by C L Green
Slowly, almost as if I am afraid he is a horse about to skitter away, I lift my hand up and pluck his sunglasses gently from his face. I see a faint look of surprise scoot its way across his eyes before his pupils dilate slightly as he pierces his crystal blue eyes into mine.
Slowly, licking my lips to moisten them, I watch as his eyes stay glued to mine and I gently lean forward to place the lightest kiss I am capable of, on his right cheek.
I feel his cheek twitch slightly acknowledging my gentle contact but he remains dead still, almost frozen in time.
“Thank you,” I say softly. Then, without waiting for him to say or do anything, I quickly shove his sunglasses in his hand and turn around to face Maverick again. I am painfully aware that I have just invaded his space.
Time starts to tick in my head. I am aware that he still hasn’t moved and so I concentrate on my breathing to make sure I am taking long slow breaths. I hear Jax doing the same thing behind me.
“You’re welcome,” he whispers quietly, still not moving.
A fleeting feeling of unease passes through me as I struggle to keep my back to him, waiting for him to do something. It is as if we are frozen in time and neither of us wants to crack the ice or create the first movement.
A vague memory of our conversation earlier in the day about catatonia sweeps along the edge of my mind. Thinking I need to do something, I decide to do what feels right in the moment.
I drop Mavericks lead rope and start heading for the gate.
To my utter relief, Jax appears to ‘get it’ and he unfreezes. His hand shoots out grabbing mine and he spins me back around. “Where are you going?”
“Um… Just giving you some space?”
“Why, what makes you think I need some space?” He asks with a small smirk on his face as he slides his sunglasses back on.
“I was worried I had done something a bit catastrophic.”
I smirk back at him before looking at the ground between us.
“No Ash, you did nothing of the sort. In fact, you did exactly the right thing.”
He smiles at me openly then leans across to grab Mavericks lead rope. Offering it back to me he says, “Your timing was perfect.”
*****
From that point in the day, time flew. Minutes rolled into hours and for the first time since I had been a little girl, I had a fantastic day with my horse.
Well actually fantastic seemed like an underdone statement for the range of emotions that I experienced across the course of the afternoon. Jax ran me through a series of exercises to help both Maverick and I gain confidence. He also taught us a lot about keeping Maverick out of my space.
Jax showed me how to flap my arms at him like a chicken if he pushed up behind me. He showed me how to gently lead him backwards by his tail. He showed me that for my horse to trust me, I needed to be able to touch every square inch of his body without him flinching or showing any signs of concern.
Jax also showed me lots of body language signs that I needed to watch out for so I knew that Maverick was listening to me. I was soon spending most of my time focused on Mavericks eyes or his lips. This was to make sure that he was blinking suitably or that he was sending me ‘got it’ messages. The got it messages involved him chewing his lips when I was busy teaching him something.
Now and then I would squeal with glee as we achieved another goal in our exercises and Maverick continued to communicate with me.
I learned to send him backwards, forwards, sidewards. I learned to send him out into circles with just the hint of a suggestion. I learned there was no need to ‘chase’ or hound him. Using a whip to have him keep a circle was not necessary.
I also learned to make him come to me for relief when I had finished asking him to do something.
I was amazed at the way Maverick softened to me over the course of the afternoon. I loved the strong connection that I could feel was developing. My love for my horse was once again building a huge lump in my chest and I was awestruck at his beauty.
As he pranced around me, playing with me, ears pricked, waiting for me to ask him to do something else my heart continued to swell.
He was once again my dream horse and the reason I loved Arabians so much. They were, and always would be, the smartest, fastest learning horses on the planet. Maverick with his gorgeous dappled silver gray coat, black mane and tail and black legs to above his knees really did look like a super model. Add to that the way he pranced around me looking like a painted model horse that you buy in horse stores, there is no way I would ever settle for another breed.
I have just finished sending him out in a circle on the longline when I hear Jax call softly from the yard. Jax had shown me how to use it earlier and he was now at the side of the yard leaning back studying our activities and giving advice.
“Time to set him free Ash.”
Not understanding what he is saying, I drop my shoulder and swing towards Jax to clarify his statement when I hear Maverick give a huge snort and he stops circling. He then bounces up to me before screeching to a halt and snorting again.
I swing my head between Jax and Maverick gobsmacked at Mavericks obvious responsiveness to me. He has taken my shoulder drop as a cue to come in for relief and it proves that he is connected to me. That he is listening to my every word and body movement.
I look back to Jax to see him smiling as he leans back against the yard rail with a look of pride, nodding.
“It’s time to set him free Ash. Take off the longline and do it all without it.”
“Are you serious? Like you do with Trouble? Just set him free?” I ask incredulously.
“Yep. He’s not going anywhere. You’re in a round yard. There’s nowhere for him to go. Give it a try.” Jax encourages gently.
Having learned to trust Jax’s instincts on timing and progression all afternoon, I quickly slay my brief thoughts of hesitation and do what he suggests.
After unclipping Maverick and carefully placing the clip from the rope on the ground, I turn to Jax and ask, “Now what?”
“Send him out, Ash. Just do exactly what you’ve been doing for the past two hours. Point with the arm in the direction you want him to go, and send with the other. Nothing changes. The only difference is that you don’t have a rope connected.”
Not yet fully convinced that Maverick could be smart enough to learn to be as good as Trouble in just one afternoon, I take a big breath and return my focus to him. Maverick pins his eyes on me as I point to the left.
To my fascination he launches into action. Lifting on his toes, I watch as he arches his neck proudly, and flares his nostrils. He then throws his silver and black tail over his back and prances off in a circle around me.
I am awestruck.
Never have I seen Maverick do this sort of thing in such close proximity to me. Even without a lead rope on he is still connected to me and responding to my cues.
I step back, giving him the cue to face up and change directions. I hear him blow a huge snort of excitement as he spins quickly towards me and charges off in the other direction.
It blows my mind.
It is like watching him perform a dance for me.
I ask for another change of direction, and then another, and he continues to spin at my lightest suggestion of direction changes.
“That’s enough Ash. Bring him in,” I hear Jax calling from his position at the side of the yard.
I take one final step backwards and look towards Mavericks rear end. I do it exactly the way Jax has shown me and watch in pure fascination as Maverick once again, literally bounces towards me. He skids to a stop waiting for his scratch.
It is awesome.
I can feel the enormous smile that is splitting my face into two and turn to see Jax beaming as well.
“Well done Ash. That was great.”
“That was more than great, that was life changing Jax. That has got to be the single most amazing experience I have ever had with a horse. You have to be the most bestest
, wonderfullest, horse trainer in the entire world!”
I am literally gushing.
Jax continues to smile and a cheeky dimple pops out catching my attention.
“What about good looking. Am I good looking too babe?” He taunts mischievously.
I blanch a little at his obvious flirt with me. “Um...”
I see his eyebrow lift from behind his sunglasses and his second dimple joins in the action.
“Nothing to say? That’s so not like you,” he taunts me again.
“Oh, I’ve got plenty to say. It’s just that there’s no way I can tell you how good-looking you are while I am standing here in front of my new number one man, Maverick the wonder horse. He’d be jealous you know. I cannot take the risk of it affecting our relationship.” I tease as I turn to lean in and pat Maverick firmly on the neck making a lovely rat-a-tat-tat sound.
I hear Jax sigh softly and look to see him pushing off the fence rail and sauntering casually towards me. Feeling embarrassed at my sidestep from answering his question, I swing my attention back to Maverick.
I have barely set my eyes on him when I feel two powerful hands clamp down on each of my upper arms. I am quickly spun around and dragged forwards so my face slams smack bang into Jax’s hard, rippling chest.
What the?
Totally stunned I freeze. About two milliseconds after that, I register what has happened and my body leaps to respond on my behalf.
It literally melts into his chest.
I take a huge inwards breath through my nose and smell the amazing scent of Jax. It is washing powder, cologne and man sweat all mixed to present a heavenly aroma unlike any other I have smelt before.
Perfect.
It is then that I am rudely drug out of my drugged thoughts to feel Jax pounding on my back.
“What the fuck!” I yell into his chest.
Does he think I need the Heimlich Maneuver or something?
“Do you like this?” He asks as he continues his persistent pounding on my back.
“No!” I continue to yell into his chest, throwing my arms up between us in an attempt to push away from his body. I need to get away from his insane pounding, it sort of hurts.
In response to this, he quickly stops pounding and starts softly rubbing my back. His hands change from the savage beat masters I have just experienced, to the gentle, yet firm fingers of a massage god. He rubs and teases at the muscles on my back, sending shivers down my spine.
All thoughts of pushing away from Jax are swept from my mind as I once again melt back into his chest and take another heavenly whiff of his scent.
His hands start to circle and rub and now and then, I feel an extra bit of pressure as Jax finds a hard muscle somewhere on my back and continued his ministrations. I relax to the point where I almost feel like nodding off. I sigh, I am officially in heaven.
“Do you like this?” he whispers softly into my ear, his breath tingling through the shell of my ear and gently lifting the hairs away from neck.
“Yes.” I sigh again. “It’s wonderful, please don’t stop.” I breathe the words slowly. He is really good at this.
Then Jax totally ignores my request and does just that. He stops. Just like that, no more rubbing, he just stops and pushes away from me. I look up to see him looking at me with a serious look on his face.
“Point and case. Quit whacking your horse every time you think he’s been a good boy. Horses like to be stroked and rubbed, not thumped on the neck. This so called thing of ‘patting’ your horse is yet another fucked up notion that you have been taught in the past. If another horse started whacking your horse like that in the paddock, it would either mean move the fuck out of my way, or let’s fight mother fucker. Whichever one, it doesn’t matter, it’s not nice.”
I stare at him gobsmacked. He is teaching me another lesson. Still reeling from the loss of his ministrations and his wonderful scent I can do little more than nod and stare at him in disbelief.
It then becomes clear that my mouth is sagging open with my incredulousness at the whole situation. This is made clear by him leaning forward and gently placing a finger under my chin, giving it light pressure so my mouth pops shut again.
“Okay, got it.” I say regaining my self-control and looking around madly for something else to focus on apart from him.
“Cool. That’s the lesson over for today little girl. I suspect it’s time for you to go home.”
And then without another word, he turns and heads for the gate, opens it and steps back to wave his hand through in front of him with a dramatic flourish.
“After you.”
“Thanks,” I say flatly. I am very disappointed that I am not going to get another cuddle any time soon.
Picking up Mavericks lead-rope and clipping it back on, I quickly give him a rub along the neck. Careful to avoid eye contact with Jax, I give Maverick a light tug and we head back towards my float to prepare for the trip home.
Chapter Six
Horses and hairspray
Walking back to my horse float with Jax at my side, I suddenly realize that I am tired. Bone weary tired. It hits me like a ton of bricks.
Obviously my early start and then the various forms of adrenalin pumping excitement throughout the day have taken their toll. I have just spent four hours straight playing with Maverick in Jax’s round yard, a fact that I have to double check my watch to confirm. Four long, physical hours that mean I am almost at the point of extreme exhaustion.
Trying not to appear rude in front of Jax, I manage to plaster on a friendly face as I trudge back to the float. A brief thought that Maverick is walking calmly beside me without jumping all over my feet crosses my mind.
I send yet another thank you prayer to the heavens above that he is being a good boy. Not needing to find the energy to conduct my fast footed waltz to keep my toes out from under his sizable hooves when I am this tired is a blessing.
I groan inwardly as I think about the hour-long drive home I am about to face. All I want to do is have a hot shower, crawl into my pajamas and pass out in bed.
I mentally start calculating the number of jobs I need to do before I am going to see my bed tonight. I then take an imaginary knife to the list and slash it back to a much shorter list of get Maverick home to his paddock, feed the dogs, shower and go to bed.
I am happy enough to skip the evening meal section of the day thanks to my enormous lunch.
Heading to the back of my horse float, I quickly prepare to drop the tailgate. I have barely placed my hand on the first tailgate latch when I feel Jax’s warm hand come down over mine. Instantaneously, warmth and electricity sparks spiral up my arm towards my body.
“What are you doing tomorrow?” He asks as he gently takes my hand from the latch and goes about undoing it for me.
“Not much at this point,” I answer honestly. I haven’t thought that far ahead. My whole focus over the past week has been on preparing for my trip here today. I had not made any plans for my Sunday in case I was tired, or even the worst case scenario, injured again.
“Do you want to do some more with Maverick?” He asks as he quickly sets about opening the second latch and swinging the tailgate towards the ground.
“Um, maybe. Well, to be honest, probably not. I haven’t paid you for today yet and I’m not sure my funds will stretch far enough this week to cover two days of your hourly rate. Any chance we can set another day for next weekend or the weekend after that?”
I feel bad admitting I don’t have the funds to spend indefinite hours working with Maverick. I feel even worse for just realizing we haven’t yet discussed his payment for the hours he has spent with me and Maverick so far.
I quickly swing my thoughts to the cash I have stowed in my glove box from earlier in the week and silently hope I have enough. I hadn’t expected to take up so many hours of Jax’s time today.
I see Jax step onto the tailgate and give a little bounce, lightly flexing his knees and making his thigh muscles bu
lge to test it has settled on the ground solidly. He then swings his attention back to me.
“Don’t worry about any payment just yet. We can work that out later. I’d like you to come back tomorrow.”
I look towards his sunglass covered eyes not too sure what to read into that statement. Is he suggesting that I need to come back because we have so much work to do with Maverick, or is he asking me to come back because he wants to see me?
The thought that it might be the latter sends a small thrill of excitement down my spine and through my stomach. I shake the thought off quickly as my reasoning powers win over and I figure it is far more likely to be the former reason.
“That aside, I still don’t think I can Jax.” A hint of remorse edges its way into my voice. Although I do like the idea of seeing him tomorrow, it just doesn’t seem like a good idea right now.
“I doubt I’ve got it in me to drive an hour tonight, and then drive the hour back in the morning. I’m bushed already and I don’t think I’d make it into work on Monday if I felt like this again tomorrow night. I’ve had a long day, driving and towing at the same time tires me out. Add to that the physical activity of playing with Maverick and I don’t have much left to give.”
“Leave Maverick and your float here overnight,” Jax suggests quickly.
It does seem like he is keen for me to come back.
“Even better, why go home? I’ve got plenty of spare rooms, just sleep here and save your-self all the travel. There’s a tonne of food inside just waiting to be re-heated or cooked and I will even throw in a hot breakfast if you decide to stay.”
He delivers the breakfast offer in a sales tone that does make it sound like he wants me to stay.
“As tempting as that sounds, I still have to get home and feed my dogs. Besides that, you don’t need me here taking up any more of your time today. You’ve been a very good host as it is and you have already gone above and beyond the call of duty. I should get going.”
“Can’t you ring someone to feed your dogs for you?” He asks again quickly.
Far out, does this guy ever give up?