[ty_tay]

Ciri snorted as Calvin tightened the strap on the saddle. She didn’t seem to mind it for the most part, but she didn’t know what was coming. She shifted to the side and looked back at Calvin like he was insane as he started testing his weight in the saddle.

Calvin chuckled and motioned for one of the other stable hands, Wess, to come hold Ciri’s reins. “Oh, don’t be afraid. She’s not like Seer. She won’t try to bite you.”

Wess gave Calvin a glare. “Yeah, you said that about Nitiri too and that little monster nearly took my finger off!” He grabbed Ciri’s reins as asked though and held her still.

“Yeah, well I didn’t know he was going to do that. Plus you’re whining again.”

“...Why didn’t you ask Nadi to help you?”

“It’ll do Ciri some good to be around other people, and Nadi wasn’t feeling well this morning. Ready/ Hold her steady.” Calvin pulled himself in the saddle as Wess nodded.

Ciri snorted and shuffled as Calvin leaned in the saddle.

Calvin patted Ciri’s neck. “Good girl, Ciri. Wess, you know what to do...”

Wess nodded and the two worked for a while with Ciri on walking and trotting with Calvin in the saddle. At the end of the session Calvin had Wess stop leading Ciri and tried steering her with just the reins, having a mild success overall.

“There’s one more thing I need your help with, Wess.” Calvin was removing Ciri’s saddle and changing the bridle out with the halter.

“If it involves being bitten by a pony ask HP to do it.”

“Oh quit pouting already! No, but it does involve another horse.”

“Alright, you’ve got my attention.”

Calvin rolled his eyes. “I want to introduce Ciri to another horse, so she won’t b alone out here. You’re helping even if you don’t want too.”

Wess chuckled. “Point taken o’ son o’ the boss...” He flinched as Calvin shot him a rare glare. “Which horse were you thinking?”

“I wasn’t entirely sure. I don’t want it to be one of the dominant mares, and definitely not a stallion yet.”

“Hmmm...” Wess thought as he helped carry the saddle to the tack room. “Perhaps Matre? Or better yet! Sugar.”

“Let’s try Sugar then. She’s calm enough that there shouldn’t be a problem.”

Wess nodded and went to go get Sugar.

Calvin went back to Ciri and hooked a lead rope on her. He stroked her neck as they waited for Wess and Sugar.

Ciri perked her ears and watched the buttermilk buckskin gypsy enter her paddock. She moved forward as Calvin tugged her lead. The other mare seemed laid back and curious of Ciri and the two seemed to get along.

After several minutes Wess took Sugar back into the barn and Calvin let Ciri loose in her paddock for the night giving her a special treat.

[ty_tay]

Ciri snorted as Calvin pulled himself into the saddle again. She seemed antsy that morning and as soon as he was on she took off into a gallop around the paddock. She neighed loudly as Calvin pulled back on the reins making her stop. The two spent three hours working in the saddle and calming down.

Once Ciri was calm he went to gather the things he’d need to start her noise desensitization. He began with a plastic bag on a stick and waved it in the air several feet away from him and Ciri. He later moved on to a small section of blue tarp as well as coins in a can and loud music of various types.

When all the ‘hard’ work was done, Calvin brought Sugar out into Ciri’s paddock again. He was peeking out a window when he heard someone approaching. He turned to see Hannah Polo, HP, walking briskly towards him.

HP’s curly brown hair bounced vigorously as she approached her friend and boss. Her chocolate eyes held worry and she knew Calvin could see it. “Cal, we’ve got a problem.”

“What’s wrong? Is everyone alright?”

“Yes, everyone is ok, but that could change. There’s been a cougar spotted on the property near the back pasture. The horses were pretty upset, and we’ve already moved them in closer.”

“Alright. No one is to go on the trails alone and go armed just in case. Also keep an eye on the fences. No horses sleep in the outside pastures for the next few nights.”

HP nodded. “So normal protocol. Got it.”

“Thank you, HP.” Calvin said as she left. He looked back out the window to the two mares.

[ty_tay]

Nadine fallowed Calvin out to the paddock. The morning dew clung to everything and the doves cooed from their hidden perches as the sun rose on the horizon. She watched from the fencing as Calvin and Ciri went about their routine, although at a shorter time frame than the usual. She smiled as Calvin led Ciri towards her.

Ciri nickered happily at Nadine and nuzzled the young woman’s shoulder affectionately.

Nadine laughed lightly and gave Ciri’s head a hug, resulting in the mare shaking out her mane. “So you’re putting her in a stall today, or did she not do as well as she was supposed to?”

“We’ll try it and see what happens.” Calvin smiled softly to Nadine as they walked on opposite sides of the fence towards the gate. He had already prepared a stall for Ciri, but he wasn’t certain shed be able to stay the night in it.

Ciri’s ears swiveled around as she was led through the barn. She was reluctant to go into the stall prepared for her, but entered as food was put into the feed bucket. She snorted as she realized Calvin had closed the door and left her alone.

Calvin and Nadine returned a couple hours later to find a relaxed Ciri waiting for them. Calvin led Ciri back to the paddock where Sugar was already waiting. The two mares were left together as Calvin and Nadine returned home for the night.

“Are you really sure you want to take Ciri on the trails tomorrow? Is she even ready for that?” Nadine looked at Calvin’s back as he worked on preparing dinner. She was leaning against the counter obviously concerned.

Calvin glanced over his shoulder at Nadine as he reached for a pairing knife. “I’ll be fine Nadi. Ciri is ready and she will do fine. Besides, it’s not like I’m going out alone. HP and Wess will be going too just in case.”

“But what about that cougar!? You still haven’t found it.”

“We’ve kept our eyes open for it and it hasn’t been spotted again, but we have found signs of it. Another reason why HP and Wess are going.”

Nadine folded her arms and looked towards the door. “I still don’t like it,” she mumbled.

“It’ll be fine, Nadi. Please stop stressing over it.” He was suddenly in front of her with his hands on the counter on either side of her, and effectively trapping her.

She looked up at him and sighed. “I can’t and won’t until you’re back safe, but I’ll try.”

Calvin smiled lovingly at her and gave her a kiss. “Thank you.”

[ty_tay]

Calvin was double checking the straps on Ciri’s saddle as HP and Wess rode up to the fence. HP was riding the perlino overo mare, Ella. Wess, the blue roan tobiano mare, Misani.

Calvin led Ciri out of the gate and mounted, joining the other two. They started down the path with Ciri in the lead and the other two behind.

Noting how Cirir seemed slightly nervous with both other horses behind her, Calvin had Wess and Misani move into the lead.

Ciri was most comfortable with having the other horses at her front and back. She seemingly enjoyed being on the trail and caused no fuss. She snorted as they stopped though to look at the tracks on the path.

HP had dismounted and was crouched over the tracks. “It’s the puma, but it looks a few days old. We haven’t found any recent signs of it either.”

“Maybe its moved on.” Wess seemed hopeful.

“Or it’s looking for an easy meal. Just because we haven’t seen signs of it, it doesn’t mean it’s gone.” Calvin replied as he patted Ciri’s neck and praised her.

“You’re such a pessimist, Cal.” HP stood up straight and looked at him with a smirk.

“You grow up with my parents and you learn to be cautious pretty quickly.” Calvin frowned back at HP. “Come on, let’s get back. I want to get all the horses in the barn and taken care of before it starts to rain tonight.” He got Ciri moving again.

“Oh right, we’re supposed to get a bad storm tonight.” Wess muttered as he took lead again.

HP huffed and got back on Ella and trotted to catch up to the boys.

[ty_tay]

Calvin had woken several times during the night: some from the thunder; some from a skittish dog; and once from a nightmare only to have Nadine calm him. When he awoke in the morning he was surprised to find that it was already eleven. He started to jump out of bed when Nadine entered with a tray of breakfast foods.

“Sit back down. Your work can wait while we eat, plus you didn’t sleep well so I let you sleep in. “Nadine set the tray down and gave a plate of pancakes to him.

“Nadi-“

“Eat Calvin.” Nadine took her own plate and waited for him to start eating. She didn’t complain when he got ready after eating, and gave him a kiss before he went out the door.

Calvin shook his head as he looked around. There was debris everywhere and even saw a few downed trees. He made a mental note to contact his father about them later. He made his way to the barn, meeting Wess halfway.

“We’ve already checked the fences and only have a few small patched to make.”

Calvin nodded in response and continued on his way. He went through the barn checking each horse. He spent a few more minutes with Ciri who seemed to be doing fine.

He spent most of the day trying to clean up the scatter mess of branches and debris, and fixing fences with the other stable hands. He was only able to spend about an hour working with Ciri that day.

[ty_tay]

Nadine glared at Calvin before shoving her way past him. “You’re wrong.”

Calvin followed Nadine scowling. “No, you just don’t want to admit that you mother disapproves, or more so hates me, and would never give us her blessing if I asked her permission.”

Nadine muttered under her breath. She grabbed Ciri’s saddle and bridle and walked briskly past Calvin, ignoring his protests in the matter.

“Nadi. Nadine!” He gently grabbed her arm. “Where the heck do you think you’re going!? You’re just going to walk away and not even talk about this!?”

Nadine huffed in response and pulled her arm free. She went to Ciri and saddled the mare. Leading Ciri outside, she quickly mounted and galloped off, down the trail, nearly running Wess over in the process.

Calvin met Wess at the barn door as he watched Nadine ride off.

“Jeez, what got into her? You gonna go after her?”

“No. She needs time to cool off. We got into a fight.”

“Ok then. Not gonna pry, but I’m guessing it has something to do with personal perception.”

~*~

Nadine slowed Ciri after a while and took in the calming forest around her. She closed her eyes and was deep in thought as Ciri walked down the path. They had only been gone for an hour or two, but Nadine hadn’t thought about the time. She stopped Ciri near a small stream that she knew was nearby. She dismounted to let Ciri rest before they started their way back.

Nadine had sat down on a boulder and was watching the sun as it got lower in the sky. She didn’t know she was being watched until Ciri screamed and bolted down the path, ripping the reins from her hands. Nadine cringed as a yowl erupted from behind her.

~*~

Calvin paced at the barn doors waiting for Nadine and Ciri to return. He looked up as he heard approaching hoof beats. He smiled relieved as he saw Ciri cantering towards him, only to look in panic as he noticed she was missing Nadine. He immediately went into action, calling the other stable hands from their homes in a panic.

It wasn’t long before the group set out in search of Nadine. They split into groups to cover more ground, but none of them knew which of the many trails Nadine had taken.

[ty_tay]

Calvin rubbed his face in a distressed manner. They had been searching all night and still had no sign of Nadine. He had been ordered back to the barn to await his adoptive family who were on their way over to help. He looked up as he heard vehicles pulling up the driveway, and rushed over to the truck his parents were exiting and was quickly embraced by his sister.

“Relax, little brother, you look like something chewed you up and spit you back out. We’ll find Nadi, and I’m sure she’ll be fine.” Sandy kissed Calvin’s cheek before releasing him. She was quickly replaced by their mother who comforted Calvin even more.

Calvin, tearing himself away from the females of the family, went to his father who was already giving others orders. “I’m going with you. I can’t sit here and do nothing anymore.”

JC nodded and patted Calvin’s shoulder. “Good, I expected no less. Go saddle some horses, and the mare Nadi was riding.”

“Why do we need Ciri?”

“She’s going to lead us to Nadi, Cal. You’ll see.”

It wasn’t long before Calvin, JC, and Sandy were on the trail. JC took the lead and had Ciri next to the stallion he rode. He watched Ciri carefully for her reactions, and would turn around every so often.

This pattern continued until Ciri snorted nervously. JC signaled for Calvin and Sandy to spread out and search the area for any sign of Nadine.

“NADINE! Calvin called repeatedly hoping for an answer. Desperation settled deeper into his being as he repeatedly received no answer. He stopped at a shallow stream and looked down at his reflection. Something caught his eye in the nearby brush as he turned to return to the horses.

A piece of burnt orange fabric fluttered on the branches of a bush. He recognized it from the blouse Nadine had been wearing the previous day. He called for his father and sister before starting to look further. He deemed that she must’ve been running from something.

Calvin followed the trail for several minutes before spotting a strange formation of rocks that seemed like a cave had collapsed in on itself. As he got closer he could hear whimpering. “Nadine?”

The whimpering stopped. “C-cal!?” Nadine’s voice came from under the rock.

Calvin immediately began shifting the rubble. “I’m here Nadi! I’ll have you out in a few minutes.”

“Wait! Cal there’s-“ She was cut interrupted by a growl from behind Calvin.

Calvin turned and rolled out of the way just as the cougar pounced. It yowled angrily and began to advance again. Just as the feline lunged again a gunshot went off and the beast fell to the ground limp.

Calvin immediately moved back to the rock pile and, with the help of the other two, had the rocks gone in a matter of minutes. He hugged Nadine tightly as she limped into the open.

The four returned to the ranch, calling everyone back. Calvin took Nadine to the emergency room to see to several scrapes and claw marks she received, and the other stable hands and Calvin’s family took care of the horses.

Ciri soaked up the attention she was given for having ‘led’ the group to Nadine.

[ty_tay]

Calvin brushed Ciri’s mane as he hummed lightly. He smiled as Nadine came over to join him. He watched as she braided the mare’s mane.

“Think you’d be up for a trail ride, Nadi? Not a long one.”

Nadine hesitated. She looked at Calvin and nodded once.

Calvin smiled softly and kissed her cheek. “We’ll go before sunset.”

The day went by quickly and Calvin had lightly worked Ciri in everything she’d learned, including the recent jumps. He got her ready for his and Nadine’s trail ride and then saddled Sugar for Nadine to ride.

Nadine was a little late and seemed nervous to be going on the trails again, though she was grateful to have Calvin with her this time. She watched the trees as they passed as if expecting something to attack them.

Calvin stopped them on a hill with a large oak and a grassy field surrounding it. A picnic was already laid out for them. He smiled as Nadine gave him a confused look. “Oh, didn’t I mention? I set up a picnic for us.”

“No, you didn’t.” Nadine smiled and kissed Calvin’s cheek.

The two watched the sunset as the ate their picnic. They sat side by side until Nadine noticed movement out of the corner of her eye. She flinched instinctually only to find it was Calvin. He had moved so he was kneeling and facing Nadine.

“Cal?” Nadine gave him a questioning look.

Calvin smiled bashfully. “Nadine, I have something I need to ask you.”

She watched him and gasped as he pulled out a small black box.

Calvin opened the box to reveal an engagement ring. “Nadi, will you-“ He was cut off as Nadine tackled him and kissed him. He smiled at her as she pulled away. “I take that as a yes?”

She nodded and kissed him again as the two mares neighed and knickered.