"You ready for some rough ranch work?" Jace's lovely eyes crinkled at the corner as its blue hues twinkled down at me.
I mutely nodded my head thinking back to all those times when a little request like that would have sent my heart thundering in my chest.
"Grab a horse and saddle up. We're heading out," Jace murmured almost excitedly. I could see he was in his element here. This life of hard work toiling the land did that for him. He was one with nature and city life was all but ruined for him.
I looked about me breathing in deeply and thought I should thread with care. I wouldn't want the same to happen to me. I moved away and went to get a horse. Samuel tagged along giving some suggestions. I settled on a brunette mare with the biggest hooves I had ever seen. She was huge and rugged. I knew she was a farm horse through and through. She looked a little out of place next to the daintier looking mares beside her. But I knew she was the one for me.
Sam guffawed at my choice. I shot him a wry grin but went about saddling her up. I was eager to get on her. It has been a long time and would be tough on my thighs and ass with how wide her back was but it didn't matter. I would take pain killers when I get back. But for now I all but jiggled in anticipation of getting on her back.
We took off at a leisurely trot ambling our way across the gentle slopes. I was mesmerised by the beauty of nature spread before me. The tall wild grasslands fluttered with the wind in waves. The cloudless skies so blue a clear contrast to the green and golden fields.
I followed quietly along where Josh led. He made several stops along the way. Meeting his foreman and discussing fencelines then meeting his drovers and talking cattle. It was almost like the olden days when I used to tag along on his visit in just the same way. Only I understood a whole lot more now than I did back then.
Our last stop was by Mrs McCartney's. An old lady, grandmother to one of the ranch hands. Josh paid her to prepare meals for himself and his men. But since I was here to stay I could help out with that whenever possible.
Having called up ahead our lunch packs were ready and waiting. Without a long pause we fetched our meal then took off at a greater speed. Our pace picking up the closer we got to oir destination. I begun to recognise just where we were heading. The water fall we used to go to when we were kids was along these paths. I picked up speed as the well travelled paths became more familiar.
Soon we were there beside the gushing strains of the most beautiful waterfall I have ever seen. I whooped for joy tossing my hat in the air and beaming joyously. I galloped to a stop and watched Josh leap off his mount then all but fell out of my saddle gracelessly.
We exchanged wicked grins of pure excitement the sprang forward shedding clothes as we went. Till we were down to our underwear then we were diving in to the crytal clear waters of deep blue. Emerging from their darken depths I struck out with a delighted laugh towards the steep rising rocks. I aimed for the protruding rock perched up high just beneath the water falls. I turned to find that Josh was headed the same way. Our old haunts held as much excitement and fascination now as they had back then.
