The Ocean’s City
Chapter 36

I didn’t stop until I got to the wooden fence. The horses snorted as I got closer, but they didn’t bother to run away or come to greet me — too preoccupied with grazing the greens on the ground.

I suddenly realized my surroundings. The sky was pitch black, as if it were endless. Stars powdered the dark sky like they were speckles of a mess meant to be cleaned up, yet shown like they were the innocence of souls looking down at us.

The air was cool, and aside from the crunching of the horses’ jaws chopping on their food and the cackle of laughter by the bonfire, it was silent, making me feel alone and aware of the feeling that they had left me there. Anger blistered in the pit of my stomach. They ditched me.

That fact caused anger to bubble inside me like a volcano about to erupt. I put my hands on the fence, noting it prickling my palms. I nibbled on my lip as I looked at the beast.

My nerves bundled as I thought up my plan. How hard could it be to ride a horse? I’d pick the best one and hope for the best. If anything, I’d call enough attention to get Dalton to return, and I could give him a piece of my mind.

My eyes searched around for the supplies needed for my escape. They landed in a small shed. The door creaked under, and dust flew as I opened it while avoiding cobwebs. The tack was hanging on the wall. I hesitantly walked over to the tack like a snake would come out and bite me or something. I looked at the saddle and inspected the straps. I knew they went around the belly of the horse, but how? Then I looked at the bridal, feeling equally intimidated. How was I supposed to saddle up a horse?

“Evening, Mrs. Bax.” Somehow, another cowboy rode up on his horse and snuck up on me while I was enthralled in my emotions and the horse tack. I jumped a little as he hopped down and tied his animal to the post outside the shed’s door.

I looked at the dark brown beauty as the man worked the ropes. “She’s a beauty, innit?”

I didn’t know if I spoke or gave him a nod as I looked at the horse, fully saddled up. The cowboy was already turning on his heel and headed to the bonfire with the other guys.

He gave me a concerned look, and I quickly waved him on and turned back to the tack, pretending I had a purpose to be there. My breath shortened as I thought he might walk around to check on me.

When he never came, I peered out of the shed and saw the man headed to the bonfire. Then, I took my moment to flee.

I carefully untied the horse, touching her as much as possible so that the horse and I were as familiar as possible before I got on.

I stood at the horse’s side and grabbed onto the saddle to put a foot in the stirrup. It was much more difficult than I had thought imaginable. It took me both of my hands, guiding my foot in, before I could hoist myself up.

The moment my butt sat on the saddle, the horse walked. Startled, I pulled the reins back with more force than was necessary, and the brown beauty thrashed her head and moved backward. I dropped the reins, put both hands on her mane, and begged.

“Please stand still.”

She listened and stood frozen, waiting for me to tell her when I was ready. I settled my butt in better to the saddle and fit my other foot into the stirrup.

Then I sat tall, taking a breath, noting my success. I quickly understood why getting my foot into the stir was so hard. This horse was significantly taller than Dalton’s horse.

I petted her mane, thanking her for listening to me, and then, without letting myself regret my decisions, I kicked the horse and headed into the dark.

I wasn’t expecting her to go instantly in a full-on run. I forgot I even had reins, and I held on to the saddle’s horn and tried not to fall off.

I ignored the hollering of the men at the campfire and just hoped I’d figure out which direction Dalton had taken.