* I haven't written an actual riding story in ages, so here's mine... *

I woke up early while Jakob was still asleep and headed out to the stables. It was something like 6:30 and I didn't expect anyone else to be out but I ran into Toby and Loranna.
"Hi guys!" I whispered.
They turned and smiled.
"This is different. I never see the two of you without the kids anymore!" I commented, heading over.
Toby laughed. "I know! We just got Loranna's niece to watch them. She's staying with us for a little while to babysit so we can get a break. We told her we'd be out early and probably be back before she or the kids were awake."
"That works well," I said, happy for them both. I was positive they hadn't had a moment since the triplets' birth four or five months ago.
Loranna nodded. "Oooooh yes..."
I smiled. "How old is your niece?"
"She's 15," she replied, mounting Trojan, her massive, jet black, champion horse. "She's absolutely wonderful, very bright, nice to chat with. She's my brother's daughter."
I nodded. Toby smiled. He finished saddling Espionage and mounted. "We're going for a trail ride. We'll be back in a couple hours."
I smiled. "Have fun!"
I headed to Millicent's stall. She was pacing back and forth impatiently. She really wanted to get out.
I laughed. "Shhh," I cooed. "We're going for a ride. I think I'll let you out in the field today. You can do a bit of grazing."
She nickered lovingly which I knew was a "Thank you!!!"
I put a halter on her and clipped a lead shank around her neck for reins and lead her outside to the dirt arena. I sensed she would be very good today; she was anxious to get out and go.
I used the fence to get up - Mill had become very used this weird manouver of mine.
we started by walking around the arena, doing the occasionaly figure eight for a little excitement. I coaxed her into a trot. She got a little excited and began a slow canter but one small tug backwards on the reins let her know that I didn't approve.
I worked on bareback posting bit and Millicent tolerated my couple errors patiently. She definitely deserved a treat for that.
She began to get very eager to go faster so I gave in and nudged her (not very hard because her mind was already there) into a canter. We did several laps and a figure eight or two before I slowed her down into a trot.
"Alright, what say we do some barrel manouvering for fun?" I asked her, dismounting. I patted her neck gratefully and in response, she snorted on my sleeve.
"Thanks, hon," I laughed. I walked away to roll the plastic barrels into the arena. Millicent stood obediently waiting for me to come back.
"Good girl!" I whispered to her as I set up the last barrel.
I went back over and Millicent watched me intently all the way. I rubber her neck.
"Thank you! You're awesome!" I said, leading her to the fence so I could get back on.
We started at the top if the column of barrels, weaving through at a walking pace; then a trot; then, to Mill's great delight, a canter. We worked very well together. She followed my every command and cleared every barrel.
"Great, Mill!" I whispered.
Afterwards I cooled her down, walking her around the arena.
"That was really good," I said quietly.
Millicent snorted as if to say an arrogant sort of thank you. She knew she had done an excellent job and knew what the reward would be.
We headed back to the stables where Mill had a drink and her apple slices. Then I lead her to the field and let her go. "Thanks, Mill," I said smiling. She snorted and lipped my jacket collar. I laughed. Then she turned around and trotted out to the where other horses were gathered to graze. She had taken a particular liking to one of our new horses, Caelum. I had caught them play fighting every once in a while...
I was in the stables checking food and water when Loranna and Toby came back from their ride. Both of them looked red cheeked and had messed up, ruffled hair. I smiled ear to ear and hid my face, trying to contain my laughter.
"How was your ride?" I asked calmly.
"Really nice..." Loranna said shortly.
"We went to the field behind the rock face... the lake is fully thawed," Toby commented.
I looked up. "Toby, the lake's been thawed for two months..."
"Oh," he said, looking at his feet. "Right..." he turned and followed Loranna out of the stable.
I grinned.

Back in my apartment, Jakob had made breakfast. It was french toast, freshly squeezed orange juice, bacon for him, and fruit salad for me.
"Wow!" I said, walking in the door and smelling the aroma of french toast and bacon right away. I wanted to ask him how he managed with his dying vision, but decided against it. If he did it, he did it and I s'pose it didn't matter how. He was sitting on the sofa practising braille when I got in and looked up suddenly and smiled.
"Morning love," he said in his lilting Irish accent. Both he and I were afraid it would fade with time but I think for the most part, it was stuck. I smiled and walked over to him and sat on the chesterfiled next to him.
He put his book down and leaned over to kiss me. His touch was warm and comforting and a shiver went right up my spine.
I backed away and laughed. "I don't think you've kissed like that in a long time."
He smiled. "Oh... are you complaining?"
"Not in the least," I replied.
"I figrued you were riding in the arena and thought you'd be hungry," he said.
"I am. You thought rightly," I said.
He kissed me again and then escorted me to the table. It's rather weird: most peoples' romantic meal is dinner - with five courses and wine and candles.
Ours is breakfast.

-Scarlet =)

PS: Wow that felt good to write! If you read the whole thing, you deserve some sort of cash prize, lol!

How could we not read the whole thing!! It was sweet and awesome. A nice touch from, well, my stories at least! lol
Ash