Riding Wild

Let's Take A Ride

The sun felt warm on Maddy's skin as it sneaked through the lace sheers billowing in the breeze. Maddy lay with a sly smile on her face, eyes closed, remembering the night before and how she and Jake ... well ... She stretched - a cat-like stretch relishing the sun on her skin and the glow of the sensual traces of Jake's touch.

She reached her hand over to feel him next to her. But he wasn't there! She shot up. What the hell? Then she smelled it.

The delicious bitter warm smell of freshly brewed coffee and the scent of bacon hung in the air. She heard music playing her favorite country songs in the living room.

Raising up on her elbows, Maddy cocked her head and grinned to herself.. Kenny Chesney was singing his song, Wild Child, and Jake was bellowing right along with him in an off-pitch but nice voice.

The refrain about the "calico pony on an open plain" brought Jake's voice to a very loud, very off-key baritone. Maddy stood up from the bed and wrapped her soft silk robe around her.

She padded into the bathroom and peered at her image in the mirror. Her hair was a mess. Her skin flushed. Her eyes glistened.

Jake had played repeat on the mp3 player, and Wild Child started in again. Maddy giggled to herself. She quickly brushed through her hair and grabbing an elastic, threw it in a messy bun on top of her head.

She strode into the kitchen and watched Jake. There he stood, tall and lean. Tight Wranglers, shirtless, cooking at the stove, hair glistening from his shower. Slowly turning to face her, he continued singing about his Wild Child.

He whisked around the eat-in bar, grabbed Maddy into his arms, and started dancing. Singing into her ear:

Keeps my heart and her hair a mess
She goes where the wind suggests she goes, who knows
Got a spirit that can't be tamed
She's a calico pony on an open plain
I know I'll never be the same no more, for sure

Maddy giggled. "Wild child, huh? Calico pony?"

Jake stopped and pushed her away with his hands on her shoulders and gazed into her eyes. "Yes, you're my calico pony. Do you know about Calicos?"

"Can't say that I do. Tell me."

Jake strode back to the stove and started pulling the bacon and eggs from the griddle to the plates. He said nothing, just kept whistling that same song.

Maddy sat and watched him intently. His face, rough from being in the sun too much, seemed soft today. His blue eyes crinkled around the corners as he grinned at her.

Maddy arched a brow at Jake. "Well, are you going to tell me or not?"

"Easy, ma'am." He winked. "Impatient, aren't you?"

She smiled. Took a bite of bacon and stuck her tongue out. He threw his head back in a big chuckle.

"Calico ponies are a very special breed. They're also called Paints. The thing about Calicos is that they have a mind of their own. They love to be the center of attention, stand out in the crowd, so to speak. They will pretend that they're tame, but get one out in the open, and they will run wild and free - showing off just how graceful and beautiful they are. Get a Calico to love you, they are yours for life, but they are always wild and free. Takes a special hand to tame a Calico. Takes lots of patience. But, boy, when she runs, when she prances. When she shows her stuff, she is something to behold." His eyes drifted off to somewhere.

Maddy stared at him without reservation. She felt comfortable with Jake, and hearing his story, she fervently wished she was his Calico Pony.

"Well, Maddy, I gotta get to the stables. Horse riding lessons today. Maybe I'll call on you later?"