The Heart of a Warrior

Chapter 3

Adelaide

            I push open my front door and walk slowly to my bedroom. Getting out of these stuffy clothes the first thing on my to do list. Sauntering over to my dark oak dresser, I pull out a plain black t-shirt and some leggings to match. I am not one who is against black on black, I actually rather like it.

            I can hear the whining coming from the other side of my large bed sitting in the middle of the far wall. “Hang on boy, I’ve got to get changed first.” That seems to appease him for a moment.

            Quickly peeling my work clothes off and shoving the others on I make my way to the very large dog crate in the corner and let Ares out. He jumps on me excitedly almost knocking me off my feet. I got Ares a year ago from a shelter. He was in really rough shape.

            His previous owners beat him on a daily basis, and he was so malnourished I could see his ribs. No one even thought about adopting him because he is a rottweiler and they have a bad rep. I didn’t think twice. I took him home that same day and we got to work on his healing. Since then we have pretty much been inseparable.

            “Ares you’ve gotta settle. You gotta go potty?” I ask him while scratching behind his ears leading him to the back enclosed porch. Hooking him to his runner he takes off. It’s hooked at the back porch and pulled tight all the way to the barn a good fifty or sixty yards away.

            Time to get to work. My boots are neatly placed beside the small seating bench I have sitting on the porch. Pulling them on quickly I make my way to the barn. The wind blows through the large expanse of my property. When I was a little girl I always wanted to live in a wide-open space.

            I worked my ass off to make that happen. It is so beautiful out here. No light pollution for miles so I can lay in the grass and stare at the millions of stars for hours. No noise from cars or trains or people. Just me and my animals.

            Unlatching the large barn door and pulling it open on the hinges, I grab Goliath’s saddle and bridle and walk to one of the stalls. His heavy breathing and clicking hooves the only noise. Every time I see him, he takes my breath away. He is the deepest ebony I have ever laid eyes on. A beautiful stallion who when we ride together becomes an extension of my own body.

            “Hey there Goliath. It’s time to go for a ride.” Making quick work of getting him saddled up I put my foot into the stirrup and swing my leg over his large back. The reigns tight in my hands, I nudge him with my heals and make a clicking sound and just like that we are flying. Goliath loves when we gallop. He is a powerhouse of nothing but muscle and he wants to use them. The wind in my hair and the beauty of my home makes me content. Though I can’t keep my mind from conjuring up thoughts of the large dark-haired man with swirling sea foam eyes that is currently residing in my guest house.