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The morning sun peeked through the curtains of Kate and Lucy’s bedroom, casting golden streaks across the floor. The blonde groaned as she turned over, burying her face into the pillow. It was supposed to be her day off, a lazy morning, maybe a brunch date with Lucy. Instead, she was being dragged into an adventure she wasn’t entirely convinced about.
A soft knock at the door was quickly followed by Lucy’s cheerful voice. "Rise and shine, babe! It’s horse-riding day!"
Kate sighed dramatically. "Is it too late to fake an injury?"
Lucy chuckled as she stepped inside, already dressed in jeans, riding boots, and a fitted button-up that made her look ridiculously good. "Nope. Besides, you promised you’d try it. And I promised you wine afterward. Fair trade."
Kate peeked out from under the covers, eyes narrowing. "Is it really, though? One bottle of wine for potential broken bones?"
Lucy rolled her eyes but grinned. "You’re being so dramatic. It’s a peaceful trail ride, not a rodeo. Now get up! We have to meet Jane at the stables."
After an exaggerated groan, Kate finally swung her legs out of bed. "Fine. But if I die, I’m haunting you."
***
The drive to the ranch was beautiful - lush greenery stretched out on either side of the road, and the morning air was crisp with the scent of damp earth. By the time they arrived, Jane was already waiting for them, standing beside the corral with her arms crossed, an amused expression on her face.
"Took you long enough," Jane teased as Kate climbed out of the car, adjusting her sunglasses. "Thought you might pull a last-minute escape."
"I considered it," Kate muttered.
Lucy gave her a playful nudge. "She’s just nervous."
"I am not nervous," Kate tried to defend herself, eyeing the horses inside the corral. One of them, a sleek, dark-coated stallion, let out a loud huff, and Kate instinctively took a step back. "Okay, maybe a little."
Jane laughed. "Don’t worry. That one’s not for you. You’re riding Buttercup. She’s gentle and patient."
Kate turned toward the smaller, golden mare, who flicked her ears but remained still. "Buttercup? Really? That name doesn’t inspire confidence."
"She’s perfect for first-timers," Lucy assured, already mounting her own horse with an effortless grace that made Kate both envious and weak in the knees.
Kate sighed, shifting uncomfortably in her riding boots. "Yeah, well, none of those things have hooves the size of dinner plates."
Lucy grinned, loving every second of Kate’s hesitation. "I thought you said you were up for trying new things?"
Kate shot her a glare. "I meant, like, a new kind of wine. Or a different hiking trail. Not taming wild beasts."
Jane smirked. "That ‘wild beast’ gives rides to ten-year-olds. I think you'll be fine."
Kate groaned as the stable hand led Buttercup closer. The horse snorted, making her flinch. "Oh great. She’s already judging me."
Lucy bit her lip to keep from laughing and reached out to squeeze Kate’s hand. "You got this, darling. I'll be right here. Just put your foot in the stirrup and swing over."
Kate exhaled sharply, muttering something under her breath, but she did as instructed - only to nearly lose her balance the second she got one leg over. Lucy caught her before she could slide off the other side.
"Okay, okay, I've got you," Lucy reassured, holding onto Kate’s arm. "Just find your balance."
"I don’t think balance exists up here," Kate muttered, gripping the saddle horn like it was her lifeline. "How do people find this fun?"
"Oh, you will," Lucy teased, nudging her horse forward. "Just relax and follow my lead."
Jane clicked her tongue, guiding her horse ahead. "Alright, ladies, let's hit the trail."
Kate swallowed hard but took a deep breath and loosened her grip slightly. Buttercup, patient as ever, followed the other horses, her gait slow and steady. With every passing minute, Kate felt just a little less like she was going to plummet to her doom.
As they moved deeper into the trail, the scenery shifted from open paddocks to winding paths surrounded by towering trees. Birds chirped, and a gentle breeze rustled the leaves, making the whole experience feel a little less terrifying and a little more… peaceful. The scent of damp earth and wildflowers filled the air, adding to the tranquility of the ride. Kate focused on Buttercup’s steady breathing beneath her, slowly matching her own to the rhythmic sway of the horse’s movements.
Lucy glanced back, her face beaming with pride. "You're doing great, love."
Kate rolled her eyes but couldn’t hide the tiny smile creeping onto her lips. "Yeah, yeah. Just don’t let go of the reins anytime soon."
Lucy winked. "Not a chance."
As the path widened, they passed a small herd of grazing deer, their ears twitching at the sound of approaching hooves. Kate held her breath, mesmerized by how still and graceful they were. Buttercup walked on without hesitation, as if this was an everyday occurrence, and Kate found herself feeling oddly at ease, absorbing the peaceful energy around her.
After a while, Jane led them to a small clearing where the horses could rest. Kate, still gripping the saddle horn, took a deep breath and finally let her shoulders relax. "Okay, I’ll admit… this isn’t the worst thing ever."
Lucy grinned. "See? Told you so."
Kate exhaled, feeling more confident now. "Buttercup’s kind of sweet."
As if on cue, Buttercup flicked her ears and gave a contented huff. Kate chuckled, giving the horse’s neck a hesitant pat. "Alright, I get it. Maybe horses aren’t so bad."
Jane smirked. "Told you."
They sat on the floor admiring the scenery. Lucy put her head on Kate's shoulder. She was proud of her girl. She really made excel-nerd Kate Whistler go horse riding.
***
As they resumed the ride, Kate found herself enjoying the rhythmic sway of Buttercup’s gait. The nerves slowly melted away, replaced by something unexpected - exhilaration. The trees thinned out to reveal a breathtaking coastal view, the ocean stretching endlessly under the golden glow of the setting sun. The salty breeze brushed against Kate’s face, and for the first time since getting on Buttercup, she didn’t feel tense. She felt… free.
By the time they reached the stables, the sun was dipping below the horizon, casting everything in shades of gold and pink. Kate dismounted with much more confidence than she’d started with, landing firmly on the ground. "Alright, I’ll admit it. That was fun."
Lucy beamed, wrapping an arm around Kate’s waist. "Knew you’d love it."
Jane chuckled. "Looks like we’ll be making this a regular thing."
Kate sighed, but the smile on her face betrayed her. "Fine. But I still want that new bottle of wine, too."
Lucy kissed her forehead. "Deal."
"But first you need to get a shower, cause you smell like horse and sweat." Kate teased.
"Only if you're taking it with me..." Lucy bit her lip and smirked.
Jane rolled her eyes. "Get a room you two!"
They all chuckled in union.
As they walked back toward the ranch house, Kate took her girlfriend's hand and stole one last glance at Buttercup, a small smile tugging at her lips. Maybe horseback riding wasn’t so bad after all.