By Katya
Chapter III
"Rainie, get down," Jimmy managed, trying to sound calm. He knew he wasn't succeeding. Somehow she'd managed to get on the back of his horse without getting killed. He thanked God for that little miracle and pleaded with Rainie not to tempt fate.
" Why, Jimmy? This is the most beautiful horse I have ever seen!" she exclaimed.
"Darlin, please. She's not fond of strangers riding her," he told her, once again realizing what an understatement that was.
"Oh, she's just the sweetest thing. You wouldn't hurt a soul, would you?" Rainie questioned the horse as if it were a person. Jimmy had done the same thing, but seeing Rainie on his wild horse was throwing him off. He took a second look. His horse, for the most part, seemed.....calm. And he had to admit, she looked beautiful on her. Of course even if the horse weren't there....
" Can I ride her?"
"Wha....No! No, I don't think that's a good idea," he stammered, plummeting back to reality. It was fine if Rainie wanted to sit on her, but ride her? No way.
" Jimmy? " she pleaded.
"No. No way. You'll get yourself killed,"
"No I won't. Please Jimmy," She pouted. Jimmy looked up at her face, more than willing to say no again. but the combination of her pout and......something else that he couldn't quite place, quickly destroyed his resolve.
" Rainie, I guess you can....." he began.
" Oh thank you! Thank you! Thank you!" she cried as she slid off the palomino's back and gave Jimmy a hug.
" Only a few minutes! And I'm checking the saddle!" he warned her as she ran off to get the saddle.
She put the saddle on the horse and was taking her out of the barn in no time. Jimmy had checked and double checked the saddle for safety. To his surprise, she'd put it on perfectly in a record amount of time.
"Rainie? You want me to help you get on?" he offered. She gave him a look that questioned his sanity.
"Why?" she wondered aloud. She planted herself in the saddle with such grace and ease, Jimmy wondered if she'd been born on a horse. Rainie glanced over at him and giggled at his look of utter shock.
"What? You never seen a girl ride before?" she smiled as he attempted to wipe the shock off his face. Jimmy had taken a horse out and was now sitting comfortably in the saddle. Normally, he wouldn't have bothered, but he wanted to be able to catch her easily if his horse decided to run wild. Little did he know, that it wouldn't be the horse's choice.
Rainie spurred the horse and started it into a full gallop. Jimmy couldn't believe his eyes. He almost went after her, thinking that the horse had let loose. Only a few seconds later did he realize that it wasn't the horse.
"Rainie, wait up! " He called, trying to catch up with her. She slowed her horse and turned to look at him. He was only about 50 feet away.
"What? Can't catch up to a girl? " she teased. She knew that this was gonna be fun.
TO BE CONTINUED...
Copyright 1998-This work is not to be reproduced without the permission of the author
The Way Station
Campfire Tales
