Let's Ride into the Sunset Together

Never once did Oklahoma think of settling down before. She'd only know of sailing chaotic sea after sea embroiled in conflict, chasing after her sister.

Those were the days gone by, years that passed like a blur.

And now, with the plains of Wyoming sprawled before her, she thought there was nowhere else she'd rather be right now—or in the future.

In her newly begotten freedom, she'd found something she never thought she would ever want in life. That, and much more.

"Hey, ma, when can I start riding on my own?"

Oklahoma signaled for her ride to slow down to a walk. She looked down to find her little girl looking back, pleading.

"Hm? You don't like riding double with Mommy?"

"Welll...I do enjoy riding with you, ma...but won't poor Nellie object if we do it, like, all the time?"

"Well, will you, Nellie?" Oklahoma requested—her beloved steed, a rather burly Appaloosa, moved her head left and right as if to tell her it was okay for her to carry extra weight. The ever-hard working horse had just given birth barely a month ago, yet she was willing to shoulder that burden—Oklahoma stroked the horse's mane to show her appreciation, and the animal responded with a gentle neigh.

"See? Nellie doesn't mind. 'Sides, you're light," Oklahoma chuckled, but her daughter didn't share the amusement.

"Ugh, so I'm scrawny after all, just like what Auntie Nevada said!"

Oklahoma held back a groan. She made a note to remind her sister not to tease her niece like that next time—after all, she did keep her daughter well-fed—she's just a touch too active, with a big love for the outdoors.

"No, hon, you're perfect, and Ma and Pa love you lots."

"Aww, love you too, ma!" The girl squealed as she had her hair ruffled. 

As the setting sun painted the sky ablaze with the familiar shade of orange, Oklahoma let be the comfortable silence that followed for a while. Her daughter's admiring glances at the sunset didn't go unnoticed, though—after all, Oklahoma, too, would often do the same. It was heartwarming to know they treasured the same thing.

"Tell you what, Marley will be big enough for you to ride in one or two years, and you'll be big enough to ride him. So please, wait a bit more, okay?"

The girl's smile was brighter than the sun—or so Oklahoma thought—at the mention of her favorite foal. They had been inseparable since he was born.

"Great! Then us three—me, you, and Pa—we can ride into the sunset together! I can't wait!"

"I like the idea, but your pa...well, guess I gotta start teaching him," Oklahoma chuckled.

"Yep, Pa is out of practice, but with you, ma—he'll be fine! Since you love each other and all."

Oklahoma could feel her heart swelling so much she felt like blazing through the plains. But she refrained from doing that out of consideration for her horse.

"Well then, let's head home, shall we? Bet your pa is waiting."

Wending along the trail by the riverside was fine, too—after all, it leads to home.