Red was a little older than Molly, but they’d grown up together because Molly rode with Misty, his younger sister, and because their fathers had been best friends. The families had barbeques and trail rides. Molly would hang with Misty, but Red was always around. They were comfortable with each other. Most importantly, Molly trusted Red. He was a hard worker, meticulous, and wasn’t going to stop until the project was right. And he took pride in Summer’s End. Most of the buildings had been built by his father.
“I think you’re really going to like this. People want to eat outside with a view of the lake and mountains, and views don’t get better than this.” Red gestured toward the Canadian Rockies. “The twin fire pits are going to keep people longer into the evening. That means they’re drinking more, having more fun, telling their friends, and returning. And that means you’re making more money.”
“I like the way you think.”
“The landscaping is going to be really nice. When you said you wanted a wild, natural outdoor look, I decided to sub a new landscaping firm, two young women just getting started who really like that look. I’ve seen what they’re doing. We’ll bring in boulders, plant bunches of wild grass, position some driftwood, and make winding paths to the lake. But it’s the oversized river rock fire pits that people will like. And we could add some torches. I think it’s going to be what you’re looking for.”
“Sounds great. I do think people are going to like it out here. I can’t believe we haven’t taken better advantage of this view all these years.”
“You should think about a wood-fired pizza oven with some micro brews. Omak Okanogan is changing. You can still have steak and potatoes. But gourmet burgers, honking big burritos, pizza, and nacho platters are where the action is. Western music, cowgirl servers with hats and western boots; it’s a rodeo party. Live fires. The lake and mountains. I can just see it out here.”
Molly could see it too. Her clientele was changing, and her businesses needed to change with the times.
“Maybe you could mention that to Evelyn. Sometimes she has to get used to a new idea, and she’d prefer it didn’t come from me. Oh yeah, talk to Betsy about it too. Evelyn listens to Betsy.”
“Got it. I’ll work it with Betsy.”
Molly felt the excitement build as she looked forward to the afternoon ride. She left work at three and returned to the cabin to change into her riding gear and boots. Dressed, she walked down to the stables looking as casual as she could. Inside, she was nervous and anxious. Outside, she was cool as a cowgirl.
Silas wasn’t around, so she went to his office and checked the assignment board. Her ride today was Dusty. She checked the notebook on Silas’ desk and read the instructions. Dusty was a three-year-old quarter horse, an experienced barrel racer, owned by a rancher up the Okanogan. His daughter had raced her in high school and was now away at college. The owner was uncertain about Dusty’s future, but with his daughter away at school, he didn’t want the valuable horse idle in his ownstables, and his daughter wanted her exercised while she was away. The instructions were as expected. Twenty minute warm up, loping and trotting, circle loops both directions, starting, stopping, backing, and other obedience training. The second twenty minutes were slalom drills around poles emphasizing short, quick turns, bursts of speed back to the start, and repeat. The final twenty minutes were barrel turns, working up to full-speed racing. The owner wanted the exercises both directions around the barrels. Molly understood this was as much for balanced muscle development as it was for skill building.
She walked down to Dusty’s stall and entered. She spent the first five minutes just getting to know her, giving her a friendly biscuit treat, letting Dusty smell her, and get used to her hands. She was a beautiful, well-muscled horse. She walked her down to Jo’s stall to retrieve her saddle. Once saddled up, Molly mounted Dusty and walked her out of the stables. She let her walk for a few minutes before giving a gentle prod. Dusty responded quickly to a light trot that moved naturally into a lope. They loped out to the exercise pasture, an area set up for horse drills.
Molly worked her through light drills, starting, stopping, backing, turning both directions, gradually picking up speed. Dusty was a well-trained horse that responded to hand signals, body shifts, and foot prods. Molly was really enjoying the exercises, running a well-trained horse through her paces. At the end of the twenty minute warm up, she moved her over to the track and gave her a kick that let her move to a gallop. They ran a series of gallops, full runs at a controlled speed less than Dusty’s full speed. The gallops were exhilarating for Molly, memories flooding back of her days competing with Jo.
After the gallop drills, Molly moved Dusty to a stick slalom course. Dusty knew the drills and needed little guidance. She deftly twisted and turned her body through the sticks. Molly gave light guidance and helped with balance. She wasimpressed. Dusty responded beautifully. After the stick drills, Molly moved to the barrels, taking a few moderately paced turns both directions before finishing with a series of full-out racing maneuvers.
After the barrel exercises, Dusty was winded, sweating, and loose. Molly took her back for a series of closing gallops before starting a ten-minute cool down that would get Dusty back to a normal heart rate. During the cool down, she noticed for the first time Silas and Willy leaning against the rail at the corral watching. They hadn’t seen her ride like this for a few years. She cooled Dusty down and brought her back to the corral with a light trot, pulling up next to the guys.
Silas said, “Nice work.”
“She’s a well-trained horse. Didn’t have to do much. She knew the drills.”
“She’s lucky to have an experienced barrel racer run her through those paces.”
“She’s a lot like Jo. I was just along for the ride.”
“Having a good time?”
Molly was flushed, her fair Scottish coloring giving her away. She reluctantly admitted, “Yeah, it felt good. I guess I’ve really missed it.”
Willy said, “Thanks for helping out. We’re lucky to have an owner who can ride like that.” Molly could hear the respect in his voice. He was a skilled horseman who would appreciate her skills. She knew Silas was grooming Willie to be his replacement.
“You have a rider who just happens to be an owner.”
After brushing Dusty down, Molly left her to the stable workers and strolled down the dirt road that led to her cabin. Her neckand face were hot, like she was aroused. Well, shewasaroused from the exhilarating ride. She hadn’t realized how much she missed that. Really missed it. She was not planning to start looking for another horse but realized sheneededa horse. She couldn’t live without one. Silas’ daily exercise program was going to work for a while, but she needed a horse.
Back at the cabin, she went directly to the bathroom, stripped, and stepped into a hot shower. Oh boy, she was aroused. Was that from the ride? Or missing Bart? Or that she hadn’t been laid in a couple weeks? Didn’t matter. She was aroused, and how much became apparently when she soaped her breasts and between her legs. Oh boy. She had it bad. She took a curved bar of soap and held it against the place between her legs, gently massaging. Her neck and face were burning up as the arousal built until it was roaring at her like a freight train. When it arrived at the station, she gasped, letting the familiar waves move through as hot water cascaded down her back. She held the soap in place, massaging gently, letting her body complete the process.
Okay, then. She hadn’t expected that. But it felt good. Her body was alive. The stimulating ride had really done a number on her.
Or, was she just missing Bart?
The next morning, Shadow and Molly sat in the familiar waiting room. Shadow’s ultrasound was scheduled at ten. Molly was used to being inside working, not a customer awaiting an appointment. The assistant came out and invited them into the imaging room.
Molly had Shadow jump up on the table and lie down. The assistant did the triage to document the appointment before Vivian came in. The good friends exchanged a quick hug.
“How are you doing?”
