Chapter Text
“Rhett!” His mother called from the house.
Rhett sighed. He’d just come in from checking the fences in the upper pasture. All he wanted to do was take a shower and maybe lay down some. It’s the hottest day it’s been in a while, and he had worked up quite a sweat just riding around. The sun was high in the sky by the time he made it back to the barn. When he got off his horse you could tell exactly where on his leg came in contact with the saddle from the sweat. Thankfully his mom waited until he was able to cool his horse down in the barn to turn him out before she called for him. He felt absolutely gross but when his mama called, he knew better than to ignore her.
He headed to the house and into the kitchen where he found his mother doing a few dishes at the sink while a sandwich sat at the table, “Yeah?”
“Can you do me a favor?” Cecilia asked her son over her shoulder as she continued her job.
Well, looks like no rest for Rhett. He should have known better. There’s always something that needs done around here. Depending on the ask maybe no shower either.
“O’course, what do ya need?” Rhett asked with his proverbial fingers crossed for that shower. He didn’t shower before heading out early this morning knowing it would just be a waste.
Cecelia finally turned around with a dish rag in her hands, wiping them both off, “Ya know how Amy’s done with school for the year? Well, she’s been askin’ about ridin’ some lately and there ain’t any way I’m gonna teach her and your father doesn’t have the time and I’m not sure about you or Perry teachin’ her. Perry doesn’t seem to have that sort of focus and if I have you do it I’m worried you’ll just stick her on anything.”
“Aw c’mon mom I would never let her get hurt,” Rhett said shaking his head at his mother. Just stick his niece on anything? Doesn’t his mother know him better than that? He would never let anything happen to Amy. He’s loved two women in his life, his mother and his niece.
His mother shot him a look, “Still, I mentioned it at my book club this week and Margaret Cook, you know the Cooks right, anyways she said her sister’s daughter was visitin’ for the summer to help ‘em out. She’s an elementary teacher somewhere up North and so Margaret roped her into doin’ the ridin’ camp for kids this summer on their farm. They normally do lessons but figured a weekly camp would be good for the summer.”
Rhett nodded along, still not sure what this had to do with him.
His mother continued, “Margaret also mentioned havin’ an older mare that would be perfect for Amy. She used to be a trail horse. Margaret showed me a picture and she’s real pretty, Rhett. Named Rainbow. A paint. So, I was wonderin’ if you’d go take a look at her. See if she’s worth buyin’ for Amy. Margaret said they’d keep her there for the summer if Amy went to the camp which would work out real well. I asked your father, but he said he was too busy to check ‘er out and I’m just not sure where Perry is.”
“When do ya want me to go?” Rhett asked. This shouldn’t take too long. Maybe his nap wasn’t off the table.
“Well Margaret said her niece was teachin’ a lesson this afternoon that was wrappin up around 4:30. If you went around then you could see her teach and can check the horse out,” his mom offered. “I would feel better knowin’ about the teacher and the horse.”
Rhett nodded, “That’s understandable.”
“I really appreciate this, Rhett,” Cecilia said with a warm smile at her youngest. “Now eat your sandwich.” She nodded towards the table, and he grinned and sat down and ate while his mother finished the dishes. He hadn’t guessed it was for him but he’s not one to turn down a meal.
Afterwards Rhett headed to his room and got a small nap in and was able to shower before he needed to head out. Rhett figured making it there around 4 would give him ample time to watch the class and be able to judge the teaching. He made sure to let his mother know before he left, so she knew that he was keeping his word to go. She smiled and waved him off as he drove away.
The Cook’s farm wasn’t too far away. Only took about five minutes before he was heading up their long drive towards their barn. Wouldn’t be a bad drive every day to take Amy here. They had a large indoor riding arena next to their barn and a matching outdoor arena next to that. There were five horses in the area with a kid on each. A woman stood in the middle of the arena. There was a little parking lot area that Rhett parked in. Getting out he could hear the woman in the center shouting out a few things to the students. He headed to the arena and stopped before some metal bleachers. Rhett assumes for the parents to be able to watch their students. He leans against them as he watches.
“Alright we’re going to try trotting again, okay? What do we need to remember?” The woman calls out. Clearly not from around these parts. If Rhett had to guess she sounds like she’s from one of them upper midwestern states. Not the Dakotas though. Indiana maybe.
All the horses are stopped along the fence of the arena with a child on each one. Small hands went up in the air at the question and the woman points at one girl, “Yes, Sara?”
“Keep our heels down!” The little girl called out.
“Exactly! What else?” The woman asks then points at another hand. “Yes, Mikey?”
“Keep our hands down so we don’t yank on their mouth,” a little boy called out.
The woman nodded, “Right! So, we have heels down and hands down but what about our legs?”
Little hands shoot up again.
“Yes, Maddie?” The woman calls.
“We keep our legs wrapped around our horse to keep us up,” another little girl says.
The woman smiles, “Yes! Good job, Maddie! Now what do we say when we want to stop as we lightly pull our reins back?”
All the little voices call, “Woah!”
“Fantastic, friends! You are all so smart,” the woman says as she walks over to the white horse in front. “Okay Mikey, are you and Snowy ready?”
Rhett chuckles to himself. Kinda ridiculous name for a horse.
“Yes! We’re ready!” The boy says confidently.
The woman smiles, “Okay push him forward.” The little boy kicks the horse lightly with his heels and the woman walks alongside the horse. “Mikey, now you’re gonna squeeze your legs and say ‘trot!’” Mikey follows the instruction, and the woman stays running alongside the horse. “When you get close to the others bring him back to a walk. Okay now! Give a half pullback and a ‘woah’.” The boy does as she asks the walks the horse to the end of the line and stops with another, “Woah.”
“Great job, Mikey! Was it less scary this time?” The woman asks. The little boy nods, “I felt much better! I didn’t fall!” The woman smiles, “Snowy wouldn’t let you fall, sweetheart. He’s too good of a boy.”
The woman walks back to the front and does the same with the next student until they all have a turn. “Okay, it’s time to cool down. Let’s walk them out and drop our stirrups. Do some little circles with our ankles. Go backwards then forwards. Wiggle your backs out. Wiggle in your seat a little. Give your horse’s neck some scratches. Tell them how good they are.” After a little while the woman helped all the kids dismount and had them heading into the barn to hand off to a ranch hand before they all took off their helmets and went running to their parents excitedly.
The woman was still inside the arena cleaning up cones. Rhett didn’t know who he was supposed to be meeting with, but he figured she would be as good a place to start as any.
Rhett walked towards the arena and called, “Excuse me ma’am?”
She looked up from what she was doing and walked over, she was prettier than Rhett expected. Though he’s not sure why he expected her not to be. He was taken from his thought when she said, “Hi! Did you need help with something?”
Rhett nodded, “Yeah, my mother sent me over here to take a look at a mare for my niece. Rainbow.”
“Oh! You’re one of the Abbotts, right?” She asked. “My Aunt said someone would be by to look at Rainy. You want me to go get her?”
Rhett nodded, “If it’s not too much trouble. “
She smiled. Rhett liked her smile. Made her look even prettier.
“No trouble at all! Do you want her tacked up?” She asks.
Rhett nods, “Yes please. Thank you, ma’am.”
She smiles at him again. God he wanted to keep that smile on her face.
“Goodness where are my manners?” She says with a laugh. “I’m y/n Cook.” She held out a hand towards Rhett.
He gave a little half smile and shook her hand, “Rhett Abbott but you knew my last name already.”
She laughed and nodded, “Yeah, I did. You’re that bull rider everyone’s been talking about in town, right? Some hometown hero?”
Rhett blushed and shook his head, “Ain’t no hometown hero but yeah I ride.”
“You any good?” She asks as she heads towards the barn.
Rhett stands there for a second. Should he follow her? He decides he should and follows behind, “I’m alright. Win some. Lose some. All depends on the day.”
She goes into the barn, but Rhett stays in the large doorway instead. He doesn’t want to assume he can just walk right into someone else’s barn. His eyes look down the row of stalls looking for Y/N. After a minute or so she comes out from one of the stalls with a beautiful brown and white horse on a lead rope. She walks the horse over to Rhett and smiles, stopping in front of him, “This is Rainbow or Rainy as we usually call her.”
Rhett took a step into the barn to look her over. Rainy looked about 13 hands tall. Her mane was split brown halfway then changed to white. She seemed calm even with a stranger examining her. She let him pick her feet up with no problem. Didn’t even flinch when he ran his hand down her neck to her withers.
Y/N watched Rhett closely while keeping a loose hold on Rainey’s lead. After a few more minutes Rhett’s eyes found hers and she asked, “Do you want me to grab her saddle now?”
Rhett nodded and she quickly put Rainy in the crossties and headed towards a room off to the side in the barn. Rhett scratched Rainey’s nose as the two waited, which Rainy seemed to be all about. She even started to lean into his hands for more and Rhett laughed.
“I see you found Rainy’s favorite scratchy spot. She’ll do just about anything for scratches,” Rhett hears as he turns and sees Y/N with a saddle on her hip. She walks over and holds the saddle out to Rhett, “Can you hold this please?”
Rhett holds out his hands, “Oh uh sure.” He barely has time to get the words out before Y/N is placing the saddle in his hands. She grabs the saddle pad off the top of the saddle and slides it on Rainy before taking the saddle from Rhett’s hands and placing the saddle on top of the pad. Rhett went back to scratching Rainy’s nose as Y/N quickly tacked Rainy up.
“Do you want to ride her, or do you want me to ride her so you can watch?” Y/N asks. “Cause if I need to drop the stirrups, I’d rather do it now.”
Rhett thinks for a minute, “You ride her. Then I can watch.”
Y/N nods, “Arena or trail?”
Rhett shrugs, “I don’t know.”
“Why don’t we do both so you can see all of Rainy’s good qualities. My boy is already tacked up from a ride this afternoon so you can ride him if you’d like. Pretty annoying following a horse on a trail,” Y/N offered.
“Sure. That sounds good,” Rhett says, and Y/N undoes the cross ties to take the lead and halter off and put Rainy’s bridle on. Rhett was glad to see Rainy took the bit with no fuss. Rhett then was handed Rainy’s reins and told to take her outside which he quickly did.
A few minutes later Y/N came out with a beautiful sorrel quarter horse that looked about 16 hands tall and brought it alongside Rainy and said, “This is Rusty. He’s my big baby.”
Rhett nodded at the horse, “Hello Rusty. Pleased to meet ya.”
“He’s pretty easy going so don’t worry. I doubt he’ll be anything like those bulls you ride,” Y/N says with a laugh. “He’s pretty lazy sometimes. Only time he gets going is if he sees barrels to race, then he’s running.”
“That what he does?” Rhett asked.
Y/N shook her head, “Not anymore but they’re still his favorite. We stopped that a long time ago but every once in a while I’ll pull them out and let Rusty run his heart out.”
“Why’d you two stop?” Rhett asked looking over at Y/N
“I got a big girl job. Couldn’t spend my time barrel racing anymore. So, we retired. We didn’t do anything big. Just a few fairs once upon a time. Rusty was fine retiring to a life of leisure rides and mints,” Y/N said. Rusty’s ears perked up hearing ‘mints’ and started to nose at Y/N’s hands then pockets while she laughed.
Rhett smiled, “I think he knows that word.”
“Oh, he does. Doesn’t know where I started hiding them from him. Tried to get him to stop biting at my pockets but it hasn’t seemed to work,” Y/N said as she shoved the horse’s head away from her pockets. “Quit it, ya butthead.”
“Butthead?” Rhett said with a laugh. “What is this the first grade?”
Y/N smiled and nodded, “It is and just for that now you’re a butthead.”
Rhett laughed, “Well that’s the first time I’ve been called that since I was like eight.”
“You’re welcome,” Y/N said then stuck her tongue out at him. She then switched him horses and checked Rainy’s saddle before stepping up onto Rainy’s saddle and throwing her other leg over to sit down.
Rhett swings himself onto Rusty’s back and the two were off at a leisurely pace. It’s been a while since Rhett rode without a real purpose. Sure, he was watching how Rainy handled herself, but it’d been a long while since he rode without it being a chore. Just riding to ride. It was nice. Rusty seemed like a mild-mannered horse. Seemed to get along with Rainy.
“Does Rainy get along with others well? We got some at home, so I was just wonderin’,” Rhett said a little louder than normal, so you’d hear him.
Y/N half turned in your saddle, “She does. She’s not one to put up a fight. Just goes with the flow.”
Rhett nodded, “That’s always good.” That’s what Amy needs.
Y/N nodded, “I’ll be sad to see her go if you guys end up taking her but I’m sure she’s going to a good home.”
“My niece’ll love ‘er. She seems like a sweetheart,” Rhett said looking at the horse but he’s pretty sure he meant it for the rider too. Y/N seemed really nice. Going above and beyond what a typical seller would do. She even let him ride her own personal horse. He knew the Cooks had plenty of horses. Heck there were five tacked up from the lesson, but Y/N put him on her horse instead.
Y/N flashed him a smile, “She really is! I’m sure you guy will take good care of her if it all pans out.”
Rhett nods, “Promise we would.” And they would. Rhett would make sure of it.
The two went back to just riding in silence. It was nice, peaceful. The whole ride ended up being about a half hour but felt like longer to Rhett. Maybe because he’s not one to slow down so being forced to felt like forever.
Not that he minded. It was a nice change of pace to his bull riding and who wouldn’t want to ride alongside a pretty girl? Not that he can make a move. This is a business transaction. Or at least it might be. Not between him though. He’s just checking out the merchandise.
When the two horses finally stood in front of the barn Y/N looked over at Rhett, “Did you still want to see her in action in the arena?”
“I prolly should. Make sure everythin’ is good,” Rhett said with a shrug. If he didn’t, he’s sure his mother would ask about some specifics that he wouldn’t be able to answer. Not that he even knows what he’s looking for at this point. Seems like a fine horse to him. Would fit in with the others at the farm. She seems real gentle, would be a great first horse for Amy.
Y/N nodded and swung her leg around and dismounted easily off Rainy with Rhett following suit. They switched horses again and Y/N led Rusty into the barn and came out a few minutes later with a smile on her face as she shook her head, “Sorry I was accosted for some mints. He’s such a ham sometimes.”
“I’m sure he only gets them sparingly and isn’t at all spoiled,” Rhett says with a snicker. She seems like the type to spoil her horse. Like he’s her baby. Coo and fuss over him. Rhett understands. He takes good care of his horse but he's not one to spoil 'em.
“Mr. Abbott!” She says with a fake gasp. “How dare you make such accusations.”
Rhett laughs and shakes his head, “You’re right. I do apologize, darlin’.”
Y/N walked up to Rhett and took the reins from him, “Oh, I’m darlin’ now?” She smirked.
Rhett shrugged, “If you want.” He wants. Pretty little thing like her? He’d be happy to call her darlin' every day.
“I’ve heard about you, Rhett Abbott,” Y/N said walking the horse towards the arena. “The sweet and seemingly shy younger brother who charms the pants off any girl he sees.”
“Now, I wouldn’t say that per say…” Rhett said with a shrug. He knows what he is. He won’t deny it.
Y/N laughs as she opens the gate then brings Rainy inside the arena, “Oh yeah what would you say?”
Rhett thinks for a minute then says, “I’m just tryin’ to practice for my future wife. By the time I find her I’ll be able to blow her mind.” It’s as good of an excuse as any.
“Well, that’s one way to put it but live your best life, I guess,” Y/N says with a shrug as she shuts the gate.
Rhett shrugs, “I am.” It’s how Rhett lives. It’s been fine for him. He’s not interested in anything long term. Hell, anytime he rides could be his last. He doesn’t want to put some girlfriend through that type of panic. He’s seen it. The tears. The fighting to get to her man when something happens. He doesn’t need that. He’s good with his life. Only sometimes does he wish for more. Mostly at night if he goes to bed alone. Someone to hold wouldn’t be so bad. Someone who stayed by him. Who chose him for him. Most of the time women are just interested in Rhett for his riding, for the notoriety - not that he has much. He’s still just Rhett Abbott from Wabang. Sure, he’s a good rider and a hard worker but that’s not too special most men in Wabang were hard workers save for the Tillerson's.
Y/N nods, “Then that’s all that matters.” She steps up into the saddle and swings her leg over. “So, what do you want to see Rainy do?”
“You’re the one sellin’ her, darlin'. Show me what she’s got,” Rhett said and sat on the bleachers by the arena. He spreads out with his elbows on the seat behind him and crossed his ankles.
“You got it, Mr. Abbot,” She pushed Rainy into a walk to let her get used to her footing in the arena. Once she went around a few times she pushed Rainy to a trot with her legs and a few clicks of her tongue for one go around before switching her to a collected trot then an extended trot. Rhett watched the horse’s gait as she easily switched. He may have watched Y/N some too. She looked good riding. He can’t admit to himself what else he’d like her to ride but he’s pretty sure she’d have a beautiful form for that too. Nope. He’s definitely not thinking about that. Would she be able to keep her back as straight? Would she have that same look of determination? She’s gotta have strong thighs to hold on and Rhett would be more than happy to give her something to hold on to. He shook his head trying to rid himself of those thoughts. Y/N literally called him a whore not too long ago. He can keep it in his pants. He can. She’s clearly not that type of girl. Right? He doesn’t think so. She’s more of a take her home to mama kind of girl which Rhett doesn’t want. Right? Even if she’s so pretty and rides like a dream. Okay. He needs to stop. He can handle watching a pretty girl ride a horse. She brought Rainy back down to a walk and stopped her in front of Rhett and reached down and scratched Rainy’s shoulder. “She’s a fancy girl.”
Rhett laughs, “I can see that. I doubt we would ever have her do any of that. Too fancy for the farm.” Focus on the horse. That’s what he’s here for. He’s not here to ogle Margaret Cook’s niece. Maybe some other time. Not right now.
Y/N shrugs, “You don’t know that. Maybe Amy wants to do Dressage.”
“Is that what you taught Rainy all that for?”
Y/N shakes her head, “I didn’t teach her. My aunt got her off some princess who didn’t want her horse anymore. She was over it but she did Dressage. Or so I heard. I just made sure she remembered her fancy footwork for fun.”
“Well, damn. Glad she ended up here with your family then,” Rhett shook his head in disbelief. Who buys their kid a horse then turns around and gets rid of it? Spoiled Brat.
“Rainy’s been well loved here but I’m sure she’ll like going to a little girl who’ll dote on her and spoil her like the queen she is, the way she was meant to be,” Y/a said with a kind smile. “So, does she check out? Not that I’m the one selling her. My aunts just going to ask the minute I see her later.”
“As far as I know she’s perfect for Amy. Met all my expectations,” Rhett walked over and leaned against the arena fence and looked at Rainy. She’ll be a great horse for Amy. A perfect pick.
“Glad to hear it!” Y/N said with a big smile. She took her one leg out of the stirrup and swung it down but her other foot got caught in the stirrup. When she swung down it stayed so she had one leg awkwardly stuck.
“Shit,” Rhett said as he hopped the fence.
“I’m okay! I got it!” Y/N called. She finally got her foot out but lost her balance and fell to the ground with an “oomph.” Rainy hardly took any notice and just took a few steps to the side away from the fallen human.
Rhett was immediately by her side reaching down to help her up, “You sure you got it, darlin’?” He snickered.
“I clearly meant to do that, charmer,” Y/N said with a huff as she let Rhett help her up.
Rhett grinned as he helped to get her steady, “Is that what I am to you, charming? Cause I can work with that.” And he could. It’s way better than thinking he’s just a whore.
Y/N rolled her eyes, “We’ll see.”
“I can be charming if that’s what you want, darlin'. Is that what you want from me? Are you goin' to give me a chance?” He asked with a sly grin on his face.
“If I was to give you a chance, you’d have to be living a different lifestyle and I’m not sure you can, charmer,” Y/N said as she shook her head with a small smile on her lips. She walked over and pulled Rainy’s reins over her head and lead her to the gate and opened it and waited for Rhett to follow.
Rhett followed after the two with his hands in his back pockets and a grin on his face. He just needed to figure out how to convince her to give him that chance. He doesn't usually have to work so hard for this but he’s not one to shy away from the chase.
Rhett watched and listened in the doorway of the barn as Y/N put Rainy away. She softly talked to the horse as she get her situated the walked back towards Rhett.
“So, is there anything else I can do for you?” Y/N asked Rhett as she walked up.
Rhett shook his head, “No, ma’am I should be all set with Rainy. I’ll tell my mama about Rainy and I’m sure she’ll let your aunt know, darlin’.”
Y/N nodded and laughed, “Sounds good, charmer.”
“I’m still charming to you?” Rhett asks.
Y/N shrugs, “Guess so.”
“So, will you let me take you out?” Rhett asks. His hands are still in his back pockets but he has his fingers crossed in them. Clearly if she thought he was charming then she would want to spend more time together, right?
“Take me out where, Mr. Abbott?” She asked.
“Anywhere you’d let me,” Rhett says with a half smile. “Whenever you’d like.”
Y/N seems to think for a minute. Rhett’s starting to sweat, and definitely not from the heat of the day. Would she actually turn him down?
“How about this, I’ll give you my phone number and if after a week you still want to go out in a date we’ll go,” She offers.
Rhett grins, “That’s a fair deal.” He hands her his phone and she puts her number in and hands it back.
“Guess I’ll see you in a week, charmer.”
“Guess you will.”