T. A. Chase

Wednesday Work in Progress….

Here’s another little peek at Home Sweet Home. Next week, you might get a peek at A Sticky Wicket in Bollywood (if Devon agrees I can post a little bit of it..lol)

Excerpt: copyright c. 2013 T.A. Chase

Yancey didn’t rush, even though he wanted to. He hadn’t seen Juan in three months when Juan came to celebrate Yancey’s graduation from vet school. He strolled into the arena, then leant against the wall as he watched Juan ride the big bay gelding in a tight circle.

He held his breath as Juan pointed the horse towards a double oxer about four feet three inches high. It wasn’t the biggest jump set up in the arena, but it was one of the widest. It would force the horse to not only launch himself and his rider high in the air, and stretch out as far as he could over the jump without touching it with his hooves.

Juan made a kissing sound, and gave the gelding a little tap on the hip with his crop as they approached the jump. With a grunting heave, the horse threw himself off his feet, reaching out his head, and curling his hooves under him. Yancey bit his lip, saying a silent prayer that there had been enough power in the leap for them to clear the oxer.

One rail rattled in its cups as one leg rubbed over it, and Yancey winced at the thought of it falling. It had been a good jump, with almost perfect form from the horse. Juan didn’t move a muscle, sticking to the gelding’s back like a burr. After landing with a thud, they continued on down the line over another jump built to look like a brick wall.

Yancey waited until Juan was heading towards him before he moved. Juan’s head came up, and Yancey saw the big smile crossing Juan’s face. He walked over to the centre of the arena where Juan was pulling his mount to a halt.

Juan nearly fell out of the saddle in his haste to get to Yancey, who caught him in a tight embrace.

“Holy shit, man. What the hell are you doing here?” Juan pushed him away, gripping his shoulders tight.

“I got in early this morning. I’ll explain the whole thing tonight at dinner if you’re not doing anything.” Yancey glanced over at the horse. “Are you done with him or do you need to ride some more? I can wait as long as it takes. I’ll be here awhile.”

“No, I’m done. He cleared the last two jumps, so we ended on a high note. Forman needs to build his confidence up, and this is a good way.”

After taking his arm, Juan led him and Forman out of the arena towards the training barn. Yancey helped Juan to remove the gelding’s tack, and while he put it away, Juan groomed Forman.

Yancey clipped a lead rope to the horse’s halter when Juan finished brushing him. He let Juan take Forman to a paddock where he allowed the gelding to go free. Forman took off, kicking and bucking as he raced across the ground to join the other horses at the end of the paddock.

He laughed as Juan raced over to him, and he wrapped his arms around Juan’s waist. Yancey picked Juan up before whirling him in a circle. Juan cradled Yancey’s face in his hands, then pressed his lips to Yancey’s.

Yancey kissed Juan back, licking his tongue along the seam of Juan’s lips, and he asked for entrance. After tilting his head, Juan opened to him. Yancey swept in, tasting Juan; remembering all the flavours he’d discovered throughout the years of kissing Juan.

Wednesday, January 23rd, 2013, by and is filed under "A Sticky Wicket in Bollywood, Excerpts, Home Series, Home Sweet Home, Wednesday WiPs, writing ". You can leave a response here, or send a Trackback from your own site.