Breaking in (JackLexington)

Damn. I thought I could get through this without having to talk to anyone. "The horse." I slightly nod my head at it. "I'm here to break him. The Anderson's asked my dad to send me over..." my voice soft but annoyed trailed off as I stepped closer to the bronco to take a look hardly being able to see over the stall door. The two inch heels on my boots barely helping me reach the boys shoulders. Pulling the rubber band off my wrist I quickly tie my hair back in a sloppy ponytail.

"Is that a problem" I looked the boy over again suprised to catch his eyes. So green, I think to myself, and oddly I feel heat rise to my cheeks. I walk away quickly trying to find a halter and lead. I should have brought my stuff, I mumble under my breath. Making a mental checklist I also note to wear something a little nicer than my father's old threadworn flannel.

"Excuse me." I stop in my tracks whipping my head around. My eyes looking upward at his obviously shocked face. "Do I look like I'm kidding?" my voice quiet and firm. The thoughts of trying to be friendly flying from my mind, is he questioning that I can handle the horse? Is he thinking because of my size I can't hold my own? I shake the thoughts from my head and look up at him again trying to stand a little taller than my barely five foot tall frame will let me.

"I was told to be here today to work the chestnut bronco who has been giving the Anderson's problems. I'm here, this is the horse. Now where is the harness and lead." I know my voice sounds harsh but I'm tired of waiting and just want this day to be over so I can leave the judging eyes of the boy. Grinding my toe into the ground like a child I fidget waiting for the answer.

I take a seat on a tack box as I watch him storm out. A smirk crosses my lips, knowing what the Anderson's will tell him. I hear the stomping of his boots as he walks back in limping and the look on his face tells it all. That limp has to be the reason I'm here, I think in my head as he spits out where the supplies are. I hop up and head into the tack shack, "I'm Noreen." I toss out as I pass him.

Once inside I grab a worn blue harness and a lead. Looking around I find a bristle brush and figure it can't hurt to grab it as well. I walk back to the barn hoping that the boy is still there, wanting to prove a point to him that I'm more than capable of doing this job.

Once at the horses stall I click my tongue "here boy, come here let me look at you" my voice hardly above a whisper. The horses ears perk up but he doesn't budge. "come on buddy" I offer my hand to his muzzle, letting him sniff it before I slowly place my hand on his neck running it gently down to his shoulder. No fast movement, I know the drill but this horse seems different. The horse towers over me, but I toss the harness over his head. He jerks back quickly knocking me over. My face turns red as I stumble to get up.

I roll my eyes hearing his snarky comment, Jack...Jackoff is more like it. I brush myself off and stand again. Looking the horse in the eye I approach again. Using the same sniff and touch, instead of the harness I raise the brush to his shoulder giving him long strokes, his muscles relaxing under the gentle massage of the bristles.

"Whats his name" I ask Jack, never taking my eyes off his chestnut coat. The embarrassment of being knocked over making me even more withdrawn. It had been years since a horse even pushed me let alone took me off my feet.

"He needs a name. Horses do better when they have something consistent to be called, just like us they want to feel special." I keep brushing and chew on my lip thinking. I had a few names I was tossing around, but looking up at Jack I see he seems pretty attached to the horse.

I stop brushing and turn to look at him offering it, "Want to try? Maybe you'll come up with something worthwhile to call him while you're at it." I'm trying not to be too friendly but I can tell he doesn't plan on leaving, since I need to job I don't want him running back to the Anderson's complaining that I can't do what they hired me to do.

"fine jerk" I mutter under my breath as he storms off. I take back to brushing the steed. His coat starting to gleam. Tatum...Terek...Teo. "Teo. I'll call you Teo." I whisper to him stepping to look him in the face. Rubbing his nose I reach for the harness. "Lets try this again Teo. This time, I want to stay upright, okay buddy." Teo snorts as I toss the harness up and pulls back. "Eaaaasy, Eaaasy." I say over and over as I clip it in place. Teo shakes his head hating the feel of the harness but not fighting the way before. I smile to myself. All it takes is a small feat like this to make me feel confidant again. Hooking the lead, I start to open the door. The horse lunges forward dragging me into the wall. "UGH!" I feel my should smack the hard wood but I don't let go of the lead. "TEO NO." My voice rings through the barn and the horse stops suddenly.

I hope Jack didn't see that. I close my eyes and focus again. Opening them and gripping the lead tighter, but giving Teo plenty of slack to feel like he's not being restrained. "Jack, we could use some clean hay in there" I say heading out.