Free Southern Comfort by Ciana Stone Page B

munched it down as she petted him and then she stopped and walked away again. Twice more he followed and was rewarded. The third time there were no more carrots, but she rubbed his face and talked to him.
    And then walked away. "Here's the real test." Cody said.
    Riley didn't respond. They both knew that the chances of Twostep following her again were slim. Cody had tried the same thing and the dang horse just wasn't inclined to be sociable if there wasn't something in it for him.
    "Well I'll be damned." The words were out before he could stop them.
    Not only had the horse followed and not received a reward, but he was nuzzling Analise's neck like she was his best friend.
    "I know. I swear to god she's a natural- born horse whisperer."
    He scoffed at Cody's notion. "No way."
    "As God is my witness. You just saw it. A couple of days ago the new mare got spooked by a corn snake and we couldn't get her out of her stall. Annie went in and talked to her and the mare just followed her out like a damn puppy. It's freaky, Riley. Freaky."
    Riley turned his attention to Analise in the paddock. She petted Twostep some more and then turned and looked across the paddock. Riley could see the look of surprise on her face when she saw him.
    She crossed the paddock with Twostep at her side and stopped at the fence. "Riley, what a surprise."
    Riley cut his eyes at Cody. "She didn't tell you?"
    "Tell me what?"
    "He's joining us for camping."
    Analise looked from Cody to Riley and he could see her unease. For a moment he wondered if she was going to beg off but then she smiled a weak smile. "Great. I – I didn't know what people eat for this kind of thing here, but I packed up some food that can be eaten cold and some things that can be cooked over a fire."
    "Then let's get loaded up and head out."
    This time her smile seemed more genuine. "Okay. I'll go get the food."
    "Sounds like a plan." Riley opened the gate for her and watched until she was walked into the house before he turned to Cody. "What're you up to, half-pint?"
    "Nothin'."
    "Um hmmm." He followed her to the tack room and for the next little while they both focused on saddling their three horses and getting another ready to load up with the supplies.
    "You need anything outta your truck?" Cody asked when they finished.
    "Bedroll and jacket. You need anything from the house?
    "Same."
    "Take your mount and the pack horse and gimme the reins to the other two. I'll grab my stuff and meet you at the house."
    She did just that and he led the horses to his truck. It took less than a minute to grab his jacket and an old bedroll from behind the seat of his truck and secure it behind one of the saddles. He then led the horses to the house.
    Cody kicked open the screen door of the house, tossed two bedrolls onto the porch and then disappeared back inside. Riley secured the bedrolls. Just as he was finishing the door banged open again. Cody and Analise emerged, each with a sizable sack in their hands.
    Riley couldn't help wondering what  was in the sacks but he didn’t ask. He just secured them to the pack animal and swung up into his saddle.
    Cody cut him an evil eye when he grinned at the way Analise grimaced as she climbed into the saddle. He marveled that she even wanted to ride. He could remember what it was like to not have been in the saddle for a while. Getting back to it had cost him more than a few days of soreness.
    For the first couple of miles no one said a word. Analise must have taken fifty pictures in that time and he couldn't help but be amused. For people who lived here there didn’t seem to be much to see, but for her it had to seem alien. The landscape of West Texas could best be described as unforgiving. Some saw the harshness of it and others the beauty. He wondered which camp she fell into.
     
    Analise didn't know which emotion to go with – excitement or anxiety. It was exciting to be out riding across the barren landscape, watching the sky and searching the horizon