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You had wanted to do something nice for Micah after his return from Strawberry. You had heard all about what had happened, with Micah getting arrested, Arthur breaking him out, and the robbery they had pulled soon after. Micah was finally back in camp.
Well, you suppose this is the first time he’s been at this camp. He went out on his own immediately after the gang left Colter, and he hadn’t had the chance to settle at Horseshoe Overlook until now.
You glanced over at where he had set his tent up just the night before, right after he got back. The sides were still down, although it was early morning.
Micah usually didn’t sleep in. You figured he must have just been exhausted from the trip to camp from Strawberry, and he would probably be up soon. Which gave you less time to do what you talked yourself into doing once you realized he was back.
You turned back to Baylock, soothing him gently as you stroked your fingers down the center of his face. Baylock was a touchy horse; he wasn’t fond of most people touching him outside of Micah. It had been at least a couple weeks since you had last seen the horse, so he needed a moment to get used to you again. You missed Baylock quite a bit while Micah was gone. You missed Micah, too, that was a given, but you missed Baylock especially.
“Here you go, boy,” you whispered, passing Baylock a horse treat from your pocket, which he happily licked up and ate.
Baylock seemed more at ease after the snack, and you pat him gently before getting to work. You undid his saddle and heaved it off his back, laying it over a nearby log for now as you turned back to the horse. You kept him hitched to the post, just in case he got skittish, and started to clean him off.
You took great care in taking care of Baylock. You brushed the dirt and debris out of his coat, making sure to stop when he got restless and wait until he calmed down before continuing. You had to be patient with a horse like Baylock. He could face gunfire no problem, but unfamiliar touch or noises still spooked him. He reminded you of his owner.
“There you are, good boy,” you praised when you were done with the first brushing of his coat.
You rewarded Baylock with another treat and then moved on to the tricky part- cleaning his horseshoes. Although he was a little hesitant, Baylock did let you pick up his leg and turn his hoof so you could clean it, picking out all the little rocks that got stuck on the ride from Strawberry. One rock could cause a whole lot of problems down the line if it wasn’t handled.
“Isn’t that better?” you asked the horse as you finished up cleaning his hooves, watching Baylock shift his feet. “That’s got to feel much more comfortable, huh?”
You scratched Baylock’s back, where his saddle normally sat, and were pleased to find he didn’t mind the touch. That was good, that meant you could continue with your plan.
The morning continued to set in as you worked, and the camp became alive. Everyone else was waking up and attending to the chores, eating breakfast, switching out who was on watch, and all sorts of things.
You were just finishing up when you heard footsteps and a familiar voice call out from behind you.
“Why are you touching my horse?”
Micah sounded gruff, but not upset. You knew he was very possessive of his things, Baylock included, and he probably was uneasy with the idea of you messing with him. On the other hand, you’ve known Micah for a good while now, and he knew you would never do anything to harm Baylock, not in your life.
You looked over your shoulder at him and shot him a grin. You hardly had the chance to greet him last night, since he came back so late, but you were delighted to run into him again, and more so that you were able to complete your plan before he woke up. He must have just woken up, by the look of him. His shirt was half-untucked and his hair was all out of place still. Maybe he needed grooming, too.
“Doesn’t Baylock look all pretty?” you asked, patting the horse’s back and stepped to the side to reveal your work: a perfectly groomed Baylock with a clean coat, with his mane and tail braided neatly to keep it in place.
“The hell..?” Micah muttered, stepping up to Baylock and patting the side of his neck. “What’d she do to you, boy? She’s got you looking like a girly showpony, tsk.”
“He’s beautiful, and you know it,” you retorted gently, joining Micah in petting Baylock’s neck. “He was all nice for me while I cleaned him, too.”
“Tsk, must have a soft spot for you,” he muttered, pulling his hand away from the horse and setting it on his hip.
“Him and somebody else, I think,” you replied, leaning your head against Baylock’s shoulder as you looked up at Micah, batting your eyelashes at him.
“Tsk, where’d you get that stupid idea?” Micah scoffed, looking away. “You didn’t need to touch him, he was fine,” he added, shifting the subject.
“He was dirty, and I cleaned him.” You pet Baylock again as you spoke, and the horse snorted happily. “I wanted to do something nice now that you’re back.”
“Why’d you do it for him, then, and not me?”
“What, do you want a bath?” you giggled into the horse’s shoulder.
“If a woman is involved? I just might.”
“Don’t tempt me, you flirt.”
“You started it, with those pretty little eyes of yours…” Micah trailed off with a scoff, shaking his head like he couldn’t believe the conversation.
“I’m serious, Micah,” you continued. “Don’t tempt me, I just might take you up on that offer.”
“Well…” Micah licked his lips and then grinned as he took a step closer, leaning against Baylock as he tilted his head down towards you. “Ain’t that something? You got a little crush on me, Miss?”
“Maybe,” you teased, blinking up at him innocently. “Or maybe I’m just here for Baylock, you never know.”
“Funny,” he scoffed, a smile still on his lips as he raised his hand, gently setting his index finger under your chin to tilt your face towards him.
You melted under his gaze, unable to fight the big smile that fell on your lips under his attention. Your cheeks almost hurt from how much you were smiling at him, and you were sure you looked like a downright fool.
Micah let out a nervous little laugh- you weren’t sure you’ve ever heard him get nervous- at the intensity of your smile, and he ducked down to kiss you before he talked himself out of it. You leaned into the kiss, wrapping one arm around his shoulders as you let your lips linger against his. When Micah pulled away, you didn’t let him go far, and you moved away from Baylock to lay your head against Micah’s chest.
“I’m glad you’re back, Micah,” you sighed softly, closing your eyes as you listened to his heart beat under your ear.
“Me too,” he muttered, wrapping both arms around you now and resting his chin on top of your head.