Henry

Chapter 1

            The morning air was cold and crisp. The sun was just barely peering over the thick of trees surrounding our plot of land and dew was still speckled on the ground as I treaded through the ankle-deep grass to my homemade downs. My white stallion’s head popped out from his stall in the stable and tossed his head up and down in greeting.

            “’mornin’, Pistol,” I whispered, walking up to him and patting him on the nose. “Ready for a li’l mornin’ run?” I slid the bit into his mouth and fastened the rest of the bridle on his head. I took the reins in my left hand and guided Pistol out of his stall. “C’mon, Pistol… mornin’, Tazer… hello, Sugar… hey, Gino… mornin’, Dakota.”

            I got myself on the saddle and got Pistol to a trot on the downs. After several minutes I figured it was time to really get him ready for tomorrow’s race. I gave him a firm kick and we took off galloping at what felt like the speed of light.

            Pistol’s breath was sharp and speedy, visible in the cool Oregon morning. My sight was nearly blurred from the speed at which we were going, and I of course forgot my riding goggles. Riding Pistol was one of my most favorite things to do. Whether it was an actual race for the NTRA or here on my own turf, it was always a great way for my mind to release itself into the furious winds whipping around me.

            The only thing that could possibly pull me back to reality was the sound of my fiancé’s voice. “Aggie!”

            I tugged on the reins. “Ho, Pistol, ho!” I brought the white stallion to a halt in front of him. “Blake, what are you doin’ out here so early for?”

            “It’s not early, darling. You’ve already been out here for two hours! It’s ten and your brother called and said they’re about fifteen minutes away.”

            I jumped off my horse and approached Blake. “Damn it, I totally forgot that Neil and Holly were coming today.”

            Blake took m ien his arms and warmed me from the cold. “Aw, don’t act like you were never excited. You’ve been talking about this camping trip for days!”

            “I am excited! I just completely forgot they were coming since I had the excitement of the race yesterday and then one tomorrow.”

            “Well, we’d better get the horses ready if we want to leave by eleven and get to our camp site by five,” Blake stated, letting go of me and heading towards the stable. “Tie up Pistol and help me.”

            I tied the reins to the gate and ran after Blake to help. “You think they’re gonna want the same horses?” I began belting the bridal around Tazer’s head.

            “Most likely,” he replied as he tightened the girth on Dakota. “They’d probably feel most comfortable on the same horse as last year—did you hear that?”

            I nodded half-consciously as I moved to Gino to get his bridal on. “Yeah, sounded like a car door. They must be here.”

            “Can you get the saddles on the other two?” Blake asked as he backed toward the door.

            I stopped everything that I was doing and looked at my future husband. “I’m a jockey in the NTRA, Blake, I’m pretty sure I’ll be able to manage.”

            He stuck out his tongue and laughed. “Just checking, mah’ dear. I’ll go help them get ready.”

            Sometimes I actually wondered whether Blake took me seriously. On numerous occasions he has joked about horse racing not being a sport. He even forgot at one point that I am one of the world famous jockeys next to John Velazquez.