Every Rose Has its Thorn *Limited* By Bean

Sarah smiled. "Next to you.. Makes it easier to talk to you..."

He smiled and offered her his hand. "Riding a horse for the first time can be a little freaky. Would you like me to hold your hand," he offered. "She shifts her weight a lot."

Sarah smiled. "Well, it's not my first time riding, but I'll take your hand all the same..." She slid her hand into his, blushing at the soft strength in his hands.

He smiled and held onto her hand, urging the horses forward gently. The stallion and mare walked alongside each other with no problems; they were comfortable with each other. Deryk wouldn't be surprised if the mare was expecting this stallion's child.

Sarah smiled, looking over her hand in Deryk's. "Your mare is definitely pregnant. She's sensitive right now, alot more than usual. My guess is that she's a month or so along..."

Deryk chuckled. "I figured. Naomi and Duke here are pretty close," he smiled. "Would you like to help me take care of the horses? I mean, as your job? Or would you rather tend the gardens?"

Sarah bit her lip. She loved both, but she had an incredible green thumb. "Well, I'd love to work in the garden. But when Naomi gets ready to foal, can I help with the birth? I'm pretty good at that..."

"Of course," he smiled. "You can do whatever you want. When Naomi gets around that time, you can switch jobs with one of the other girls."

Sarah smiled. "Okay, good. I love gardening.. Makes me feel connected with the earth... Plus, it's good for the mind and the body."

"It is," he agreed. "I normally don't let anyone help me with my red rose bushes, but would you like to help me with those," he asked her with a smile.

Sarah smiled, blushing as darkly as his roses. "I'd.. I'd love to. Are you sure though?"

"Absolutely," he nodded. "I'm serious about my roses," he smiled at her. "I think you'll do wonderfully."

Sarah smiled. "Then I'd be glad to help you with your roses..." He was indredible, to out it lightly.

He smiled happily and steered the horses towards his roses, so she could see them up close. "Here they are," he said, smiling at her.

Sarah smiled. She leaned forward, letting her fingertips barely brush over the rose buds. The closed up at night, so she could barely see them. "They'll be in full bloom in about 2 weeks..."

He smiled at her. "You know a lot. It seems I was right to choose you to help me with my roses," he said, squeezing her hand slightly.

Sarah blushed, resting her head against the mare's neck. Oh god, he's too sweet. "Well, thank you Deryk... I guess it's just the fact that I've loved gardening since I was little..."

"Have any of your former masters let you garden," he asked curiously, looking at his roses.

Sarah smiled, sitting back up. "All of them. That's been my calling... I've always been best at it... That and animal care."

He thought a moment. "Hmm... Well, I normally don't like giving my slaves more than one job... I don't want to overwhelm them," he explained. "But if you choose, you can alternate between both, or do both without alternating," he told her. "It's entirely your choice."

Sarah smiled. "Oh god, I'd love to do both! Thank you!" She wrapped her arms around his neck, hugging him tightly.

He blinked and chuckled, holding onto her so she wouldn't fall between the horses. "You're welcome. Just don't work yourself too hard," he said.

Sarah smiled then blushed, slowly dropping her arms from his neck. "Um, yeah. No problem. I won't work myself too hard.. It's hard to when I enjoy it so much..."

He chuckled. "It's alright." He halfway wanted her to stay there. "I suppose I'll have to put a time limit on how much you work," he chuckled.

Sarah sighed, finally pulling back. "Well, I guess you have that kind of power huh?" She closed her eyes and adjused her dress a tad. "But, not too much okay? Please?"