Romance in Big Sky Country

chapter 3

I woke up to the sunrise in the guest room. My body was sticky with a cold sweat. I saw a pregnancy test on the bedside table with a note.

Take this test, no matter what happens I'll always love you. -Jay.

I shook my head. I picked up the test and as I waited for the result I needed a shower. I looked at myself in the mirror. My once copper colored hair looked so unhealthy, my Hazel eyes we're lifeless. I looked like s**t. How could Sawyer say that I'm beautiful. I grabbed a towel from the closet, and I turned the water to the hot side of warm. My body felt so nasty.

I grabbed my coconut and Shea butter body wash, and I grabbed the fluffy pink sponge that was in the bathroom. I washed my body. I washed my hair with my coconut and vanilla shampoo and conditioner.

I turned the water off and wrapped a towel around me. I closed my eyes and took a deep breath to calm my nerves.

I opened my eyes and I saw the test positive. I was indeed pregnant. I got dressed in a tank top, and some jeans shorts. It won't be long that yoga shorts will be my daily attire. I sighed, and I placed my hands on my small stomach.

"Don't worry, he won't come anywhere near you. I promise." I felt tears sting my eyes. I wiped them away. No more will I let him control my life. This is my time to break free. This baby is all I have. This baby will know what it means to love, a d be loved. I just have to learn that myself as well.

I walk downstairs, and Sawyer is serving breakfast.

"Well?" Jason ran up to me nervous.

"Cool your jets," I said sternly. "I am pregnant, but that dipshit doesn't deserve this child. It is my body and he has no control over me anymore!"

"Preach away!" Sawyer cheered.

"There are a few other things I need." I said looking back at Jay. "I need vitamins, a new number, and a new life. This baby will know what it means to love and be loved. But I need a job."

"Oh no you don't," Jay cut me off. "Vitamins I can get for you, a new number consider it done. A new life, fine you got it. A job. Alison you can't. Your body has been through enough. You need to rest for a while. Just take it easy for a few days." He said then he smiled brightly. "I'M GOING TO BE AN UNCLE!" He cheered, I laughed and shook my head.

Saywer placed a plate of sausage, and eggs with two slices of toast in front of me.

"Thank you," I smiled. I dug into the food, I drank the orange juice as well.

"I have to work with the new horse today, let's see how she does. she's been moody these last couple of days. no one can get near her." Sawyer says to Jay "The fence line needs to be checked over as well."

"Got it, I'll ride out that way after breakfast." Jason replied. I just sat there. unsure if I should say anything.

Jason left to work on the chores, and Sawyer went to work with that horse he was talking about.

I put on some sunscreen since it's summer time, and really hot here in Montana.

I saw Jason ride over the ridge. Then I heard Sawyer's voice ring out in the corral. I saw a beautiful tannish red horse with a white star on her forehead.

She was charging right for Sawyer. He moved out of the way. I stood on the opposite side of the fence. She looked at me and I looked at her. Sawyer was stunned.

"She has never stopped in her tracks like that before." Sawyer said slightly breathless.

"It must be a female thing." I smiled. I stepped closer to the horse. "Hey, girl."

"Want to feed her a carrot?" Sawyer said pulling a carrot from his back pocket.

"I don't know how to feed a horse." I replied shyly.

"It's easy. Let me show you." Sawyer smiled back as he placed the carrot in my hand and led me through the gate. "She likes you, I won't let anything happen to you."

Sawyer stood closely behind me. One hand placed under mine, and the other wrapped protectivly around my small belly.

The horse reluctantly took the carrot. She nickered happily for the treat. I smiled. Her head came down to my chest. I could Feel Sawyer's hands wrap around my waist, ready to pull me out of harm's way.

I brought my hands to the sides of the mare's face.

"I promise no one will hurt you here." I whispered to the horse. "No one will hurt us again." She huffed in agreement. I smiled.

Sawyer handed me a halter to put it on her so he can lead her out of here into a stall for the vet to look her over.

The barn may have looked rundown on the outside, but the inside was set up very nicely.

The doors to the stalls slide to the side. The walls are wooden about halfway up l while the rest are metal bars to keep the horses separated. The horses poked their heads over the stall doors as we entered the barn.

"I know the name of the ranch is in itself, but what exactly do you do with all of these horses?" I asked petting the mare as we put her in a stall.

"Second Chance Ranch is all about giving all of these animals a chance to trust again." Sawyer said. "Take Midnight here for example," he said walking over to a stark black horse. "He has been untrustworthy of anyone. His past wasn't all that great before he arrived. He is a Thoroughbred, a high strung racehorse. He used to be at the top of his racing career, but his owner drugged him to win more races, especially after he had several injuries from past races. It finally took a vet to look him over to see that there was more than meets the eye. The owner sent him to a feed lot, where I rescued him."

"Did all of these horses come from a feed lot?" I asked closing the door.

"Not all of them, just a couple. Others have been neglected from their owners abandoning them, or just not taking care of them." Sawyer walked over the the mare's stall where I stood.

"So what's her story?" I asked curiously.

"She was abused. I found her on a website and I had to get her immediately. When I arrived the barn conditions were absolutely filthy, she was very underweight. She finally put weight on, but she's very moody. She'll fight her way to get away from people, but with you I think she senses compassion. Horses are very smart animals." He said looking at me.

"I noticed the other stalls have names on them, why doesn't she?"

Sawyer told me that she doesn't have a name, her previous name was Ruby, but when he gets a new horse he likes to give them a new name for a new life. I decided that her name should be Phoenix. She rose above to trust me instantly. Sawyer loved the name.

I started to feel a little dizzy so I sat down on a hay bale in the isle. Sawyer brought me a water bottle from the mini fridge that he has in the barn office. I drank it slowly.

We walked up to the ranch house to get lunch started. I made a small casserole while Sawyer made some steaks on the grill.

It was nice to cook again. I got an appointment set up with an OBGYN at the clinic in town. Jason said he'd take me to it. I'm only a couple weeks along right now, but I still need to be careful.