woman and their horse
Yeah Yeah I know, I need to work on some of my others but… what the hey… here comes another one. Hope you like it. And the same warning as with all my stories… slow start… but wait for it…. *grins*
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Heather’s hand clenched tightly around the receiver of the phone. Her plump lower lip resting between her teeth as she chewed on the pink flesh. Chocolate brown orbs focused on the picture hanging on the other side of the room. The low light flickered off the trails of tears sliding down her pale cheeks. After a moment her eyes close and her chest expands beneath the white button down shirt. She lets it out slowly… seeming to listen intently to the conversation on the other end. She released her lip… “ but…”she tried to stammer out but then fell silent. The words that followed caused her to have to pull the phone a bit away from her ear… her body giving a slight tremble.
Slowly she’d replace the phone to her ear.. Sighing once more, eyes opening. Tears glinting in the chocolate eyes. She blinked, a couple fresh tears finding their way past her thick dark lashes. “ I love …” she heard the click on the other end of the phone. “ you…..” she whispered softly, the phone falling from her grasp. She let out a soft whimper, curling up on the couch, bringing her arms to wrap around her bare legs, pulling her knees up to her chest. She presses her forehead against her knee.. A curtain of raven colored locks sliding to hide her face. And silently she cried herself to sleep, curled up, feeling miserable and helpless.

As the large grandfather clock in the living room began to chime for ten o’clock, she began to stir. She felt stiff, she had been curled up like that for a couple hours. She lifted a hand to wipe the dried remains of tears from her face. The light glinted off the silver ring upon her left hand. A sad smile formed upon her lips. She peered at it for a moment, shifting her hand as the simple silver band with flakes of diamond shimmered. Then closing the fist, pulling the ring out of view, she let out a sad whimper. The house felt empty… the only sound was the ticking of the clock and the small hum of electricity. He was mad at her… again. What had she done to him? She never could seem to get anything right. How was she supposed to know to call him right after work? She had been tired… had needed a nap. Then she had called… with the intention of inviting him over for a movie. But what had she got instead? Guilt…. Such a cruel word… such a horrible feeling deep within her gut.
He loved her right? She had changed her whole life for him. She had moved out here, away from friends and family for him… he was all she had. Sure she had a nice little house, a decent job. But without him… she was simply lonely. She felt the warm trickle down her cheek again and quickly wipes the tear away. She needed to get out, that’s what she needed. Perhaps a nice walk in the park might clear her head. She slowly rose from the couch, giving a stretch, arching her back, a slight groan slipping past her lips. Then walking slowly, feeling sore and depressed, started climbing the stair case to her room. The door was open, seeming to await her. The room was tidy, well kept. The wooden floor reflected the light of the single lamp that was on. The black rug on the floor near the bed was straight. The bed it’s self, though unmade from her earlier nap was still in good shape. It’s thick oak frame, rising up to a curtained canopy. She always loved the bed.. A gift from her great grand parents. It made her smile thoughtfully, A simple split second break from the depressed thoughts through her own head.
She walked over to the closet, stepping inside and flipping on the light. She glanced at the clothing, pulling a simple pair of jeans from a hanger. She tugged them on, not worrying about wearing any panties. She wasn’t out to impress, just for comfort. She then slowly unbuttoned her shirt, sliding it off creamy white shoulders, letting it pool to the floor. She’d pick it up later, right now she wasn’t concerned with neatness. Pulling a plain tank from it’s placed she slid it over her head. Smoothing everything into place, and running a hand through the thick main of hair, she grabbed her plain tennis shoes and walked over to the bed. She sat down.. Suddenly feeling like the bed was to big, to empty… She fidgeted… suddenly feeling like he was going to leave her, and she would truly be alone.
She had to close her eyes for a moment, pushing the overwhelming thoughts from her mind. She sucked in a deep breath. She was stronger then this. She knew it. Now she just needed to convince herself of such. Letting that breath out slowly, she slipped the shoes upon her already sock covered feat. She then stood up, grabbing keys and her cell phone and made her way back down stairs. Without even pausing she went out the front door, locking it behind her.

Outside she sucked in a deep breath once more. It was a warm clear evening. Despite the distant sound of the city, it was peaceful out. The night wind brushed against her skin, pulling the hair from her face. She peered up at the full moon and the star dotted sky, a slight smile upon her lips. She was already feeling better. She then moved on down the street, heading for the park. She lived about 3 blocks away from one with a nice little walking trail, that ran next to a pretty little brook.
It took some time getting there, she was in no hurry, and though she knew it was after hours for the park, she doubted anyone would say anything. They never did. That thought only reminded her how often she screwed up with this man. How often she had to come clear her mind, figure out how and when to applogise. “ Just stop it” she scolded herself. She was here to relax, not get worked up once more.
The walk started out as it always did. Soothing… though empty. It did little but make her loose herself deeper in her thoughts, though not feeling as alone or trapped as that house made her feel. As she moved along, the sounds of the night insects, and that brook sending her into an almost mediative state. That was till she heard a small whimper up ahead. The sound brought her back to the present. She peered around and didn’t see anything, and so her soft foot falls continued along the dirt trail. Though rounding the curve into the small grove of trees she heard it again. She looked around once more, and there up ahead, next to a fallen log, left to be used as a form of bench she saw glinting eyes reflecting the moon that was above them. She paused. This town was not known for strays, nor wild animals, yet instincts told her to be cautious.
She edged closer, to get a better look, what ever it was , was coated heavily with shadows. Though as she moved closer, the animal made another sound… scared, perhaps hurt? As she got closer, she saw the outline. It was a dog. Perhaps it had gotten lost and could not find it’s way home? She wondered this briefly and then knelt. “Come here” she cooed softly, her voice barely above a whisper. She didn’t wish to scare it, or make it feel threatened. The dog moved, though more like it was going to dart into the trees then come to her. She didn’t move how ever.. Eyes simply following it. “Come here hun, I’m not going to hurt you…” she whispered more. Something tugging inside her. Perhaps in her own desperation and unhappiness, she felt a need to help this animal.

The dog paused in it’s move to flee from her. It lifted it’s head, she could hear it huffing, as if perhaps trying to smell the air. She held very still, hand out, inviting… waiting. The dog started to step cautiously towards her. As it moved it came into the light and she could see it. It had pointy ears, a thick coat.. And deep brown eyes that seemed to echo her own pain. It looked to be a shepherd Though it had long sense seen a kind hand. It’s coat was dirty.. Matted down. She had a feeling if it’s hair wasn’t so thick she’d probably even see his ribs. “That a pup.. Come here.” She continued to coo encouragingly. Slowly but surly the dog made it’s way to her… It dropped low, tail tucked as it inched towards her. Though finally she could touch it. She let her fingers brush against the top of it’s head, a soft smile sliding to her lips. The dog didn’t move, letting her pet him. His eyes wide, seeming to worry she would hurt him.
“No no.. It’s okay, it’s okay..” she continued to speak, though she wasn’t sure why.. Perhaps knowing he needed a kind word. She moved her hand, feeling for a collar. She found one, but in doing so she frowned. She couldn’t so much as stick a finger between it and his throat. The dog whined a bit. “ it’s okay sweety, it really is okay. “ She continued to speak as her hand moved to find the clasp to the collar. She tried to release the collar, but the hair was matted so tight to it, she couldn’t get it loose. She frowned. This dog was in bad shape of care. “Hun.. Do you want to come home with me? Clean you up a bit? “ She could see about taking him to the shelter in the morning, but now, he looked as if he needed some serious care. But how to get him home? She slowly stood up, watching the shepherd. The dog stood as she did, though didn’t bolt. It’s tail though untucked now, was held low, the tip barely wagging.
Testing something she started back the way she had came and watched over her shoulder. At first the dog just stood there. Looking pained.. confused, scared. She felt her heart go to him. “ Come on then” she whispered, giving a slight pat on her thigh. That’s all that was needed, the dog started to trot behind her. She kept her pace slow, and he finally came up beside her. She smiled , and that smile only deepened, as she felt that cold dirty nose nuzzle up against her hand. He trusted her. That was good.
The pair made their way back to her place. She opened the door and stepped in… The dog paused in the door way, then looked back the way they had came, then back at her and whined. “Come on , it’s alright, you can come in….” As if he understood her, the dog slunk it’s way inside. Though she had expected him to start sniffing around, or at least seem curious as to the surrounds, he didn’t. He seemed to walk no more then a couple steps inside, and stop, his entire attention focused upon her. “You’re a strange one, aren’t you…” she spoke, though more to herself. She went over to a drawer, finding a pare of scissors she moved back to him, kneeling down. He sniffed her, then gave a small lick at her wrist.

She smiled at this, then went to work cutting the collar off his neck. Though at doing this she gasped in shock. The collar had been on so long, it was practically falling apart, the pieces falling to the floor. His throat, red, raw, and even bleeding in places. She had heard of imbedded collars, but had never seen a case such as this… She closed her eyes for a moment… the anger she felt that someone could do this…. She swallowed hard, finally opening her eyes once more. As she did she found herself eye level with the dog. He was staring at her. Curious, deep rich eyes staring into her own. After a moment, the dog stepped forward, laying it’s muzzle on her shoulder and huffed.
She didn’t know what it was saying to her, but she moved to wrap her arms around him, suddenly needing to barring her face into his dirty fur. She found herself crying again, her arms wrapping tightly around him. Though the dog didn’t know her, he stood there, allowing her to cry. He too seemed to need the comfort. She didn’t know how long they stayed like that, neither seemed willing to move. When the clock began to chime, signaling midnight she slowly withdrew. She needed to get to bed, but surely her house guest needed some care first.
Rising she went to the kitchen. The sound of nails on wood only let her know he was following her. She had no dog food, but she had a few left over burgers from the other night. She warmed them up, and sat them on the floor. He wasn’t’ so sure about it, but she could tell he was hungry. With only a little convincing he began to eat… though still trying to act like a gentleman. It only took him a few moments to finish his meal.
Now… the hard part. He needed a bath. With that she went to coax him into the bathroom, though it seemed his only interest was in following her. She however couldn’t convince him to get into the tub. And even though he was skinny, the dog was to large for her to lift. She then had an idea. Slipping out of her socks and shoes, followed by her pants, she then stepped into the tub, and back behind the curtain. As soon as she was out of site, the dog whimpered. She whistled so he could hear her. He then peered his head around the curtain looking at her. “Come here” She requested. Slowly one paw at a time, he hoped into the bath. She only hoped this worked. She turned on the shower, the warm water quickly spraying them both. The dog didn’t seem to care, only nuzzling closer to her thigh. She chuckled softly, if only all men were this easy, she thought to herself.
Obviously she had no shampoo for dogs, she used her own. She lathered him up, and then rinsed him down… he was so gentle, standing for it, seeming only pleased that she was touching him. When the bath was done, the water off, they both stood dripping in the tub. Her tank clinging to her form. She reached for a couple towels, though before she could start to dry him off he shook, sending bits of fur flying everywhere. He had been filthy, the tub still had sitting grunge in it. She’d clean up later… She then sat about drying him off. The dog grunted in contentment. As she dried off his underside, she took note he was still intact. But it was only a brief thought. 
She then stepped out of the tub, starting to dry her own self off. Sliding out of the wet soaking shirt. As she began to dry herself off she felt a warm caressing almost tickling sensation upon the back of her thigh. Squirming she turned around to peer at the dog. He wasn’t even looking at her. He was licking her thigh, moving his way down to her calf. As she turned around, he continued to lick. She chuckled, the sensation almost soothing. Nothing odd about it crossing her mind. “Oh, helping me dry off to? Thank you “ She smiled, and stepped back a bit to finish cleaning off.
Once both were as dry as she could manage them she decided it was time for bed. Not knowing where else to keep him, she simply let him follow. Which he did without any convincing. Back upstairs and in her room. The soft snick as she let the door close behind them. She then crawled into bed and turned out the light. She figured the dog would just lay on the rug. So what if she had a mess to clean in the morning. It would give her something to do right? And some how she had a feeling the dog’s good behavior would only continue.
Once the darkness surrounded her, she quickly fell into an exhausted sleep. Though it was a restless one, She tossed and turned, the blankets sliding off her bare form. Sometime during the night she thought she felt something jump up next to her. Something firm resting against her. She murmured in her sleep, then whimpered. As she did, she felt a warm though wet caress against her cheek. “ Jack….” she murmured.. The name of her boyfriend. Though this calmed her some she still shifted upon the bed… She felt that damp caress again, this time, trailing down her throat… across the firm mound of one breast, darting it’s way across her nipple. “Jack… stop…” she murmured, though more awake then she had been. The motion stopped.. And she fell back into a deep sleep. But some how that deep breathing next to her soothed her now.
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I've been missing out, I can tell. This is the first of your stories I've read, but your mastery of detail, of portraying the protagonist's state of mind, and of setting up the scene is beautiful. The reader's almost there with her, feeling her loneliness yet determination to move on, her apprehension on meeting the dog, her goodwill and her rage upon seeing the state he's in. I've found few authors who can match your emotional prowess, and from a guy who loves to see a character's state of mind, a very heartfelt thank you.
I'll be looking forward to additions.
-Jackdoe
