I went into the game room to listen to them run through a few numbers.
George looked up from his guitar ad stopped playing and announced, "Hey, look here comes our riding instructor."
They all stopped and looked at me as I stood there blushing.
Ringo said, "You can be me riding instructor for the day, 'cause I don't know how to ride."
The other three all snickered.
Go into my teacher-type mode I said, "O.K. you can ride on the back of my horse behind me, we'll lead another horse for you along side of my horse, when you get the hang of it, you'll get on your horse and ride by yourself, I'll keep the lead strap on your horse for awhile, if you like, until you feel comfortable on your own."
Ringo replied, "You are a dear to take care of me like that,"
The others giggled at him again.
"Well, I don't want you to fall off and hurt yourself." I said.
Paul laughing said, Well, if he falls on his head it might do him some good."
"Oh sod off, Paul" Ringo said with a sneer.
I asked, "Well, are you guys ready to go or do you want to play some more?"
John said, "Let's go, we're done."
The five of us walked next door, to Sam's place and when we got to his small stable, I opened the door to hear the eager neighing of five hungry horses.
Talking to the horses I said, " I know, I know, you poor things are probably starving, you aren't used to getting fed this late."
Each of the horses had their heads hanging over their stall doors in anticipation of their morning hay. The guys went to pet the horses noses and I went into the feed room to get the flakes of hay for the horses. I was in the process of getting down a bale of hay from the stack when suddenly, two arms reached around me and lifted the bale up and away from me.
"Why didn't you call me to help you get this down, silly?" George said, setting the bale down on the ground.
I said, "I'm used to doing this alone, so I didn't think to ask for help."
George scolded, "These are heavy, luv, you ask for help as long as we're around o.k.?"
"Yes sir, I will sir!" I grinned, clicked my heels and saluted him.
"Don't be cheeky." He said.
Laughing I said, "O.K. I'm just used to doing this kind of work, because when I was younger, my family had a small farm and my brother and I had a lot of chores to do."
"So, you were a regular little farm girl 'eh?"
"Yeah"
"Well, little farm girl, while I'm here give yourself a break and let me do the heavy lifting, o.k.?"
"Well, that sounds like a fair deal to me, thank you; it's kinda nice having someone around that wants to help."
"I like helping out."
I began to look for my small pocket knife to cut the baling twine. George just stood there staring at me and grinning.
Noticing his eyes on me I asked, "What?"
"I think you look pretty cute in your little riding outfit" He said still grinning.
"Oh, your just a pushover for girls in tight breeches"
"Well, you do look mighty fine in them you know," He said with a sensual grin and he put his arms around my waist. He shyly asked, "Do you, uh, do you like me Angel?"
I thought, do I like you? I've had a crush on this guy since I fist saw him and now that I was getting to know him, I found that I liked his pesonality too. To say I liked him was an understatement. I couldn't let on to him more feelings then he had for me so I nonchalantly said, "Sure, George you're a real nice guy, of course I like you, why?"
"Because I want to know if you'd go out with me."
"Go out with you! When, how, where?"
"Does a moonlit walk on the beach interest you?"
"Yes, I'd love it, when?"
"Tonight o.k. with you?"
"Tonight's great!"
"Good then it's a date." he pulled me close to him and kissed me playfully on the nose, I giggled at him but when I looked up into his eyes I saw more then just a playful grin. He tried hard to keep me guessing just what was in his heart. It was fun, yet unsettling all at the same time, I had to look away from his gaze, it scared me, not knowing what to think.
While still in his arms, he looked almost like he might be giving thought to kissing my lips but suddenly we heard someone coming.
"Oh, bloody hell, what crappy timing," He said with disgust as he quickly released his hold on me.
" Why," I asked not real sure I was reading him correctly.
Almost irratated he said, "Oh, never mind, it's nothing."
Slightly confused I tried to look busy unfastening the baling twine.
Paul came in and said, "Come on, the poor horses are starving, what's taking you guys so long?"
I made up some excuse about having trouble getting the hay down and not being able to find something to cut the twine with, "I can't find my pocket knife, Paul, do you have one?" I said as I winked at George, who stopped being irratated at Paul's intrusion, and tried hard to suppress a laugh.
Paul began to search for something sharp to cut the twine.
I felt my back pocket and said, "Oh, hear it is" and pulled my trusty pocket knife from my pocket and cut the bale open.
"Now, here Paul, you take these four flakes of hay and give two each to "Buddy" and "Whiskers" their names are on their stall doors, George and I will bring the rest." I instructed.
Paul took the hay from me and went back into the barn.
I turned back to George who was snickering and mimicking me, "Good excuse, I couldn't find my pocket knife."
I laughed and grabbed an armload of hay and so did George and off we went to feed my charges.
As the horses chomped away, I started picking out their stalls and filling the wheelbarrow. The guys took turns dumping the wheelbarrow outside, and the whole process went much faster then when I did it by myself.
"Thank you guys so much for your help," I said as we finished up.
Ringo said, "Your welcome, we're glad to help."
I said, "O.K. now, I'll go get the halters and lead ropes and you guys pick out which horse you want to ride, they're all pretty gentle."
I returned with the gear and said, "Put their halters on and snap the lead ropes on and then bring them out into the aisle, then tie them on the outsie of their stalls using the tie rings, that you'll find hanging outside of each stall; if you need help, just ask."
I handed out the ropes and halters. Ringo asked fo helped right off, so I showed him how to fasten the halter and lead on to Butterscotch his chosen mount. Then I got outa hoof pick and showed him how to clean hooves. I told Ringo and the rest where all the brushes and combs were and gave them a quick demonstration of grooming on Butterscotch.
I got out Velvet, since he was the only one remaining in his stall, and started grooming him down.
John and George wanted a demonstration on hoof cleaning, so I showed them and then asked Paul if he needed any assistence.
Paul said, "No, my brother and I used to go riding a lot, so I pretty much know what to do, but thanks anyway."
"Good, then you can help out the others too if they need any help, " I said.
Once we had our mounts groomed and ready for their saddles and bridles, I had the guys come with me to the tack room to choose english or western tack. Paul, John and Ringo chose western tack. George and I chose english tack.
John asked George, " Why did you two choose english tack over western?"
George replied with a silly grin playing on his lips, " I don't know about Angel, but I think the horn on those western saddles look a bit hazardous to me private property, and I'm not taking any chances."
We all laughed and I said, " Well, I like english saddles because the stirrups stay in the correct position for putting your foot into, you don't have to fumble around with them, like with a western saddle."
With that the guys took their chosen tack and I helped Ringo saddle and bridle Butterscotch, Paul helped out John and George. I went back to the tack room to get my horse's tack. I came back out with Velvet's bridle hung over my right shoulder, lugging the saddle pad, saddle and straps in my arms, awkwardly walking toward Velvet.
"Ah,ah,ah, now what have I told you, let me take that," George said, walking over and taking the saddle and pad from my arms.
"Oh, it's more awkward then it is heavy, but thank you," I said letting him take the load.
"I guess, I'm going to have to keep a close eye on you, you've had to be independent for so long and you try to push yourself too much," George said as we walked.
"I guess you're right, I'll try to remember, I have a nice strong man around who wants to spoil me," I said grinning.
George said, "That's right and don't keep forgetting it."
I said, "O.K., O.K., I'll try to do better, Atlas."
Smiling at my nickname for him he said, " Good, I feel better already."
I said, " O.K., muscle man, would you please toss that saddle up on Velvet's back for me?"
George put the saddle up on Velvet and I cinched it up and put on the bridle." I had everyone bring their horses outside to mount up.
George had chosen Jasper, a tall, dark bay colored, gelding measuring 16 hands high, he was a Thoroughbred-quarter horse cross, a strong but kind horse, the two were a perfect match.
John had chosen Buddy, a chestnut colored quarter horse gelding, who had a white blaze and four white socks. Buddy had a spirited disposition and real chacter.
Paul chose Whiskers an older gelding of Appaloosa heritage, white with a speckled rump. Whiskers' personality was friendly, gentle and reliable, never one to spook easily.
Ringo's chosen mount was my personal favorite, Butterscotch, or Scotchy as Ringo chose to call him. He was a beautiful gelding with sorrel coloring (Chestnut with a golden blonde mane and tail), a quarter horse, Butterscotch was like a big, friendly, dog, he loved people, loved to follow you around, share your lunch, rest his head on your shoulder when given the chance, just a real pal of a horse, always willing to please, very well trained, an excellent mount for Ringo.
My mount was Velvet, a shiny black Thoroughbred gelding. Velvet was a very elegant horse as well as graceful, his extensive training in dressage made him effortless to ride, his gate was smooth as silk. As well trained as Velvet was, he did have a tendency to be a bit nervous, so I always rubbed his neck and spoke soothingly to him and we got on splendidly, he seemed to need a gentle hand and he trusted me.
Once I got up o Velvet's back I asked George to give Ringo a boost up to sit behind me.
"O.K., now Ringo, to learn the feel of the reins, I'll let you hold on to the reins with me, and then I'll gradually let you take control, until you get the hang of it, " I instructed.
Ringo said looking at George, "Look George, I get to put me arms around her, aren't you jealous?"
"Don't get too cozy up there or I'll bust your head, Ringo!" George warned.
Ringo whispered in my ear softly, "He"ll have to catch me first!"
John leaned toward Paul and whispered, "I told you Paul, Georgie's in L-O-V-E."
Paul just smirked.
Petting Jasper, George just stood there pretending he didn't hear what John had said.
Then Ringo picked up the collar on my blouse and started sniffing it. I elbowed him in the chest and asked him, "What the heck are you doing?"
Ringo said quietly, "I can't help me self, you smell so good, what's that you're wearing luv."
I whispered, "Musk perfume, now behave!"
Ringo put his arms around me to take the reins and then he nuzzled his chin onto my right shoulder, close to my neck, so he could see, I knew that he had to see but that part of my neck is very sensitive, so it was difficult for me to concentrate.
George, obviously getting a bit jealous, which intrigued me greatly, said, "Ring, I'm warning you!"
"I'm not doing anything; I've got to see where we're going, don't I?" Ringo said, trying to look innocent.
"Yeah,right, Mr. innocent, " George said, glaring at Ringo.
I said, "Don't worry, if he gets to fresh, I'll dump him off the back of Velvet, " I chuckled.
Shocked Ringo said, "You wouldn't do that, thought you liked me, pet?"
I reached around with my right hand and patted the side of Ringo's face, which was still resting on my shoulder and said, "Of course, I like you, but it seems to me I read somewhere that you just got married about seven months ago, and Maureen is due to have your first child any day now." I continued, "You're very sweet and adorable and Maureen is a very lucky woman."
"Oh, God, can I puke now!" said Paul and John in unison.
"Oh, bugger off, se can say nice things about me, if she wants to," Ringo said grining.
"Just don't get a big head over it Ring." George said.
Ringo teased, "You're all just jealous, that's all."
"Oh, brother!" George muttered rolling his eyes as he swung up onto Jasper.
John added, "Eh, anybody have a pin, I think we need to pop Ringo's over inflated head."
"Oh Shurrup!" Ringo snapped back.
"Yeah, there's no time for fussing and fighting my friends," I said trying to be clever with song lyrics from "We Can Work It Out."
John grinned and said, "I wrote that bit you know."
"Good song, " I said.
"Thanks," replied Paul and John.
"Well, Paul and ohn get on your horses and let's go; Ringo and I aren't going to go very fast, because the back of the saddle will hurt him if we do, but if you guys want to go faster that's o.k." I said, nudging Velvet in the sides.
With the lead rope I had attached to Butterscotch in hand I ponied him along with us.
It was a beautiful sunny day, so the trail was nice and dry and easy to ride on. We all walked our horses single file, up and down the small hills on the meandering trails behind the stable. When we had reached a clearing in a large open meadow, John and Paul decided to have a race to the other side. George stayed back with Ringo and I.
Ringo seemed to be learning very fast so I asked him if he felt ready to try riding on Butterscotch by himself.
Ringo said, "Yeah, I'll give it a go."
He slid down off of Velvet and then got on Butterscotch. To my complete surprise he said, "Thanks for the instruction teacher, I learned a lot."
He unsnapped the lead rope from Butterscotch, then with a sly little grin, he bolted off with Butterscotch to catch up with John and Paul!
I started yelling, "Wait, Ringo, don't go so fast you'll fall off and kill yourself."
I shot a panicked look at George and shouted, "We've got to follow him and catch Butterscotch before he runs off with Ringo and hurts him!"
I started Velvet into a gallop, George and Jasper came bombing up beside me, with George yelling, "Stop, Angel, there's no need to chase Ringo down, he's fine, he's a good rider, almost as good as Paul, he was putting you on!"
I pulled Velvet to a screeching stop and said, "What did you say?"
George turned Jasper around and rode over to where I'd stopped, parking Jasper in the opposite direction that Velvet was facing, so he could see my face.
"It's true, Ringo's a fine rider, has been since he was a kid, he was just pulling your leg, saying he couldn't ride," George said grinning.
I said puzzled, "I don't get it, if he knows how to ride and you guys all knew he knew how to ride, why did you have him ride with me?
"Oh, I don't know he's been trying his best to see if he can make me jealous all day"
"He has?" I said and then continued, "But, he's married!"
"So, we've been on the road a long time and I think he just is feeling a bit needy for female companionship, if you know what I mean."
Shocked, my mouth dropped a foot, and in dismay I said, "So, you think just because you guys have been on the road a long time that you can just cheat on your wives and girlfriends back home, eh?"
George just sat there and said nothing, that just made my blood boil and I really let him have an earful, in disgust I said raising my voice, " So, you think that's o.k. too, huh?" Not letting him get a word in I continued, "Well, I'll let you know right here and now, I'm not going to be some tart that you guys think you can hand around to have your fun with, if you guys think that's why I invited you here you are sadly mistaken; maybe this was a really bad idea!"
Hurt and really angry I spun Velvet around and started back home at a canter. George took off after me yelling for me to stop and listen to him.
I slowed Velvet to a walk so George could catch up with me, wondering what he was going to come up with.
"Angel, Angel, dear, you've got it all wrong, we never came here with that in mind, God, do you think we're all swingers or something?"
" I don't know, I know what they say about the wild stuff rock stars do on the road, and all you guys have been flirting with me since you got here, and then when you said that about Ringo, I guess I jumped to that conclusion."
" Oh, sheesh, I really stuck my foot in it, didn't I?"
"Well, what do mean to say?"
" Well, just because we get a little lonely for a girl, doesn't mean we jump everyone that passes by, and we are very honoured that you invited us here and it's just a compliment to your beauty that we all flirt with you." Seeing that I wasn't totally convinced he added, "You see, this morning, I told the lads that I kind of fancied you a bit, and then it became a game for them to give me a bad time and do everything they could to make me jealous."
"Did they?"
" Naw, I'm above that kind of thing," George said trying to look convincing.
"Yeah, right?" I said.
" Well, I see you are a girl with some real character, I like that, do you still want to be friends?"
"Yeah, we can still be friends," I said emphasizing the word friends.
George hung his head in disappointment and said, "So, I suppose by the way you said that, you don't want to go to the beach with me tonight then."
Still a bit unsure that I believed half of what George had said, I said, "Well, I don't know if I should."
Looking concerned George looked into my eyes and put his hand gently on my knee and pleaded, "Oh, Angel, I'm so sorry I've upset you, what can I do to make it up to you, I can tell you think I'm feeding you a line of crap, but I'm not, I do enjoy your company and I would never want to hurt you, but I guess I already did, so I guess I wouldn't blame you if you didn't want to go out with me tonight, but I just hope you can forgive me, I'd hate for you to have bad feelings toward me, I really should of explained better, I am really sorry, Angel."
I hated the fact that his apology melted my heart, when I was trying so hard to be aloof and not wear my heart on my sleeves, I gave in and said, "Oh, alright I forgive you, and I'll go out with you tonight, and I'll try to believe you, but just remember actions speak louder then words."
George's face lit up like the sunrise and he pulled my face close to his with a big silly smile on his face he said, "Oh, thank you so much, you're the best, Angel, the best!" I started to say something and was cut off by a pair of lips that were quickly pressed into mine. George had been so thrilled by the fact that I didn't hate him and I was still going out with him that he just got a bit caught up in the excitment. That's what I thought until he pulled away to see my reaction and noticed that I was wide-eyed but pleasantly surprised. He then gazed into my eyes so deeply that it overwhelmed me and made me feel too vulnerable, like a terriefied deer paralysed by oncoming headlights. I had to pull my face from his gentle hands and my eyes away from his, as I felt my face growing increasingly warmer, and I was afraid I was going to show my feelings for him and I wasn't quite ready for that.
George said, "You know you are so cute when you look down and get all embarrassed."
"Oh, stop it, you weren't supposed to see that," I said, as I tried to turn Velvet around so George couldn't see my face.
George did his best to ride around in circles around me, but due to Velvet's extensive dressage training he could pivot on a dime and was too fast for Jasper to keep up with. I began to laugh at the game it was becoming.
Frustrated, George giggled, "You'll never get away from us, we'll get you," As he made a grab for my reins, trying to stop me.
I and Velvet were to quick for him and he almost fell out of his saddle as I had Velvet cantered away from him.
Calling over my shoulder I said, "No, I don't think so!" Laughing into the wind that tossled my hair, I sped away.
Surprised George yelled, "You sly little vixen" Then undaunted, he gathered himself back into a sitting position and vigorously urged Jasper into a full out gallop in my direction.
Playfully trying to lose him, when I noticed that he was swiftly closing in on me, I dashed out of the meadow and back into the protection of the wooded trail. I had to slow Velvet a bit, so as not to have an unfortunate introduction to any of the trees. George was much more daring or maybe foolish is a better word for it and he didn't slow up, causing him to catch up to me at an alarming rate. Not wanting to be overtaken, I quickly darted under a low hanging branch, which placed me on a winding trail that followed a now dry creek bed.
I was sure I had lost George, when I had been riding for what seemed like about a quarter mile, and I hadn't seen or heard him, since I'd ditched him when I went under the low branch. Confident that I had escaped, I decided to dismount and give Velvet a rest before I headed back to find George before he got himself throughly lost. I sat down on the grassy, steep, slope of the creekbed and relaxed, starring down into the dry creek bed, I began to daydream about how pretty this spot was when the cool, clear, water flowed between it's banks, from late fall until early summer. It was a great spot for picnic on a nice day.
Suddenly, I was yanked out of my dreamy state by a loud crack of a branch snapping into behind me. I jumped to my feet and spun around to see who the intruder was that had crept up behind me. Before I could get a look at what was behind me, I lost my balance and started to fall.
