Chapter 2

When I woke up I went downstairs, already dressed.

“Hey Carrie, do you want to come to town with me? I need to pick up some supplies. I‘m leaving in an hour” mum asked me as I came down.

“Sure. I’ll just go do a few things first.”

I quickly had breakfast and went and fed a few animals and milked Patricia again. By that time mum was ready to go. I jumped in the hatchback Ute with her and we left. It took us an hour and a half to get to town, and when we got there we went to the grocery store and got the usual order mum put in. After two years she hadn’t changed much.

We took the groceries back to the Ute and my mum tried handed me a hundred dollars.

“What’s this for?” I asked, not wanting to take the money from her hand.

“Christmas is on Monday” which was three days away, “and we didn’t know what to get you so me and your father are giving you money.”“You don’t need to give me anything.”

“No, we do. Go and get something.”

“Mum,” I whined.

“Just go and get something.”

“Fine.” I said as she put the money in my hand.

“I’m going to the post office. There is a new mall down the road a bit. Go have a look there if you want.” she said pointing up the main road. I slowly made my way up that road towards the mall. I wasn’t really one for shopping but if this were with mum she’d be dressing me up in everything she could find. Dresses, skirts, heels, make-up, anything girly. I was not really into that sort of thing. As I was walking I saw a new saddle shop. ‘Vincent’s saddles,’ it is called. I have never seen it before. I walked in and the cow bell rang as the door hit it. Inside was nice ad air-conditioned. There were heaps of saddles and clothes, jodhpurs, checked shirts and a variety of boots. There were also bits, halters and bridles. That’s exactly what I needed, a new bridle because mine was all worn.

I went over to the bridles hanging up and examined them. There were show bridles, westerns, jumping, all sorts. I use to barrel race but not in two years. I grabbed a brown leather one, it was nice and had a curvy pattern all over it.

“So, do you come here often?” I heard someone say. I turned around and it was Luke. Why does life love torturing me? Why?

“That is the lamest thing I’ve ever heard come out of your mouth.” I

said, “Ever.”

“Well that line usually works,”

“On who? Morons?”

“You are so funny Carrie.” he said sarcastically.

“What are you doing here? Stalking me?” I said.

“There’s that sense of humour again, but no. I’m actually looking at saddles. What about you?”

“Looking at bridles.”

“That’s awesome.”

“Yes, I guess it is.”

There was a silence and Luke just had to break it.

“So are you going to the Rodeo on boxing day?”

“Not that I know of.”

“Would you like to come?”

“What?” I asked. I’m hoping he didn’t just ask me out on a date.

“Do you want to come with me?” he asked.

“Um, I’ll be right.”“Oh come on. I know you used to love rodeos when we used to go, you were the best barrel racer out there, and at the age of twelve.”

“So….?”“So do you want to come with me?”“Sorry cant. We’re mustering that day.

“All day?”

“Yes, it’s a lot of cattle.” I said and I went up to the counter to pay for my bridle, I did and turned around. He was still there.

“One more chance. You can see your competition and meet all your old friends from school.”

“You of all people should know that you were my only friend.”

“Thought I still was, and friends should accompany friends to the rodeo as a date .”

“I cant. Look I have to go, mum’s waiting.” and with that I walked out. I felt kind of bad but I didn’t want to go on a date with him.

I got back to the car and I handed my mum the change. She stared at the bag.

“Tell me you bought a dress or something from that Saddlery.”

“No, I bought a new bridle.”

“You are just like you father you know?”“Yeah, I know.” we got in the car and took off for home.

When I got there I wanted to try out my new bridle. I decided to take Mystery out this time, he looked like he needed it because he was getting fat.

I lunged him for a while then got into it. We rode for ages. It was great. The bridle was perfect. I hose Mystery down and he loved it. I walked in the stable and remembered the mess that horses could make. For the rest of the day I was shovelling horse crap of seven horses. What a life. Not that I was complaining or anything.

I went inside and dinner was ready.“How’s the bridle going?” Mum asked me.”

“Yeah good. Thanks for it.”“You’re welcome.”

We ate and I went and had a shower and crashed in bed.

I woke up and did my now, morning ritual of feeding and milking. It was Saturday and just two days until Christmas.

When I woke up on Sunday I was very jovial. I didn’t know why but I did. The days were warm and sunny.

When I walked in from milking mum was standing in the kitchen cleaning.

“So, what horse are you taking on the big muster on Tuesday?” she said.

“Sorry what?”

“The big muster you told Luke Connelly we were doing? What horse are you taking?” great, I was busted.

“um-,”

“Yes, that’s what I thought. Why did you tell Luke you couldn’t go to the rodeo on a date with him?”

“I don’t want to go on a date with him.”“Yes you do. I saw the way he looked at you the other day, he really likes you. He‘s a good boy”

“No he doesn’t and he‘s so cocky.”

“Yes he does and don’t use that language here.”“Sorry, Well I’m not going.”“Yes you are. Next time you see him you are going to accept the invitation.”

“But I don’t want to.”

“Look honey, his horse died the other day, he likes you and you are going to go.”“What, he told me Remmey died last year.”“No, it was the other day.”

“I don’t care. I’m not going on a date with Luke.”

“Yes you are.” She said and walked away. How did this happen?

Christmas morning was here and I came downstairs. Mum was brought a big fruit salad out to the table.

“Merry Christmas.” I said to mum and dad.

“Merry Christmas.” they said at the same time and mum hugged me.

We ate the delicious breakfast and it was time for presents. I ran upstairs to where I had hidden the presents that I bought from when I was in boarding school. I had gotten mum the new version of her cooking book, she loved it. And dad, I got him new working gloves. It wasn’t much but that made it all the better. Just when I thought about going outside mum pulled out another present. I stared t her.

“You already got me my present.”

“No, I decided that was from your father. This is from me.” I took the present and opened it. It was a black flowy dress with colourful dots all over it and a pink ribbon belt. There was also pink flats.

“Oh thanks mum.” I said hugging her.

“I knew you’d like it. Now I want you to wear that on your date with Luke.”

“What date?” dad said looking at me and mum.

“Carrie’s going to the rodeo on a date with Luke Connelly.” mum said to dad.

“It isn’t a date. And I‘m not going.” I argued.

“What is it then?”

“A forced casual get together. And I’m not going.”

“So you aren’t dating the boy?” Dad

“No, and I’m not going to wear the dress to a rodeo, or going.”“Why not?”

“Firstly, because it’s a dress and secondly, you don’t wear dresses to rodeos, and thirdly, I don’t want to go.”

“It wont be just a rodeo. It’s the fair too.”“I’m not going to go in that dress and I‘m not going.” I said, and just as I did I heard the front door slam. I looked down the hallway and there was Brad. He smiled at me and I jumped up and ran to him. I threw my arms around him and squeezed and he hugged me back. We let go and I punched his arm pretty hard.

“Ow, what was that for?” he said smiling. My expression was the opposite, I ignored him and walked out the door. Does he think that he can just disappear for a year and a half and expect everything to be ok when he gets back?

“Hey Carrie.” I turned around to see Rachael, Luke’s sister. I kept walking towards the barn. This is the time when I wish I had a horse of my own to go and confide in. That’s what I used to do, talk to my horse all the time.

I walked in and saw Luke shovelling hay down from the hay loft.

“What are you doing here?” I said but he didn’t answer. “Luke.” I said but he still didn’t turn around. The next thing I knew a pile of hay came down on top of me.

“What the hell are you doing?” I yelled but he still didn’t turn around and another pile came down on me. Why the hell is he ignoring me? I went and picked up a bit of horse crap and pegged it at him and it hit his shoulder. That’s when I saw him pull out earphones from his ear.

“Oh, hey Carrie.” he said and I glared at him.

“What are you doing here? Shouldn’t you be at home with your own family?” he laughed and climbed down the ladder and stood in front of me.

“Did you roll around in the hay or something?” he said pulling a bit from my hair.

“No, you were throwing it at me. And what are you doing here?”

“Shovelling hay.”

“Why aren’t you with your parents and little sister? It‘s Christmas.”

“Well they are coming over here later and I thought I might as well come now.”

“Did you know your sister is here?”

“No she’s not, she’s at home.”

“No, I meant your older sister, Rachael. Her and Brad came back just then.”

“What?”

“Have a look.” I said pointing towards the house. He looked and just stared. He probably couldn’t believe it either.

“I probably should go now.” he said. He grabbed his hat and walked out from the barn. I followed him and he went to his bike straight away. Rachael saw him and walked after him.

Luke started the bike and Rachael started yelling.

“Luke, wait.” she said and stood in front of the bike. “You cant tell them yet.” She said and pulled the keys from the bike. They then hugged and I went back to the house. I didn’t want to talk to Brad, not after he left me here. Not that I stayed for very long after but he could have stayed then I would have stayed. But no, he had to run away didn’t he.

I walked in and saw mum and Brad on the couch talking, but dad was nowhere to be seen.