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

[LoveOnHerArms]

Kendra
Letting out a breath and getting control of my emotions again, I looked at Joey and gave a light smile "Yeah, Im ok" But my gaze kept going back to Roy, as the fear started to creep up again. Giving a nod at Joey I looked back at him "Yea, I know.." I trail off and swallowed looking back at the horse seeing that dammed bronc again, what was it going to take to look at a horse and see it and not the bronc? I took one small step back then set my jaw, stopping the fear. No dammit I wasn't going to be scared of a horse! I was a girl born and raised around horses, I rode broncs for crying out loud! Determination blazed in my eyes "Joey? would you get in trouble if you took me to a horse that liked people?" I asked in a more firm voice then I felt like.

[• Echo]

Joey
I arched my eyebrows slightly, looking at her at her request. Sure, I was used to people instantly not liking Roy because of his attitude, but it always hit a raw spot to know that they wouldn’t give him a true chance. I shrugged.
“He, the boss, never comes out to the barn except to yell at people. Right now he’s probably just stuffing himself, and he won’t care about a ranch hand and one of the girls missing, probably half the people who are supposed to be here are eating,” I add the last part, turning Roy slightly towards the barn, going at a slower pace. The barn was much dimmer than outside, the dusty lights overhead not doing much, and I led Roy down the aisle to the very last stall on the left. There was no room for empty stalls, so Roy couldn’t be separated from other horses, but the horse next to him was an old, laid-back chestnut. The brass name plate read Skippin’ TNT. I glanced back at Kendra as I led Roy into his stall.
“That’s Savvy, we give all the little kids who come around rides on him. You don’t need a bridle or saddle to control him, he’s exactly like his nickname says, savvy,” I say, unclipping Roy’s halter. He pinned his ears at Savvy for a minute before burying his head into his hay rack as though he hadn’t just been grazing on fresh grass. I stepped out of his stall, sliding the door shut behind me and locking it.

[LoveOnHerArms]

Kendra
Looking at him I licked my lips and shift my weight again and nodded with a light smile "Great, thanks" Fallowing after them into the barn, I blinked getting used to the dimmer light then took a deep breath and smiled softly to myself, see this is what I was missing, the smell and sound of horses. Stomach still rolling and tightening up, I forced myself to keep walking, fallowing after Joey and Roy, trying not to limp to much cause that drived me nuts limping like some old bat. Walking closer I swallowed and wiped the palms of my hands on my jeans looking at the horse he called Savvy. With a nod I slowly walked to his stall door.
"Hey there Savvy," I said softly,my stomach gave a roll threatening to bring up whatever was in my stomach but I just took breath and looked at the old chestnut horse. When he came over to look at me, I leaned closer and gently blew into his nostrils, my hands shaking a little but I was still in front of a horse standing my own ground. "You sir look like my daddy's old horse" Looking at him, the shrill whinny of the bronc echoed in my ears again but this time I wasn't going to back down. With a slightly shaky hand I reach out and gently stroke his soft nose a faint smile on my lips.

[• Echo]

Joey
From the corner of my eye, I watch Kendra slowly go up to the horse, soon beginning to stroke his silky muzzle. The corner of my lips tilted upwards slightly as I lean against Roy's stall, staring down at the brass nameplate. He lifted his head to sniff at my hand before he went back to eating, the russet hairs in his coat barely noticeable now. Looking up, I see how dark out it was out. I cleared my throat.
"You should probably get back up to the ranch house for dinner and check-in," I say quietly.

[LoveOnHerArms]

Kendra
Slowly my heart stops slamming into my chest as my breathing becomes more even and slow. Slowly stroking his silky muzzle I smiled faintly taking in the smell and feel of a horse a little bit of me fell back into place.
Getting lost in my own thoughts and gently stroking and muttering softly to the horse I jumped a little hearing Joey clear his throat and say that I probably go inside for dinner and to check-in. "Yeah right" I gently leaned up and kissed the soft nose with a little kid like faint smile "Thanks Savvy" was the whisper.
Looking over at Joey I gave a small smile "Thanks, it was great meeting you" with that I started out of the barn, my limp not as bad since the pain killers kicked in, but I smiled proudly to myself. Getting inside I nodded a hi to a couple people and sighed feeling back out of place as I checked in and walked to the kitchen for food.

[• Echo]

Joey
I nodded slightly. "No problem. Nice meeting you, too," I say, waiting a moment to stroke both horses before falling her down the hall. I checked the stall doors on my way, making sure they were all shut and locked properly, then checked the feed and tack room doors. Pausing outside, I drew the sliding doors shut, bolting them together and clipping the padlock in place. Though in my opinion, people had too much faith in padlocks. They Rome and could be picked just as well as anything other lock. Turning back around, I watch Kendra walking back to the farmhouse. The hands ate in one of the backrooms of the house when there were 'special events' going on, and I turned to head around the back c

[LoveOnHerArms]

Kendra
Looking around I quickly got a plate of whatever they were serving and sat down. Letting out a breath I glanced around and rolled my eyes watching a group of girls giggle and talk to some cowboy wanna bees, if only...those boys didn't now hard work if it bit them in the butt. Eating I watched every one, for once happy to be out of the way and ignored.
After I ate I put my dished in the kitchen grabbed my duffel bag and went to the girls cabin tossing my bag onto a bottom bunk I looked around and sighed "This is going to be a hell of a trail ride" I mumbled and fell back into the bed with a groan.

(Sorry it's so short.. can't think of anything right now)

[• Echo]

( Nah, it's fine. )



Joey
The night air felt cool on my bare skin, the leaves rustling gently in the trees. Somewhere in one of the barns a horse whinnied, and one in the pasture next to me answered. The bats were out, swooping low over my head, and an owl hooted from far off. I paused, looking out across one of the open fields. Blowing out my breath in a huff, I kept going a moment later. 'Great, and now you're getting soft here,' I mocked myself, though I had to admit that this life was better than fighting for leadership in a gang or stealing for my next meal. I climbed in through the back door of the farmhouse, the room silent except for the scrape of silverware on plates and occasional murmurs of conversation. I could hear the guests through the kitchen to the dining room but ignored them for the most part. My mind went back to Kendra for a moment, and I shook my head slightly, wondering what had really happened to her to male her so wary around horses. 'Maybe this ride won't be so horrible,' I mused to myself. B

[LoveOnHerArms]

Kendra
Walking back into the kitchen trying hard not to limp to get a bottle of water to wash down the pain killers my knee needed again in basketball shorts and a tank top my reddish brown hair up in a messy bun with my bangs tucked behind my ears, my left knee was covered in scars some were puckered up and other were just red and ugly. Letting out a breath I opened the frig and grabbed a bottle of water, opening it I took a sip and sighed looking over at the others still eating most were glancing over at me or looking at me knee....whatever. Walking about out I smiled lightly seeing Joey and gave a small wave, tucking bangs back behind my ear I walked over to him "Hey" Ok so I wasn't quiet sure why I walked over but if he was going on the trail ride I'd have someone to talk too.

[• Echo]

Joey
A voice caught my attention, and I turned to see Kendra wave at me out of the corner of my eye. I turned to face her, sticking my thumbs in my belt loops.
"Hey," I say casually, eyes wandering for a moment down her clothing, barely pausing at the scars across her knees before I looked back at her face, chuckling softly.
"Nice clothes," I comment, shrugging my shoulders back. "Not in the mood for eating?"

[LoveOnHerArms]

Kendra
Water bottle in one hand I smiled lightly at him, a little jealous of how relaxed he looked in his own skin. Shifting my weight from my bad knees a faint blush creeped up my neck and onto my cheeks as he looked me over. Rolling my eyes I looked at him "Hey basketball shorts are amazing" Taking a sip of water I shrugged one shoulder "Not really but I forced myself to eat a little so I could have some pain killers" Letting my eyes wander from his face down, he was still dressed in a shirt dirty jeans and scuffed up boots....not a bad look for the cowboy. Eyes snapped back up to his face "So your going on the trail ride right?"

[• Echo]

Joey
I chuckled slightly and nodded.
"I never really wore them outside of gym class," I admitted, and it wasn't like I ever really went to that class in highschool. I saw the way she shifted off her bad leg, and again wondered what exactly had happened. I held back a grin when I saw her look me over, turning my head slightly to look towards the pastures.
"Am now. Boss needed another hand on the trails," I drawled, shrugging slightly, though I was actually kinda happy to be going.
"And don't worry, Roy doesn't bite out on the trails. Much," I say with a smile, though it was true; the gelding was much calmer out of the barn.
"You're not chickening out, right?" I ask teasingly.

[LoveOnHerArms]

Kendra
Looking up at him I smile a little brighter hearing he was going, that was great, I'd have someone to talk to now besides love stuck girls that wanted to hook up with a cowboy. Taking a drink of water I rolled my eyes at his next comment, but the fear still rose up in my making my throat tighten a little. Blushing lightly I shook my head "No Im not chickening out." Free hand on my hip I looked up at him shifting the weight a little more off my bad knee "I take it your taking Roy?"


Blah sorry.

[• Echo]

It's fine.




Joey
I grinned crookedly at her blush.
"Yeah, all the others are taken by the other hands or the newbies, plus there are always the ones who need to stay on the ranch," I pointed out, waving away a few mosquitoes with my gloves.
"All in all, it should be an interesting ride," I say, flashing her a reassuring smile. I paused slightly, wanting to ask about the scars, but not knowing if now would really be the right time.

[LoveOnHerArms]

Kendra
Looking up at him I chuckled at the crooked grin he was giving me, it looked down right cowboy gorgeous on that face of his. "Right..besides all that Roy seemed to trust you the best" I pointed out having noticed that before when Joey worked with him. Nodding I looked around before back at him "Right it should be.." I trailed off at my stomach tightened but the flash of a reassuring smile he gave me settled down my stomach a little bit. Slowly putting weight back on my jacked up knee I let out a breath now that the pain killers were starting to kick in. Looking down at my scared up knee I made a face before looking back up at him "Lovely isn't it?"

[• Echo]

Joey
I shrugged.
"He knows me best, even if he is a stubborn thing," I say, watching her curiously. My eyes followed her's down to her scars, and I chuckled slightly.
"If you really think so..." I said lightly, expecting her to hit me or something. "What happened?" I asked cautiously, not wanting to pull her too far out of her comfort zone but honestly curious.

[LoveOnHerArms]

Kendra
Leaning closer I smacked his arm with a face "No I don't think so I hate the scares" It ended in a grumble. Sighing I looked up at him my shoulders sagging down. "Well for one a bronc tried to kill me and took it out on my knee, and the surgeries I've had done leave nice scars behind." Carefully holding my leg out I looked at my knee with a sigh "But most of then are from One eyed Jack" I said referring to the bronc, "And honestly I don't remember much of that day, just bits and pieces" I added more to myself because every time I though about it I tried to remember what went wrong. Losing my balance I flare my arms out grabbing hold of anything to keep myself from falling, and grabbed hold of his arm to keep myself up.

[• Echo]

Joey
I smiled cockily when she hit me, moving slightly though not trying to block or dodge, and then I stood still to listen to her.
"Is that the bronc?" I asked when she mentioned the name, though shut up again so she could keep talking, though it seemed that now she was talking more to herself than me. My eyes followed her's down to her knee.
"And a bronc did that? Must've been a bad fall," I mused. She started to loose her balance and I automatically reached out to help her and lend a hand, and she grabbed onto my arm, though my other arm went around her waist to keep her from falling down and to help steady her.

[LoveOnHerArms]

Kendra
Before I could answer him I lost my balance and grabbed hold of his arm to keep myself up right. Gripping one arm, his other one with around my waist, you would think being 24 I wouldn't blush from a man's touch but apparently I was wrong. A light blush came to my cheeks again, standing on my own to feet again I looked up at him with a light smile "Thanks" Letting go of his arm I bit my lower lip before nodding "Yeah One eyed Jack was the name of the bronc, and yup it was a hell of a fall, but apparently that rodeo was going to be his last because he was getting too mean." I shrugged one shoulder "Leave it to me to be the one that gets the bronc that had already tried to kill a couple cowboys" Pushing fly-aways out of my face I looked up at him with a easy little smile on my lips.

[• Echo]

Joey held onto her gently until she steadied herself, then slowly let his arms drop to his sides again. He nodded slowly when she was finished talking.
“At least now no one else can get hurt riding him, though it’s kinda beside the point that it took them so long to realize how dangerous he was,” he drawled, watching her carefully for a moment or two to make sure she was truly okay. He shifted his weight underneath him a bit uncomfortably. He was always a lot more comfortable on horseback (now) then standing around talking for hours on end. He shook his head to clear his thoughts slightly; the old Joey was slowly fading away, and he was starting to truly like the new life he was in. He didn’t miss being on the run or the ‘adventure’ of his old life as much as he had always thought he would.

[LoveOnHerArms]

Shrugging one shoulder she looked up at him "True, but at lest he didn't really kill me, just busted up my knee and shoulder" Kendra was trying to keep on the bright side of things, after being depressed and upset about it for months a friend dragged her out of the house and snapped her out of it. So after that she tried to look at the upside of things, to see the bright side of life. Shifting her weight a little popping out her bad knee Kendra looked at him ad chuckled.
"Alright, I'll leave you to do whatever and try to get some sleep before the ride tomorrow" She put on a faint smile on, still uneasy about the ride, and well getting back on a horse after almost two years.
Holding the water bottle in one hand she gave Joey a small smile "Night Joey" Kendra stopped herself from leaning up and kissing him on the cheek, she wasn't sure where that though came from and she really didn't want to find out.
With a small wave she walked back to the rooms nibbling on her bottom lip trying her best not to limp. Slipping into the room she sighed falling into the bed she claimed and sighed looking at the floor thinking and trying to sleep.

[• Echo]

Joey smiled lopsidedly, tilting his head at her slightly. "Yeah, that's usually a good thing, staying alive," he said good naturedly, the corners of his eyes crinkling slightly with his smile. She shifted her weight a couple times to do what he could only assume was help make her knee fell better, and he wondered briefly if she was okay or not. He nodded slowly when she excused herself.
"Rest up, it should be a... fun, day, tomorrow," he said slightly sarcastically towards the end, wincing slightly at the words. 'Fun' was definitely not the word he would normally use when describing a days long trail ride with a bunch of greenhorns and city slickers, who wanted nothing more than rowdy sex with a cowboy or to pick up hot babes most of the time.
Tiliting his head slightly in her direction, he smiled humorously as he waved back, watching her walk away. He could see in the stiffness of her stride she was trying not to limp, hell he had done it several times before, though his pain had probably been nowhere near as bad as her's, but he said nothing about it. Turning, he glanced up at the star-filled sky, his gaze lingering over the half-moon, before he began walking towards the bunk houses. Pushing the door open, ignoring the dingy smell that he had become accustomed to, he made his way to the bunk in the corner. There were six beds total crammed into the small space, and six in the other bunk. Each one had a shelf, a trunk at the end of the bed, and a little cubby hole for the belongings of whoever occupied the space. Joey had mainly clothes, and a couple flasks, as well as his riding gear. Nothing much that gave away anything off about his actual personality. Unlacing his boots, he laid down on the bed on top of the covers, arms crossed behind his head and staring up at the roof. All the other hands were inside still, probably hooking up with a girl. Later, he'd get taunted about not doing the same, but he didn't care. At least now, tomorrow's ride wouldn't be so arduous.

[LoveOnHerArms]

Sighing Kendra rolled onto her stomach hugging a pillow, one elbow and shoulder half way off the bed as she stared down at the floor. A few girls started to walk in nosily, one they saw her their voices got quiet and they talked behind their hands, not that she couldn't hear then, as they giggled and laughed she rolled her eyes and looked over at them. "Ya know talking behind your hand doesn't make it discreet" She pointed out in a dry tone, they got huffs and mumbles of 'bitch' to her as they walked back out laughing. Rolling her eyes again Kendra moved around a little on the small bed and groaned flipping onto her back and stared at the boards of the bunk bed above her.
"This is going to be a long night" She grumbled, later she finely fell asleep but her dreams made her wish in the morning she was still awake, her mind went over the bad fall she had over and over again until her phone went off at six. Groaning she turned it off yawning and carefully sat up mindful of the boards above her,auburn hair a tangled bed mess, green eyes still holding sleep in them. With a soft groan Kendra slowly slid out of the bed mindful of her bad knee, slowly she put weight on it and winced as she dug into her bag pulled out jeans, undershirt and a shirt underwear and her bra, wincing she limped to the bathroom. It was a small bathroom but it had running hot water, stripping Kendra quickly showered and got dressed.
Her shoulder was a little stiff and her knee was hurting but she took a couple pain killers and combed her hair before putting it into two braids letting her bangs hang in her eyes. "Lets get this over with" She mumbled walking-or limping back to her bed and started getting her pack ready as the other girls started waking up and talking to each other, she pulled on her old scuffed up boots.
Letting out a breath she placed her hat on her head and walked out to the dinning hall her pack slug over one shoulder, phone in her back pocket, a pocket knife in one pocket along with a small bottle of pain killers, the rest were in her pack. Her stomach was in knots as she doubted it would hold any food at the moment, the fear of riding was still there and trying to consume her.

[• Echo]

Joey lay alone in the dark for an amount of time that he wasn't sure of, until he heard heavy bootsteps headed towards the bunk. Tensing instinctively, he moved forward slightly so he could see the door better when it swung open to reveal a broad-shouldered man with bulging arm muscles. Joey relaxed slightly as he recognized Barst, the farrier. Sitting up, he ran a hand through his short, dark hair, swinging his legs over the side of the bunk and sitting on the edge.
"Ain't you suppose to be out there drinkin'?" Barst asked with a heavy Southern accent, making his way to his own bunk against the wall. Joey shrugged. Barst wasn't like the other men; he didn't fool around too much. Unless he was really drunk. But when he was, you didn't want to get on his bad side, either.
"Nah, I'd rather just forget all this is happening," he replied, peeling his shirt and bandana off his body. His socks followed. Barst grinned.
"Yeah, you and me, we're better than that. Those boys, they're just that; boys. They have some growin' up ta do, them boys need to learn," he drawled, making his way to his own bunk.
"I best be going to sleep, I gotta couple horses who need shoes to be made for them tomorrow, and I gotta mend some of the fences while you boys are out on your ride," he continued, stripping down and climbing under the bed. Joey just nodded, moving under his own covers. Laying on his back again, he followed an arm up under his head, the other resting over his stomach, and closed his eyes.

The barn yard was loud. Horses and mules were calling out to be fed, and chickens ran around the yard like they had lost their eggs, chased by the occaisional ranch dog. Scowling, Joey closed his eyes for a moment to clear his mind, before continuing towards the barn. One of the hands, a scrawny, lanky thing with a gimp and a lazy eye who everyone called Slim, was already in their, pitching hay into feeders.
"Hey, Joey, come give me a hand," he grumbled, bringing down another two bales of bermuda hay from the stack. It was early, but the barn loft was already hot and stuffy, the air clogged with hay and dust. Coughing, Joey placed his bandana over his mouth and nose like Slim had, moving forward to give him a hand.
Under an hour later, the yard was calmer, with only the hens and dogs making the occasional racket, and Joey and Slim made their way to the ranch house, both keeping their thoughts to themselves, as was their custom. The two cooks were already at work inside, the smell of sausage filling the air.

[LoveOnHerArms]

Walking down the hall now trying her best not to limp Kendra make a face as the smell of sausage and eggs filled her nose, her stomach tightened as she slipped into the large dinning area, dropped her pack into a chair and forced her legs to walk to the table that was already loaded with food. Mostly it was cowboys and ranch hands eating, with only a small handful of riders eating, grabbing a plate and putting a little on it the girl moved back to the empty table and sat down with a yawn. Sure she was used to getting up early but that didn't mean she had to like it and be fully awake. Picking and eating a little Kendra finely gave up on eating dumped what was left in the trash and gave her plate back to the kitchen and walked out pack over one shoulder.
She didn't see Joey walking into the ranch house, she had her hat down low over her eyes and was trying to calm herself down. Stepping outside she looked around the yard before slowly walking to the barn, her limp away as bad now that the pain killers kicked in and she was waking slow, getting to the barn she let out a breath and closed her eyes for a moment. Her stomach was in knots, butterfly moshing around in her stomach, the shrill whinny of the bronc filled her ears making her shutter. "Just breath you can do this" Opening her eyes Kendra forced her feet to move into the barn. "You used to love horses, papa used to joke that you grew up on a horse. Not all horses are like that bronc. You can do this, it's just a trail ride" Walking deeper into the barn she looked at the horses letting out a shaky breath, her hands trembling. Seeing a open door she slipped inside and sank down to the ground legs stretched out before her, hat pulled low over her eyes, to hid the fear that showed in them. Could she really do this? Get back on a horse after this long? And stay on one for two weeks? It was crazy and Kendra was scared, ashamed that she was but it was hard to ignore the fear that ate at her. Letting out a shaking breath she leaned her head back against the wall eyes closed "Some cowgirl you are"

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