Fan Fiction ❯ The Best Thing ❯ Chapter Two ( Chapter 2 )

Rosalyn tapped her crop impatiently against her leg as she waited for Mason to appear. She checked her watch for the third time in the past three minutes and sighed noisily. "Wouldn't it just figure that he would be late," she mumbled under her breath. She failed to notice the shadow sliding across the wall. Ivy's ears flicked forward and her head rose as she became alert to the presence. Rosalyn had just turned to soothe the animal when a pair of large hands slipped around her waist. She shrieked and hurriedly slapped the hands away. She used her elbows to fight off her attacker and as she spun around a giggle escaped her lips. The giggle soon escalated into a full-blown laugh as soon as she saw Mason. He was bent over at the waist his hands clutching his ribcage and his long mahogany hair covering his red face.

 

"Well I'm glad you think it's so funny," he wheezed as he fought to reclaim the air she had expelled from his lungs with that well-placed elbow to his sternum. However, he couldn't help the painful smile that crossed his face as he listened to her laugh. It was the first time he had ever heard her laugh and it was infectious.

 

"I'm sorry," she gasped as she wiped the tears that had formed in her eyes, "but you startled me."

 

"That was kind of the point, I didn't expect you to react like that though," he said as he straightened, brushing hair off his face.

 

"Serves you right," Rosalyn stated in a haughty manner although the twinkle in her eye remained. With that she turned her attention to Ivy. She unlatched the stall door and led the mare out of the barn and into the outdoor arena. Mason ducked into the tack room to grab his helmet then followed Rosalyn and her horse into the sunlight. She had finished tightening Ivy's girth and was busy running down the stirrups, "How many holes down?"

 

He couldn't resist the opportunity to give Rosalyn a slow not-entirely-mock once over with special attention to her legs.

 

“Well?” she demanded seemingly oblivious to his teasing but the faint blush tingeing her cheeks gave away her true thoughts.

 

"I think three," he answered automatically stepping forward to assist her. Once the stirrup leathers had been set to his specifications he removed the reins from Rosalyn's reluctant grip and led Ivy forward to the mounting block.

 

"Be careful when you get on. Settle on her back gently," she instructed from the ground taking hold of Ivy's head once more.

 

"Rosalyn, I've been riding since I was four years old, I think we'll be alright," he replied softly. He took a moment to watch a pink blush spread on her cheeks. It was the first time he had said her name and lightning quick sensation of butterflies fluttered in the pit of her stomach.

 

"You're right, of course. I'm just a little worried, she's only ever been ridden by myself."

 

"She'll be fine." He gathered the reins, placed his foot in the stirrup and swung onto her back taking care when he settled into the saddle as Rosalyn had requested. He shortened the reins and squeezed softly with his legs smiling as he felt the mare respond immediately. He tested her mouth applying different pressures until he found the one she seemed most content with. When he had a feel for her he asked for a trot and posted fluidly with her long sweeping gait.

 

Rosalyn was loath to admit it but he was a talented rider. He handled Ivy as if he had been riding her his entire life and Rosalyn knew over anyone else that Ivy was no push-button horse. She watched as he performed various simple dressage movements with her. Ivy behaved like an angel, her pace always steady and balanced. She admired the mare's flowing movement and a thrill of pride shot through her. For all the trouble she'd been Ivy was well worth the effort. He picked up the canter; his position never changing. A few minutes of exercise later he halted her in front of Rosalyn, a wide grin on his face. Rosalyn's eyes widened, she had never really noticed how engaging his smile was before. She began to look at him in a whole new light.

 

"Pretty good, eh?" he chuckled as he leaned forward to stroke the mare's neck. Rosalyn gazed with newfound wonder at the lines of the lean muscles where his shirt stretched tight over his shoulders. His hazel eyes met hers and she attempted to blink away the evidence of her appraisal. His smile grew wider and her mouth went dry as she saw her own feelings reflected in his eyes. She shook her head in an attempt to clear her thoughts and nearly lost her balance on the fence in the process. She swayed precariously for a few short moments before regaining her poise. She released the breath she had been holding and turned to meet Mason's laughing eyes.

 

"That wasn't funny," she grumbled. He gave no reply instead he cued Ivy to walk on. He called over his shoulder to Rosalyn as he moved away,

 

"I'm going to try her over a fence."

 

"No! Wait!" she shouted back but it fell on deaf ears as he signalled the mare to canter. Rosalyn watched with bated breath as he came out of a circle and aimed for a white vertical. The fence wasn't large or spooky and yet Rosalyn felt anxiety take hold in her stomach. She held her breath and gripped the fence rail tight, her knuckles blanched white from the effort. Ivy cantered placidly on in her usual confidant style, her ears flitting forward as the fence caught her attention. Mason sat straight in the saddle, his position never changing. Ivy reached the fence in stride and hopped over it easily her knees curling up and into a tight square. Rosalyn observed her mare closely marvelling at her natural classic style. Mason stayed with the horse; his equitation perfect. She let the air out of her lungs with a deep sigh as horse and rider landed safely and carried on. Mason circled Ivy back around toward Rosalyn and shouted to her as the pair moved past,

 

"Now for something a little bigger!"

 

Rosalyn's heart flew to her throat as horse and rider cantered on to the imposing oxer positioned on the far side of the arena. Once again Ivy moved bravely forward although her ears rotated back and forth rapidly as if she was unsure of her rider. Mason's face-hardened and he pushed her forward. The fence came up quickly but Ivy never faltered, she rocketed off the ground and tucked her legs tight underneath her. Mason's hands moved alongside her neck leaving her plenty of room to stretch out. Ivy negotiated the fence well, her hind legs rolling the back rail only slightly in its cups. Her rider had a huge smile pasted across his face as he halted in front of Rosalyn.

 

"Now do you see what I mean by not letting her talent waste away?" he questioned as he swung his leg over the saddle and slid to a graceful landing on the sand.

 

"Are you insane?" she shrieked. Ivy pulled her sensitive ears down along the back of her head at the harsh tone. "You could have killed or permanently injured my horse doing a stunt like that!" She was panting with the force of her emotions, her hands clenched into fists on either side of her body. She strode forward and angrily ran up the right stirrup.

 

"Oh, relax, it wasn't that bad. She cleared it, didn't she?" he answered with a slightly abashed smile.

 

"You're not helping matters."

 

"Besides, weren't you worried about me too? Just a little bit?" he teased as he loosened the girth and ran up the other stirrup.

 

"My point exactly, you admit that it was dangerous and stupid," she came round to Ivy's head and swiped the reins out of his hands.

 

"Maybe it wasn't my best idea but it turned out all right in the end. And besides, what's life without a few risks here and there?"

 

Rosalyn glared at him and marched back to the barn Ivy striding obediently beside her. Mason followed at a safe distance more worried about the danger Rosalyn presented to him rather than the sweet-natured horse.

 

"Perhaps you don't give a damn about your own safety but this is my horse and I'm rather attached to her. If you had injured her today you would probably be laying in a bloody pulp in the middle of the arena right now," she growled in a threatening tone as she went about untacking said horse. Mason didn't doubt it for a second as he took the time to eye up her figure. Her legs were strong and muscular and easy to decipher through the tight material of her riding jeans. Her arms were clearly well developed he observed as she lifted the saddle off of Ivy's back, her muscles flexing with the effort. There was a rare strength about her, both physically and mentally. He found himself attracted to her more and more as time went on. He gave her another wide smile as she turned to face him and she returned it with her usual glower. Her aloof attitude may have fooled others but Mason could see past it to the shy often-anxious soul inside. He tagged along as she exited the stall and headed for the tack room.

 

"Don't you have somewhere else to be? You've already proven your point," she snapped as she finished putting her tack away.

 

"Nope, not really." He folded his arms behind his head and relaxed against the doorframe. She snorted in a decidedly unladylike manner and crossed her arms over her chest. She rested her hip on the coffee table and lifted her gaze to meet his. They stared at each other for a long beat before her curiosity overcame her,

 

"Where did you learn to ride?"

 

"Back home, I rode a few jumpers for one of my mother's clients."

 

"Oh," came Rosalyn's simple reply. "Do you ride much anymore?"

 

"Yeah, I've been keeping busy riding for a few of the boarders here. Nothing spectacular though, not like Ivy." His cheeky smile appeared once again and he watched her reaction. Rosalyn behaved as he had expected she would, she rolled her eyes and gave an exacerbated sigh. "I do have a horse of my own here, though."

 

"Yeah?" She seemed interested now as one fine black eyebrow rose inquisitively.

 

"You want to see him?"

 

She gave an indifferent shrug but followed him down the alleyway. He arrived at the designated stall and stepped aside as she came up beside him to peer inside. Her shocked gasp made him smile all the brighter.

 

"So, what do you think?"

 

"But that's . . ." she struggled to find the words.

 

"Clockwork," he finished the sentence for her.

 

"H - How?"

 

"I rode him before he went Grand Prix and I really liked him, so when he went lame I leapt at the chance to buy him." Mason slid open the stall door and went inside to stand beside the silver-gray stallion. "You have a pretty easy life now, eh old buddy?" He rubbed the horse's neck affectionately.

 

Rosalyn could only gape. It seemed impossible that one of the world's best show jumpers was contentedly munching hay in front of her.

 

"Well, what are you waiting for? Come in, come in," he urged. Rosalyn stepped inside the stall in a dreamlike state. Slowly she stretched out her hand and watched as the stallion lifted his head to sniff her fingers delicately before turning back to his meal. Gently she stroked the horse's sleek neck. "I only ride him once a week or so now, he's getting on in years and that old injury flares up now and then." He ran his hand down the horse's leg pointing toward an area of evenly spaced scars along the horse's tendon.

 

"That's right," she thought to herself, "he bowed his tendon. That's why they retired him. It's a shame he can't jump anymore but I bet he'd produce some fabulous babies."

 

Mason seemed to read her mind, "I'm hoping to get him a few nice mares but moneys been tight lately. I spent all my cash on this big fellow; even with the deal they gave me. Guess you'll have to wait a few more years, Cogs."

 

“If you don't mind me asking, how did you afford him in the first place?” Rosalyn asked quietly as she carried on stroking the stallion's neck.

 

“My grandmother gave me a rather sizable inheritance but that's since been depleted due to this guy.” He gave a short laugh but it was obvious to Rosalyn that his grandmother had been an important figure in his life. A flash of deep sorrow passed over his normally cheerful face but vanished just as quickly.

 

A change of subject was in order thought Rosalyn. "Cogs?" she asked quietly.

 

"His barn name," he explained.

 

She laughed softly, “cute.”

 

"Well, old timer. I guess we'll leave you to your dinner," Mason said in farewell giving the stallion a parting pat. Rosalyn led the way out and swivelled to meet him as he shut the stall door behind him.

 

"May I ask you for a favour?" she inquired in a timid voice.

 

"Sure."

 

"Can you let me know when you're going to be riding him next? I'd really love to see him in action once more." Her cheeks coloured a faint pink and her eyes sparkled with excitement.

 

"I don't know . . . I'd really rather ride without an audience," he drawled slowly.

 

"Oh," came her dejected sigh.

 

"But for you, I'll make an exception." Rosalyn's face lit up with delight and she reached for his hand.

 

"Thank-you!" She shook his hand enthusiastically as she continued to smile. Mason found himself pleasantly surprised by the action. Rosalyn dropped his hand after a few moments and glanced at the clock hanging above the stable doors. "Well, I'd really better be going if I plan on getting to work on time." Mason sighed overdramatically,

 

"Okay, if you must." Rosalyn rolled her eyes once more, this time a little less sarcastically and began to walk away calling over her shoulder as she went,

 

"Just let me know when you're going to ride him!"

 

"Sure thing!" he shouted back. After her figure had disappeared from sight he gave his hand a dreamy glance. Her warmth still lingered on its surface. He closed his eyes and allowed himself to imagine for just a moment that she felt the same attraction for him as he so ardently felt for her.