Reckless Rogue
Part 3

by Wizzy

DISCLAIMERS: See Part 1

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Part 3

Terri had put the filly through her paces and cooled her off. After turning her loose in a day paddock, she went in search of the barn help. Terri knew where to find Jesse. She was a quiet kid, but good at her job. She left directions for the day, moved back inside and saddled her palomino.  She walked to the cook shanty and had them pack her a bag lunch. After saddling her mare, she headed out to bring in a herd of cattle from one of the higher ranges. It felt like snow and she knew it would be better if they were closer to the barn so they could feed hay with a tractor if need be. 

Terri had spent the day in the saddle. It had felt good to be free and out doing the next best thing to the rodeo riding. As she headed back to the barn, she knew she'd have to face Tamara sooner or later, but she was hoping it was later.

But no such luck. Tamara was in the office with the red haired beauty. Terri’s mind went blank; she wanted to run her hands through that hair. ‘What would those lips taste like?’ She shook her head to clear the thoughts. 

"Ter? Can you come in here a sec please?" Tamara asked. 

"Yes ma'am," quipped Terri. She hadn’t wanted to talk in front of Taylor but she knew there was no way out know. All she wanted was a hot bath and something to eat. 

“Did you get the feed put away? And the cows brought down out of the higher hills?" Tamara's eyes grew dark. ”It’s going to snow tonight; we need them close so we can feed them." 

“Yeahup, they’re down in the south pasture. The feed was put up last night ‘fore I turned in,” snapped Terri. “The older stock is behind the barn now. I found part of a fence down, fixed it, an’ will move them on to higher ground if the weather permits. I’ll ride out again tomorrow and check for any strays I might have missed. If there’s nothin’ else, I need a hot meal.” Terri’s eyes were a deep blue with hunger. Taylor's lips haunted her mind, or was it the sexy look in those eyes? She couldn’t even look towards Taylor. She stared at her dusty boots, her face burning bright red. 

"That’ll be good. If the storm breaks by morning, take Jesse with you. She can help bring in the strays. Now go eat ‘fore you fall and bump your head again." Tamara grinned at Terri. The last time she had been up with little or no sleep and no food she had passed out and needed a few stitches. 

Terri's eyes got darker at Tamara's comment. She spun on her heel, heading for the cook shanty. 

Tamara grinned at Taylor. “Tell me her story, Tam?” 

"Not much to tell. She was busted up pretty bad on the rodeo circuit in an accident that also killed her lover.  She ended up here. Not much more than that. Something’s hurting her bad. She hasn’t really gotten to know any of the other hands except for Jesse. I checked her out and she was in the top four ranking going into the rodeo finals. Everyone speaks highly of her but none has much info. The accident was too much and she quit the circuit. She keeps to herself mostly. On the weekends, she goes to town with Jesse to play pool. A word of advice, that kind don’t stay in one place too long." Tamara met Taylor’s eyes and smiled sadly. “She’s not worth your time, hon." 

Taylor smiled back "Ahh but it’s the challenge of it all. Sounds like no one’s given her a chance. She’s like a sick puppy that never had a home to call her own.” Taylor wondered how she would gain Terri's trust. It wouldn’t be easy but she had a plan. “You still got that gelding I like?" 

"Yes. I had Terri bring him in the day before yesterday. She’ll take some of the rough edges off him. He’s in the stall next to the Terri’s palomino. You know where to find the tack.  I’d ask you not to ride out in the storm we got brewing tonight but knowing you, you wouldn’t be able to stop yourself from it." Tamara giggled at Taylor. 

"No, I think if this storm breaks tomorrow I’ll take a ride. Right now, I think I’ll head back to my cottage and relax. I have some phone calls to make and then I think I’ll cuddle up with a good book. See you tomorrow afternoon?"  Taylor’s eyes grew warm and friendly. “It’s good to be home. Thank you for putting me up hon." 

"T, you know you’re welcome here anytime. It’s been too long. Let’s plan a night out tomorrow. There’s a new bar in town I’d like to check out. We’ll do dinner and then have a few drinks.” 

************************************************** 

Taylor was headed for her cottage when she spotted the lights on in the arena. “Thought I might find you hiding here.” She spoke softly not want to scare Terri off. “Anything I can help you with, Terri?” 

“Nope,” came the curt reply. 

“Can you ride the gelding down for me? Tam said I could use him while I’m here.” She wanted to reach out and touch the soft black hair peeking out from under that sexy Stetson. 

“I brought him down with us the other day. I’ll shake the kinks out of him after I eat. Then he’s all yours.” Terri turned away; she knew Taylor was going to touch her so she made her escape quickly. 

Terri took her dinner back to her cottage for some much-needed time alone. She had just finished washing the dishes to go back to the cook shanty when a knock on her door startled her, causing her to drop the plate in her hand. “DAMMIT! This better be good.” she snapped as she yanked open the door. 

Blue eyes met green. Taylor brushed past her, walking into the living room.  “Tam ditched me. Guess she had a date. I thought maybe I could help you work the gelding tonight. Where’s your dust pan and broom?” 

Terri ran a hand through her hair, frustrated, “Don’t you ever slow down?” she asked. 

“No, now where’s your dustpan, butter fingers?” Taylor started opening the doors looking for a broom. 

Terri silently handed Taylor the broom from behind the door. Taylor’s hand closed over hers; blue to green meeting with words unspoken. Taylor leaned into Terri whispering “I don’t bite” as she moved closer.  

Terri’s eyes clouded, going a deeper shade of blue. Their bodies touched, sending shockwaves through them both. Terri pulled back as it felt like someone had punched her in the stomach. Her eyes became the color of blue ice. 

“Don’t do that again, Taylor,” she snapped, pulling the broom out of Taylor’s hands. Tossing it aside, she walked out, heading for the barn to work the gelding. It was all Terri could do not to slam the door. 

Taylor let herself calm down. The heat of passion was intense. She knew parts of Terri’s story. She had seen her on TV many times and she knew that she was famous in the world of the gay rodeo circuit. However, that wasn’t the problem. She hadn’t come here to get involved with anyone. This was her hideaway, a place to relax. She had sold her practice. She was free now. She didn’t need another woman who had baggage. She’d left one of those behind when she sold out, packed her stuff up and left the state. Nevertheless, she couldn’t get Terri out of her mind. Taylor felt like a freight train had just run her over and smiled to herself as she thought of her dream last night. ‘Damn. Those icy blue eyes....’ She grabbed the broom and cleaned up the broken glass. 

************************************************** 

Taylor could hear Jesse laughing. She made a quick detour towards the barn arena where Terri was having trouble getting the gelding to stand still enough to saddle. She was swearing up a blue streak. Terri tried to saddle the gelding.  He didn’t like it one bit and with his ears plastered to the back of his head, he lunged at Terri with his teeth. 

“Silly boy, you stop this right now. We don’t want to be actin’ like a two year old with Taylor riding you. So let’s just get this idea out of your head. This sumbitch won’t stand still. Come hold him, Jesse” Terri was getting pissier by the minute and all Jesse could do was laugh at her. Most would have had their head bitten off by now but the two had developed a good working relationship and a trust that went beyond words. 

************************************************** 

Terri could feel Taylor watching her. How long she had been there Terri wasn’t sure. Her senses must be getting a little dull if she couldn’t ‘feel’ she was being watched and that only added to the frustrations of her day.  

Jesse grabbed the gelding’s ear and twisted it. He stood still for Terri long enough to get the saddle cinched up tight. She led him to the riding arena. Walking him around a few times on a lunge line, he proceeded to kick his heels as he made his rounds. The gelding hadn’t been ridden in a long time and Terri knew this would be a wild ride. 

Out of the corner of her eye, Terri could see that Taylor and several of the ranch hands were waiting for her to ride him. She pulled his head closer whispering in his ear, “Ok boy, let’s give ‘em a show.”  

She took a leap and placed herself in the saddle. She grabbed for the stirrups as the gelding hit the air. With his head tucked under, he bolted across the dirt floor, bucking and twisting; trying to rid himself of the heavy object on his back. It wasn’t as if he wasn’t broken to ride but it had been many months since he had felt a rider on his back. A horse can go sour when not worked.  If he could get out of it and get this extra weight off his back, he would. Terri bit the inside of her mouth clean through as once again she had forgotten her mouth piece. 

The gelding came to a stop puffing hard. Terri trotted him around the ring several times. Jumping off, she looked square at Taylor and nodded. Taylor’s face went white. She shook her head NO! Terri’s blue eyes turned cold. She mounted the gelding again and rode him straight over to Taylor. She nodded at Jesse. 

“Taylor, it’s ok. He’s been ridden down now. He’ll be just fine. You need to ride him so he knows that you’re the boss. It’s better to do this while Terri’s here with you than on your own.” Jesse shoved Taylor towards the gate Terri held open from astride the gelding. 

The gelding stood quietly as Terri dismounted. She gave Taylor a hand to help her up. A flash of softness went through Terri’s eyes as she looked into Taylor’s green ones. Taylor settled into the warm saddle. Terri adjusted the stirrups to fit her shorter legs and clipped the lunge line back to the gelding’s halter. She wanted Taylor to have control, but still wanted be able to keep the gelding in check as she let out the long lunge line. 

“Taylor, walk him nice and slow. Let him get used to the feeling of having you on his back,” Jesse said.  

“You’re doing great Taylor. Now kick him up a notch into a trot. I know you’ve ridden many times, but he can tell you’re nervous, so relax. I’ll walk you through it. Just focus on his ears. He’s listening to you.” 

Jesse’s voice was calming Taylor down. It had been years since she had been on top of a horse and not doing surgery on it instead. She could feel Terri’s eyes on her, never leaving her face. They made eye contact several times. Taylor could have sworn she had seen Terri wink at her. There was almost a smile on that lovely face. Then it was gone just as quick. Terri nodded at Jesse. 

“Ok Taylor we’re going to let him loose and you take him on your own.” 

Taylor tugged gently on the reins bring the gelding to a halt. Terri moved in and unclipped the line to the halter while looking up at Taylor. “All you need to do is show ‘em who’s boss.” The half grin appeared not quite reaching the eyes. 

“I’ll keep that in mind.” Taylor flashed a sexy smile. “Butter fingers.” Taylor nudged the gelding to get him moving. 

Shaking her head, Terri moved away from the arena. She moved toward one of the other pens where a young filly was waiting for her turn at training. Terri walked the filly into the center of the arena and nodded at Jesse again.  She and Jesse had done this for weeks on end. They could talk with no words actions were enough. 

“Taylor, move him down toward the other end of the ring. We’ll give Terri some room,” Jesse called out. 

************************************************** 

Taylor pulled her mount to a stop and watched as Terri shook out the lunge line. Terri’s focus was on the filly now. ‘Let’s see if I can keep my mind on the filly not on the red head’. She clicked her tongue getting a quick response from the filly, which then moved away from Terri into a smooth walk. They went through the paces while Terri decided to try to ride her tonight.  She felt confident that the filly was ready. 

”Jesse, get Taylor out of the ring now,” Terri called. 

Taylor moved the gelding over to the gate, dismounted, and led him outside the ring. Jesse climbed up to perch on a top rail.  

“Just drop the reins. He’ll stand there until you’re ready. Climb on up. This should be a rough ride.” Jesse grinned at her.  Taylor just held her breath. 

“So this is why they called her the Reckless Rogue huh?” Taylor asked Jesse. 

“A hint to you, Taylor, don’t let Terri over hear you call her that. She’ll freak. Yeah, that’s why. She’s damn good at breaking them in.” Jesse’s eyes filled with envy.

Continued in Part 4

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