Lyndy & Jackson

Chapter - 9

Lyndy & Jackson,
Chapter 9.  By: Mike Hurley

'Dreams'

Jack felt warmer now, physically and emotionally. Charlie was generating a lot of heat as he cantered through the storm. Horses always amazed Jack for many reasons. He especially appreciated how they saw and smelled things that he missed.  With a range of vision almost twice that of a human horses constantly scan the countryside for threats. Jack and Charlie each trusted each other unconditionally, & often seemed to know what the other was thinking.  The snow was blowing right into their faces, almost horizontally. Like thousands of miniature swirling, tumbling, and dancing baseballs. This  non-stop bombardment of movement; like legions of figure skaters, each doing a different routine; was hypnotic. The sensation quickly overloads a human visual cortex; and becomes an overwhelming and debilitating condition. Most airline pilots close it out of their minds and rely solely on instruments.
Charlie's visual system was not bothered by the menagerie of snow. Human range of vision is 180 degrees; horses have 350 degrees of vision, and can use each eye separately, if desired. Charlie charged straight through the pandemonium of snowflakes.

Jack was puzzled as to why Charlie seemed enamored with Lyndy. They had recently met this girl, who by any measurement seemed an emotional roller coaster.  Her guiding principle seemed to mimic the temperament of a Wolverine; get mad and attack first, ask questions later. Jacks first instinct was to steer clear.  But there was something about Lyndy that attracted Jack to her.  The pheromone connection between the two of them was part of the answer, but that was hidden beneath Jacks conscious mind.  He wondered if perhaps she was simply rattled by an unfortunate set of events; and ended up froze and scared. Jack noticed after he helped Lyndy get settled on Charlie's back, her feet and hands soon warmed up. Her polar bear body language seemed to be thawing.

Lyndy's arms were tucked under Jacks shirt in an effort to warm her quickly.  Initially her hands were like ice cubes against his warm chest. Now she gently held and warmed Jacks hand and fingers, while his other hand held the reigns. Her arms were wrapped tight around his chest and he felt the warmth of her body pressing against his. In a way, this visceral feeling reminded Jack of sitting next to the fireplace, on a cold, windy night; enjoying the warmth of Patches the cat, as she snuggled and slept in his lap. As chaotic wind gusts know no pattern, Patches could purr in perfect time to an atomic clock.

Jack desired to speak with Lyndy and discover who was behind the Wolverine demeanor. Sometimes he found himself nervous around young women his own age, especially pretty ones. Lyndy's physical appearance was wind beaten and snow swept at best. But Jack felt pretty certain, once out of the storm and cleaned up, Lyndy was probably a beautiful young woman.

The way Lyndy held, caressed, and induced warmth into Jacks fingers; & the warmth of her body against his, was a sensation he would soon not forget.

Jack realized, Bishop Creek was right ahead. He decided to give Charlie a well needed break, and a drink from the creek.  Charlie was thinking the same thing and turned off the road at the exact moment.  Lyndy had observed how Chatlie and Jack worked well together, they had obviously known each other many years.  Their quiet communication and love for each other was quite apparent.

Jack allowed Charlie to find a narrow opening between two big pines with an easy reach to the creek.  Charlie was thirsty & relished the long drink.  The giant pines were sentries; buffeting the wind for them.

Thick Nimbostratus clouds floating overhead were snow makers; manufacturing snowflakes faster than a movie theatre could produce popcorn. Moon light shone through occasional breaks in their formation. Bright spots of moon light reflected off the white blanket of snow and the undersides of the clouds. The entire countryside grew quite bright.  The snowflakes between the trees were quiet; they tiptoed their way down. In a different time this could have been a hideaway for romance. But this evening, Jack, Lyndy, and Charlie were well aware they were still in a dangerous predicament.  The arctic winds were ravenous; as they chewed and clawed their way southeast, heading for the Peace Garden State. As the mass of the cold front enveloped them, the temperatures quickly dived.