A s h l e i g h 's L e s s o n

[ashleigh]

Ashleigh nodded, she needed release her fear of riding now, or today would be a complete mess. She had been taught by her mother that taking a few deep breaths could calm you down, and that's exactly what she did. After taking three deep breaths, Ash had gotten rid of a bit of her excitement and fear. Taking one last look at the big stud, she sighed. Now, what side was it that you always mounted on? The left or the right? She tried to remember what side her foster parents had always gotten on on, and she guessed it was the left. Slowly, her legs motioned and carried herself to his left side. Her voice was a bit stronger this time around, and it sounded kind of pretty, like a beautiful song tune.

"Is this right? I don't know how to do this."

Ashleigh admitted that, never had she been this close to an equine, but she yearned to feel his powerful movements beneath her. One day she hoped to canter across the plains on her own horse, the wind caressing her face, her hair flying behind her, but she had far to go before even getting to ride out of the ring. It made her wonder though, how could one person control a large powerful animal? Brushing one hand down Carhartt's serpentine, a grin arose on her facade, this didn't have to be scary! It was supposed to be fun, and she was beginning to enjoy it now.

[Carhartt]

He smiled as she walked to the left side, the right side. He nodded his head as she was there. When she said this it was kinda a need for help. He slowly walked to her and drppoed the reins over his head and replied pulling the left stirrup, [put your foot left foot in here.] He helped her foot get in then replied touching her leaft hand, [Now put your left hand by the horn and hold on to it.] He then placed his rough warn cowboy hand on her right soft warm hand and repied, [Now put your right hand on the back of the saddle.] He then put his hands around her hips and replied as he pushed her up so easily with no struggle for his muscles were amazing just like the stallion. He was trying to help her get on and not make a move on her and didn't relize he ouched her thighs till after he did. Carhartt never moved in inch just stood there not caring and bored. Dan smiled as he was finished helping her up and slowly replied, [Now grab the riens like this and make sure they are even.] He took her hands and slid the reins in them perfectly having the pressure easy for if he didn't Carhartt would get irratated.

[ashleigh]

It was a struggle for her with her left foot, but with his help, she got it in. With every effort she could possibly give Ashleigh tried to not be frightened, and very little was she. Next he was moving her left hand to the saddle horn, and her right to the back of the saddle. Inside she melted from his touch, but she could not show those feeling near Carhartt, and she would try to hide them from Dan too, thinking that he didn't like her the way she liked him. How was she going to remember this the next time she was going to ride? She'd forget it all and then feel like a dork! Steadying herself when she lost balance she took one last deep breath before waiting for Dan's next instructions for riding the big powerful horse beside her.

Next she felt his hands on her hips, but the rape thought didn't pop into her head, she was too busy concentrating on doing this right and hoping Carhartt wouldn't get mad at her for being so slow. Now, she was sitting on top of the horse! She was actually on top of him! She felt so powerful, so cool, so free, no wonder everyone she knew loved riding horses. Sliding her right foot into the other stirrup, he took her hands again, making her want to jump with joy, and fixed them so she was holding the reins right. This wasn't scary at all, this was so much fun! A large smile crept onto her face, she felt so happy, for once in her lifetime since the rape, she felt happy.

[Carhartt]

A large smile came over Dan seeing her happiness as Carhartt just stood there not really caring. But he felt that she liked Dan and he thought that was funny. He wasn't going to test her but..... Since she liked HIS Dan he was going to. Dan smiled as he took a hols of the reins and clipped them to a loung line. He replied with his southern draw, [Ok I am going to loung him so you get a feeling of his movements and everything. I'll just walk him untill your ready.] He pushed Carhartt away as he told him to walk and he did. Dan replied, [Ok, Ash, keep your heels down and out. Also tuck in your elbows and straight back, legs straight, and well um... chest out.] He smiled and laughed a little as he face tan sun burned face turned a little red. He was trying to be bad it was the real way to ride western and he was hoping she didn't take it the wrong way.

As he watched her movements she did very well. Dan remebered the kiss and wished it was more then a small peck, but didn't mean it in the bad way just enjoyed it. Carhartt felt this and everything was relaxed and Dan wasn't really paying attention to Carhartt and thatmade him mad so he did it. All of a sudden he just stopped. He then bolted full speed uut of the blue and was bucking with his back high over his ears as they kicked out and pulled the lounge line. Dan was SO shocked and yelled the first time Ashley probably ever heard him like that, [WOHW CARHARTT!!!! GOD DMAN WOHW!!!] He pulled on the lounge line trying to stop him as just did it harder as Dan hoped and prayed she wouldn't get thrown..... But that wasn't much hope.

[ashleigh]

Ashleigh was slightly unbalanced when Carhartt started off at his walk, but she soon adjusted to it. Next, she heard bunches and bunches of commands thrown this way and that from Dan. Instantly she pulled her heels down, pushed her chest out, elbows in and straight, this would be impossible to remember! She had no idea that Carhartt would bolt in the near future, and if she did, she would have gotten off the horse right then and there. Her grip tightened on the reins, it didn't do anything but to make her feel a bit safer and more balanced. Her mind wandered, thinking about what had happened earlier, and when you were riding you were supposed to always concentrate on your equine, now she had made a big mistake, but she wouldn't have been able to stop him.

Next thing she knew, Carhartt stopped, and then took off at a flying pace. Her smile turned into a frown, and when Carhartt reared up, she screamed out of terror and went flying to the ground. Skidding on the dirt, and finally stopped when she hit the fence pole. Her fears at the beginning of the lesson had came true, now she wasn't getting on that horse ever again! Curling up in a ball best she could, she let the tears fall down her dirty face. She was afraid, in pain, and now her favorite animal on the entire earth was now a fear. She didn't say a word the next few minutes, she trembled and hid her face in her legs.

[Carhartt]

Dan threw the lounge line acroos the arena and ran to Ahsley. He ran as fast as he could and knelled down to her fast sliding as Carhartt stopped the second she got off. He did feel bad he watched Dan as he went to her. Dan replied softly and really worried, [Ashley?! Are you ok? Oh My God i am So sorry He has never done that since he was two, I have idead why the hell he did that.] He slowly brushed her hair from her face and picked her up and began to sstand with ease he was so very careful making sure he wouldn't fall or trip. He slowly walked to his house and opened the door and didn't shut it. He walked into the kitchen and his border collie Cinch camedown the stairs as Dan layed her down on the couch and replied, [I'll be back.] He walked into the bathroom got the first aid kit and a large bag of ice. He felt absoutly horrible. His Damn Stud had thrown the girl he was reallllllly begining to like her alot and she probably hated him now. Dan walked back to her and kneeled next to her and replied,

[ashleigh]

Ashleigh didn't stir when Dan gently picked her up. The only thing she did do, though, was cuddle in his arms. She wasn't angry at him, how could she be angry toward the guy she had already fallen for? When he set her on the couch she groaned in pain. She had a cut on her forehead that was bleeding, and she had many cuts and bruises, not to mention sore from the fall. Closing her eyes, she reopened them seeing him with a first aid kit. Instantly she shook her head. "No..noo no! I don't need It no!" she groaned. The truth was, she did need it, but she wouldn't admit to it.

[Carhartt]

Dan shook his head as helightly put a butterfly bandage on her forehead replying, [Ashley yes you do, I am just trying to help, I swear. I wouldn't try to hurt you on purpose.] He lightly wiped the dirt away on her face and lightly wiped the bloodthe trailed from each cut softly trying to cause no pain. He felt absoulitly horrible a dn hope she didn't hat him.

[ashleigh]

Ashleigh laid still. She let Dan apply all that needed to be done to her cuts and bruises. He was only doing what was best for her. If he didn't they could get infected and could result in her having to go to the hospital. Pieces of hair fell from her once perfect ponytail. Bits of sand and dirt were embedded into her brunette colored hair. Her face still had plenty of dirt marks on it. She looked like a mess. Her arm was being a pain as well. It hurt whenever she moved it. Opening her eyes ever so slightly, Ashleigh studied Dan. It hit her. He thought this was all his fault. And it wasn't. She made an attempt to sit up, but Dan forced her to lay back down. "Dan..this wasn't your fault.." her voice was in a whisper. So low that you would have to listen so closely to make it out. It would take quite a bit of convincing for her to get on the back of any equine ever again. That was that. A half an hour later she was out in a deep sleep. She wasn't dreaming. Thank goodness. But she did toss and turn every few seconds. This wasn't how today was supposed to end up.

[Carhartt]

It was his fault though cause it was his horse who had thrown her. As he watched her fall asleep he sighed standing up and kissed her on the forehead and slwoly walked away with his boot making thumping noises on the hard wood floor as he walked into the kitchen and desiced to make dinner. He made two steaks instead of one, mashed potatoes, corn bread, and bread. He made each plate wrapped them in tinfoil and set them in th oven waiting for her to wake up. It was about 5:00 p.m and he was sitting in the chair waiting for her to wake up when he slowly drifted off into sleep feeling horrible about what he had done. His hand was on his forehead while his elbow was on the arm of the chair as he sleeped in heavy sleep with his cwboy hat still onhis head never taking it off. As time past she still slept and so did he as Cinch jumped on him lap making himself comfy and he too fell in a deep sleep.

[ashleigh]

Ashleigh hadn't been awake to witness the kiss that was placed upon her bruised forehead. She snuggled into the soft and warm blue comforter laid over her after she had fallen asleep. Soft and shallow breaths were tossed into atmosphere as she finally settled comfortably in her sleep. Awaking from her slumber, Ashleigh slowly sat up. Dan was asleep on the chair next to the couch and the dog slept on his lap. This would be the perfect time to sneak upstairs and relax in a hot bath. Slipping her feet to the ground she pushed off the couch with her hands and was on her feet.

Ash tip toed upstairs as best as she could. When she reached the bathroom door she slipped in the room. Turning around she slowly closed the door and locked it. She prayed that Dan wouldn't awake to these sounds because she needed to be resting on the couch or in a bed. Slipping out of her dirty outfit she filled the tub and poured the bubble bath in. Once it was full, she stepped in and laid down. Pressing her back to the back of the tub she sighed. The wounds stung quite terribly, but the soapy water would be cleaning all the dirt that could have found itself in them.

After rinsing herself, drying herself, and changing into a pair of pajamas she grabbed a nearby hairbrush and began working through all the tangles despite the pain she was going through. Once finished, she made way for the flight of stairs and on her way down she slipped and tumbled down the stairs. Surely this would wake him. "Ow." she muttered to herself, pressing a hand to her head where it hurt. Today must be an off day for her.

[Carhartt]

The sleep went on as she sliped upstairs and took a bath without him waking up. As he did here a crashing sound down the stairs and woke up with his head flying up as his black cowboy hat fell to the ground and Cinch jumped down as Dan stood up and flew to the stairs. This was the first time she was able to see his short buzzed dark brown hair and his AMAZING blue eyes. He saw her on the ground and ran to her and slid on his knees to her and replyed as her heair was all wet, [Are you ok hone? I don't think your having a real good day. I'm sorry.] He felt horrible, his horse AND stairs hurt her today He hand was on her back keeping her siting up as his amazing blue eyes staired into her hazle ones. He felt horrible and he was still tired for he just woke up. He was a little wobbily and not to stable but made sure she was ok. He was very concerned for her and wanted to make sure she wasn't gonna get hurt AGAIN.

[ashleigh]

Ashleigh instantly looked up to Dan, there was no excuse for her being out of bed, but she had to make something up. "I had to find my phone?" she whimered quietly, scooting closer to him. She had never seen him without his cowboy hat on and he looked hot without it along with it. "Don't be sorry, it's not your fault." she muttered quietly.

[Carhartt]

Slowly Dan smiled seeing her lie. He wondered why she lied no reason to he slowly let his left hoand out touching her wet sogt hair and slowly replied, [Hone I think you took a bath, I aint the stupid. It's ok though no need to lie. I'll never get mad at you.] His face was close to hers. THe moment was perfect to kiss but he couldn't. He was scared she was going to slap him or pull away, which would be horrible but he wanted to sooooooooo badly, just to scared.

[ashleigh]

Ashleigh giggled as he ran his fingers through her moist hair. Obviously loving the attention he was giving her at the moment. He had found a way to have her to open up to him, and she trusted him a lot. When he brought his face in front of hers, she took a shaky breath, and without any hesitation leaned forward. Their lips were now locked together, not forcefully, but not just a light peck. She closed her eyes enjoying the moment before pulling back. She hadn't even been sure he liked her back, and what'd she go and do? Kiss him on the lips..more than what she did in the stable? "Dan..I'm so sorry. I I didn't mean to I I" she was now stuttering like crazy. Frantically searching for a way out of this. She did enjoy it, but was now frightened.