Josie’s Thorn Teaser
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After breakfast, Josephina walked to the stables where she found Steve standing next to a magnificent, dark brown mare; her regal poise gave her the appearance of sculpted marble.
“Good morning, Miss McCrea,” Steve said cheerfully, as he saddled the horse.
“Good morning, Mr. Morgan,” Josephina responded politely. “She’s beautiful.” She gently rubbed the horse on the neck.
“She’s an American Saddlebred and her spirit matches her beauty,” he said, suddenly feeling the warmth spread up his neck and across his face at his statement.
Josephina smiled but decided not to respond.
“Miss McCrea, you do remember how to ride, don’t you? Macy is gentle, but if you’re rusty, you shouldn’t…” but she cut him off before he could continue.
“Of course I remember how to ride! I’ve continued riding since I left here,” she turned to look directly at him, letting him know she was not pleased.
“That’s good to know, but if you’d like, I can send someone with you,” but no sooner had the words left his mouth than he knew he had overstepped his bounds.
“It won’t be necessary, Mr. Morgan!” Her eyes burned with anger, as she took the reins from the now understandably shaken Ranch Boss. “Thank you, I can handle it from here.”
“You’re most welcome, Miss McCrea,” Steve stepped back from the horse, wanting to put distance between them.
Josephina led the horse out of the stable with Morgan walking behind her. “Please, be careful.”
“I will,” were the only words she said as she mounted the horse and rode off toward Otters Creek.
***
Once she had crossed the first creek that ran behind the stables, she nudged the horse into a slow canter through Clover Field, named for the thick clover growing there. Josephina had forgotten how beautiful it was with the lush green fields, and snow topped mountains off in the distance. She rode for about twenty minutes when she came to a small valley known as Dry Bones. It was dusty and rock-filled and was the only place on the one-thousand acre ranch that was not flourishing with green grass and wildflowers. Josephina turned her horse to the east and made her way up into the foothills of the Old Forest, as she had always called it.
Filled with tall and proud trees, the Old Forest was a beautiful and enchanting place. It was one of the places Josephina had loved most when she lived here as a child. She had enjoyed long walks and shared many special picnics in the beauty of the Old Forest.
With the fragrance of the wild flowers and the cool breeze on her face, she prodded Macy into a run and for the first time since her return, Josephina felt completely at peace.
Once she reached Otter’s Creek, she dismounted and led the horse to the water for a drink. Josephina pulled her canteen from the saddlebag and sipped some fresh water while gently stroking the horse’s mane. Next, she walked across the dirt bank to a large oak tree where she decided to relax against the tree’s trunk.
Leaning against the tree, she suddenly felt a gentle nudge on her hand that made her go rigid. When she opened her eyes and looked down, she found herself looking into the soft, brown eyes of the Labrador, Bo. Josephina let out a soft laugh, and then she sat down and wrapped her arms around his neck. “Thank you for coming with me, Bo.”
Bo settled down next to her, laid his head on her lap, and closed his eyes. As Josephina relaxed against the tree, she looked around at the beauty of the landscape. She took a deep breath, recalling memories from happier times when her family would come here together. They would camp along the creek’s banks, and would hike along the nearby trails that led toward the mountains.
Josephina removed her glasses, laid them on the ground next to her, and then rubbed her eyes before closing them. She leaned her head back and sat there motionless, enjoying the warmth of the sun as it moved across the sky. She was completely caught up in the tranquility of the moment when she felt Bo stand, letting out a low, growl. “What is it, Bo?” She opened her eyes to see what had alerted him, suddenly realizing someone else was nearby.
Josephina quickly grabbed her glasses, pushing them onto her face, but what she saw caught her by surprise. A man was walking out of the water, and he was completely naked! Her breath caught in her throat as she watched the water glisten on his perfectly muscled body in the sunlight. Josephina quickly pulled her eyes away from the unsuspecting man standing on the shore, but the vision of his perfect body in the afternoon sun still danced in her mind. She looked down at Bo, who was now standing beside her with his tail wagging, unaware of the predicament, when she suddenly felt her cheeks grow warm. “Some guard dog you turned out to be!” she laughed, as she reached down and patted him on the head.
Josephina found herself transfixed and not sure what to do when she realized her eyes had once again fallen back on the man. What is wrong with me? She scolded herself, but no matter how hard she tried, she could not bring herself to look away.
It was obvious to her that his muscles were those of a man who had known hard work, not from lifting weights in a gym. His skin was a deep, rich, brown, and although she could not see his face beneath the facial hair, she was convinced he must be quite handsome. His long, dark hair flowed down his shoulders and onto his upper chest. She watched as his hair seemed to dance in the wind, and she found herself wondering what it would be like to have her fingers gently comb through it.
Josephina stood there transfixed, completely caught up in her fantasy when she suddenly realized she had been staring at the man for several moments. She tried to move, but for some reason her legs would not cooperate, and her eyes seemed frozen in place; she suddenly felt a strange tightness in her throat. Who is he? Does he work on the ranch and why is he out here with no clothes? She glanced over at Macy, who was calmly grazing on the lush green grass by the oak tree. Come over here you dumb horse! The words screamed in her mind as she tried to will the animal to come to her. She knew she would have to make her feet move if she wanted to leave but did she want to?
The image of this man held her hostage, as he stood on the creek’s edge with the sun caressing his body. This sensual vision created a burning desire to touch him in ways that made her body tingle with excitement.
“What the hell is wrong with me?” She cursed herself.
Josephina knew she did not have time for such desires because she needed to stay focused on the task at hand. Stop thinking that way! I came here to do a job, and then go back home! I do not need this kind of distraction now, but… Suddenly a feeling of pain and anger began to stir in the pit of her stomach at the memory of the last man who had caused the same feelings in her. Stop it! I will never allow myself to be hurt like that again.
Josephina closed her eyes, forcing the image of him from her mind. I have to get away from here! She quickly mounted Macy and rode away without looking back at the mysterious stranger.
***
Jacob Rainthorn stepped out of the creek onto the bank, allowing the sun to dry his magnificent body. He suddenly had the burning sensation come over him of being watched. He slowly turned to see the woman standing under the old oak tree doing her best to appear as though she did not see him, but he knew better. He decided to act as though he believed himself to be alone. However, the delight he felt when he recognized Josephina McCrea almost betrayed him. He was pleased to see that she had not changed in the seven years since she had left. Her skin still resembled fine porcelain and her auburn hair glistened in the sun. She had her hair pull up in a bun, but he noticed the small strands of auburn hair that had escaped to caress her long, slender neck. Even the black-rimmed glasses she wore could not hide her beauty.
He found it intriguing how the beige-colored riding britches she wore displayed her petite figure in a pleasing way. Also, how her green buttoned down blouse was open just enough to offer a seductive invitation of her firm and ample breasts. He smiled, as he imagined how satisfying it would be to get reacquainted with her.
Jacob knew he should have been a gentleman and moved away from the creek to retrieve his clothes, but he had enjoyed the sensual game as it played out between them. The hunger burning in her eyes, and the flush on her cheeks as she rushed to get away stirred the passion in him as well. “Our next meeting should be quite interesting,” he chuckled, as he watched her ride away.
If you want to read more, you can find Josie’s Thorn here.
