It’s Just a Ride

By Marie S

Ashley was fussing over her appearance. And it was driving her nuts. She was ready to go.

“Ashley, for goodness sakes. It’s just a ride to exercise the horses.” Jessica rolled her eyes.

“Of course it is.” She went back to fixing the French braid down her hair. “And then again it never hurts to look your best when you’re around a nice eligible man.”

“If you recall I came here to spend time with you, Marie, Bud and Lachlan, Ash.”

“Yes, but a little romance never hurt anyone. Besides, you’re overdue and most definitely so is Egan.” She wrapped the end of the band around the bottom of her hair and surveyed her handiwork. “That looks very cute. Just imagine his fingers taking the braid out and sweeping through your hair.” She giggled and had at least the good sense to blush a bit as to what she was alluding.

“Oh, my, God, Ashley. You are shameless.” Jessica tried to keep a shocked face, but started to laugh. “You sound like an awful romance novel.”

“C’mom, Jessica. You can’t tell me that the thought of even a fling with Egan can’t make even your heart flutter a faster. I mean LOOK at him. He’s a dream. And he’s very nice which you’ll find out too. Worthy of more than a fling.”

“I thought you said he needs work; especially with his conversation.”

“Well, no man is perfect. Despite his current appearance even Lachlan needed work. He still does. That’s my job.” Ashley at least laughed at what she said. “Look at Bud. That is most definitely a work in progress if I ever saw one. Your cousin Marie understands this.”

Jessica almost fell off the chair with laughter at the thought of Bud White as a work in progress. She could imagine how the tough cop would view that opinion.

“I am out of here, Ash. Egan must be wondering where I am by now. I don’t expect him to ready his mare for me. I’m lucky enough to have a beautiful horse to ride.” Jessica jumped up off the chair to stop Ashley from any more delays.

“Brumby. Remember Egan calls them brumbies.” She spritzed some perfume into the air and pushed Jessica through the mist. “Good, just the hint of an alluring scent.” She giggled.

“I’ve got to get Marie’s boots on. I’m so thankful I didn’t have to wear yours. I don’t think I could walk or breathe in them. Your feet are way too small for an adult woman, Ash.”

“Yes, it really is too bad that Marie got called in to work and you have to ride with Egan. Alone…across the meadow and through the woods…together.” She sighed dreamily and giggled.

Jessica again rolled her eyes at Ashley as she finished pulling on the boots. Ashley had insisted that she buy Jessica riding boots as a birthday present since she had missed her birthday last month. She had protested, but as usual Ashley had won over the protest somehow. She was very good at that. They’d go into town next week to find a pair. Jessica hoped she’d be able to find a bargain. They were expensive.

“Goodbye, Ash. I’ll see you later.” She couldn’t resist checking her image in the hallway mirror on the way out. Hmm, not too bad.

“Bye, Jessica. Have fun. I can’t wait to ride again. I’ll take the baby with us to ride.” Her hand settled on her still growing belly. “You look very pretty. Go wow the man.”

Jessica heard Ashley still giggling as she shut the door behind her and ran down the road toward the stables. Her cousin was incorrigible. From what she’d observed so far, Ashley was also accurate in her assessment of Egan Varner.

He was nice, very handsome and fairly quiet. Jessica was fine if Egan didn’t want to talk at all while they rode. Around Ashley she felt she was always talking, but normally she was quite comfortable with silence.

Arriving at the stables she found herself muttering under her breathe. Egan already had the mare saddled and was finishing with his stallion.

“Hi, Egan. I’m so sorry it took me so long. I would have saddled your mare.” She hurried over to hand him the bridle hanging on a post of the corral.

Egan took the bridle and nodded thanks. “G’day, Jessica. No worries.” He concentrated back on what he was doing.

Jessica decided she’d bring Egan’s saddle over to him. That caught his attention. She crouched down and picked up the heavy leather saddle. Suddenly Egan caught himself admiring the curve of her very fine arse in the fitted riding pants. He was so distracted he forgot to avert his eyes before she turned around and caught him.

Egan took the saddle from her and mumbled about the stallion being too tall for her to put the saddle over his back. Jessica didn’t let go. She certainly could heft the saddle over his stallion’s back.

The saddle finally ended up where it belonged with Egan bumped up against Jessica and his hand clamped down over hers. They glared at each other for a moment and then quickly separated as Egan cinched his saddle.

Jessica smiled as his stallion flicked his tail sharply against Egan’s chest as it aimed for a biting fly. She saw his grin before he finished with Ember.

She went over to pet his mare.

“What’s her name, Egan?”

“Amber.”

Jessica bit back a laugh. Imagination in naming his animals wasn’t a strong suit on Egan’s part. His dog’s name was ‘Dog,’ his dark red stallion was ‘Ember,’ and his golden mare was ‘Amber.’

She cooed to Amber and stroked her neck. Egan grinned as she slipped two carrots from her jacket and gave one to each of the horses.

Egan stared at her legs and adjusted her stirrups.

“Go ahead and mount, Jessica. I’ll make sure your stirrups are at the right level.”

Jessica accepted his hand boost and easily mounted Amber. After letting the stirrups down one more notch; Egan easily swung onto his tall Ember’s back. She followed as he trotted out of the yard. Egan sat well on a horse. He was an impressive figure.

They rode for well over an hour. Egan pointed out a few landmarks he’d learned so far, but overall kept silent. The land was beautiful and kept you fascinated by each turn of the lane or trails.

Jessica stopped aside of Egan when he halted his horse after they heard a strange sound. She followed the line of Egan’s gloved hand as he pointed toward something.

“Do ya see it, Jess?”

Jessica saw an odd looking bird that was the source of the sound.

“What is it, Egan?” She whispered.

“A kookaburra, love.”

Jessica watched the unusual bird as it made its odd call. She smiled when she realized that Egan had called her Jess as a nickname and then ‘love.’ The bird took flight at that moment and they watched until it disappeared from their sight.

“Thank you, Egan. This has been a wonderful ride. I can’t wait to see even more of the area another time.” Jessica was very aware she’d invited herself to ride with him again.

Egan looked at her; fixing her with those intense blue-green eyes. She swore she felt a tingle all the way to her toes.

“Any time, Jessica.” Egan reached out and tucked a stray strand of red hair behind her ear. His soft worn leather glove brushed against her cheek. It felt wonderful. She wished even more that his hand was gloveless. She grinned at him.

“I’ll look forward to the next time, Egan. Now how about a bit of a race?” Before he had a chance to answer her she and Amber shot forward toward home in front of Egan and Ember.

It didn’t take too long for Egan to overtake her. They galloped together for a while until slowing to a walk to cool the horses down before they returned to the stables.

When Egan helped her down from Amber she swore he wanted to kiss her, but stopped himself. Jessica wished he hadn’t. Ashley was certainly right. Egan was worthy of more than a fling. As she limped toward home she felt that way even if she wouldn’t be able to sit down for the next day.

Egan grinned as he watched her walk away. She still had a mighty fine bum. It just wasn’t swaying in quite the same way as earlier. He’d been invited to dinner. Ashley was a bonzer cook. He wanted to spend more time with Jess Weston. Maybe he could even rub that sore bum for her if she needed it later.

He let go of a decidedly male chuckle and led Ember into the pasture. The stallion ran over to sniff at Amber. Egan shook his head.

“I know how ya feel, mate.”