For the Love of Her King

Blaine adjusted herself onto the sidesaddle she placed her knee up over the horn, as Seth instructed. Seth Mounted his horse as he held onto the reins of Blaine’s horse. They exited the stable, nice and slow, and then headed down the road out of sight of the stables. Seth and Blaine started riding along gently. Blaine was getting frustrated with Seth, being lead around as a child riding for the first time was humiliating! Finally, she decided to say something to him. “Seth, I believe that I can handle the reins on my own.” Seth reluctantly turned the reins over to Blaine. “If you are sure you can handle it Miss.” “I am, thank you, I have been on a horse before” They continued to ride along gently. The sky began to turned gray rain softly started falling. Seth eyed the sky with concern. “Miss Blaine, I think we need to be heading back to the stable. I believe the weather is about to turn on us.” Blaine said teasingly, “Seth, I do think you are afraid of getting wet.” “No Ma’am, I just know the weather can change fast, I really think we should be getting back now.” Before Blaine could say anything else, the sky broke forth with pouring rain, suddenly, lightning struck a nearby tree both horses were terribly spooked. Seth’s horse reared up throwing him to the ground. The frightened horse bolted down the road out of sight. He jumped up and took off running after his horse, not realizing he was leaving Blaine to fend for herself. Blaine’s horse was running wild; all she could do was hold on to the horse's reins. She tried her best to keep her leg held tight to the horn. The beast ran her thru trees and briers, finally throwing her off into a muddy pond. Brushing her tangled hair out of her eyes, she wiped mud from her face. Blaine looked up at her horse, which was calmly drinking water from the pond. “You and I are going to have a come to Jesus meeting horse and I promise it will not be me meeting him first! You ornery four legged piece of rawhide! If I could walk back home I would have a mind to cook you over a fire right now!” A man just happened to be watering his horse just a few feet away. As he walked up behind her, he cleared his throat. “Excuse me Miss.” Startled Blaine quickly stood up. She turned around much too quickly causing her to fall back into the water, as she regained her balance and stood up again. She asked a little more abruptly than she had wanted. “Who are you?” The man replied politely. “My name is Ashton, and what might your name be Miss?” “Blaine.” she simply replied as she tried to smooth her drenched gown and brush her disheveled hair into place.