Cora walked Jake one lap around the field just to warm him up. Then trotted the next lap. Finally she broke out into a canter. Jake was a big boy so his canter threw her high with every stride. She did a figure eight and a serpentine. Then she let go of the reins and let him canter freely. She pulled the hair tie from her pony tail and let the wind they were making flow through her hair.
She closed her eyes and put her arms out at her sides. The wind carried her hair and her open flannel behind her. She opened her eyes after a few seconds and saw they were approaching the end of the field. She leaned back and Jake slowed down. She took up the reins again and walked him around so he could cool down.
As she walked Jake off the field and back to the farm she saw him, Ronnie, directly ahead. He was sitting on a bale of hay watching her ride.
"Having fun on the job?" He teased.
"Well was I supposed to sit around waiting for you?" She answered playfully.
He walked up beside Cora and Jake. She looked down and admired the view. He had on a t shirt that showed off all his muscles, his jeans were a mess as usual but they were stylish kind of mess, and his tan glowed off his exposed arms and neck. She reached down and turned his cap around on his head. He smiled up at her squinting a bit in the sun. His icy blue eyes and white teeth sparkled in the afternoon sun.
They pulled up behind the tool shed. It now served as a home for Jakes tack as well. Ronnie put both hands on Cora's waist and helped her down off her horse. He did not let go of her upon her landing. Instead, he pulled her a little closer to him and kissed her lips. She smiled and kissed him back. Then turned away and began undoing Jake's saddle.
Once everything was put away Cora pulled off her flannel short sleeve shirt and threw it toward Ronnie, who now sat leaning against the shed. She unraveled the hose and turned it on. Starting at his hooves Cora began washing Jake. Dirt and sweat rolled off his coat with the water. She brushed off the water with a bristly brush and took a drink straight from the hose. The water splashed down her front, but it was welcome relief from the heat.