I'm going back through several stories that I had written back in 2001,2002 & 2003 and cleaning them up. This one was one of my favorite series, based on two friends who spend a few days in an old family farmhouse. It is in 14 parts and simply a story, with adult content.
I hope you enjoy it. ~ MI
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Getting out of the car, he takes a quick look around at the yard. There is a farmhouse, barn, some odd buildings with fencing and several people working, a few on horses over in a corral. Beth is already heading over to the house and waves to a movement in the barn and the big man that had greeted them this morning comes into view in the doorway, leading out a horse. Figuring Beth was going to see her aunt who had just come out on the porch, he gives Jack a wave and head over to him.
"Right on time." Jack extends his hand for a shake. Smiling, Kevin takes his hand and nods towards the property.
"Beth didn't mention you had horses." The animal before him steps forward, nudging his chest and Jack chuckles.
"She's looking for a carrot. Here Fella."
He sees Jack taking a carrot from a back pocket and hands it over. Just a bit apprehensive, he takes the carrot and holds it out to the horse. "Here you go Fella."
It's a natural assumption, that Fella is the horse's name ... but he realizes his mistake as Jack laughs, remembering the teasing this morning and Jack's nickname for Beth.
"The horse is Patches."
Nodding in understanding, Jack shows him how to hold his hand open for the horse to eat from. "Haven't been around horses much, have you?"
" 'Fraid not. The extent of my equestrian skills doesn't extend beyond the ponies at the town fair on the common."
"Ella! You gonna teach this boy how to ride?"
The two men turn to look at the women who are waving and nod from the porch before heading inside. "There you go, she'll get you on the horse and ready in no time. Come on, you can learn to help me saddle up this one and Sampson."
Glancing back at the house, Kevin shrugs and nods. "Ok"
Jack is patient, going through each step and explaining why it's done as he has Kevin follow what he does on Patches to Sampson. The second horse is bigger, both in muscle and height, 16 hands compared to 14.5, in which an explanation of measurements is forthwith ... then going into the difference between English and Western riding and saddles, the most obvious a missing pommel on the English, then tandem saddles which he brings one over for Sampson. At some point the men are laughing as Jack finally approves the final product, clapping Kevin on the back and the women's voices drift into the barn.
"Der beste Weg Ist halten Sie am Bach, gehen durch die Wiese."
"Danke, Tante."
"Ich liebe dich mein Schatzi."
"Ich liebe dich."
"Sounds like they're planning for your ride. You're probably going to eat by the stream, Beth'll show you the way."
The older woman gives Beth a wink and hugs her before smiling at Kevin and handing him the satchel she was carrying. "There's a first time for everything. Have a good time you two."
"Should I ask?" Kevin smiles back at the elder woman, before she nods and heads back to the house.
"Your first horseback lesson. And, she was recommending that we stay by the stream and go through the meadow on our way back, that's all." Beth grins, turning around to look at him as she walks backwards. "Says it's a very nice ride and told me before there's a nice spot where the stream bends that we can have a picnic lunch."
"Is that what's in this?" He motions to the bag as she takes his hand and nods.
"We're going to take Sampson and ride together, ok?" She asks, grinning. "Ready for your riding lesson?"
"I guess so.
Jack is bringing Sampson forward, fastening a rolled-up blanket to the back of the saddle. "I figured you two would double so we put a tandem saddle on."
"Good idea ... I've never seen one like this. Lower profile?"
Nodding, Jack runs his hand over the two seats and the low bump between them before taking the satchel from Kevin and fastening it to the straps on the blanket. "Your aunt likes this one, figured you would too. Rides much more comfortable."