Fan Fiction ❯ The Best Thing ❯ Chapter One ( Chapter 1 )

"More leg!" he called as he watched horse and rider canter gracefully down the far side of the arena. He chuckled as the rider gave him a dark look. The horse however lengthened its stride and rounded the corner in a beautiful show of balance and power.

 

"Did I ask for your help?" the rider snapped as she rode past him. He gazed intently as the pair made their way closer to the blue and white vertical set in the centre of the arena. Easily the chestnut tucked up her knees and sailed over the fence. The two cantered away from the obstacle and Mason couldn't resist, he called out to her once again, "it was nice, but you were a little ahead with your shoulders!" The girl brought her horse down into a walk and rode over to face him.

 

"Would you please mind keeping your comments to yourself?" she asked through clenched teeth; her cheeks slightly flushed in equal parts from the wind, exercise and irritation.

 

"Not at all," he raised his hands in apology effortlessly keeping his balance on the thin plank fence. He smiled as her dark blue eyes widened slightly in admiration of his coordination. Just as quickly the cool appearance that typically graced her features returned and she cued her horse to walk on. He continued to watch the pair in silence.

 

"What is his problem? Can't he see that he's not wanted here?" Rosalyn furiously thought to herself unconsciously tightening her hands on the reins. Ivy tossed her head in objection and immediately Rosalyn loosened the reins again. She would not let him ruin her ride. She carried on exercising her horse until a light sweat shone on Ivy's neck.

 

 

 

 

"Allow me to assist you." That same annoying voice sounded behind Rosalyn as she slid the saddle off Ivy's back.

 

"No thank-you. I can take care of it myself," she swung away from him and placed the saddle carefully on the stall door. She picked up her mane comb and turned to groom Ivy only to find that same exasperating boy already brushing her mare. "What are you doing?"

"Isn't it obvious?" he replied as he made long sweeps down the mare's sleek side.

 

"Your help is neither needed nor wanted," she said in an icy tone as she set to work combing the tangles from Ivy's flaxen mane. Ordinarily she wasn't so rude but there was something about this particular boy that grated on her nerves.

 

Riding had become her only relaxation. She savoured each moment she spent at the quiet stable with only the horses for company. The last thing she wanted was some boy interrupting her quiet solitude.

 

He gave no reply but shot her a smile overtop of the mare's back. She returned it with a frown and moved her attention back to Ivy's mane.

 

“You were looking pretty decent out there,” Mason said with a smile as he continued to groom the horse.

 

"Thank-you," she answered gruffly.

 

"Are you going to the next competition then?" he carried on oblivious to her growing ire.

 

"No."

 

"Why not?"

 

"Because I don't want to, okay!?" she exclaimed. Rosalyn threw her comb back into her grooming kit and stormed out of the stall grabbing the saddle on her way out. Ivy flicked her ears in alarm and tensed as she sensed the anger radiating from the girl. Mason followed her out of the stall swinging the door quietly shut behind him. He met up with her in the tack room as she was placing her saddle on its respective rack. "Why do you keep following me? What do you want?" she asked him, her body trembling with the force of the emotions flowing through her. The mention of competition hit a sore spot within Rosalyn. She was well-known on the hunter/jumper circuit, or at least had been, until a fall had nearly finished her riding career all together. She gave her head a hard shake as memories of the incident flooded her mind. Unconsciously she rubbed her leg where a scar still remained; the only visible proof left of the event.

 

"I just want to get to know you. You're obviously a talented rider and your mare is no slouch either. It seems like such a waste not to be showing her," he said as he crossed his arms and casually leaned against the doorway effectively blocking her only exit.

"What I do with my horse is none of your business," Rosalyn retorted crossly as she turned her back to him and fiddled absent-mindedly with her tack.

 

"Let me ride her then," he suggested nonchalantly knowing that he would be shot down instantaneously. As he expected she pirouetted around to face him with a shocked look on her face.

 

"Absolutely not!"

 

"Why not? If you're not going to show her someone else should. A horse of that quality should be competing not sitting around growing fat in the pasture," he smirked as her face began to flush in outrage.

 

"Exactly who do you think you are? I frankly don't give a damn about your opinions, it's my decision and it's final," Rosalyn looked down her nose at him, an impressive feat considering he stood at least a head taller than she. "Besides, what makes you think you're good enough to ride her anyway?"

 

Mason quirked an eyebrow arrogantly, “Since you don't believe me I guess I'll just have to prove it to you. Meet me here tomorrow at five o'clock." He examined her expressive eyes her emotions showing plainly through them. At last she gave a sigh and agreed.

 

"Okay, tomorrow it is. Be warned, however, she's a bit of a complicated ride."

 

"We'll see," he laughed. Rosalyn scowled again showing that she was not amused in the least at his pomposity. He surprised her by offering his hand. "I need your word that you'll go through with it, so let's make it final." Rosalyn looked sceptical but she met his offer and placed her hand inside his own. He grinned as her warm hand made contact with his. In actuality he knew her word would be as good as any promise but he couldn't resist the urge to touch her if even momentarily. He squeezed her hand gently pressing their palms intimately together and watched as her gaze flew to meet his. A brief glimpse of desire passed through those stormy blue eyes and retreated just as suddenly. He bit back a groan of regret as she slid her hand out of his grasp.

 

"Tomorrow," was her abrupt farewell as she brushed past him on her way out the tack room.

 

"It's a promise," Mason replied his voice unexpectedly husky. He watched her walk down the alley way her hips unintentionally swaying invitingly as she moved with the natural grace years of riding had given her. She stopped to tidy up Ivy's stall as well as give her a parting treat before exiting through the stable's main doors and into the fading sunshine that beckoned. Light reflected off her shiny dark hair and all at once he knew he was lost.