29Chapter Two
I sigh as Peter pushes me forward into the corral and next to Joe. This will not go well. I finger my necklace and look at some of the horses running around the corral. Maybe I could fake hyperventilation and get carried off to the hospital. . . That could work! I smile to myself and hop on one the corral posts.
"First rule," Joe starts. "No sitting on the fence." Joe offers his hand for me to take. He pulls me off of the fence.
"Sorry," I mutter once Peter nudges me in the side. I glare at him from the corner of my eye. How I do that, I have no idea. I have a way with looks.
"It's okay. Newcomers don't usually know that." Joe picks up a riding helmet. He hands it to Peter who puts it on. "Second rule," Joe turns to me. "No riding the horses without this hand-dandy riding helmet."
I raise my hand, "Question!"
Joe laughs, "Yes, Tara?"
"So, horseback riding is dangerous?" I turn to Peter with a smug look on my face.
"Only if you don't handle your horse correctly or the horse is scared out of its wits," Joe replies.
Peter returns my look with a grin, "Told you it wasn't dangerous."
I roll my eyes.
"Third rule," Joe begins once again. "Use the buddy system. If your buddy doesn't want to go riding, stay in the corral with them watching you. We don't want you riding out into the woods only to sprain your ankle."
I nod, "I don't think I'll be going in the woodsy-areas anyway."
"You will at some point," Joe replies.
"Great," I mutter.
"Now, I'll show you guys how to get on a horse." Joe whistles and a beautiful palomino trots over. "Bleu, here, is already saddled up. Now to get on you put your left foot in the stirrup, grab the reins, and swing yourself over." Joe does exactly what he told us and within ten seconds, he's on the horse and ready to go.
"Doe riding a horse require balance?" I ask. As I wait for an answer, I silently pray that it will not require any balance whatsoever.
"A little bit, yes," Joe replies.
I groan and turn to Peter, "You are a dead man, Peter Willows."
Peter ignores me. He watches Joe ride around the corral and come back toward us. Joe hops off of Bleu and hands the reins to me.
"Let's see what you got," Joe says.
I nervously take the reins. I put my left foot in the stirrup and try to swing myself over, but my hands slip from the reins and I fall smack on my butt.
Peter tries to contain laughter as he helps me up and brushes some of the dirt off.
"Not funny, Peter. I now have a very sore rear end." I smack his hand when he tries to wrap it around my waist.
"Well now I have a very sore hand," Peter mutters.
"Take it like a man!" I say.
Peter glares at me, "And you will take it like?"
"I shall take it like a weepy woman!" I grin. "Do you need me to kiss it and make it all better?"
Peter nods softly, "Please?"
I laugh and take his hand. I put it to my lips and plant a soft kiss on his knuckle, "Better?"
"Much," Peter replies.
Joe clears his throat. Peter and I both jump and turn to him.
"Tara, do you want try again?" Joe picks up the reins from the very patient horse and hands them to me.
"Uh, possibly," I reply. I let go of Peter's hand and take the reins in my left hand.
Joe comes up behind me, probably ready to catch me if I fall. And now that I think about it, I'm pretty glad he's there. "Okay, put your left foot in the stirrup." I do as I'm told. "Now, hold on to Bleu, he won't mind, and pull yourself over."
I hold onto Bleu and swing myself over. I feel my other foot go into the stirrup. As I realize what I've done, I almost jump off the horse from the excitement.
"I did it!" I yell. I hug Bleu and smile. "I didn't fall on my butt! Accomplishment number one!"
Peter laughs, "You actually did it. Shocker. I guess your motto doesn't apply here."
My jaw drops to my knees. Or at least that's what it feels like. "You better go knock on wood, Peter."
"Why?"
"You just jinxed me!" I groan and put a hand to my head. "Now I'm going to trip, fall, and die."
"Knock on wood," Peter repeats.
From gentleman to a sarcastic gentleman. There's Peter for you. I've only seen him act like a real jerk once and that was when we got into a fight. Since then, he's gone from calm gentleman to a sarcastic gentleman, but not quite a jerk. This is good because I couldn't stand him if he was always rude. And since I love him because he's nice. . . Well, that just wouldn't work. I chuckle to myself as I think about it.
"Something you find interestingly funny?" Peter asks.
"Not particularly," I reply. "Joe, what do I do now?"
Joe politely pushes past Peter and walks up next to the horse. "First you'll need to get the horse started. A slight push on the sides should work. Not yet! Wait until you have complete instruction."
I sigh, "Sorry."
"It's okay. Now to stop, just grip the reins tighter and pull back. To go faster let the reins fall a little bit. If you want to stop, pull the reins tight and Bleu will stop. Got it?"
I nod, "Hopefully."
"Okay, now we're going to trot around the corral. I'll stay with you so the horse doesn't go berserk."
I laugh, "Thanks."
Joe smiles, nods, and pats Blue on the side, "Let's go. Easy now. Good boy."
I grin as the horse trots around the corral. I'm not as scared as I thought I would be. The rhythm is actually soothing. The up and down movement as Bleu speeds up. I pat the top of his head.
"Having fun?" I hear Peter call from the other side of the corral.
"Like a kid with cotton candy!" I yell back.
Joe chuckles beside me, "You have some interesting sayings."
"Interesting good or interesting bad?"
"Good, most definitely," Joe replies. He steps away from the horse, giving me a little more control.
"Well that's good. Interesting bad isn't good. Obviously," I loosen up on the reins a bit, but Bleu stays with his steady trot.
"Do you two have a date set yet?" Joe asks.
"What do you mean?" I ask. I look down at him.
"You are his fiancée right?" Joe looks up at me.
"I, um," I stammer. How to explain this? "No."
"No you aren't his fiancée?"
"Yes, I mean, no. I mean we don't have a date set."
"Oh," Joe replies. Bleu makes a whinnying sound. "Why don't we let Bleu have a little rest to eat something while you two go have your picnic?"
I smile, "Thanks, Joe."
"No problem."
With much instruction from Joe, I manage to get Bleu back to where Peter is standing. He offers his hand and helps me off of the horse.
"Ready for the amazing picnic I packed?" Peter asks. We wave to Joe as we walk back to Peter's car.
"Possibly," I reply.
"I think you'll enjoy it very much," Peter wraps an arm around me and kisses the top of my head. "Did you use that flower shampoo this morning?"
"I don't know," I say. I put an arm around his waist, "I kind of was focusing on my headache."
"And how is that headache?" Peter pops the trunk open.
"It's okay now, I guess."
Peter pulls out a picnic basket and a blanket, "I have a perfect spot for this wonderful picnic."
"You are very stuck on this perfect picnic that perfect you made."
"It's only perfect because you'll be there with me," Peter says. He pulls me to him and kisses me on the mouth. It's one of those that just make you melt all the way to your toes. I stumble backward. "You okay?"
"Yeah. Peachy-keen," I bite my lip.
"Don't bite your lip," Peter puts his finger under my chin.
I release my lip, "Sorry. Just thinking."
Peter kisses me again, "Well if you're done with your overrated thinking, I have a wonderful picnic ready."
"Yum," I say.
Peter takes my hand and leads me to a shady spot surrounded by a few trees. I can see the corral from here. Peter lays the blanket out beneath one of the biggest trees and sets the picnic basket down. He sits down and leans on the tree. I sit down next to him and rest my head on his chest.
"You know," Peter says. "If you stay there you can't have my wonderful picnic."
"Oh well," I put an arm across his stomach. "I'm comfortable."
I feel Peter shift and put his arm around me, "So, you're not the least bit hungry? I made a couple sandwiches."
I sat up, "Sandwiches?"
Peter laughs as he sits up next to me, "Yes. Do you want one?"
I roll my eyes, "What do you think?"
"I don't think you want one. I think you want me to have every last one."
I slap Peter's shoulder, "You better share!"
"Abusing the boyfriend now?"
"Yes, I am!" I reply. "You better give me a sandwich."
"Tara, the whole world knows of your love for sandwiches. I don't think I would have the courage to not give you a sandwich." Peter pulls out a turkey sandwich.
I take the sandwich, "You are the best!" I kiss him on the cheek and give him a hug.
"You don't have to tell me," Peter says. He flips his hair in the wind and winks at me.
I laugh.
"There's that beautiful smile!" Peter takes my sandwich out of my hands.
"Oh no you did not just take my—." I'm silenced by Peter crashing his lips against mine. At first I'm in complete and total shock. But soon enough I wrap my arms around Peter's neck.
I hear Peter drop the sandwich and I feel him put his hand on my cheek. He pulls away, leaving his hand cupped around my cheek.
"What was that for?" I ask, out of breath.
Peter shrugs. He leans against the tree, pulling me next to him. He puts his hand on my side, very near my breast. I pull myself up to lean my head against his shoulder and to push his hand down just a smidge. I put my hand on top of his other hand, which is lying on his stomach.
"Can I have my sandwich now?" I whisper in his ear.
Peter laughs his whole-hearted laugh and turns to face me, "Possibly."
"Possibly?" I ask. "What does possibly mean?"
I feel his arm tighten around me and his hand making small strokes on my stomach. I squirm a bit to loosen his grip, but he just holds me tighter.
"Peter," I say. "Could you please let go?"
Peter loosens his grip. "Sorry."
"It's okay," I reply. I lean in to lay my head on his chest, but his lips catch mine once again. This time the kiss is different. More pushy in some way. Too much passion. I feel him tighten his grip around my waist as I try to pull away. I can feel his other hand slip onto my stomach and slowly move itself to my thigh. I finally get myself away from him and his wandering hands. "What the heck was that all about?" I nearly yell.
Peter's eyes widen, "What do you mean?"
"Peter, let go of me," I say. I try to move out of his grip and Peter lets go. I sit up and move to the middle of the blanket, "What the heck are you trying to do?"
Peter sits up and reaches for my hand. I move it away.
"Peter, stop," I huff.
"Tara, I'm sorry."
"You better be. That was not funny," I cross my arms. "You know me, Peter. And do not touch me right now!" I slap his hand from my shoulder.
"Look, Tara, I'm sorry. I don't know what came over me. It was an accident I swear."
I sigh and uncross my arms, "Let's just have a nice meal without having to talk about this again."
"Tara, I said I was sorry!" Peter says.
"You can say that all you want, but what about the next time you get caught up in the moment? You won't be able to say sorry about what might happen next!" I grab my sandwich.
"Tara, you know I'm sorry. I didn't—."
"Look I don't care if you're sorry or not. Just don't try a stunt like that again or you may wind up with no hands."
Peter moves to sit next to me, but at a respectable distance. "Tara, I am really sorry. It won't happen again."
"It better not," I take a bite of my sandwich and cross my arms.
"I promise," Peter says.
I look at him. I see the sincerity in his eyes, the pleading in voice. His hair is ruffled and sticking up in all directions, "I forgive you."
Peter smiles and hands me a bag of potato chips, "I promise I won't do anything you don't want me to do."
I take the chips, "That's a big promise."
"It's one I'm willing to make for you," Peter says.
"And it's one I'm willing to accept." I reply. I watch him put one potato chip in his mouth and chew slowly as if thinking. "I didn't mean to overreact, just don't do it again."
Peter looks up at me and slowly stops chewing, "I won't. I promise."
A/N: Okay, so I know that was a little out of Peter's character from what you've seen, but it's just the beginning. You'll find out his real reasons later. I actually started this with another plot, but then it just fit so I changed a few names and WHABAM! Here it is! I think this chapter is a bit longer than the last, but who am I to know?
And to springfiry: Thanks. It really makes my day when someone tells me that. I hope you liked this chapter.
And this story shall not leave the Earth in a balloon like Jamie Lee did. Tee hee. I picked a really bad week to start a new story, so if I don't update as soon as you would like, I apologize in advance. I'm trying to get a few chapters done before I post another, but I have a lot of schoolwork to do and stuff so yeah. . . Anway, hope you enjoyed this chapter!
Halani