Chapter Text
A distant ranch in Montana, rain from time to time, and that was only if it was a good year. Winter was beginning to make its presence known.
The cowgirl Caitlyn Kiramman was in her wooden office, going over some documents from her transactions over the past few months. Buying and selling livestock was a good business. Caitlyn owned a large ranch, where she had cows, horses, sheep, and plenty of other animals.
Today the weather was good. It was sunny and clear, but it wasn't as humid as usual, so after clearing up her paperwork, Caitlyn stretched and grabbed her black cowboy hat to go horseback riding for a while.
—Hexibah!—
Her horse, Hexibah, whinnied when she saw her owner approaching her stall and took a few small excited steps with her hooves. She was a beautiful black horse with a long mane, silky fur like her owner's hair, and neatly trimmed feathering on her front and back legs.
A Gypsy Vanner.
—Easy, girl. You want to go out for a while? Of course you do.— The cowgirl said with a sideways smile as she grabbed the saddle and her equipment, approaching the door to open it and let Hexibah out. The horse whinnied once more, swishing her tail to chase away the insects bothering her.
—Which saddle do you want today? The black one or the brown one?— Caitlyn lifted both saddles with her arms without effort, one in each hand. The horse stared at Caitlyn for a moment before reaching toward the black saddle with her muzzle and giving it a small bite with her large teeth.
Horses are strange.
Caitlyn burst out laughing when she saw her faithful friend showing her teeth and nodded. —Okay, okay! The black one it is!— Caitlyn said, walking away to put the brown saddle back while still laughing, now more sweet. When she returned, she stroked her horse's neck and smiled softly.
—What would I do without you?— Caitlyn said as she finally placed the saddle over Hexibah's back. Before mounting, the blue-haired woman adjusted her pants and her tight black shirt, rolling up her sleeves to the middle of her arms because she knew she would get hot while riding.
Her forearms were well-built, and the black shirt fit perfectly against the muscles her work as a cowgirl had developed.
Caitlyn climbed onto her horse with a slight sound of effort as she jumped up and settled onto her horse.
—Let's ride then, darling...— said the blue-haired woman, giving her a small pat on the back before they began to trot.
The sun gently gilded Caitlyn's exposed skin, and her hair seemed to shine beneath her black hat.
—Hey, Hexi, want to take a ride through the hills?— Caitlyn asked as she adjusted her horse's reins with a soft smile, receiving a whinny in response.
—Go all out!— Caitlyn said, giving the reins a gentle tug. She had never treated Hexibah roughly, which was why the horse was so fond of Kiramman.
Hexi picked up the pace as she ran, and Caitlyn smiled, letting her horse guide her. She loved taking her best friend out and letting her be free enough. Because to Caitlyn, it was only a few years, while for Hexi, it was her entire life by Caitlyn's side.
That was why, during their rides, Caitlyn always let Hexi decide where they were going.
An hour had passed. Caitlyn was lying on the grass while her horse ate the grass nearby. Kiramman covered her eyes with her hat while chewing on a small toothpick; she never went anywhere without one in her pocket. The clouds drifted gently with the cool wind.
She had errands to run in town, so she got up again, adjusted her perfectly ironed shirt, still neat even after that hour, and whistled to get Hexibah's attention.
The horse gently galloped over to Caitlyn and let her mount.
—Let's go to town, sweetheart... Giddy up!— Caitlyn shook the reins, and the animal began galloping toward the nearby town, about twenty minutes away from where they had been.
There were several merchants and various trucks driving around, carrying wood or people. Caitlyn galloped through the paved streets between the wooden houses and businesses. The town was fairly modern for what it had once been. Several young women waved at Caitlyn, friends... acquaintances... as did the young men and older people who knew the twenty-seven-year-old cowgirl.
Kiramman stopped Hexi outside a livestock supply store. She wanted to buy her horse a new set of reins... because she always wanted the best for her. When she entered, the owner greeted her.
—Caitlyn Kiramman! It's been a while since you've come down to town! What can I get you?— the bearded man said, crossing his arms with an almost fatherly smile.
—Hi, Vander.— The cowgirl said with a soft smile as she looked over the available reins. —I want a new set of reins for Hexi... do you have the usual ones?— the cowgirl asked, checking her pockets.
—Of course, sweetheart.— The man said with a smile before shouting at someone, probably in the storage room. —Jinx! Short black leather reins! The Cavallia ones!— he called out, sighing as Caitlyn looked intrigued.
—Since when do you hire people?—
Old Vander had always worked alone. It was unusual, since he liked working by himself.
—You know it's not easy. I'm just doing a friend a favor... she's one of her daughters.— The man said with a laugh while arranging something on the counter.
Not even two seconds later, the sound of boxes could be heard from the back, followed by something heavy falling. A small, pained "ow" came from behind the counter, along with a sigh from Vander that said a lot. It seemed to be a common occurrence.
Right after that, a blue-haired girl with two long braids, ripped jeans, dirty boots, and a loose shirt hanging untucked came out of the storage room holding the reins.
—You still haven't gotten used to finding things?— Vander asked, taking the reins to check that they had no defects.
—I am used to it!— the short girl said, rolling her eyes. —It's just that someone hid them back there...—
Vander stopped for a moment and raised an eyebrow.
—Uh-huh... because surely more people work here.—
Jinx frowned, knowing she had been caught.
—You hide things really well...—
Vander burst out laughing, leaving the reins on the counter.
—Jinx... this is Caitlyn Kiramman..... Caitlyn? This is Jinx McGinnis.— The man said, looking gently between the two women.
Caitlyn smiled at the introduction and looked at the girl with the lighter blue hair.
—Nice to meet you... McGinnis.—
But Jinx made a face of displeasure.
—Please don't call me that... Jinx is fine.— The girl said, crossing her arms as she looked away.
—But Jinx means— Caitlyn began, only to be interrupted by Vander's hand reaching across the entire counter to cover her mouth.
—Alright! Enough introductions for everyone! Caitlyn, sweetheart, do you need anything else for Hexibah?— The man asked with a nervous smile while Jinx rolled her eyes and laughed at her uncle's action.
Caitlyn raised an eyebrow and thought, "What a strange name. Why would someone call themselves that?" She wondered as she sighed into Vander's hand, which finally moved away.
—No, Vander, thank you.— The cowgirl said, looking at her horse through the window.
Jinx, meanwhile, decided she had had enough for the moment.
—I'm going to organize the boxes.— The girl said, turning around and walking back toward the storage room.
—You mean mess them up.— Vander muttered.
Jinx turned almost immediately and shot Vander a look before throwing a ball of napkin she had in her pocket at his head.
Vander laughed and shook his head before looking at Caitlyn.
—Never tell her that her name means "ruining" things.—
—You know I'm very curious. I can't help it.—
—You'll have to get to know her better if you want to know, Caitlyn... it's not something you just ask for no reason.— Vander said softly as he listened to boxes being thrown around in the storage room.
—No throwing, Jinx!—
The loud noises stopped almost immediately.
Caitlyn let out a small laugh before finally opening her wallet again and taking out the exact amount to pay for the reins. A wallet just as fat as Caitlyn's muscles.
Curious.
—I'm going to the bar tonight. Don't you want to come?—
—No, thanks, Van. I have to take care of the rest of the ranch. I don't think I'll finish early.—
—As busy as always, Kiramman. Just don't forget to have some fun once in a while.— Vander said with a smile that was more fatherly than friendly.
—See you around.— Caitlyn adjusted her black hat and left the store with the new reins. She would put the new reins on her horse when she got back to the stable.
Hanging the new reins from the saddle, Caitlyn mounted it and stroked her friend's neck.
—Do you want to go home, or do you want to take one last ride around town?— Cait asked her horse, although it seemed as though she was asking herself.
The cowgirl stretched, flexing her back, and began riding around town for a while, until 6 PM, when it was golden hour, and the warm sunlight made the cold more pleasant. That was before the sun disappeared completely and the cold became more intense.
When Caitlyn arrived home again, Hexibah was left to rest in her stall. Caitlyn loved her horse so much that she had even bought Hexibah a sweater for this time of year.
After putting it on her, the blue-haired woman received a snort from her horse. She always did that to thank her for something.
Or at least, that was how Caitlyn interpreted it.
Entering her wooden home, Caitlyn took a deep breath, once again taking in the familiar scent of home: oak wood, lavender, and a hint of lemon.
The 1.80-meter-tall woman simply wanted to lie down or watch television for a while.
Since her parents had moved away, Caitlyn had been taking care of the house alone. Her parents trusted her enough to believe that their daughter could run the ranching business by herself.
It had only been about nine months since they had left Caitlyn in the family home.
The woman sat down on a comfortable sofa in the middle of the living room, which was decorated with a bull skull and a few other paintings that were probably from her mother's time.
Turning on the TV, Caitlyn watched her favorite program of the night, thinking that perhaps she should spend more time with Vander. She hadn't gone out with her friends because she had been so busy with work. She hadn't even tried to make time to see them. Nothing.
Even though her parents had left nine months ago, she hadn't really had time since she had begun getting more and more involved in the business.
She couldn't remember the last time she had gone out with someone, either as friends or romantically.
The cowgirl opened her phone while the TV played in the background, opening her gallery... Photos with her friends from a year ago. A year was perhaps quite a long time, and a screenshot of her ex with another woman, her last girlfriend from... six years ago.
The twenty-seven-year-old woman sighed and rolled her eyes, tossing her phone aside.
—Maybe I should have a little more fun.—the woman said, relaxing her body and eventually falling asleep on the couch.
As the weeks went by, Caitlyn began organizing her schedule better, making time both for work and to go out with her friends.
One particular day, when it was quite cold, Caitlyn wore her navy-blue corduroy jacket over her black dress shirt. She had gone down to town on Hexibah to visit Vander, and, well, talk to him.
On the way, Caitlyn hummed a little song when, among the trees, she spotted a vibrant, striking blue head of hair bouncing and playing around, apparently alone.
It was Jinx.
In the grass there was a little white rabbit, and when Caitlyn saw the scene, she raised an eyebrow and adjusted her hat, changing her horse's direction toward a spot considerably closer to where Jinx was playing.
Vander's niece picked up the little rabbit and whispered soft words to it that only the animal could hear. Caitlyn then whistled loudly to get Jinx's attention.
The shorter woman turned almost instantly, like a startled fawn.
—Ah! Fuck! Don't scare me like that!— the girl whined, holding the rabbit tightly for a moment before relaxing her embrace.
By then, Caitlyn was already about ten steps away from Jinx.
—You're an hour and a half from town on foot... Did you get here by yourself? It's far too cold today.— Caitlyn gently pulled on the reins because Hexibah was too curious and couldn't help trying to move closer.
Jinx let the rabbit go. The girl was wearing black jeans and a dark red sweater that seemed to swallow her whole.
—Actually, a friend brought me here... I asked him for the favor.— Jinx said, a little more relaxed, her body still warm from all the jumping and running.
—It's getting dark. Don't you want me to take you back to town? I'm heading that way anyway.— Caitlyn asked, approaching a few more steps with Hexibah.
Jinx looked confused. This was only the second time she had interacted with Caitlyn, and no one had ever been this kind to her.
—You're not going to charge me, are you?— the girl asked, somewhat suspiciously and with an aggressive tone, not knowing how to respond to gestures of kindness.
—Just buy me a glass of water when we get there, and if you have one, an apple for Hexi.— The cowgirl said with a sideways smile, completely unfazed by Jinx's tone.
After a few seconds, Jinx decided to get on, although she had to jump with some effort to climb onto the horse. Without asking, Caitlyn held her arm to help her.
Both cowgirls settled comfortably onto the saddle, and Jinx murmured a quiet "thank you."
—Have you ever ridden before?— Caitlyn asked as she made Hexibah move forward.
—No... I've only watched. My family never had horses, and I never had friends who owned one.—
—Then it'll be my pleasure to be your first time.—
Hexibah whinnied at the pleasant atmosphere and began riding toward town. Caitlyn leaned forward against the wind, and Jinx almost fell, so instinctively the girl grabbed onto the navy-blue-haired woman's waist.
—Hold on tight!— Kiramman said against the cold wind.
—I already am!— Jinx said, closing her eyes so the wind wouldn't hit them.
It was a pleasant ride against the cold wind. Today it was 9°C despite the sun, and surely snow wouldn't take long to fall. Even if it was only a little. The sky was beginning to cloud over, and it was already 5 PM.
—And how do you get along with Vander? Are you staying with him?— the woman asked, holding the reins as they moved at a considerably fast pace, not too slowly but not running either.
—He's like having a grandfather, I guess. And well, he let me stay in a guest room.— Jinx said, raising her voice so she could be heard. —But I hadn't seen him in a while, not since I was sixteen.—
Caitlyn glanced over her shoulder for a moment before looking back at the road.
—How old are you?—
—Twenty-five... I'm twenty-five.— the pink-eyed girl replied.
—You act like a teenager...— the cowgirl replied almost immediately, unable to stop herself, then corrected herself. —It's not a bad thing, I mean, it's—
—At least I know how to have fun. You probably say that because you're so busy with your life.— the short girl said, huffing in annoyance, though she wasn't completely angry.
Silence settled between them for an awkward and long seven seconds.
—I know how to have fun...— Caitlyn replied, somewhat hurt, but without slowing Hexi's pace.
The rest of the journey remained quiet, except for Hexibah's heavy breathing. It was a little uncomfortable, yes, but at least Jinx was going to make it back to town, safe, annoyed, and uncomfortable.
By the time they reached the road lights, paths, and businesses were already lit up. It had been thirty minutes. The cowgirls stopped outside Vander's business, which had its lights on but was already closed.
—Since when does he close early?— Caitlyn murmured to herself, but Jinx answered.
—He probably went out drinking. You know how he is.—
The girl began getting off the horse.
—Well, thanks, Caitlyn. This is where we part ways.—
Caitlyn frowned.
—Do you have the keys to get into the store?— The store was actually both a shop and a house, a common practice in the town among its residents: wake up, get ready, and open the shop.
—Uh, no, but... well, Vander still hasn't given me a copy of the keys....— The girl lightly patted her pockets as if searching them. —I can get in through a window. You can go.— Jinx said, turning her back to Caitlyn and walking across the bricks on the ground.
The black-hatted cowgirl raised an eyebrow at the action, and Hexibah snorted, seeming annoyed.
—Easy. It's fine, let's go...— Caitlyn murmured only to Hexi.
—Yah!— Caitlyn exclaimed, shaking the reins, and the horse began running toward the center of town, leaving Jinx there without another word.
Once Jinx was inside the house, she sighed.
—I owe her a glass of water....—