing her. "Okay," I say, staring out at the acres of pastureland that fenced in most of the horses on the ranch. A bit off, the forest started, and, beyond that, were the 'beautiful Californian mountains' we would be trekking through on the ride. The sun was slowly sinking down, not yet behind those mountains, but close. "Hm? Uhm, sure, I guess. Is it unlocked?" I asked, looking back at her again, studying her face carefully for any signs of pain or amusement, if she had been trying to fool me.

[LoveOnHerArms]

Kendra~
Looking at him I bit down on my bottom lip, the pain in my knee was far greater the my pride or I would have hobbled over to the truck myself, but I had the feeling if I tried to walk, my knee would give out. "Yeah, its locked, and thanks Joey" I gave him a light smile and rub my knee trying to ease the muscle and dull the pain. Slowly it was becoming twilight and the teens were slowly drifting to the house to eat and do who knows what.

[• Echo]

Joey
I nodded slightly, pausing for a moment or so, watching her rub her knee. I shifted from foot to foot, feeling uncomfortable. "Well, if it's locked, I'll probably need a key or something," I help her out by saying, leaning back against the fence for a moment and looking at her with an easy grin.



( Sorry, not much to reply to. )

[LoveOnHerArms]

Kendra~
I rubbed my knee then looked over at him a blush crept onto my cheeks and neck "Right" still blushing hard I pulled out my keys from my pocket and hand them to him "Sorry about that and thanks again" I smiled lightly. Watching him walk off to my truck, I let out a breath and sighed turned to watch Roy again,as some fear slowly settled on my chest, what the hell was I thinking? Getting on a horse for the first time in almost two years on a trial ride? My papa's voice came into my mind in a gruff voice "If ya don't get back on that horse Kendra your going to lose a big piece of yourself" I let out a breath.

Hey, Im going to shower be back later)

[• Echo]

( Okay, Lol, I'll most likely still be here xD )



Joey
I smiled kindly at her blush. "Thanks," I say, reaching out to take the keys, my gloved hand brushing her bare one, before I gave her a small smile and turned. My eyes turned outwards to the pasture, catching Roy's fleeting image once more before I headed off into the twilight. I would bring him back into the barn when it started to get really dark out. Getting to the parking lot, I pause, pressing the unlock button on the key, looking for whichever car lights flashed. Smiling, I headed towards that truck. Opening the door, I sat in the driver's seat, leaning over and checking the cupbolders. Finding the Orange prescription bottle, I picked it up and got out, shutting the door and locking the truck. Tossing the bottle slightly and catching it, I shoved my hands into my jacket pockets and headed back to where Kendra was sitting on the fence by the pasture.
"You should probably go in and get dinner," I say, handing her the bottle. "I need to bring Royal back in to the barn tonight, anyway," I say, picking up the halter and leadrope from the gate post.

[LoveOnHerArms]

Kendra~
I let out a shaky breath watching Roy "What, if I can't papa?" I asked softly wishing he was still alive and here with me, if he was papa would have put me on the horse himself and made sure I would stay on the horse until the fear was gone, but he wasn't and I was here alone to go on a trail ride with a bunch of city kids. Hearing boots against the gravel and dirt I looked over and gave a grateful smile at Joey seeing the pill bottle in his hand "Thank you so much" Opening the bottle and quickly taking two dry, I swallowed then made a face at myself "Yeah, I know just wanted to stay out while I could" I gave him a smile and slowly got off the fence, sucking in a hiss and wincing as pain shot threw my knee, but I looked over at Joey "Your going on the trail ride right?" I asked slowly shifting my weight onto my bad knee then back off it.

[• Echo]

Joey
I nodded slightly.
“No problem,” I reply, reaching out slightly to help her off the fence. It wasn’t that I was afraid she wouldn’t be able to get off easily by herself or anything; it was just the way was. I returned her smile with one of my own as I walked past her to the gate, placing my forearms on the top and clasping my hands together, leaning against it.
“Yeah, I know what you mean, and I’m pretty sure I’m going. Unless my boss suddenly decides differently,” I add, tilting my head slightly to the side and shifting my eyes back over to her as she shifted her weight back and forth. Reaching down, I unlock the gate and pull it open, stepping into the pasture. As soon as Roy saw me coming, he tossed his head up and whickered, bring his head back down and tucked in as he trotted my way, tail flagged, lifting his feet up high. He came to an abrupt stop in front of me, arching his neck and pricking his ears, nose still tucked as he blew warm air across my face. Lifting up, I gently pulled the halter up over his nose and ears; Roy dropped his head as I did, and I clipped the lead back onto his halter. Turning, I pull the gate back open and led him out, pausing to secure the latch again behind us and looking back over to Kendra.

[LoveOnHerArms]

Kendra
With a light chuckle I nodded then smiled lightly hearing that he was going alone, at least I'd have one person that I could talk to. Shifting weight from my good knee to my bad one slowly then back off, I watched him walking over to Roy, The horse tossed his head and trotted over to him with his head low,tail flagged, prancing like he was hot stuff. My stomach tightened a little watching the man with the horse, swallowing hard I forced myself to calm down, the horse wasn't going to kill me and I needed to calm down, I was going on a trail ride on a horse so I had to calm down. He lead Roy out and I let out a breath slowly walking over to them biting down on my bottom lip. Stopping a few feet from them, my stomach rolling,the sound of that bronc's shrill whinny echoing in my ears then the sicking crunch of his hoof coming down on my knee. I squeeze my eyes closed and took a deep breath "Get a grip Cowgirl" I mumbled to myself.

[• Echo]

Joey
I paused slightly in front of Kendra, a few feet away. Roy stretched out his nose to her, ears pricked for a moment, before he pulled his head back, ears going back slightly in his usual sour attitude.
“You okay?” I ask, watching her closely, looking for any signs of a break in her demeanor.
“He’s not gonna bite or kick or anything, he’s just always a little bit of a jerk to people and horses alike, he never seems to get along with anybody,” I assure her, stroking Roy’s long, prominent cheekbone with my free hand while I smile reassuringly at her.

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