`you always look so beautifiul. AARON&AIDAN&RICH

[r.eflex]

richard & aidan myers & beauty school dropout

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Richard walked into the barn, clearing his throat and glancing around in a few of the stalls looking for Aidan. Aid... Hey. He called out for her, waiting for her to pop out somewhere. Aidan? He glanced in the tack room, seeing nothing, but quickly looking up at the asile when he heard the sound of a horses hooves beating against the concrete. Seeing his teenage daughter leading his latest edition to his horsey family, Beauty, he smiled. There you are. I was beginning to think you'd been kidnapped.

------

Aidan clipped the Quarter Horse filly to the cross ties outside of Bella's stall and shrugged, looking over at her dad. Well, if I had been, you'd be the first to find out. She smiled, looking over at him, hanging the leadline that she'd used to lead Beauty up on the hook by the cross ties. Alright, I brought her in, can I go now? She folded her arms across her chest, waiting for the permission to walk away. In a way, she loved that her dad was getting back into riding horses and all of that stuff, and in another way she hated that now he was at the barn just as often as she was, if not more. The place that once was HER place to come and relax without her father breathing down her neck was now his domain as well.

------
Her father walked forward, running a hand over Beauty's coat and down her leg, examining her comfirmation and looking for anykind of lameness or wounds or some kind of flimsy muscle. He glanced up at his daughter when she requested to leave, straightening back up. Well, where's the fire, girl? Why don't you stick around and watch your old man train. You never did get a chance to do that. He smiled, walking to the tack room to get Beauty's new saddle, coming out with a tan and blue saddle pad with a tan western saddle, with a black suede seat and silver in a few places. Obviously a show saddle, but apparently her father trusted Beauty enough to not ruin it.

-----
Aidan took a deep breath. That's because I wasn't born yet.. But I have a lot of work to do with Corona and I need to keep Charlotte exercising. She just got a 9 month break from jumping and she needs to get back into the show circuit, I have a lot of work to do.

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Now, you make riding sound like a job with all that show circuit nonsense. What you really want is to run off and see that boy that you keep runnin' your mouth about. He set the saddle pad on Beauty's back, slowly laying the saddle on top of and letting the weight adjust to her. She didn't seem to mind the saddle, but she was definitely curious about it.

------
Aidan huffed. So, what? You're hoping that if you keep me here as bait he'll find me and thus you will find him?

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Her father smirked as he leaned down, grabbing the girth strap from the other side of his new filly and bringing it around to tighten it. Bingo.

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[<>Trinity<>]

Aaron McClain && Comanche Chief && Spyro

There was nothing more heartwarming than a cowboy and his horse. That was what Aaron's mom had always told him in any case. Recently he had found it was true. As much as he loved Heart, Aaron would forever favor Comanche. Now that the stallion was off his brace and ready for light exercise, Aaron was more than ready for him. Aaron had gotten to the stable early and done light lunge work with him in the pens, pacing him steadily before he was satisfied they could do a bit of a faster pace. They had started at nine in the morning and it was nearly noon. So far, Comanche had been doing good but on vet's orders, Comanche couldn't take a rider and shouldn't be overworked.

"Lucky boy, you get to lounge around with the ladies all day" Aaron teased his palomino quarter horse, leading the handsome stud back toward the stable.

Comanche snuffled and lipped at Aaron's sleeve, walking easily at his master's set pace. From the look of him the palomino was just glad to be out of his stall for the first time in a while. A sprained ankle definitely had put a hamper on both Comanche and Aaron since Aaron had also suffered a broken wrist. Now he was just wearing a temporary brace until the next visit with the doc to get a clean bill of health.

Leading Comanche into the stable, Aaron paused to glance around for Gambit or Smoky. Neither was in their stalls meaning both Jill and Kelly were long gone on the trails or in some class. Good ridence. After six months of not living with his sisters, suddenly living with them again had made him crazy. Aaron paused at Smoky's stall and unbolted it, letting out a red and white Australian Shepherd Border Collie mix with mostly collie looks. Spyro looked up at Aaron, tongue lulling out as the energetic dog loped along beside Aaron and Comanche.

Just as Aaron was leading Comanche toward his stall, Aaron caught sight of Aiden up ahead along with another horse and an older guy. Thinking absently that it might be a new boarder or maybe an instructor, Aaron loped up to easily, smiling. Spyro wagged his tail and moved to poke Aiden's hand with his nose while Comanche snuffled a soft greeting, watching the humans with his soft baby-blues.

"Hey Aid," Aaron said, smiling. "Comanche's finally off stall-arrest, kind of." Looking at the older guy, Aaron nodded politely, glancing at Aiden curiously.

[r.eflex]

Aidan rolled her eyes at her father's sarcastic comment and opened her mouth, ready to say something, but quickly shut it when she heard Aaron's voice as he approached her. She looked over at him, glancing down at the dog when his nose tapped her hand. She softly pet him, looking back to Aaron and Commanche, glancing at her father to see his curiousity of who this boy might be, but quickly turned her attention back to Aaron. Oh, he must be pretty excited about that. She half smiled, giving Commache a small pet as well. This is my dad, by the way. Richard. Dad.. This is Aaron. She almost regretted letting her dad know whom Aaron was, afraid that the grilling would commence and everytime her dad saw him at the barn she'd spy on him or something of the sort. Only time would tell if she made the correct decision.

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Richard eyed the boy as he approached. Now, if it had been a girl who came up to them, he simply would have given her a polite smile and continued on with tightening his mare's girth, but instead, it was a boy. And who was this boy? The imfamous Aaron, perhaps? He waited until Aidan decided to introduce them, not wanting to be rude, and surely enough, that was Aaron. Richard smiled, almost in a way that seemed to say 'ahh, finally, I meet the boy that I have to kill' but that wasn't what he was thinking. Finally, I meet the boy my girl can't stop talking about. He laughed, holding his hand out for Aaron to shake. I've heard a lot about you, Aidan talks about you like you put stars in the sky.

----
Aidan was rather satisfied with the way her father reacted, smiling and giving him a friendly handshake, but he could have done without the 'oh, Aidan talks about you ALL the time' bit. Okay, dad. I think he gets it. She smiled halfly, petting Beauty when she so requested it by bobbing her head a little in pure jealousy of Commanche getting all the attention. So, Layla decided she couldn't handle Pal, so my dad took him, and he adopted her. And I showed my dad Commanche and he thinks it would be a good idea to breed them once Beauty gets father in her training. She smiled a little. I figure it'll be a good looking foal. Beauty's got amazing confirmation and she's a great mover, and well.. Commanche's Commanche.

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[<Amy>]

Coming from a small town where being a boyfriend was a dangerous occupation, it took Aaron a second to get himself to move and realize this guy wasn't probably going to swing a shotgun on him and shoot the back of his pickup while he drove away at eighty for his life. Smiling and inclining his head again, Aaron took Mr. Myers' offered hand and shook it firmly. Having spent years herding horses, hauling hay and doing various farm odd jobs, Aaron had a firm and strong grip but didn't seem intimidating. The last thing he needed was to get a few bullet holes or something going through him.

"Its a pleasure to meet you Mr. Myers" Aaron said, glancing at Aiden curiously when her dad mentioned him "putting the stars in the sky." "I assure you sir, my sisters are tired of hearing me talk about your amazing and wonderful daughter" Aaron said, just to half tease Aiden.

Aiden of course, deviated the talk which made Aaron a bit more relaxed as he looked at Beauty School Dropout. Layla hadn't taken Takoda? That was odd but Aaron let it slide and patted Comanche's neck when the stallion reached forward curiously toward the filly.

"That's too bad she couldn't take him but I'm sure he's in good hands" Aaron said. He didn't want to offend Mr. Myers because he liked living quite a bit. "As for breeding Comanche again, I don't see a problem with it. She looks like a good mare, if the foal turns out anything like Pal or Corona, it'll be a champ for sure."

Spyro whined at Aaron, licking his master's fingers making Aaron look down with a raised brow. Aaron rubbed the dog's ears and looked back at Mr. Myers and Aiden, Comanche looking lazily over his shoulder.

"Jill and Kelly are out on the trails I'm guessing for today. They'll be gone for a while if you need any help with the foals or Charlotte" Aaron offered to both the Myers in front of him. "Comanche's on rest for now, he's been out for a while and his leg's still a little bummed so I have free time 'til my sisters are ready to go."

[b.ounce]

Richard looked at Aidan and smiled a little when Aaron spoke greatly of her. Well, I can't take all the credit for her amazingness. Surely her mother had SOMETHING to do with it. He laughed, only kidding around and trying to get a rise out of Aidan. It was so easy to annoy her when she was around her friends, or in this case, her boyfriend. And even though Richard knew it bothered her, he couldn't help but find it entertaining. Well I was very impressed by Pal and Corona, and they were bred with a crossbred pony, even though Charlotte's a large pony. They're turning out to be pretty tall little suckers. But I figure if you breed him with a good looking Quarter Horse you'll get a pretty good barrel racer. He smiled a little, giving Beauty a pet on the neck.

----
Aidan glared at her father for a moment and then looked at Aaron when he offered to help her. Well, all I need to do is take Charlotte out for a ride and school her over some jumps.. but I think my dad needs help with Pal. She looked over at her dad and then back at Aaron. And if he doesn't, then you could always just ride Charlotte for me. She chuckled on that one, only teasing him. I'd let you do something with Corona, but yesterday I got him fully saddled and free lunged him, so today he's getting a break.

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[<>Trinity<>]

Aaron looked over Beauty from a bit of a distance, studying her outer features. She had a fine head, sturdy looking legs and as most Quarter Horses had, a barrel-like abdomen. Turning, Aaron looked at Comanche. From what he knew from Charlotte's twins, he could guess fairly well which traits Comanche had that were dominant and which were recessive. His dad had taught him all about genetics when he had been a serious breeder, which was how Aaron had helped figure out what he had wanted in Comanche. Either way he looked at it Beauty would have a good foal by Comanche though he was a bit iffy about the age of the mare. Mares too young would have difficulties, potentially killing herself, the foal or both. Some young mothers weren't good mothers and ignored their foals but that wasn't too much of a concern if there were people around to care for the foal.

"Well Comanche's pretty tall. I'm assuming their height is going to be somewhere between him and Charlotte, somewhere around fifteen hands. Corona will be better off as a jumper because of his hip and leg structure but Pal might make a decent racer" Aaron said as Comanche lipped at the back of Aaron's head.

Again Spyro whined and Aaron sighed, looking at Aiden.

"Don't know how long I can stay, a few hours I'm betting. Missy had some pups a few days ago, I have to keep an eye on them. Trying to think of people that might want pups but I should have time to help with Corona or Pal."

Missy had had four pups and Aaron now needed to find someone to take them in a few weeks when they were old enough to be given away. Spyro was whining because he was lonesome without his passive mother looming around on Aaron's other side or in the stall waiting with him until Aaron got back from riding. Despite the appearances on the outside, Spyro did very much follow his mother's lead and without his lead, Spyro was off balance.

[b.ounce]

Richard listenened to Aaron speak, his smile slowly fading. Did Aaron think we was some kind of idiot or something? Not only was half of what he had just said complete common sense to anyone who knew how to spell their name, but obviously Aidan must have told him he used to live on a farm, where they bred and raised horses. Richard smiled a little again and nodded. I know that, son. My father and I used to breed horses ourselves. A lot of crossbreeds, actually, too. We'd take a horse who was fast and a horse with some good stamina, mix 'em together and win a few championships with them. Trust me, I know what I'm doing. He gave him a nod of reassurance and turned back to Beauty, finishing her girth and kneeling down to wrap some polos on her feet.

----
Aidan winced when Aaron spoke. Her dad definitely had a soft spot for when people seemed like they were speaking down to him, it kind of went hand in hand with the whole cop thing, but at this point there wasn't much Aidan could do to save him. Once her dad had finished speaking, she swallowed. Alright, well I gotta go catch Pal and he hates being caught.. so Aaron, why don't you help me? She started off towards the exit but only made it a few steps before her dad spoke.

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Richard shook his head, wrapping a polo around Beauty's back leg. No, leave Pal outside. I'm gonna work with him a little when I'm done with Beauty. Why don't you focus on Charlotte for today?

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Uh-oh. Dad seemed upset. Aidan just nodded, that was the best thing to do. Alright, Charlotte it is. She glanced at Aaron and practically ran outside with the new opportunity to finally leave.

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[<>Trinity<>]

Aaron felt the strong urge to either kick himself, punch himself or both. In all honesty he was used to working with people that owned horses for pleasure but when it came to breeding and the genetics of a foal they were absolutely oblivious. They thought a palomino and a palomino would give them a bay or something rediculous like that. Obviously he was realizing he had just royally screwed up. From the guy's dangerous glare to Aiden's, Aaron had to literally focus on not hitting himself.

"You go ahead, I have to put Comanche in his stall" Aaron said to Aiden, not even trying to smile to repair the damage. "I'll be out in a minute, I want to check his leg."

He wasn't however, going to let himself be intimidated by Aiden's dad. He could glare and growl all he wanted but that wasn't going to make Aaron shrink back or go out of his way to avoid the man. Yes, if he had a shotgun in his hand or other form of firearm, Aaron would be halfway back to Kansas by now. He didn't so Aaron kept his backbone firmly in place.

Leading Comanche across the aisle, Aaron opened his stall door and led the palomino stallion in. Spyro sat outside of the door, looking between Richard and Aaron, flicking his folded ears curiously. Aaron unclipped the lunge line he'd used and hung it on a hook next to the stall door. Dropping into a crouch, Aaron unstrapped Comanche's leg braces and then removed the soft wrap around Comanche's leg, probing the slight swell with gentle hands. It was slightly swelled up but not nearly as bad as it had once been. The workout had made it warm to the touch but not overly so.

Straightening up, Aaron patted Comanche's neck. "Lookin' better everyday boy."

Comanche snorted and bobbed his head as if in agreement. It was obvious he was feeling better. When Aaron had brought him back from Tulsa, the stallion had been all but miserable, unable to move around a lot and just feeling down after the botched trip and long ride back on a bummed leg.

Bored with his owner, Spyro got up and padded over to the Myers man, sniffing him from a few feet away. He smelled like his master's girl but not exactly. Letting out a soft whine rather than bark for attention, Spyro crept closer, looking for attention. He looked up at Richard with appraising brown eyes, ears perked forward and just begging for a good petting.

[r.eflex]

After Richard had gotten all of Beauty's polos on, he went back to the tack room, getting a lunging bridle and walking out, adjusting it to Beauty's size as he did. He looked up and towards the exit, hearing some kind of bustling going on outside. He gave a low whistle in the direction of th exit. Skip, get your tail in here. He waited to see his daughter's tan, rather hyper pooch coming running into the barn, and he did.

Within seconds, Skipper came bounding through the entrance, skidding to a stop right in front of Richard and quickl sitting down, his ear's perked and his tail wagging, looking like he was on edge for anything, just waiting for permission to jump up onto Richard and cover him with doggie kisses.

Richard chuckled, giving his dog a pet on the head. You're such an idiot sometimes. Skipper jumped up, panting and swishing his butt in excitement when Richard started to pet him. His ear's perked in the direction of the other dog that craved Richard's attention. The fur on Skipper's back went up and he approached the dog, sniffing him from a distance. After a moment of sniffing, he growled lowly in Spyro's direction, barking shrilly.

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[<Amy>]

Aaron heard a growl and looked up, ready to run out and grab Spyro. He knew the dog was energetic but had never known him to really be much of a growling dog. Straightening up, Aaron looked over and saw Spyro backing down to a dog that looked like some sort of mixed up herding dog. "Spyro, here boy" Aaron called. The red and white dog quickly backed off, retreating to Comanche's stall door and sitting down looking dejected. Aaron let himself out of Comanche's stall and dropped to a crouch, rubbing Spyro's ears while the dog poked at his arm with his cold nose. Aaron glanced at Mr. Myers, almost expecting the dog to be sicked on him.

Comanche hung his bald head over the stall door and snorted, poking Aaron's head which was about even with the stall door making Aaron raise an eyebrow at the stallion. Getting up, Aaron sighed and let Spyro into Comanche's stall so the dog wouldn't be running amuck causing too much trouble. The last thing he needed was to find Spyro herding horses in the pasture or worse, getting into a fight with whatever dog that was guarding Richard.

"Mr. Myers, I'm sorry I offended you earlier. I'm used to people not knowing a lick about horses and I guess I fell into habit" Aaron said, glancing over at the older man. "But I did bring something for Aiden today, didn't know if she'd like it and I'd of course like your permission before I give it to her."

No it wasn't a wedding ring. Not even his high school ring but it was something special, near and dear to his heart. He didn't want to make Aiden's dad madder by giving it to her without his consent though, but he still wanted it to be a surprise. He would have to run to his truck to get it and smuggle it back in without Aiden seeing but now that he saw Skipper he was a bit weary of his present, especially if the dog was aggressive to all dogs.

[p.ressure]

Richard smacked Skipper gently on the nose when he heard him growling. Now you knock it off. You know better. Skipper coward slightly, backing up and laying down a few feet away from Richard's feet, laying his head on the concrete of the barn floor and looking from side to side with his eyes.

Richard adjusted the bridle to Beauty's face after he'd slipped it on, looking up when he heard Aaron approaching him and talking at the same time. He liked that he'd picked up on the fact that Richard wasn't too happy about how Aaron had thought so lowely of his horse knowledge and he'd apologized for it. He was about to respond to his apology by saying it was no big deal.. until he mentioned having something for Aidan. And what might this be? He cleared his throat, deciding not to be nosey and just nodded. I'm sure it'll be fine. As long as Aidan's fine with it.. It'll be fine. He gave him a reassuring smile, turning his attention back to Beauty.

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[<Amy>]

Aaron decided to scram before he made things worse again because he was an idiot. Leaving Spyro in Comanche's stall, Aaron jogged out of the stable toward the parking lot making sure to stay out of sight of the riding ring where Aidan was probably working with Charlotte. Instead of heading for his girlfriend, Aaron jogged to a beat up old Fort pickup and looked around when he was standing beside it. The windows were cracked and the truck was still cool from the air conditioner meaning he was lucky. Jill and Kelly had just gotten here. He had told Aidan they were probably on the trail but really he knew their horses were out in the pastures for now, though the twins were probably heading to the barn with them on leads soon. He had arranged for them to drop off Pirate around noon and he'd come and grab the pup as soon as he found out where Aidan was. He knew where she was now and maybe this would make up for a few nights ago when he had once again royally screwed up.

Unlocking the door, Aaron pushed the front passenger seat forward so it slid up and he could see the box in the backseat. Belted in was a cardboard box that immediately started emitting sharp yips and tiny barks that made Aaron chuckle. Leaning forward, Aaron unbuckled the box and reached inside, snagging the scruff of a black and white puppy. Four weeks old and highly energetic, the pup wriggled in Aaron's grip, trying to nip at his hand. His name was Pirate and he was the first pup Missy had had in her litter. He was also the boldest, named for the black patch over his left eye.

"Hey there Pie, easy ya little rascal" Aaron said, holding the pup in the crook of his arm and hiding the bundle under his jacket as it wriggled.

Slipping his free hand into his pocket, Aaron pulled out a silver chain. On the end of it was a bulky guy's high school class ring set with a garnet stone. The sides were a rodeo design and a Chinese dragon, all in silver. Aaron slipped the chain around the pup's neck and instantly Pirate stared to try and bite on it, getting his front paws tangled in the chain as Aaron closed the truck door and set off for the riding ring.

Trying to disentangle the pup without giving away what he was carrying, Aaron jogged across the stable yard forward the ring where he saw Aidan warming up Charlotte. Tucking Pirate a bit further into his jacket so there was a slight bulge on one side, Aaron kept his right arm crooked so the pup was ultimately sitting on his right arm while he approached the fence. Deciding not to try and climb it, Aaron leaned on the fence and waved Aidan over with his free hand.

In his jacket, Aaron felt Pirate squirming impatiently.

[p.ressure]

Aidan had decided to just work Charlotte bareback for now, considering she wouldn't be working her too too hard today, anyway. She went out and got her in the pasture, putting her bridle on and taking her to the jumping ring, setting up the jump from small cross rails up to one 2'6'' verticle and hopped onto her back, working her in a 20 meter circle at the far end of the ring.

She'd gotten her into a solid canter on her right lead when she saw Aaron at the fence, waving her over. She softly tugged Charlotte to a trot, taking her off of the circle and over to the fence where Aaron was standing, asking her to stop once she'd reached the fence's edge. How'd it go with my dad? She smiled a small bit, figure that that's why he wanted to talk to her. Her dad probably grilled him up and down the block.

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[<Amy>]

Aaron shifted a bit uneasily when she mentioned her dad. In all honesty Aaron wasn't sure right now. "I think I will forever seem to be a jackass in his eyes" Aaron said finally. "But hopefully I won't forever be a jackass in your eyes. I'm really sorry about the other night but I think I can make it up to you."

When Missy had started having her pups, Jill had been home alone and freaked. Despite having watched mares birth foals, Jill had freaked when it came to Missy because Miss Mary was so well loved by both of Aaron's sisters. He felt horrible about having to leave Aidan the way he did and was pretty sure he'd never forgive himself. Plus all of his sister's phone calls demanding help had nearly given poor Heart a heart attack. Hopefully though, Aaron's little bundle of joy might take some of Aidan's bitter edge off of Missy. He knew she was mad at the dog for deciding to have her pups even if it wasn't her choice. Hopefully Pirate would be a peace offering. Reaching into his jacket, Aaron grabbed Pirate's scruff and pulled the pup out for Aidan to see.

Pirate let out a squeaky bark, front paws tangled in the chain on Aaron's high school ring, gnawing on the gem making Aaron roll his eyes. Seeing Aidan, Pirate dropped the ring from his mouth but it still hung on his paws and he looked up at Aidan, angling his head to one side in an absolutely adorable curious expression.

"Kelly named him Pirate but its up to his owner for his final name" Aaron said, looking at Aidan sheepishly, holding the pup as Pirate tried to lean toward Charlotte with his eyes wide with curiosity.

Pirate let out a pup-bark and reached out to paw at Charlotte's big nose with the chain around his paw looking absolutely adorable. Aaron just hoped his cuteness was enough to gain him forgiveness.

[p.ressure]

Aidan smiled, shaking her head as a small chuckle came from her lips. Babe, I don't care that I didn't get to violate you in the middle of the woods. I think I'll live. Even though he could probably sense how upset she was a few nights ago when they were in the woods and he said that he had to leave. She figured that what he meant by making it up to her had something to do with them being alone and restarting where they had left off in the woods, but oh, she was wrong.

She watched him as he pulled a puppy out of his jacket and smiled, her eye's melting. Awwww. Her smile got bigger as she slid off of Charlotte's back, taking the puppy from his hands and holding it closely to her. He's adorable. She looked at Aaron, the smile still planet on her face. But you know.. I don't need a puppy everytime we don't get to have sex.

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