Chapter 2: Zoƫ's Special Friend
The first warm days of Spring had arrived and Zoƫ had begun spending her afternoons after school at Daddy's ranch. She was starting to become a competent rider and knew all the horses and their little tricks. In just a few short weeks, her body had toned and her snow-white skin was touched with the beginnings of a creamy tan, at least on her arms and face. Her long blonde hair was usually tucked under a straw Justin hat and her long legs poured into form fitting Wranglers.
Daddy had been spending a lot of his time up in the City, attending to his business. He'd left the daily care of the ranch to his forewoman, Jessica Belle. Jessica's husband had owned a large spread nearby, and she'd grown up as a rancher's daughter. But her husband had died, leaving her a ranch deep in debt. She'd had to sell it for pennies on the dollar and look for work. Daddy said he'd offered her the job out of kindness, but also that she was a very talented woman and hard working. Zoƫ found her to be taciturn and a bit frightening, though she couldn't say why. Her Daddy and Jessica and seemed to have some deeper connection than a purely professional relationship. She'd seen them exchange meaningful glances, though she had no idea what was what behind them. And just the other day, Zoƫ looked up from grooming the horses to find Jessica standing at the fence, staring at her. She held Zoƫ's eye for a moment, then turned away without a word.
On this particular bright Spring day, Zoƫ had invited her friend Najila to see the ranch. Both she and Najila were on the soccer team together at school; both would graduate this year. Najila was nearly the opposite of the fair, willowy Zoƫ: shorter and fuller figured, with dark, curly hair, olive skin, and exotic almond eyes. Najila's parents were from Turkey, but Najila had been born in London. Zoƫ had a huge crush on Najila (as did most of the boys and not a few of the girls at school) and had caught herself staring at Najila's succulent body in the gym showers, her heart and mind awash in emotion and barely contained desire. She'd tried hard to sound nonchalant when she invited Najila to come visit her at the ranch, but her heart was pounding and she'd felt her nipples harden and a tingle between her legs when the lovely girl had said yes, her voice touched softly with a hint of British English, her white teeth flashing a warm smile.
Zoƫ had been a bundle of nerves, waiting for her friend to arrive, thinking Najila would change her mind, would somehow know of Zoƫ's strong feelings and be repulsed. The mixture of joy and fear that flooded Zoƫ's young veins when Najila's Prius came up the long winding drive to the ranch house almost overwhelmed her. She was afraid she wouldn't be able to speak, would just stare at the beautiful Najila or babble like an idiot. But her friend emerged from the car with a relaxed smile, dressed in a full cut white blouse and short skirt. Najila exclaimed at the beauty of the ranch and Zoƫ felt herself relax. Within minutes, the two were running towards the barn, laughing like the schoolgirls they were. Daddy's big German Shepherd, Zeus, followed, barking, enjoying the game.
Zoƫ took great delight in showing Najila the horses, the goats and the big stud bull, Ferdinand. Unlike his namesake, though, Zoƫ knew the huge black animal to be evil tempered and she never entered his pasture. But she pointed out his impressive male anatomy to Najila, just as Daddy had shown it to her. Najila's expression mixed amazement and repulsion.
"I'm glad I'm not a cow!" she'd exclaimed, sending them both into another laughing fit.
Zoƫ led Najila into the barn.
"Let's go up into the loft," she suggested. Najila looked uncertainly at the wooden ladder. "You go first," Zoƫ said, "I'll come up right behind you in case you slip."
Somewhat reassured, Najila started to climb. Zoƫ let her get three or four rungs up, then began climbing herself. Najila's strong brown calves were between Zoƫ's arms. Her skin looked so soft and warm, it was all Zoƫ could do to resist leaning forward to nuzzle the other girl's legs. After a few more rungs, Najila stopped and looked down at her friend. Zoƫ was looking up, but her eyes were unfocused, her lips parted in a small "o" that made them look sweet and kissable.
"What are you looking at?" Najila asked.
Startled, Zoƫ looked away quickly. "Nothing..." Najila saw a flush start up the fair girl's neck, spreading to her face.