Wild Palomino - Zac Brown Band

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COLT

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Charlie. My Charlie. She's back. Laying all over me day and night. Sleeping soundly for the first time in months. Of course, Knox and Brooke immediately knew what had happened the following day. Her cheeks flushed, and her skin glowing. It didn't help that Knox was imitating our moans while we ate breakfast.

They had just left, leaving the two of us and Lucky alone. It was much quieter and more tense, knowing what we needed to discuss.

I stood in the barn aisle staring at the horses, itching to take a ride. I wanted to do it so bad. I think I was ready. It didn't hurt to look at them anymore. "Charlie?" I yell out, looking for her. She took it upon herself to plant hydrangeas in front of the house. She went crazy, coming home with dozens of flowers to turn my mancave into a southern living farmhouse.

She comes around the corner, Lucky on her heels, sweat glistening on her skin, wiping the soil from her hands on her jeans. "Yes?"

"Do you want to go for a ride?"

Her eyes widened, walking into the barn, "yeah, uh, of course!" She smiles, walking over to Ace, running her hand along his face. "This is exciting."

"I figured we could explore the pastures and see everything." I walk into the tack room, grab a bucket full of brushes, and bring them out to use. I would ride Major as I was definitely not quite ready to get on the unbroken one, though I needed to get him started.

I take my time brushing him, touching him with my bare hand to feel the soft fur run through my fingers. I made sure to take deep breaths as I continued, not daring to let myself take a step back. Charlie stands in Ace's stall, getting him ready as well.

I threw the saddle pad over Major's back, waiting a moment before I picked up the saddle. It was a lot heavier than I remembered; doubting myself as it took two tries to throw it over. I attached the girth, tightening it around him, then slid the bit in his mouth and the bridle over his face. I stepped back to see everything, letting a small smile form on my lips.

I wait for Charlie to finish getting Ace ready and wait for her out in the yard. I didn't dare to get on yet. I push my weight into the stirrup with my hands, looking to see if there is a reaction from Major. I hadn't asked too many questions when I told Abby I wanted three horses. She wouldn't have given me anything I couldn't handle, though, and I know I can take just about anything. Or used to.

Charlie emerges from the stall, following me out into the yard. She gives me a small smile as she urges me to get on. "I'm right here, Colt."

That was the push I needed. I didn't want to seem like a pussy in front of my girl, that's for sure. I raise my left foot, sticking it in the stirrup, grab the saddle horn, and push myself up and over on him. I smile and let out a deep breath, silently cheering to myself.

Charlie climbs up Ace, and we make our way to the pasture. I lean down, unlatching the gate to let us in. Charlie closes it behind her, and we walk up the rolling hill into the pasture.

The cows stand on the highest point of the pasture, overlooking the Georgia mountains. We follow them in silence, taking in the beauty around us. "It truly is beautiful here," I say as I stare at the mountains in the distance.

"I'm glad you're liking it here," she says, directing Ace to stand beside me.

I smile, "I guess we could have that talk now." What do I even say? Charlie, I haven't spent a moment in the past six months not thinking about you. I assume the chances are high that she doesn't hate me since she's been screaming my name in my bed for the past two nights.

We continue to walk across the fields, exploring the land. Each other side by side, waiting for one of us to talk.

"You know Colt, I wanted it to be anyone after you when you left. I compared you to every man I met but only found their bad qualities, saying shit like, "Colt didn't do that," or, "Colt always opened the door for me." I had to constantly remind myself that you went there to heal, which is why I think I could never let you go because I cared too much."

"I can't blame you for trying to forget. I was a dick to you. A coward. I didn't want to drag you down my rabbit hole."

She sighs, "I know. Now, looking at it, I appreciate what you did. It just hurt like hell."

"I always planned on coming back. I didn't know how. I didn't want to go back to Knox's. It was time to move on and grow from there."

"And the next best thing was where I lived?" She laughs, earning a slight push on her side from me.

I clear my throat, "I wanted to come to you because you made wherever we were feel like home."

"Colt-,"  she says, her words shaky as she might cry.

"You know, I spent the entire time asking Brooke how you were. She told me everything and kept me updated. I never went a day without wondering about you."

"Why did you stop the contact then?"

I sigh, taking my hat off, running my hand through my hair, "I don't know. I just felt like you deserved better. I didn't want you waiting on me when I didn't know when I'd return. If you hadn't shown up to Knox's that night, I'd still be in Wyoming. Seeing you just lit a fire inside of me."

"You really think you'd still be there?"

I shrug, "I wouldn't have seen a need to return. Eventually, I'd see you since our best friends are together. I'd see you at the wedding or something, but by then, you might have had a boyfriend."

"So if I had a boyfriend, you wouldn't have bought a house here?"

"No. I'd want you to be happy. I'd wait for the relationship to fail, then I'd buy a house here and comfort you through your breakup."

She laughs, "You're crazy, cowboy."

"And you're just noticing?" I grin, suddenly feeling adrenaline in my veins. "You wanna race to the top of the hill?"

She picks up her reins and takes off, me not far behind her. "Loser has to cook dinner." I kick Major in the stomach, urging him to go faster, the wind almost blowing my hat away.

She beats me to the top, but I don't stop and continue galloping through the grass. I couldn't wipe the smile off my face as I found the love for riding again. I needed to get the arena built immediately.

We spent the next hour galloping across the hills before my legs cramped since I hadn't sat in a saddle for so long. We untack the horses, giving them a snack before going into the house to cool off. "Chef Dutton, what are we having tonight?"

"Why don't we go out to eat?"

She pouts, "I don't have any nice clothes here."

I roll my eyes, grabbing her hips and pulling her towards me. "Well, we can stop at your place for you to change. I'm probably due to see your parents anyway."

"Oh Lord, fine. Change, and let's go."

I ran into the bedroom, wore a clean shirt, and decided that was enough. I wasn't too dirty anyways. We kissed Lucky goodbye, who was annoyed that we interrupted his slumber and jumped in my truck so I could see her parents for the first time in eight months.