Bette dismounted from the horse gracefully and was rubbing down his mane when Joe, the groomsman, came up to them.  "That was a good ride!" he exclaimed.  "You looked like you were having a good time, and were gone for a while."

"Yeah," Bette said, still eyeing the horse, and rubbing his side.  "I think he and I get along."

"I’ll say!" Joe responded, as he took the reins from her.  "Gold has really responded well to you.  He respects firm handling, and I think from that very first ride, you and he established something there."

Bette smiled, still smoothing down the horse’ mane.  She fed him a bunch of carrots that Joe gave her to give him.  "Yes.  I could sense that in him when I first rode him.  I guess you might say we established a few ground rules between us, and from that moment on, our…um… relationship just took off, I guess."

"Well, I’m sure Mrs. Peabody wouldn’t mind it at all if you took him out more often," Joe commented, as he and Bette turned to lead the horse back towards the barn.  "This is the fourth time you’ve ridden him, now, and every time he gets back, he’s needed a good wash and brush down."

Just then Tina and Angelica walked up to Bette, Joe, and Gold.  "He’s right, Bette," Tina cut in.  "You ride him long and hard every time," she said, with a naughty wink.

Joe laughed along with Tina while Bette shook her head, cheeks beginning to blush.  "Goodbye Gold," she whispered as she rubbed his side. "We’ll just let them keep teasing us, since we both know what’s really going on between us, right?"  The horse neighed in response, and lowered his head.  With a half-smile, Bette kissed her fingers, then pressed it onto his forehead.   She waved at Joe as he and Gold disappeared into the barn. 

Tina was smiling as she handed Bette a packet of Wet Ones.  "I’m glad you thought of bringing us along this time, Bette," she said as Bette wiped her hands, and then bent down to pick up Angelica. "Hello pumpkin pie!" Bette greeted Angelica, and then gave her a kiss on the cheek, and nuzzled on her tummy.   "We really enjoyed it," Tina added.