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Bethany stroked Grand's nose softly, nuzzling into his neck.

"What are you doing here?" She asked, trying to calm the horse.

"Oh... Well I uh- my folks thought it'd be a good idea for me to go get some work." he lied.

"Bethany?" Nick interrupted Nate as he came over to them. Nate sighed with releif, hoping Nick would take her attention. "Beth, what're you doing out here, I thought you had extra credit or something to do." Nick teased softly.

Bethany smiled at Nick, "Already finished it. I'm gonna go take Grand Design out on the jumping course. So don't worry about grooming him, I've got you covered." She said, slipping a halter over the big black horse's head and leading him out of the stall.

Nate watched her start away with a small smile, but Nick's voice made him look over at the stablehand.

"Now Beth, you know you can't ride Grand without supervision. He gets spooked to easy." Nick said, sounding more like a big brother than a worker. He smirked, "Nate can go with you."

Nate looked at him with surprise: "Repeat that!?"

"Sure! You can ride Patriot-"

"-I can't ride a horse!" Nate noticed a reoccurring pattern, he was always getting stuck with Bethany.

Nick had already gone and returned with a big brown, Thoroughbred, already in his saddle and bridel. "You're obligated to do this!" Nick handed Nate the reins so he could lead the horse.

Patriot have Nate a happy snort and the boy flinched back. "Alright you two, y'all can go now."

Nate mumbled something under his breath and looked at Beth, waiting for her to take the lead.

Bethany pouted slightly,she had raised Grand, she knew everything about him. Bethany knew that Nick was just sucking up to her father though, for if anything should happen to her while he's on horse duty, he'd be out of a job. She looked at Nate, and could sense how skittish he was around horses.

"Don't worry, Patriot's 19, practically retired, he's an easy ride." She said in a comforting tone as she tacked up Grand Design.

"Nice to know..." Nate mumbled pulling himself up into Patriot's saddle. And waiting on Beth. Nate knew how to ride a horse, his real parents had been from Montana. He was around horses until they moved, on his tenth birthday. He had hoped the excuse 'I can't ride' would get him out of this. But it didn't. He was just nervous. About being with Beth, she wasn't like the other girls he knew, what if he was to say something that hurt her feelings. He didn't want to upset this girl, even though he assumed still, that she hated him. Nate felt different about her, he couldn't decide why... Surely it wasn't because he liked her?... Then again, he was now doubting that thought.

Once fully tacked, Bethany hopped on Grand Design's back. She jostled into the sattel and he lurched forward, wanting to run. Bethany scornfully slapped his shoulder. "No no Grandy, I'll have none of your funny business." She said, only getting a huff in response. Bethany looked at Nate, "Let's go to the jumping course, it'll be fun." She said, clicking her tongue and urging Grand Design forward. He picked up a quick trott, his eyes wild and looking around.

At the site Patriot snorted and shook his head. Nate found it somewhat amusing that the old race horse was, in a way, criticizing the younger. Nate looked at Bethany when she spoke, and he gave her a small nod. He gave Patriot a gentle kick in the side and the horse tossed his head as he obediently followed Grand Design. Nate watched the horse carefully, not liking his skittish nature.

It was just like Grand Design to take off into a headlong gallop whenever he got the chance. But Bethany knew him too well to allow him to get away with it. She could tell by the gait in his trot that he was close to bucking. Bethany tightened up on the reins, and as she did so, Grand Design did a mighty buck that might have thrown other riders. Immediately, Bethany smacked his shoulder.

"Bad boy, Grandy." She scolded. They made it to the jumping course, and she could feel the energy under Grand Design's bones. He shivered at the sight, looking at the 5 foot jumps and yearning to fly over them.

"Watch this." she told Nate, before tapping Grand Design's sides lightly. The horse lurched forward, taking off and setting fire to the course. Bethany sat up into 2-point and guided him to the first jump. He snorted and flew over the jump, landing gracefully.

Nate watched them quietly, a small smile coming to his face, he couldn't help bits laugh. He had grown up with horses, even in the orphanage, the boys always played western themed games. He watched quietly and heard Patriot make a sound as he perked up to watch.

Everything was going to perfectly, and Bethany almost forgot she was riding Grand Design. But she was, and he was one of the most spookiest horses on the ranch. Suddenly, a car turned the corner, causing all sorts of racket. Grand Design perked at this and read suddenly, sending Bethany flying off of his back.

The ground his Bethany like a tone of bricks. The wind rushed out of her lungs and she doubled into a ball.

"Bethany!" Nate yelped. He jumped off Patriot, and Scrambled over the fence, into the pen and rushed over to Beth. He dropped to his knees alongside her. "You gotta relax..." he said, without thinking he cradled her in his arms. He recalled that laying down after falling from a horse was bad, and sitting straight up... Bad, also being curled up, that was bad, it could affect her breathing.

Bethany's hands flew to her rib cage, she wheezed.

"Broken...Rib..." She managed, poking her ribs gently and wincing as her finger moved one softly. She yelped at the pain, trying to curl up tighter. She looked at Nate, her eyes slightly shaken. "Grand...?" She asked, tilting her head up to look for the horse, who was standing slightly to the left, abashed that he's bucked his owner. She winced at her effort and rested her head on Nate's chest once more, everything hurting.

A faint blush came to Nate's face when she put her head on his chest. "Ehm..." he cleared his throat, trying not to think of the awkwardness. "C'mon..." he said quickly, gently standing up, with her in his arms: "...W-we need to find Nick..." he said as he carefully started back toward the stables.

Bethany nodded weekly, her eyes fluttering.