Mind's Eye

Jill had a crush like nobody's business.  She could not get the guy out of her mind, and even though she was cynical about her ability to be in a relationship anymore, having grown sooooo independent and having developed such high ideals and expectations as she matured.  She was scared to even want the adventure of love, but here she was thinking about his lips, or imagining how his skin might feel...  When she confessed to her best friend, who also lived like a total hermit on the other side of the country, she thought it all made perfect sense.  "So, you just want to find someone to be alone WITH, ha"
*
Its true Jill had missed the free autograph session at the horse park at noon that day, but it didn't mean she was any less a fan.
*
Once she had met a stranger in a feed shop. It surprised the store owner that introduced them that not only did Jill know the sport that the woman participated in, Jill had chatted with a world champion about it!  "I got to interview Chester Weber once for a horse talk radio show I was doing." she enthused, and the store owner beamed.

"He's my teacher!" the woman enthused right back.  "He is sending me a horse on Tuesday."

Then it was Jill who just about fell over from surprise. Of course she would follow up with the woman for a chance to meet the new pony!

*
"He looks so smooth"  Jill said, standing on the back ledge holding tight to the rail with her soggy mitts and with her in the trunk at all times for just such an emergency rain coat done up tight against the spritzing weather.  Her mouth was right at the woman's ear but she still had to speak up.  She was surprised by the sound of the driving!  You could see how the horse's back hardly moved while he took them up hills and down hills and around the dressage ring and around the whole property... you could hear his breathing and hear the gravel under his hooves but it seemed like he floated every where he took them.

Jill could tell the woman was pleased at the observation.  He was indeed one of the most comfortable riding horses she had ever known!  Jill's helmet was also in the trunk despite it being her lunch break from the day job.  The driver was pleased at this too and stated "I knew you would have it."

There was an aviary and herd of old-fashioned heritage shetland sheep on the tour around their property that day.  And, not a single picture or audio snippet of the whole amazing episode.  Egads!
*
In the bookstore she browsed all the picture books about driving, for reminders of how to hold the reins. You never knew when you might get a chance to learn a little more  f i r s t   hand.