Suprise (8 page)

Hand crafted bushes lined the path around to the stable area, with very few flowers in bloom. Still, the air smelled sweet to Vanessa and she admired the well manicured pathway while striding confidently to the horses. She saw two standing there, held by a middle aged woman with blonde hair, darker than her own. She was dressed in riding pants, tanned hose with calf high black leather boots. Her long hair was unbound, and her gloved hands held the reins with a practiced ease. Closer to her, the brown horse had a placid look, his face content to watch the women approach with curiosity but nothing untowed. On the far side, a black stallion, with splashes of white along it's hind legs, looked more energetic and gave a whinny.
 

"There there, Raindrop," the older woman said, tugging the reins. "These women won't bite you, I'm sure." She looked at Sophia, then Vanessa and cocked her head to the side. "So, have you two ever ridden before?"

"Yes," the both said at once.

"Good. I'm Susan Happer, I manage the horses and other things around Churchhill," she said, gesturing to Vanessa to take the reins of the brown horse. "His name is Dainty," she said, smiling, "He won't bite, but he can be a bit lazy." She handed the reins of the other horse to Sophia, "As you probably heard me just now, this is Raindrop," Susan said, "He can be a handful sometimes, but usually, he's as gentle as an evening shower."

"The bags are packed, I take it?" Sophia asked, holding the reins and patting the horses neck. She held up a hand, and Raindrop smelled her for a moment, then made a soft nicker sound. He seemed calmer already.
 

"All packed and ready," Susan replied, looking speculatively at Vanessa and then back to Sophia. "Miss Smith and Miss Smith," she said, chuckling softly. "Be careful, if something happens, one of you stay with the horses, the other come back and we'll send help."
 

Reaching out, Sophia shook her hand and smiled warmly, "Thank you for preparing this, I appreciate it a lot." Vanessa saw the older woman's dark eyes widen slightly, looking back and forth between the two sexy young women. She cocked her head to the side, looking at them speculatively, then she smiled and walked back along the path, towards the stables proper.
 

Heart fluttering, the blonde took a deep breath, looking over at her long, brunette hair bound in a pony tail. She was getting used to the idea of being with such a thoughtful, romantic person and gave her a shy, friendly smile. Sophia winked at her in return and Vanessa felt her heart start beating faster.
 

"This is going to be a fun ride," Sophia said.
 

Epilogue

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The second installment of the Deception series, Volume Two: Seduction, is already finished and being revised. It will be published in the first week of November.

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