Lyndy & Jackson

Chapter - 5

Lyndy & Jackson; 

Chapter 5

By: Mike Hurley

'Charlie'

Jack didn't know what to say or do next.  Obviously, he had upset her.  Now 20 years old, Jack could look at a bull or bronc for 20 seconds and have a list of observations and suggestions for the rider.  He carried a wealth of experience in rodeo survival; especially in how not to further infuriate an animal.

But, with woman, it was a different story. Jack had no sisters, had dated some, nothing real serious, so he was often in uncharted waters when talking to women.  Especially a women like the one standing before him. Jack found her to be young and beautiful, even with her tears.  His heart was racing a little, & he was still confused to find her here.  Jack was rattled & nervous.

I had better introduce myself, he thought. ......uh, I'm sorry if I upset you; you just, sort of surprised me, that's all.  My name is Jack;  Jack Bartlett.  Oh, and you have already met Charlie.  When Lyndy heard him say Charlie's name, she hugged the horse even tighter.  She pushed her face deeper into his mane.

Charlie stood perfectly still; he liked Lyndy the moment he saw her, deep in the tree.  Actually, when he first detected her scent on the road, Charlie knew he wanted to find her. By her smell, her eyes, and her demeanor, Charlie knew he wanted to be near her. In Lyndy, he sensed someone who was sincere, kind, and especially kind to horses.  Right away Charlie knew Lyndy would care deeply for him, she was the rare person who could stand next to him for a quick minute, and know exactly how he felt. Charlie was an easy going horse, usually friendly to everyone, and respectful. He forged lasting friendships slowly, but when he decided he liked a person, there was no going back. Charlie only had a few close friends, Jack was his first. Jack was also his best friend.  Charlie was now 7 years old, a Canadian Horse by blood, he was born in Saskatchewan on a little farm. When he was 2, a brother of his owner came and brought him to live at Heartland Ranch in Alberta.

Charlie remembers the first time he met Jack. He was in his new stall at Heartland Ranch; finished his dinner and was sort of nervous about spending his first night in a new place. Jack entered his stall like an old friend, he seemed happy to meet Charlie.  When other people met Charlie for the first time, they would not look into his eyes; they looked at his eyes, pulled his lips and looked at his teeth, probed his hooves and treated Charlie like a piece of property.  Jack introduced himself to Charlie, stood alongside him like another horse would. He talked to Charlie for a long time, told him about his family, the Ranch, different trails they could go on together. After helping Charlie feel welcome, important, and relaxed, then Jack, gently brushed him. When Jack left for the evening, & closed the stall door, he turned, looked at Charlie and actually said "good night Charlie".  Charlie slept soundly, his first night at Heartland.

From that first night, 5 years ago, Charlie loved Jack, and decided he would do anything for him.  Charlie had never met anyone like Jack since, ......until right now.

Charlie sensed Lyndy was cold and sad.  He could read her emotions as easily as she could read his.  He moved forward to warm and comfort her. He could feel how tight she hugged him. Charlie heard her silent sobs, and felt her tears.  Lyndy had no idea, but Charlie felt so comfortable and happy around her; like an old friend. He could tell both Jack and Lyndy were nervous and rattled.  He needed to help them both relax.  He wanted both of them in his life.  He had to figure out how to help them like each other first.  ........Charlie was very intelligent; he would find a way.

Lyndy was a fiercely independent 18 year old. She had loved working on cars and engines since she was 11. The oldest of 4 girls, she started helping her dad replace the engine in a 1948 Studebaker Commander, the day before her 11th birthday.  When they finished he showed her how to fire up the 245 cubic inch six.  She sat tall behind the wheel, as she pressed the clutch, & gave a little gas to the sleeping giant.  She turned the key, & her smile was bigger than an elephant, when the massive engine roared to life. Her dad jumped in and taught her how to drive on the old farm roads that crisscrossed their property. Lyndy was now her fathers apprentice; she was very intelligent, diligent and could tear apart an engine in her mind before she removed the first bolt.  She was never intimidated by how banged up an engine was. She took her dad's motto: 'get a wrench, & start taking it apart'.