Under the Stars

For the seventeenth time - or more most likely - she was about to twist her ankle in these awful heels.
Sure they made her a few inches taller but those inches felt like nothing when she tried to traverse
through the big yards of Pemberley Park, and gravel paths as she had to check up with every late
contestant. Why she couldn't do it in a more proper horse friendly outfit was beyond her but she had to
do what William told her. As always with her brother, it wasn't really a question if she could be so kind
to do something for him, it was more like an order. And if it was about Pemberley, it had to be done in a
special way - his way. She resisted the urge to pull at the dress that pretty much stuck to her like a
sausage skin. At least it was ‘decent’ when it came to the cut, but it was not like her brothers would ever
let her dress in anything too revealing.

The soft black dress ended just below her knees, the neckline was deep but made ‘less’ with the help of
a fake polka dot blouse under it, and with short sleeves that covered her shoulders. Around her waist
there was a simple thin glossy black belt. Her shoes were velvety black with a bright red underside with
straps around her ankles. Shoes that stood out the wrong way in a stable but looked just right at a
cocktail party. Soft pink nail polish decorated her well pedicured toenails. Her mass of hair had been
wrangled up into a tight bun. There was a few mischievous stray strands and hairs that had escaped the
grasp of both pins and spray, curling slightly where they had gotten loose. On her face a much stronger
than normal make-up had been done, one that emphasized her eyes especially, with both eyeshadow
and mascara. Lips was a soft glossy pink. On the left side of her chest there was a nametag in a gold
metallic, it showed both the logo of the Darcy foundation as well as a text that read ‘Ms Darcy’. Not the
slightest trace of her real personality, well aside from that she actually got to pick the colors of the
makeup. The staff had gotten their first names on their tags, she knew that...but of course her brother
wanted hers to be official, more strict, so ‘Ms Darcy’ it was rather than ‘Georgie’. A name William
refused to call her.

Most contestants had already been greeted by Santos, and had been given the extra information
needed but there were a few that had arrived late. And since Santos who was the supervisor was now
busy with the actual show preparations she was the one who had to do it - representing the Darcy
Foundation at the same time. It was one thing her brother had always been adamant on, even if it came
to people he would never dream about socializing with. Always make people feel that they are special.
Greet them personally. Treat them good, pamper them, make them come back. Make them talk about
you in a good way to others. And better yet, make them spend their money on you in anyway you can,
but make them feel like it's the other way around.

This said there was not a thing at Pemberley that would indicate that any corners were cut on expenses
towards their many guests. Both the visiting riders and horses got the best of what could be had. For the
horses the stalls was big, soft bedding and a chance to even come outside. The highest quality of feed
and hay. For the riders, there were good sized rooms with quality beds and with small but functional
bathrooms. The food was prepared on site by professional chefs - not your standard hotel ones either.
The food served was in such variety there was even a small menu to choose from - and it was included in
the fee to enter the event.

Georgie knew she shouldn’t feel like it was hard work but...she had her own thing now. As a groom.
Even if what had been decided from the start had been scratched. But that was how the horse world
was. You couldn't really know from one day to the next how it would go. However those groom chores
had been dealt with now so she could do this. Being a representative for the foundation. She winced as
she almost twisted her ankle again. Stupid shoes! There was one thing to walk about on smooth flooring
but here everything was made for the horses interest in mind, so sans for the actual guest parking lot
where there was asphalt there wasn't much hard surfaces. If you wore boots, or jodhpur boots or even
normal sneakers it wouldn't be a problem, but the spearlike heels of her shoes made them at times
partly sink into the soft ground forcing her to go shift her weight more on her toes. Here in the stables it
was at least a little easier to walk.

Above each stall there was a number and even if those didn't always match the contestants entry
number it at least made it easier to find the horse. If the owner or rider wasn't present, there was a little
slot where you could put the information, sort of like a little mailbox. But she was lucky. Up ahead she
saw a horse just at the stall she was heading too. It had some transportation protection gear still on it's
legs and then she spotted some movement on the horses opposite side, closest to the stall itself, by it's
legs. That something was a human that was in the midst of removing said transport protection gear.

Georgie took a deep breath, tried to straighten herself up, chin up and adding a thought about carrying
books on her head as to help that part - and then of course not trip and fall. She stopped just at the
horses girth and looked down at her clipboard. She double checked the number above the stall. It was
the right one. For some reason this man had not arrived in time for the joint briefing up at the manor,
but those things happened sometimes. Even the ‘tardy’ ones got a nice reception. She had grabbed the
clipboard from Mr Whiteheads desk and gone to do her duty without looking at it much until now. As
soon as this was done...she would have some time to herself. Just get out of these clothes
and...then...she couldn't wait to take Asthor out. They had been gone from here and there was
something special about being home. She took a deep breath before she cleared her throat. Time to
turn on the record player.

“Mr Garcia? Hello, my name is Ms Darcy, I would like on behalf of us here at the Darcy Foundation wish
you a warm welcome to Pemberley Park. I hope you have gotten the key to your room. If there is any
problem there you can just call the number you see on the phone and we will have that sorted out as
quickly as possible. If you need any help regarding the stabling, feed or anything horse related feel free
to ask Mr Whitehead for assistance, he is the stable manager for Pemberley Park. You can also, at any
time, ask any of the park staff - they have purple shirts on them and it says ‘Pemberley Park’ on their
backs. If there are any other problems or questions you can of course you can also call m-”

Oh...god. The one that finally peeked out from behind the horses legs was...Justin. She clutched the
clipboard harder to her chest. Her eyes grew big as saucers. It felt like all of the color vanished from her
face only to return full force in the next heartbeat. What on earth was he doing here? He wasn't Mr
Garcia - not that she knew how Mr Garcia looked like. Had she missed him on the list?! She quickly
looked at the list again, no, not a McBride on this list.

How long had it been since she saw him last? As silly as it might have been she had wept just a little over
leaving in the rushed manner as she had done. Asthor had patiently as ever stood by her side as she had
cried, especially since it was into his sturdy neck she had wept. Why she did it she wasn't sure. Without
realizing it her eyes scanned his face, what she could see of his body. Was that a bruise? She wasn't
sure. His hands, how was it with his broken finger? What had happened to him since last she saw him?
Those blue eyes... There was a shuffle of straw in the box opposite to the one Justin was standing
outside of. Something...something made her turn. She did that just in time to see Sydney's big frame
emerge. The both of them were here? Had they...found out who she was? Stop, Georgie...two people
can't form a posse. It is not the old west. And why would they go after you? Some of her romantic chick
flicks had actually been changed to some westerns, and she had tried to tell herself it was for the sake of
the horses and to see how they rode. Then there was that thing with heroes and bandits.

She had gotten the photo of Justin...and she had put together with the belt buckle in a nice frame that
you could open. The belt buckle had been put there mostly because Justin had it in the photo. Not many
days after she had come home she had purchased a rather green quarter horse mare. She had with the
help of the organizers from the clinic found out where Sydney worked. Then she had arranged to send
the mare there. To have him train her. But not under her name. Under the foundation. It had been her
idea to raffle out another promising horse. It had become a reality thanks to that her brother had been
bored that day. When he was bored William usually went shopping. Even when it was things he didn't
really need. They had just recently gotten her back.



The horse, a rather loudly colored silver bay flicked an ear at Georgie's approach. She wasn't tall like the
other warmbloods for the English events but she blended right into the new faces about the barn; those
of the western industry coming in for such a monumental occasion. Sydney got word of it through
training the horse for the foundation. Jennie, his boss urged (ordered) him to go and make connections
for the stable by competing in it. Having been really working on his western solely, even Jarin came
along with him, hoping to put his lessons to good use and to hang around Sydney more. But Justin had
wholly been a surprise.

He heard her familiar voice and bumped his head into the mares girth making her flick her head up and
grunt. She swished her tail and relaxed again, not an easily upset mare. Justin rearranged his hat on his
head and straightened back up. Well, holy damn. There she was. Georgie. He had to blink a few times
just to make sure... "Georgie?" He leaned over his mare's back, getting a better look. With her makeup
on and hair all done up, he had to look again to make sure! The little speck of hazel in her eye, it had to
be her! His grin spread like wildfire! "Well, howdy there, Miss Georgie! I'm the luckiest Garcia I've ever
known and believe me I know about forty of 'em just in my own family! Wha- you work here!? Syd! Syd,
it's Georgie!"

Sydney came lumbering over, hearing Justin nearly wetting his pants over something. He glanced down
and stared at her for a moment. He wasn't quite sure who he was looking at either. He had only met
Georgie either at the western clinic or the swap clinic, both times she was not all gussied up. He finally
nodded, recognizing her. He wasn't near as blown away as Justin. He tipped his hat and plainly gave a,
"Howdy."

Justin was much more ecstatic to see her. He leaned over the mare, hanging his arms off her, nigh on
the verge of climbing over her, "How the hell have ya been!? Look at you, lookin' all perty. You wear that
jus' for me?" He chuckled, looking her over. He couldn't believe the circumstances. He traveled many
places but the odds of running into one soul along the way rarely happened unless they were on the
same circuit as he was. Justin hadn't changed much. His finger healed up since the bull sat on him but he
definitely had different lumps and bumps and bruises but that changed daily. He had a scrape below his
eye that was healing up but that just came with the territory.



All of a sudden she felt nervous, and shifted her stance. Her eyes went from her clipboard to his oh so
blue eyes, the bruise under one of them, to Sydney and then back around again. Her toes, even if they
were not shoved down into a narrow point, still hurt as the ‘pose’ her feet were in wasn't really a
comfortable one. Charles’s wife, Jane, always walked around all day in heels, alas a bit shorter than
these - but still. Georgie wasn't sure how the woman could stand it. At least she hoped her face didn't
show too much of her discomfort.

Justin looked well, despite the new bruises he sported. It was still that boyish...no, manly rugged charm
about him. She had to resist the urge to gently touch his cheek, to feel if his hair was as soft as it had
been the first time. And to make sure it was just a bruise and not something worse. His smile spread
over his face and she looked at his lips as he smiled. Remembering. Felt the flutter in her stomach again.
Perhaps she looked for too long. She made the same motion you did when you just applied lipgloss or
lipstick, then she closed her eyes, made a mental headshake. Did she work here? Her right hand went up
to her neck, finding a strand of hair that had escaped the hold and she twirled it around her finger.
“Yeah...you um, you could say that...” she began, hoping, no begging he wouldn't start putting two and
two together. Would he still be smiling then? Would he be angry? Did he even realise? At that point
Sydney came up to them. Phew. She was saved by the bell. Sort of. Saved by a Texan giant.

Sydney looked at her at first like he didn't knew who she was, but then there was a flicker of
recognition. A tip of his hat and a greeting. She gave him a smile. “Hi Sydney...I hope you are well. Hope
your trip back home from down under went well.” Another smile. “Have you told Justin about your
brilliant try at ‘stick jumping’?” Yes, good, distract! Wasn't that what William had said. If your opponent
was getting close, distract with something...scandalous if possible. Not that Sydney trying something like
that was bad. It had been part of the exercise and for what it was Sydney had done good. The instructor
had even looked like she was impressed. Would Sydney...realise something was up? Then Justin spoke
and she turned her attention back to him.

She couldn't say that she had missed him, right? That would be too forward, and how could you miss
someone you just met once? It made her happy to see him happy however, even if she was nervous too.
She couldn't have made a too bad of an impression at least, despite all her mistakes, if he looked this
happy. But she couldn't grin at him like a cheshire cat. Her cheeks heated immensely at his compliment
and she looked down at the clipboard again. Just to have something to do she took the pen attached to
it and crossed ‘Mr M. Garcia’ over, and instead she texted ‘Mr J. McBride’ just over it in her neat and
tidy print. Somewhere the list had been updated but it had not been printed out in time for her late
greeting. She had to make sure to print the updated version out.

It was like it had been the first time all over again, her eyes darted to his and then away a few times until
she braved them to stay put, meeting his. “Oh this? It's...it's just a silly outfit...” she began, nervously
straightening out some nonexistent creases on the dress “...especially at a horse event...but apparently
for some it's more proper, formal and...stuff, than if I had my riding gear on.” She shifted her stance
again. If walking with heels was a pain, standing still was sometimes even worse. It felt like all the blood
got pressed down into her toes. It wasn't just the clipboard in her arms. The welcome folder was
something every competitor got, it held overview for the entire weekend plus extra for the classes the
person had signed up for. Of course there was also information about Pemberley Park and the events
coming up in the future. And then...information about the Darcy Foundation. It was that part she
dreaded him to see. It had a photo of her family. With her in the photo. She had to give him the whole
folder...if she took something out of it now, in front of him, it would look weird, suspicious...and they
might compare with what Sydney had gotten in his folder. Then as she thought of it she relaxed. Neither
of them liked to read stuff. They had even told her that, or well sort of. The likelihood of them reading
things they didn't have to read...had to be slim, perhaps even nonexistent.

“Here..” She held out the folder towards Justin. The information part was in the very back of it. The text
was small. Not inviting to read for the one who didn't like to read. Something she had pointed out, but
now she was almost grateful for the fact that it hadn't been fixed yet. Then she took a glance at her
watch. She didn't really have to go...but she couldn't stand here either like a dufus just watching him.
She was sure both Justin and Sydney had their own things to do anyway. She looked down at her
clipboard. “Right...um...yeah...I got to go...um...so...I’ll see ya around I guess?” She gave both men a
warm smile and then as elegantly and proper as she could she turned around. Books on your head,
Georgie, books on your head. Walk straight. Don't look back. Just walk on straight. There was just a little
wobble as she managed to step on a pebble but at least she didn't trip. She exited the stable doors and
was then out of their sight. Only then, just to make sure she looked over her shoulder. Nobody had
followed even if it had felt like she had eyes burn marks in her back. Why would they look? Silly. It was
her imagination again, and memories from movies when people was followed for even the smallest
things. She walked two steps further. Then for a short moment, she had to stop and breathe deeply in
and out a few times, her hand on the wall for support. Justin was here! At Pemberley! Oh goodness
gracious!

True to her estimations, Justin flipped through the folder, curious why she would give him it. Maybe
there was something just for him but it seemed like the whole show business garble. His eyes glazed
over like he was looking at it but not seeing or absorbing any of it. But he knew how the show people
got with all their fancy fliers and pamphlets and such. And a place like this was sure out to impress!
Which coming from Justin's background, certainly made an impression on him.

He glanced up to see her leaving him in the dust again! He raised a brow and now he was really thinking.
She was so quick to leave him. It was so confusing. When he had first met her, she seemed to be giving
all sorts of signs that she was into him! The looks, the blushing, the flirting, offering him to stay in her
room, washing his socks! But ever since that morning in the hotel, now she was a tuck tail and run from
him. Which definitely caused him to hesitate following after her. If she didn't want him around her, he
really didn't want to force himself around her. He really wanted to go catch up though. The social
butterfly in him wanted to chat! But his gut warned him that chasing her down like some predator could
cause a lot more problems than her just telling him off. He huffed, his mind in a dilemma.

Sydney had watched it all and was looking at Justin expectantly. When it didn't look like he could make a
decision, Sydney offered his opinion, "When has chasing some poor girl down that didn't like you ever
stop you before? Man up and go get yer ass chewed like you always do, dumbass."
"Mm, good point," Justin nodded, still looking out of the door. And that was enough of a nudge to send
him out of the stall. He dropped the folder by some of his tack, shut the stall and hurried out the door.

"Where's he off to in such a hurry?" a sweet southern voice chimed.
It gave Sydney goosebumps and made his nose wrinkle. "To get away from you." He didn't even have to
look down to see it was his bird-brained sister, Tequila. He could hear the echo where her brain was
supposed to be and knew it was her.
Tequila looked after Justin and then back to her brother, "Why's that?"
Sydney grumbled, wishing she'd go away. "'Cuz yer legs are apart and he smelled you comin'."
Tequila whipped around and grabbed a hold of Jarin who Sydney had failed to see next to her, "Jariiiin,
Sydney's bein' so mean to me. You don't think I'm scary do ya, sweet baby?"
Jarin's petrified look told a completely different story. He had every reason to be completely terrified of
a girl like Tequila. She was very assertive in nature, hardly wore any clothes, and was related to Sydney;
she was the definition of fear in his book. He could only whimper in response.

Justin had hurried out of the barn where Georgie had gone and peeked around. Black dress, black dress,
black dress...all he had to do was find a black dress. All he was seeing was a bunch of people in tight
pants and tall boots, some western kin mixed in there. No... Ah! There she was! Against the wall looking
like she had just taken a sigh of relief. Welp, if he was going to get rejected, he'd rather make sure it was
a definite rejection and there were no loose ends. He huffed out his chest and marched over to her. As
the moment he got closer to her, he just couldn't bring himself to put her such a demanding position. He
remembered how timid she was. If he just jumped right to it, then he'd really just set her off. He didn't
want to embarrass her where she worked. He sighed to himself softly and changed tactics just as he
leaned over beside her.

He gave her a toothy smile, hunching down to get on her level, eye to eye, "You sure I can't see you
now? I can help you out if ya got things to be doin' 'round here. I make a great pack mule. Maybe not as
good as yer main man, ol' longears but I'm jus' as stubborn as he is. I'll even wear a perty dress if I
gotta." He chuckled at the thought but...it wouldn't be the first time...



For a moment she had closed her eyes, and in the next she heard the sound of steps in the gravel.
Coming towards her. She slowly opened her eyes. Boots, jeans and his smile, his...blue eyes. The strong
surge in her midsection. It was so hard to look into those eyes and know she had to...she had to...just
look...a little longer. The night at the bar replayed itself in her mind like a clip from a movie. His strong
arm around her, holding her tight against his own body. The rocking motion of the mechanical bull.
Tingly feelings all over. The oh so intimate feeling. Every detail, the feeling of his touch. The kiss. His.
Hers. Thinking about it even now made the feeling return. How she wished she could go back to that
evening, when she was free... Looking into his blue pools felt like gazing into a crystal ball, seeing and
reliving what had gone past before...then a loud neigh from a horse close by made her jolt back to life.

Georgie blinked in surprise and it was like a cue for her cheeks to go warm. It was like a secret switch
that was easily triggered. Then her brain registered what he had said. He wanted to help her? With
what? Slowly she stood up, shifting just slightly as she found her balance again, both on the inside and
out. Would Justin really wear a dress? She couldn't help the ‘up-and-down’ look she gave him, then she
had to smile, even had to bring up her hand to hide her giggle. It wasn't really the imagery of the man in
a dress she giggled at, it was more what would be under the dress in the form of possible spanks,
pantyhose and all other ‘secret’ devices women had to wear. She shook her head, still smiling. “No need
to wear a dress, Justin...besides I don't think I have one in your size...you are too muscular...I mean, too
big for any of the ones I have, even if you got into a double set of spanks.” She glanced down at the
shoes, then at his boots, smiling “How are you in heels though?” He would probably not even get part of
his big foot into her shoes, but it would have been interesting to see him walk in them. Perhaps he
would be better than her?

A little hesitant she put a hand on his upper arm, stroking it slowly. She felt the warmth under the fabric.
She just couldn't...help herself. Friends could give another friend a pat right? “Uhm, I'm sorry for...how I
acted...I just...hadn't expected to see you here.” She spotted one of the staff golf carts coming their way
and quickly removed her hand from his arm. Some were more into gossip than others, and she knew
gossip had the bad habit of growing in all sorts of directions as it went from one mouth to another.
There was always the risk of people talking. Or her brother finding out. It was not like in the circuits
where she had met Justin - or so she guessed at least. At times she felt like an undercover spy, fearful
that any wrong move could blow her cover.

She looked around and saw Selma coming even closer in the golf cart, she gave the other woman a
wave. If she could meet him somewhere else than here... She leaned a little closer to him and whispered

“Please Justin, meet me in ‘shed 3’ in about an hour or so...I will slip into something more
comfortable...” At that moment the golf cart stopped just by them. She gave Justin a smile as she got
seated. “You will find it on the map in the welcome folder, Mr McBride...or you can just look on the big
map at the infosign just inside the barn.” After a short nod to the other woman the cart drove off. If they
were away from the main area...it would be the closest to what they could get to being alone. The event
had yet to start. There shouldn’t be anyone in that area anyway. She just gave a short glance over her
shoulder. He still stood there.

Selma looked at the youngest Darcy as they came closer to the parks exit, driving up towards the big
house. “I didn't know you would be doing the late greetings? Did Santos sneak from his responsibilities
again, Ms Darcy?” Georgie looked at the other woman. Selma didn't seem to have seen the whole
interaction with Justin - or she was just good at pretending she didn't. “I was told he was busy going
through some papers regarding the awards, as well as checking the latest with the course designer
and...” Selma interrupted, shaking her head “No, ms Darcy, I saw him a moment ago trying to woo some
girls at the big arena...I think he just snuck away from his duties again...you know how he is...”


About fourtyfive minutes later Georgie had changed into her tan breeches, a pale blue t-shirt and black
boots. All the heavy make up was gone and her hair was let out, curling softly as it cascaded down her
shoulders. With the helmet under her arm, she had gone to ‘shed 3’, a small structure that was as far
from the main barns you could come. She had put Asthor and Trixie there. Also for her own privacy's
sake. To make it feel like she wasn't here. There was a few of these sheds here, for those that wanted
their horses a bit more ‘private’ or if the horse had any special needs that called for them to be
separated. They were called ‘sheds’ even if they in reality was like small ministables with two boxes each
in them. Or rather, you could make one large box into two with a movable dividing wall. Even in cases
when it was just one large box it had two separate doors. Each of the ‘sheds’ even had it's own little
grassed ‘paddock’. It was not big enough for a horse to run, but it was at least big enough to get some
fresh air and grass.

Trixie needed to see some of the hustle and bustle, but not too much to get her too excited. And if she
did, Asthor was there to calm her down. A part of her wanted Justin to see and perhaps even try the
horse out if he wanted to. Of the two of them he was the expert. However, she wasn't sure if he would
even show up. He had wanted to talk outside the barn, but she had walked away. Again. Or well, she
had driven away. He wouldn't understand why she had to do it like that. Acting somewhat cold and like
someone she wasn't. She could only hope he would come like she had asked. She sighed.

Eyes. Ears. Sometimes it was like Pemberley was a living creature all on it's own. Privacy was something
sacred. The whispers were everywhere. There weren't many things around here that was or could be
kept truly private, it was really just things that you could pretend you didn't see or hear - or things you
didn't tell. Most of their employees had been here for years, and they were trusted. The most senior
staff were the ones William especially kept closer to his person compared to newer staff that was placed
further out, until they had proved their loyalty.

Away from the house and the stables however Georgie knew it was easier to have some sort of privacy.
She worried about what Justin would say if he knew. Would he understand why she hadn't said
anything? Was it odd that someone like her just wanted to be...normal, whatever normal could be? Was
it odd that she up until now had competed with such a ‘simple’ creature as a donkey? Especially when
she technically could get whatever she wanted. Compared to him that had to risk his neck for what
William called pocket change? Had he even given the award a thought or had it just been a nice score?
She stroked the mare on the velvety nose, the donkey doing his best to get some of her love too.
Technically she just owned part of the horse herself, the foundation owned the rest.

That day when William had been bored he had agreed on venturing out. Into something new. Usually it
didn't matter what it was if it could fix that boredom. There was no way a Darcy would ever enter any
sort of competition that would risk any bodily harm at a greater level, and William would never risk his
own neck. Instead a Darcy invested wisely in those that did and then took a piece of the pie - or two for
the trouble. Trixie was a well bred horse, good lines and had been sold as a good prospect. William had
paid to get the best of the best this time instead of breeding for it himself. Just to see if it was something
that struck his fancy. If he got bored of it was just to get rid of the object and get a new ‘toy’.

Until she was secure enough in herself the mare might get leased out to a good rider that wanted the
chance of a good horse but couldn't afford one of their own. William had already started the process of
finding such a rider for the mare. Then when the mare was good enough - she might get the chance. It
was like with ‘Allan’. He too had been leased out as a youngster...now as a somewhat seasoned horse
that had seen most things there were to see - William had given him to her. It was like finally getting to
go on your bike without the training wheels, only to realise the bike was no real bike, but an exercise
one. She hadn't asked for his permission, but she wanted to do this journey with the mare herself. She
didn't want to take shortcuts or being handed a pretty much finished ‘product’.

Georgie glanced at her watch and sighed. It had been an hour now, maybe a little more. Perhaps he had
seen the picture in the folder after all and just made up his mind not to come. At least that was ‘better’
than what others had done. The whispers behind her back was just one part of it. Tiny, like paper cuts,
yet painful. She couldn't have what normal people had it seemed. Georgie turned towards Asthor. She
had let him stay on the grassy area while Trixie had the whole box to herself. The donkey lifted his
muzzle and leaned his chin on her shoulder, letting his lips tickle her cheek. It made her smile. Feel a
little better. Asthor or the horses didn't judge her by her last name, for them she was just Georgie, just
like she wanted. She turned towards the donkeys muzzle and gave him a soft kiss between the nostrils.


Within that hour he was supposed to wait, Justin had already managed to heckle Jarin a little more.
Asking him where his tight pants were since he was all into that english stuff. He really couldn't say but a
few words around him with getting the cold shoulder. Seemed he was a cheerful, happy-go-lucky
around anyone but Justin. And any means to get over their awkwardness just got worse. But as if Justin
could just leave well enough alone. It wasn't until Sydney started joining in and then Justin felt like he

was bullying the poor kid. So he backed off and went about organizing his tack and glancing over the
barn map of the grounds. He noted where shed three was and was about to head that way when he was
glommed onto from behind.

"Where ya goin' now, sweetheart?" Tequila cooed in his ear, wrapping her arms around his waist.
Justin smiled politely, clearing his throat, "Got a lady waitin' on me. Can't let her wait around and think
I've gone and stood her up, now can I?" Justin knew how dangerous a girl like her could be around a guy
like him. The sooner he got her beautiful bosom off his backside, the sooner he'd be able to breathe
again.
Tequila whined, leaning her head against his shoulder blade, "A lady friend? What you need one of
those for, Jus?"
He gave a gentle nudge on her arms to no avail, "Well, fer one, she smells a lot better than any of the
men folk I know. Looks a lot better too."
"Better than me?" she pouted.

Oh, now that was a trap if he ever saw one. Damned no matter what he said. He knew what she wanted
to hear. It was time to activate his damage control. "Now how am I supposed to compare roses? Far as
I'm concerned, yer both just as pretty."
"Reeeallly?" she asked like she was amazed that there was another pretty girl like her. "Can I come see
her too?"
And another trap. Justin's grin was starting to get stiff. Why was he so nice? Girls were such a crippling
weakness to him. "Maybe later. I'm s'posed to help her uh, set up some things for the show. Ya know,
big man things like splittin' wood and blacksmithing some shoes."
"Oooohh," now she sounded amazed! She let go of his waist finally, twirling a long curled blond lock
around her finger. "I'll stay outta yer way. I just wanna see her is all."
"But if you saw her now, you couldn't see her later, QuiQui," Justin explained.

Tequila stopped twirling her hair, looking at him with a blank stare. The kind of stare that was void of
any intelligence. When the wires never hooked up or sparked, she smiled a little, "Oh, I see. I gotta see
her later 'cuz I can't see her now. Justin, yer so smart." She playfully batted her hand at his abs. Justin
gave her a tight grin. Pity, really. He knew calling the girl an airhead was a compliment. He felt kind of
bad for using that against her but...it was useful sometimes. When it came to brains and beauty, it was
painfully clear which pool she put all of her aspirations in.
She stepped closer, her grin turning a bit devilish, hooking a finger into his belt, giving a little pull, "Well,
I hope to see you a lil' later too. Let's have some fun with yer gun, yea, baby?"

Justin felt a shiver crawl up his spine and then drop a lead weight into his gut. She was dangerous! He
glanced down and yep, his hands were already on her hips. Did he put them there? Or did she? He
looked back to her eyes, those seductress eyes. Justin ducked back, laughing it off, "I-yep-later! Later!
Yep!" He whipped around to leave, crashing his shoulder into the side of the barn door on his way out.
He couldn't shake the goosebumps until he was a few paces away from the barn. Talk about conflicting
thoughts and feelings. Women...his greatest desire and his greatest weakness.

Which was why he strolled into shed three after a good walk about to shake Tequila's eyes from his
mind. He had the thought of Georgie making the same look. Would he be able to do anything about it?
Aw man...he was quickly realizing the corner he was getting himself wedged into and he needed to start
making some wiser decisions before he ended up stuck with the worst case scenario. Two women out
for his throat.

A sigh of relief to himself, seeing Georgie in her change of clothes. She wasn't looking in his direction,
looking at a horse and he saw the longears. He ducked down quickly, going unseen. Maybe a flick on an
ear but they were distracted by Georgie. He crept around them and got behind, smiling to himself,
holding in his giggle. Once he was close enough, he sprang up, wrapping his arms around her little waist
and hoisting her into the air. "I have her! The infamous bandit queen! I'll be rich off her bounty!" He
twirled her around, laughing, thinking it was great fun and set her down gently again.



Her heart jumped as she felt the strong arms around her. The first that came to her mind was
kidnappers. But why would they do it here? She was picked up and...she heard laughing as the world
spun around her. For a second she had been so scared, so scared it felt like she could do nothing but like
dust in the rain, his laughter made it go away. Justin! He had picked her up like she weighed nothing!
She heard Trixie snort behind her in the stall, and then there was that squeaky strangled cat sound from
Asthor. Like most donkeys Asthor had a good memory and it seemed like Justin had been stored in the
positive memory box. The throat squeaks was followed by a few lip smacks.

Georgie grasped at the fence behind her after he put her down, hoping she could keep herself steady
and on her feet. His smile made her smile too. Acting like her grasping of the fence had been intentional
she now leaned back a little more. “Caballero Travieso...we meet again...” She swallowed as she tried
her best to keep herself composed. Just stay cool. She should probably start with an excuse...and not
joke around. Not that she was good at jokes to begin with. If she just could be as spontaneous her
imaginary self were. Georgie nibbled her bottom lip. Looking at him now made her feel funny inside. A
big deep breath. Just say it, straight out. “Justin, I want to start with to say that I'm sorry for my behavior
in the stable, just giving you the folder...I just...have to act a certain way...and...”
’I...really...missed you...’
... no...she couldn't say that. Could she? She wasn't sure what she could or should do - or say. Not really,
not to him. “...and I know it might have come off as rude...but I didn't mean to be...”

Asthor was doing his best in trying to wedge his head and neck through gap in the fence just to get his
nose closer to the man's pocket. One never knew if those strange things held treats. Not that he would
ever bite or rip something to get to the treat, but if he knew it was there...he would try his hardest to
earn one. He lipped eagerly at the man's belt at first, then he licked at it. If he was just a liiiittle bit
closer. The mare just looked at the human with the familiar hat with topped ears. She could feel the
faint scent of cattle in his clothes, or at least she thought it was. Cattle was fun! She pawed the ground
in the box. She was ready! Just saddle her up and let her at em!

Why was she nervous? He seemed to act like he had done at the clinic. His normal self. Happy. Goofy.
Charming. Why couldn't she do that? Be like that! “So...what brought you here...instead of Mr Garcia?”
Her gaze jumped about a little, a small short detour to his smile, his lips before landing in his eyes again.
She did her best to keep her gaze there. It was not a bad place. It was like looking at the sea. “...I don't
mind - at all and with no offence to Mr Garcia...I just...didn't think you would go to a place were stick
jumping have such a strong hold...that said, seeing Sydney here is a bit of a surprise too...although I did
see him in Australia...doing all kinds of things I had not expected him to do...he even jumped...”

And now she was babbling nonsense again. Great. If they were friends, surely Sydney must have
mentioned his trip...or something right? Perhaps he didn't mention her...she still wasn't sure what the
big man thought of her. At least she had learned that he didn't want to be touched and that she would
do her best not to even be risking that in any form from now on. She wanted to get the reveal over with,
but she wasn't sure if it was of the fun kind. At least not for her. How would she even start? Sure, it
wasn't like there was a ‘I'm not Clark Kent - I'm Superman’ kind of a secret. She would hate for that
smile of his to fade and those wonderful blue eyes to look at her differently. To have him turn away
from her. Or worse...to see him change into a slithering creature, who didn't see her...only the dollar
signs and only wanted to be with her because of that. Some said they were not like that, that money
didn't matter...but you could never know fore sure.

She let her gaze drop down to the ground. She had told him that she spoke nothing but the truth, that
she didn't lie. While he had never asked about who she was, or her family was for that matter, if he was
here...at her ‘humble’ home... She had to smirk at herself. There was much you could say about
Pemberley but ‘humble’ was probably not quite the word for this place. It was tasteful in every part of
the architecture, not covered in gold from roof to floor like others did it when they wanted to shove
their wealth in a visitor’s face. There was not hard to see the money put in to every little detail, both
when it came to interior as exterior. William was actually quite keen on letting others know what sort of
man and place they had the privilege of being invited to. That there was a difference between the
visitors and the Darcy family. That was something she had heard all her life. They were different, as in
better. Something she always had a hard time relating too.

As he spoke, she did her best of building up her courage. Just tell him! She took a deep breath, then she
partly cut him off. “I have something important to tell you, Justin...and...and maybe it's silly...maybe it's,
maybe it's just me worrying about nothing. I told you I never tell a lie but when we met...I did...not tell
you everything about me. Usually when I do, people...look and treat me differently afterwards.” Asthor
had stopped trying to get closer to investigate Justin's pockets. It was like he picked up on something
else now, and turned his head towards Georgie. The mare however kept looking at the man, ears
topped, like she would be able to control him by will alone. She pawed the ground.

“One of the reasons why I left the clinic the way I did was because...I didn't want you or Sydney to see
the truck or the trailer I had. Where it came from. That it came from here. While it might not mean
much in the western world, it has some meaning in the english world, perhaps even in the racing world

too. And if not in the equestrian world at all, it has some say in the business world.” She looked up
quickly, he was still here but...perhaps she had to wrap it up, cut to the chase. Long stories bored him, at
least it had done before. She wasn't sure if he understood what she was trying to say. A small hopeful
glint. Or he did. Maybe he didn't care? Maybe he didn't even care that she was in the foundation.

“I didn't...want...people to look...” she stopped herself, closing her eyes “I didn't want a person that
means...a whole lot to me, someone who wanted to be my friend, to look at me differently after they
found out who my family are, because people often do...but I can't...change who they are, or who I
am...and I don't want to...hide it from you.” Lifting her head she took a deep breath before she opened
her eyes and looked at him. “...I'm Georgiana Darcy, one of those responsible for the Darcy
Foundation...and Pemberley is my home...”



Justin shrugged and leaned on the stall wall, smiling while she spoke. He felt a poke at his belt and saw
Asthor getting mighty friendly with his pockets. He chuckled quietly and gave the boy a pat between the
ears before giving him a good scratch. "Aw, I get it. Gotta be all professional while on the job." Justin
never understood jobs like that. He had had several jobs in the past but the jobs he did were on the side
of hard labor. No one cared about his posture or dressing fancy because at the end of the day in his
sweat-soaked clothes, caked in dirt, all that mattered was the job getting done. But a place as fancy as
this was run by those that had the money to dress up their workers. Must have paid a pretty penny sort
of like the stable Sydney worked at. Maybe not as fancy but Justin would definitely have a hard time
turning down a job offer if it smacked him in the face. Though...even glancing at his dusty
boots...probably wasn't on the table.

He snorted and raised a brow, "Ol' Syd doin' stick jumpin'? Now how the hell did I miss hearin' 'bout
that? I knew he went off to Australia for a bit but he sure left out that bit of info! Did he wear the tight
pants too!? Aw man, please tell me you got pictures-" Justin stuttered to a hush, seeing she was much
more interested in changing the topic like it was troubling her. His grin tightened a little bit as he braced
for it. Here it came. The rejection phase. She was a nice girl, at least she'd let him down easy. By how
she was opening it up...he was convinced. Not telling the whole truth, not wanting people to look at her
differently, leaving so quickly...he was pretty sure he knew what the reason was for rejection. Honestly,
he felt kind of relieved. She was a lesbian. That had to be it. That's why she was so nervous and didn't
want to tease him any farther. He actually relaxed, praising the skies above it wasn't a reason like he
was annoying or was too soft or something like that. Phew!
-wait
Oh, that was NOT what she said!

Justin's brain locked up for a moment and his face showed the difficulty rebooting. He placed a hand on
her shoulder and muttered very quietly under his breath, "she's not a lesbian...aye dios mio, gracias". He
had been way off the mark! And once he finally realized it, he started laughing to himself. He had been
prepared to give a speech about being herself and not worrying about those things, it could be hot even!

Not that Justin was into dudes, but something about lady on lady action...focus, Justin! That wasn't what
she was talking about! Once he got himself steered back around to the same page as Georgie, he wiped
the pleading smile off his lips and dialed himself down to a delightful grin. Darcy...he had seen that
name before...It rang a bell. It was an itch in the back of his mind...
Ah well, a thought for another day. "Georgiana, huh? Now that's a dolled up name! Perty. I like it! You
got yerself one heck of a place here, miss. Don't even smell like horse turds. Now that's impressive," he
smiled.

He softened up a bit more, seeing that this was something serious to her. He shouldn't try to make
everything a joke. He gave Asthor a good pat, resting his hand on him, looking into the stall. "Look, I ain't
someone in any position to be castin' judgement on someone based on their family. It’s somethin' you
don’t really get to choose once you clear yer mama's womb. The way I see it, it's up to a person to make
their own name in life and not be tied to some preconceived notion."
He looked over to her, giving her a soft, warm look, almost like he was a little sad, "I didn't choose to be
McBride. Lorena Luisa Martinez, that was my mama's name. She never did get to marry my ol' man,
Mitch. But my mama decided I needed an American-soundin’ name so I wouldn't be discriminated as
much. I hated it. After my daddy left us, I wanted to take her name so badly. I didn't want the same
name as some deadbeat that left us with only the clothes on our backs. I'm sure you've guessed by now,
my mama won that argument," he chuckled nervously and scratch the nick on his cheek. "But she
encouraged me to take this ol' name that I was ashamed of at the time, and she tells me, nino, that
name is yours and what you do with it determines what people will think of you. Let your actions be
your definition."

Justin let his mama's words hang in the air for a moment before he realized perhaps he had stepped a
bit too deep and it was time to bring the mood back up again. He quickly grinned, "And from what I've
seen outta you, yer pretty kickass, Miss Georgie. Puttin' on fancy dresses ain't gonna change that I know
for a fact you and I can outride any duo on a metal bull in this country. I guarantee that!"



His face changed, but she couldn’t quite tell what he was thinking about. It looked rather blank at first. A
dread rose then inside as he put his hand on her shoulder, it made things feel so serious. He said
something under his breath but she couldn’t quite make it out, not more than the last word. What did
he say ‘thanks’ for? Her head tilted slightly in question as he began to chuckle. What was funny? The
name? What of them? This was odd. She tried to smile back but she was still unsure of his reaction. A
careful smile, only showing slightly at the corners of her mouth, at the mention that he did like her
name - Georgiana. Then he seemed to get serious, perhaps the most serious she had ever seen him. It
was like...he got sad. She hadn't meant for him to get sad! But Justin continued to talk, so she kept
silent.

For what he told her next made her eyes burn just a little bit. His poor mother! No, not poor - that
woman was strong! But Georgie felt sorry for how she had been treated by his father, abandoned to

care about her son, to raise him alone...but what strength the woman must have. How could someone
just leave like that? What had happened for a man to do something so stupid? She took a deep breath,
blinking, hoping he wouldn't see how his story got to her. Justin had become a good man despite that
his father had left. Much thanks to his strong mother she was sure. She hadn't meant for this to get so
sad and so serious, she hadn't meant to upset him, she just wanted him to know the truth - about her.
“Your mom sounds amazing, Justin...” she said softly “...she seem so strong and wise...”

A big grin then came to his face. If she was honest she wasn't sure if her own mother would have been
able to do something like his mother had done. What would her mother have done if her father left her?
Georgie wasn't sure. There would be many lawyers involved - that was one thing that was dead certain
at least. Signed stacks of papers that listed assets, assets whose values that had to be guarded and
protected. Against both sides. Prenups. Her father guarded Pemberley. Only a Darcy could inherit this
land.

As it seemed to be his true nature, Justin McBride turned the emotions and situation back to something
more positive with just a smile, like it had been a snap of his fingers. Her own smile grew a little as a
response. They had stayed on that mechanical bull for that long just thanks to him. He must know it
well, yet he shared the victory with her. It was easy math given how short of a time she had been on the
bull herself. His words was just kindness. Her eyes came to seek out his blue pools again. But he had
brought it up...did it mean he had thought about it too? Her cheeks grew a little warmer. No, don't be
silly Georgie. Why would he do that? Why would that of all things mean something. That was something
he did for a living, well not riding the mechanical kind but... Just because it had been the first time for
her...

She had been good not letting her imagination run away with her lately but...now it was close it had
done exactly that. She had to resist touching him again. Be professional. One pat on his arm was
enough. A snort from the mare behind her made her remember why she had asked him to come here.
“There is actually one more thing. I got someone I would like you to meet, Justin.” She gave a nod over
her shoulder towards the horse. Asthor came closer to the fence again, thinking that the attention was
for him and he stepped in front of the mare in the stall. His long ears was topped. The donkey nodded
his head. Yes, yes! Mr-Soft-Bucket-On-Head!

“That is Trixie... I got her in case I go to another of those clinics. I mean, if it turns out I'm more of a
bandit than a stick jumper, then...I need a getaway model...” she then gave a nod at the donkey “as well
as an undercover model...” The mare was broken in well from where she came but Georgie had seen to
that after Australia, Trixie had been sent to Sydney for more schooling. Much of her decision had been
made from what she had seen the big blonde texan do there and how he had worked with the mare he
had been assigned. In her eyes the mare was still too young for any big things, and she would take it
slow. There wouldn't be any competitions for example, until she was fully grown - or ready for it.
Georgie took another deep breath. Now she wanted to see how Justin would deal with her, and how the
mare worked under him. There was just a few clips showing Sydney's work. “You mentioned you

wanted...to help me, Justin. Would you like to see some more...of Pemberley? If you like, you can ride
Trixie if you like... I would...love to hear what you think of her...”

Out there, they would have even more privacy. Out there she could be more like herself, like ‘Georgie’
and not ‘Ms Darcy’. She sighed. Not that she could talk about feelings anyway.



"Well, that's a sure fine stock horse if I ever did see one. Quarter?" He looked Trixie over, giving a nod
about how she looked. He could tell she probably came with papers. Paper with fancy names and
lineage out of Justin's pocketbook. That was something Sydney scolded him on in the years past. Justin
used to scoff at papers and preach that papers didn't make a horse. That was when all he could afford
were the horses in auction houses going for the hundreds and not the thousands of dollars. Only in the
last few years did Justin start to see the difference of good breeding versus ‘a horse’. And slowly, he had
begun to save up and replace his old stock with younger, well-bred horses. Not that he was any expert
on lines, but he could spot a nice stock horse just like anyone else with some horse sense.

He looked at her excitedly, making sure she was serious. Once he was sure, he jumped at the chance,
"Well, hot dang, sure! Put me to work and give me a tour, I'd love that!" Once pointed in the right
direction of the tack, Justin didn't hesitate to get Trixie saddled up. He could tell she had some good
manners on her just how she stood while getting her ready. Even Justin's horses tended to wriggle
around a bit but he didn't mind a bit of energy - or that's what he called it. Sydney just grumbled and
growled all about it. He didn't tolerate horses being silly when they should just stand there obediently.
He hopped aboard to kind of try her out, working her in some circles. She seemed pretty level-headed.
Eager and ready to go but not trying to run off or cause a ruckus over it.

"I like her, she's got spirit. You gonna put her in games or cattle work?" He asked curiously. He was
happy to hear her considering the western industry after her excursions into it at the clinic.


For a moment she pondered if she should mention the sire and damsire to Justin, since that might give
him some inkling on what type of horse he had in front of him, but then she changed her mind. Given
this place he was probably aware of that - aside from the longear that tried to steal some love from the
man too by investigating the back pockets this time - the mare had not a pedigree to scoff at. So instead
she simply nodded yes at his question about the mare’s breed.

When he turned towards her she saw the glint in his eyes, the excited glint, one that reminded her
about the evening at the rodeo. She gave a nod and then pointed towards where she stored the tack
and Justin went right to it. Even if the mare had been easy to tack up before, Georgie could tell that
Sydney had been there too, training the mare to stand perfectly still. Now the mares excitement showed
mostly in her eyes and how eagerly she took the bit, almost sucking it up like it had been a treat.
Meanwhile Justin tacked the mare up in the stall, she got Asthor’s saddle and did the same in the small

run. The donkey turned his neck and gently snuffled at her waist as she tightened the girth. After she
had put on his bridle she gave his neck a hug and a scratch on his forehead. For a moment she let her
forehead rest on his strong neck.

There was plenty of room between the small runs where people could let their horses out for Justin to
try some basic commands on the mare. Not something major, but at least some small circles, stops and
turnarounds as well as some backing up. “She was bred for ranch work, so I guess that is what I will
try...My brother thinks we should lease her out to someone who needs a good horse but can't get one,
he wants them to compete with her til she is up in the ranks and then she will be returned to me...but I
don't want someone else to do the dirty work. I don't mind working for what I want.” She swung her leg
over the donkey’s saddle and got herself seated, correcting her stirrups. Since it was really just a trail
ride of sorts she had put Asthor’s western saddle on too.

“Let’s just say I have a bigger patience than my brothers...William’s especially...” She looked away for a
moment. “If a horse doesn't perform properly, he isn't beyond to get rid of it...one way or the other.”
Sure he tried to give most a good home, but if it had an injury of some sort that might not give it a
‘proper’ horse life...he rather culled it than just ‘wasting’ money in veterinary bills. William Darcy saw no
meaning in for example putting an artificial leg on a horse just to have it alive. To others he might come
off as cold, and perhaps he was colder than her when it came to that, but if Asthor for example broke his
leg, she would do everything humanly possible to save him...even if it meant she would never be able to
ride him again.

After making sure Justin was settled in the saddle as well, she guided them out from the park area. By
continuing forward to ‘shed 4’ they came to a gate. Going through that they walked past a round pen.
She nodded towards it. “Sometimes it's used more like an extra pasture or a spot to hold lessons than an
actual round pen. I think it was Santos’s idea...he has a lot of them but not always good to execute
them. He is creative however, finding all sorts of other uses for it.” Before leaving the gate all together
she pointed out some of the structures you could see from where they were standing. One of the
warmup areas, the ’sand’ outdoor arena and beyond that the ‘grassy’ one. They also stood where you
could see the top of the indoor arena and she told Justin that the dressage arena and yet another warm
up area could be found beyond that. She hoped it didn't sound like bragging. The park had always been
there, even if William had restored it to a higher level standard that it didn't have before.

Guiding him back towards ‘shed 3’ but this time on the other side of the fence, they came to another
line of large trees, clearly there was a borderline. Through them one could see a white fence. Large
pastures lay beyond them and was a large structure way on the other side, along with a large hedge
looking thing, formed by trees and bushes. The manor gleamed like a white pearl in the sun. She
stopped Asthor in a spot where the gap between the trees were larger and that gave them a better
view. She pointed towards the house“That's Pemberley Manor...on the other side, there is where the
stud are...if you like to see it more up close, just let me know...it's about the same size as the park,
maybe just a little smaller since it doesn't have all the arenas.” Making the donkey take a step forward

she pointed towards the section at the back of the manor, something that was mostly hidden by trees
but one could see something built in stone peek up above the greenery of the trees.

“You might see a little bit of it, but back in the garden there is a labyrinth and a fake ‘old’ temple ruin.
You see, my grandfather had a flare for the dramatic...” She glanced at him, wondering what he was
thinking of it all. He had said her family's name didn't define who she was, but she still worried how it
made him look at her, what he thought of her. Especially when she began to show him around. The way
he looked at her, how he thought of her...it must have changed. Surely he couldn't look at her or think
of her the same as he had done when they first met? She was probably silly, but she couldn't help but
worry. Perhaps it was better to leave all these buildings - or at least the view of them - just in case they
made him uncomfortable.

Without saying anything she quickly turned the drabardi around on his haunches and urged the donkey
to run, following the line of trees, in the direction away from the park. She continued in through the
wooded area, weaving through the trees, only briefly glancing under her arm to see if the man followed.
The donkey would hardly be able to outrun a horse in open terrain, but he could go on forever. Still, she
clicked with her tongue, leaning forward in the saddle, and let the reins more forward on his neck so
Asthor would understand that she wanted him to pick up the pace even more. Sometimes it felt nice to
just run!


Justin was more like a tourist in a foreign country. He was sat aboard a horse he didn't really know, just
taking in the sights of an area he really didn't know. He was right at peace with it all. It was like a
vacation from all the things he did know. Th place sure was grand and impressive. He did wonder just
how someone got a hold of so much money to afford such things. He sure wanted to know their secrets
because he sure hadn't cracked the code yet! The manor off in the distance sure looked formidable. He
had been around big venues before but hardly things that resembled mansions with built in labyrinths. It
was all a bit grandiose for Justin's tastes. Not that he despised it or didn't like it but he had always
pictured himself owning just a nice ranch home; simple and modest with fields of cattle to tend.

"Now...why would someone wanna build a maze to get lost in?" Justin grinned a little, looking over his
shoulder. He looked around, noticing she had already moved on! Damn, that girl didn't wait around for
anybody! He was starting to get the idea it wasn't in her style to be in one place for too long without
dashing off! He glanced back at the big building and quirky maze. It would have to be for another time.
He loosened up the reins on Trixie and away they went. It didn't take much to get her moving on. He
checked her only slightly once in the trees so he didn't eat a face full of branches. She wised up a bit
after the bump of the bit. He followed right after Georgie, wondering where this guided tour was
headed now. At least this was more exciting than fields and arenas! It wasn't often he just got to play
around in the trees! It put a smile on his face, feeling like a young boy again, diving between trees and
ducking under branches. Of course, having a pretty girl to chase after was just all the more fun of it. At
one point he had just managed to catch up beside her. He tipped his hat, looking over at her, "Howdy,
miss. You come here often?" He chuckled as he had to peel off to avoid another tree.

The wind was tugging at her hair, and feeling the donkeys steady movement under her gave her a
feeling of freedom. She heard the man behind her and then in the next blink of her eyes, he was next to
her. At his comment she just laughed, a real one. Here and there partly finished cross country jumps was
being set up. It would be for a coming event. Asthor had seen these strange things before and didn't
react much to them. He made an attempt to steer towards one of them but she pulled him off the line.
Not now. Trixie was young but Georgie knew there was not much to worry about there about her
spooking for any weird constructions. Sydney had done his job well, not that she thought he had shown
the mare around a cross country trail before but there was sure to be many odd things on a farm-like
setting too, that was just as good as a practice for ‘new and weird’ things.

Soon the woods opened up to a narrow meadow but she raced across it into the woods on the other
side. Now she let Asthor slow down even if he could have continued. The donkey snorted and shook his
head, making his long ears flap. She turned around slightly in the saddle to look at Justin as he came
closer. He looked happy. Seeing his smile made her smile. “...just wanted to see if you keep up with
me...” she pondered for a second “...and I guessed that the view wasn't ...I mean...sometimes
Pemberley can come off in different ways...intimidating is one...I just didn't want...” She gave up to try
and find the right word “I know what you said about that a name doesn't make your personality, and a
place is probably doing that even less...but I guess I still worry a little bit...”

She petted the donkey on the neck, and spoke again before he got the chance to reply to what she just
said. It felt like she had to explain herself in some way. “I like to ride out here...away from it all...it makes
me feel free...normal. It's probably odd for you...but there are so many things in my life that are bound
by these silly rules. Some of them...feel like they don't belong in this time and age...they are so
backwards and restraining...especially if you aren't a man.” She picked at Asthors mane. Way to go
Georgie. Moodkill in two seconds flat. “It is what it is I guess...” she mumbled. There was no need to
purge her problems to him. Besides - he probably had real life problems.

Looking ahead she saw something glittering in the sun. A small man made pond. It was the beginning of
another cross country jump. It had some simple jumps close to it, but it would be worked on more but
for now it was really just a pond filled with water. Since it was newly made she knew it was probably
quite muddy around it, but if Asthor and Trixie wanted to drink it was possible. The water wouldn't be
stale, it got fresh water from the creek that ran through the Pemberley estate.

A deep breath. Her cheeks feeling warm and she knew it wasn't due to the run just now. “I know I had a
weird way of showing it...but I was happy to see you...” That was ok to admit right? “So how do you like
Trixie? I don't have any cows you can try her with but...”

He draped the reins loose once Trixie calmed down a bit more. She had some good energy in her. She'd
like to go galloping off some more by the feel of it but she was well-trained to contain herself under her
rider too. And Justin being a little less strict with his rider, let her jig around more than Sydney would. He
didn't mind a spirited horse under him. Hell, so long as it wasn't trying to get him killed, he was happy.
But she did get the memo, eventually, it was time to just relax.
"Well, I'm glad to hear it! Ya had me convinced for a hot minute that maybe you were gonna give me the
boot outta here or somethin'," he chuckled. Best to leave out the whole 'lesbian' moment too.

He saw the pond up ahead too, having the same idea to water the stock up. They were more inclined to
drink water from nature than any purified water in a sterile bucket any day. At least the ones he rode
out on ranch anyway. Back on Sydney's ranch in Texas, they knew where every single little pond or
puddle was and made it a priority to stop at each one to make sure their horses and donkeys or mules
were watered up. The Texas heat and shrublands were unforgiving should someone get careless about
where they were. Especially when they had miles to ride, not just a pasture. So he as drawn to it
instinctively anyway.

"Say...if you gotta put up with all these wacky rules and such where ya gotta go hidin' yerself from the
world...why do you stay here? I mean, hell, don't get me wrong, looks like some nice digs back there. But
if you ain't happy 'bout somethin', why you gotta keep comin' back to it? Ain't nobody got a gun to yer
head, do they?" Justin got a funny feeling over the whole 'especially if you aren't a man'. The same
feeling he got when she thought she owed him something. The natural protector in him was coming out.
He couldn't help but voice his opinions when he thought something was going against his personal
morals and ethics. But he didn't want to come stomping all over her livelihood either. Maybe it wasn't
what he thought it was. So he went about it cautiously before he went and offended someone in the
process.



“Why would I toss my only real friend out of my home...when it's me who don't know how to behave
myself...” She sat quiet for a few minutes, thinking of what he had asked. Why did she come back here?
It was home. Even if she felt so different compared to the rest of the family, they were still her family.
Surely they had felt the same when they were her age? It was just an age thing right?

Two sides had a tug-o-war inside of her. One that wanted to tell him how it really was, the other wanted
to defend the family ‘honor’, the Darcy name, not with words but with that chilling silence. A Darcy kept
family close. Secrets, good and bad, hidden away behind the ranks. A wall of secrecy. Her family could
be the best allies - or your worst enemy - all depending. Connections and secrets was sometimes the
most dangerous bedfellows. It was a wonder that there wasn't any Darcy in the world of politics. Or
perhaps it was just as good.

He was waiting for her reply. Her fingers played with the donkeys sparse mane. “I...don't know.” Other
females of the Darcy family didn't seem unhappy with their lot in life. They were content with bringing

an heir into the world, after they had secured the family line they were in a sense ‘free’. Some symbolic
tasks in some side business to keep up appearances. She knew why she couldn't say specifics...it would
be to talk bad about the family. A sin. That had been bred into her since she was little. “I don't really
know...” she repeated “...it has to do...with tradition, both towards the family and the family business, I
guess... Perhaps it's just wrong with me...” She tried to smile, did her best to not make it sound so
serious. She wasn't sure how to explain it all, or if she even should try to. Wouldn't it sound weird to say
that you almost feared your own future because you knew you didn't have much say in it. “...maybe
there is a bit of cowboy or even a pirate in me after all... I long for that horizon, the world beyond
just...waiting to be explored.” Georgie stood in her stirrups, holding on to the horn just a little, and
closed her eyes. The wind ruffled her hair, a caress and tug at the same time. Both her brothers seemed
so content of being where they were, doing what they did. The tasks they had been assigned.

William had mentioned that she was allowed to ‘rummage’ for now, but eventually ‘playtime’ would be
over and she had to grow up, take her responsibility and place in the business. She dreaded that day. It
would mean they would look for a suitable, proper match for her. If they weren't looking already. But
she couldn't say that to Justin. That most, if not all marriages, was seen as almost everything else in the
eye of a Darcy, a prospect, a business deal, where both sides was expected a good profit. It didn't really
matter if said profit was alive, influence or just a bigger wealth. The trifecta was of course all three.

Somehow she couldn't shake that he seemed to show concern for her. You only did that if you cared
about someone. Just the thought that he might, made her feel all warm inside. They moved slowly
towards the water. Asthor had been at the creek many times but this was new. True to his donkey
nature he stopped and looked rather than snort and make a fuss. A board lay on the ground, yet unused
and he lowered his head to investigate it a little closer. As to be sure it was safe he nipped at it with his
teeth before giving it a shove with a front hoof. Since it didn't move or taste any more weird than the
plank around the pasture he saw it as ok. Georgie dismounted and loosened the girth a hole. Slowly she
walked towards the pond to let Asthor take a drink.

“The creek used to be my get-away place when things became too much, before I had to leave for
school. I actually used to pretend that...” she looked down, smiling at the memories “...that I was a
cowboy...or well, cowgirl...or just an adventurer...then...I guess I was just so used to being told what to
do...I let the world of books become my special place...and...I never knew who was a friend or
not...so...it was the same there...” She spotted a rather sturdy plank that went out into the water to a
small structure. “I guess that is one of the most wonderful things with a book...you can be whatever you
want when reading...a hero, a bandit, a journalist...or a ballerina...” Carefully she made her way out,
mimicking the moves somewhat that a ballerina would do. The plank wasn't attached in either end but it
did hold for her. Georgie stopped in the middle of the plank, made a motion so it gently started to sway
up and down. “It's like with it's being my choice what book to read, it's like it's my choice what happens
too in a way...even if it's really the author.” She had held her arms out for the sake of balance. “One of
these days I will try and do all those things I've read about...just...just to see if I can do it and not just
read about it...What is your dream, Justin?” The question popped out of nowhere in her head and made
it's way out of her mouth before she could stop herself... At first she was about to excuse herself...but

then she just looked up, into his blue eyes. She knew he had his pride, that he probably wanted to earn
things himself...but that didn't mean she could help in other ways. The way he spoke about his truck had
made her realise that like many other working men there was a special thing with the car. But a good
trailer, perhaps with a small sleeping quarters and a kitchenette in the front. Then he wouldn't have to
sleep in the backseat. That was if he would let her give him a ‘gift’. She smiled to herself, maybe with a
little bit of trickery. Maybe.



Justin followed along closer to the water in passenger mode, just letting Trixie follow behind. He didn't
get off of her just yet. He slumped over in the saddle, leaning an elbow on the horn and just being
relaxed while Trixie lowered her head to watch what Georgie was doing and taking little steps to follow
her curiously. He was still thinking about how he felt for following tradition for the sake of tradition
while she carried on. Didn't make a whole lot of sense to him if she wanted to explore the world but yet
be trapped in one place. It was just something he freed himself of a long time ago. And he hadn't settled
since. And didn't plan to. Life on the road was the life he had come to call normal. No ‘home’ to go to
other than to visit his mother back in Texas. No ties to a business other than making money for himself
and his family in Mexico. Maybe in a sense, it was tradition to take care of his family. But he was still
doing the things he always wanted to do! It wasn't like he was limited...

'What is your dream, Justin?' Hearing his name, he snapped back into reality, giving her an inquisitive
look. What had he missed? Dreams? He looked out over the water twinkling in the sun. Dreams. What
even were dreams? The things he spat at Sydney about marriage and a family? Or hitting the jackpot
and having enough money to finally drag his family out of poverty? Were those dreams or just things he
felt he had to do in order to lead a successful life? She had stumped him.

But Justin McBride rolled with the punches. He wouldn't let it show, not for long, anyway. He grinned
and looked back down at her, "Dreams, huh? Well, fer starters, I gotta have the biggest belt buckle any
cowboy ever did see. Big enough to sled on. Then I'll find the rankest bulls I can find in the nation, no,
the world, and invite all the cowboys I know to try and ride these bulls. And if they can ride 'em, I'll give
'em that buckle. Just so I can try to outride them and claim it back! And when I've done beat 'em all, I'm
gonna kick up my feet and retire as the best damn cowboy I could ever be!" He picked up his reins and
cued Trixie on into the water with him on her still. "Maybe buy a pool, go for a swim?"

Trixie gave the water a snort as she plunged in. He let her lower her head and slosh the water about. He
didn't mind her playing and pawing at the water. She was getting the idea that this wasn't the big man
on her back and she could get away with more. And on such a warm day and after a good run through
the trees, boy the water was refreshing. So nice, it sure would be nice if she just squatted a little more
and sank down and tad bit more and - sploosh! She flopped down in the water, soaking her belly and
tack included.

Justin laughed and went down with her, rolling off to one side so he didn't get flattened underneath her.
Into the water he went! He was totally soaked too! He stood up and snatched his hat before it floated
away from him. He smiled at Trixie and saw she was still happily sat in the water. "Trixie, you playin'
tricks on me." Justin shoved his hat back on and a stream of water trickled down his face. He snorted
and laughed again, flopping backwards on his back, splashing back into the water with a satisfied,
"aaaahh," like it was a spa.

Trixie hopped back up from getting splashed and looked over to Asthor and Georgie like she wasn't sure
about this human anymore floating alongside her. Justin gave a thumbs up, "Come on in, the water's
fine." Might as well make the most out of it. It tickled the childish side of him.


The dream he described sounded so typically him, even if she really didn't know him or his dreams,
ambitions and goals. To her they sounded down to earth at the same time he was looking towards the
horizon. In a way she envied him. It must feel so good to know your place in the world. Was it just
something wrong with her? Georgie was aware how fortunate she was to have been born here, to have
all these options laid out in front of her. All she had to do was...chose something. But it would all be a
show for the galleries. It wasn't like she really had to. Her family didn't expect her to become anything,
to be anyone. That was one of the things she wasn't sure how to describe to Justin, or if she should even
bring it up.

She had just gotten back on to land, and was in the middle of removing her helmet, if they were taking a
break she might just as well get some air flowing. Helmet hair wasn't so charming. It was then she heard
the splash. She had seen him let the horse go into the water but now, as she turned around her eyes
grew. What was he...doing? It was clear that Trixie had been allowed to splash in the water but.. She
watched him with widened eyes as he put his hat back on, and the water that trickled down the sides of
his face. The droplets of water glittering like small diamonds. The fabric of his shirt...slick to his body.
Georgie swallowed. Do not daydream! Please do not day...dream. Like he would have been a wild
animal she slowly put the helmet down on the ground so she wouldn't ‘spook’ him.

When he spoke she was the one that got startled for some reason, or she knew why - sort of - had he
realised that she had stood there like an idiot just gawking at him? Hopefully not. Bathe...in that? She
shook her head ‘no’ and took a step backwards. One couldn't simply take a swim in your clothes. And
here? In the cross country pond? Sure that it was well prepped for horses, so there was no disgusting
squiggly bottom with creepy plants and all that...no fish...but still. She turned her head to see what
Asthor was doing. He wasn't superkeen on water once he had quenched his thirst, at least not getting it
on his head. Georgie guessed it had to do with the fact that he came from a semi desert climate. Heat or
drought didn't bother him as much.


Justin chuckled, floating next to Trixie, "Aww, where's yer sense of adventure? Oh, I know what it is." He
stood up again, leaning an arm over the horn of the saddle, "It's 'cuz yer just so darn sweet. You'd

dissolve away in water, I reckon." He nodded like that was definitely the answer and he totally
understood.

"Or maybe..." His grin flashed mischievously. He sank down in the water a little more, crawling towards
the shoreline. Trixie followed cautiously, not sure what to make of the crocodile man next to her but he
still had her reins so she obeyed the little tug. "Unless water is yer one weakness, Ms. Bandit Queen.
This may be my prime moment to strike as el caballero travieso. And you know that means I'm solemnly
up to no good, Ms. Georgie."

He was getting closer and closer to a smaller puddle washed up with fresh mud all around it. And more
importantly, near Georgie. His intentions were playful, maybe flick some water from his fingers at her
but he had to make it look like he was aiming for the whole puddle. He was a true boy at heart and
loved to stir up the girls. Their squeals of horror like when he used to show them frogs and snakes on
the playground. It never got old. And seeing the house Georgie was staying in, the kind of family she
grew up with, he bet a little bit of mud might even make her swear and hide behind her donkey friend!


Curse that blushing! She looked down at the ground. She wasn't...’sweet’... and why did he say such
things? Her heart skipped a beat. No! No, Georgie - don't you dare think about your silly movies and
books again! You know they just get you into trouble. She lifted her head in time to see him getting
closer. What was he up to now? No good, he said that...but what... Her eyes darted in the direction he
was headed. She couldn't see anything but the puddle.

It wasn't just romantic movies she had seen a lot of - there was also a lot of nature documentaries.
Sometimes the prey animal actually attacked the predator, not to always wound it, but to scare it into
thinking it was much stronger. Normally she thought her actions through both once, twice and three
times but now she just acted. She saw the man stretch his arm forward but before he actually got time
to do anything more she took the few steps that separated them and STOMPED into the puddle.

The mare snorted and shied back some as a splatter of mud hit her, but she didn't get the full blast of it -
the man did. Georgie just gawked as she took some steps back again. Oh...oh no...she hadn't meant for
it to go like that but...the giggle started like a small hiccup. He looked so funny, it had to be mud
everywhere! It looked like her action had shocked him...or maybe he had gotten it in his eyes! Maybe he
was hurting!? And it was her fault! Slowly she came closer once more, doing her best not to laugh.

“Uh-heh...Justin? Are...you ok?” She didn't care that much actually that she was partly splattered too. At
least she didn't have her face full of mud. She leaned over just a little, hesitant. “Justin?” He must have
had his eyes closed because one moment she didn't see anything but mud, and in the next those blue
eyes looked like sapphires in the midst of the dark. She couldn't quite see if he was smiling or not.

Well that wasn't what he was expecting! One moment he was crawling over to a puddle, the next a
shriek and he was blinded. He kind of put it together in the seconds following what had happened. His
smile grew and eventually even he snorted and laughed. Never did he account for her to make the first
strike! He slowly got to his feet again, scraping the mud from his eyes. He was sure glad to hear her
giggles too.

"So you wanna play dirty, do ya?" He chuckled, finally managing to get his eyes open, smiling down at
her. He stepped right up close to her, just a breath of air between them. "I got a few tricks up my sleeve,
too. Oops, did I just give my plans away? Guess I'll just have to...make new ones." His boyish laugh was a
sure sign of mischief! He made his move! His hands were still full of the mud from his eyes as he reached
up and cupped her cheeks so sweetly, smearing the mud on her. His eyes lit up at the horrible prank he
had pulled, overjoyed at his playful comeback. He got her!

And without even thinking, he just went a step further; it just felt right. He had no reasoning behind it.
He just leaned down and kissed her. Not as long and amorous as before but gentle. He looked proud of
himself. Her face was good and filthy now! He started laughing again at the mud smeared on her cheeks,
some on her lips and a speck on her nose all from him. "You sure you don't want that bath now?" He
lifted his hat, more water trickling down and shaking his wet hair like a dog, laughing some more. He
was a natural trouble maker, up to no good!



She had begun to back away as he stood, but the second his eyes caught hers, it was like it had been a
magical lasso throw and she couldn't move any further. Just like the heifers Justin usually caught while
on horseback it was like she was waiting to be tossed to her side and have three of her legs tied, and
then branded. Or she assumed that was he would do if it had been so. If she had been a heifer that was.
Plus the fact that she had never seen Justin do something like that exactly. But she had watched clips on
Youtube about cattlework. He came up close to her and she could just shift her stance. He looked like a
muddy mess, he should be annoyed at least to have his face and clothes full of mud but...no, he
was...just laughing. It made her heart beat a little faster and she didn't really care if her cheeks was
warm or not. She just knew she had to do something that could be an equal gift for the way he made
her feel.

Then he took her by surprise - again. Even if it was just for a blink in time. It wasn't the mud on her
cheeks that made her eyes grow large - it was the kiss. Her second - or well third actually - if she counted
her own. Her head was now like a beehive of questions, but she tried her best to keep her composure. A
thought hit her. Perhaps...this was how Justin played with girls...women? What if his kisses wasn't really
meant to be what she felt they were, a sign of some sort of interest? Georgie swallowed. Of course she
made it to something it wasn't. It wouldn't be the first time. Again - why would a man like him...be
interested in a girl like her. Of course...now he knew her family - even if he said that...it didn't matter
who they were. No. She had to try and keep the playful level...act the way he did. Hide all of her

confused feelings...the best she could. It was a good thing she could at least adapt quickly, like a
chameleon.

Slowly she bent down and took up two big handfuls of mud more and - she took a deep breath - let her
hands smear the cold mud from his shoulders, all over his chest and down his torso. The water had
already done a good job of making the fabric stick to his body so...this had to be how it felt like to caress
a man's body - sort of. Her eyes had followed her hands movement and when then had reached about
to the level of his bellybutton she removed her hands. They felt all tingly for some reason. How would it
feel to...actually touch his skin?

Taking a deep breath she then let her gaze rise to met his eyes again. “That...is what foils your grand
plans, el caballero travieso...you can't do monologues where you tell your opponent what you might
do...” She had totally forgotten the name she had suggested for herself, not that it mattered that much.
Technically he hadn't told her about the muddy cheeks or...the kiss. Another deep breath - a mental one
this time - just try and do what he does, try and make jokes, be a bit goofy and maybe make use that
brain of yours Georgie, the one William claim you have under all the layers of ‘romantic’ nonsense. Just
play along. At least try and act like you aren't as new to this as you really are. A part couldn't help but
wonder if his action meant something...or if it was simply the way he was...giving out kisses to as many
girls as possible. No. Don't think of that. Focus! Her eyes narrowed as she looked at him. Sort of like the
actors did it in that famous western movie, ‘The Good, the Bad & the Ugly’.

“Necesitas ser aún más, hombrecito.” (You need to be even more cunning, little man) She glanced
around after some props to use but there was none...well, except for... With a sort of coy smile she
snatched the hat from his head and put it on her own. A little odd feeling to wear it, not just because it
was wet. It felt so much different than having a helmet on. Then she took a section of her hair and
pulled it in front of her face, making it look like a weird beard and moustache. Some of the hair even
stuck to her cheeks thanks to the mud he had smeared on her. “Los disfraces inteligentes son otra
manera de avanzar ... si quieres escapar de aquellos con poder.” (Clever disguises is another way to
go...if you want to escape those with power). As she spoke she took a few steps that was looking quite a
lot like dance steps around him, just conveniently to pass him by somewhat. Not that she truly wanted
to escape from him.


It was game on as far as Justin was counting. She smeared mud on him and that was her consent to the
mud warfare. He let her try her hand at smooth talking. He could tell it wasn't natural to her but who
was he to discourage her from giving it a go? It was cute. Plucking his hat from him, toting it around and
speaking that well-behaved form of Spanish. It made him smile that she would bother. More so that she
seemed unbothered by the mud smeared all over her face. Justin was looking worse for wear on the
mud-front but he intended to change that real quick. He was waiting for his opportunity.

And she just left herself open. He chuckled as she walked by, "Ain't no disguise foolin' these eyes, miss
Georgie." He bent down and scooped up some sticky, sloppy mud, wadding it up into his hands. He had

to act quickly before his giggles gave him away! He whipped around and tossed the mudball at her
backside, nailing her right on the butt, making a good squishy splat sound as it went up her backside and
down her legs. Oh, he was in a world of trouble now! But not before he stood there, grinning like an
imp, so proud of his aim, "Tagged ya! You'll never be able to hide from me now!" He gave a hearty laugh
and then ducked behind Trixie for cover, still laughing away. At least he had a shield now!

She wasn't proud of the squeal sound she made as something hit her. Not that it hurt, not a bit, but for
the fact that she got startled, and looking back at her rump she saw she had gotten a big, dark stain
there - the remains of a crumpled ‘ball’ of mud that now lay at her heels. She had dropped her ‘beard’ as
it hit but some hair still remained. Her mouth opened for a moment in a surprised shock as she watched
him dodge behind the horse. Tagged. Wasn't that something you did with things you wanted to keep
track of? Did...did he want to keep track of...her? Had he just tossed the mud hoping it would just hit her
somewhere or...had he aimed for her bu-... No! Stop it Georgie! You were not supposed to analyze
things. Especially not overanalyze it! Why would he on purpose throw mud there. Just let it go!

There was no way to resist smiling at him as he laughed, it made her all...tingly inside...and she didn't
mind that he laughed...at her? It was a kind laugh. Not one of those...fake, strained ones. Her hands
came to her hips, standing in a pose that the old painters often depicted kings and ‘big’ powerful men in,
it was a power stance with her feet wide apart. “I didn't know that el caballero travieso was
a...chicken...hitting someone with mud as their backs were turned, and then hiding behind his steed...”
She looked around before turning towards him, even if she couldn't quite see him back there. A new
smile came to her as she began to mimic the sound of a chicken at the same time as she folded her
arms as ‘wings’ “Bwok-bwok-bwok-bwak-bwkah...”

Something moved, or at least something that might have been a movement on his behalf, so she quit
her chicken performance. Instead she quickly bent down and gathered mud, she was after all closer to
the source than Justin was. She tossed a good chunk of mud in his direction, just not within an easy
reach. He had to dare to leave his ‘shelter’ further to be able to get ahold of it. “I'm at least not one to
throw mud at someone...unarmed...” she called to him, teasingly. Perhaps it was a big mistake to give
him ‘ammo’. Justin had to have a better aim than she had after all, especially given how he good he had
to be at aiming to be able to rope cows. The only thing she had ever aimed for was good grades and
possibly when tossing something towards the bin. And now also some hopes and aims to eventually
become someone within the show jumping world. She had never really excelled in any ballsport or any
sport that meant throwing things around. Not that she had tried that much to be honest, but hard flying
objects coming towards ones face wasn't something she enjoyed. But how hard could it really be?

She formed the mud in her hands to a sort of a ball shape, or at least as well as she could as it was so full
of water it was breaking apart quite easily. Another movement by the horse. She squinted her eyes and
tried to aim just a little in front of the moving target - then she threw the mud ball as straight as she was
able!

He ducked for the first throw of hers, easily dodging it but getting some excess drippings as it sailed by.
A wet one. He shook some of it out of his hair, grinning and piling up some more mud of his own to
return fire. Trixie wasn't sure what to make about the warfare she was in. Sydney had worked many
things around her but certainly not flying objects over her back. She was getting a little antsy about the
halestorm. Justin peeked under her belly and saw Georgie's boots. That was good enough to kind of
gauge where she was and chucked some slimy mud underneath Trixie's belly at her, "I told you! I ain't
up to no good! Dirty is how I roll, miss!" It ended up falling a bit short and just splattering onto her
boots.

That was about enough for Trixie as she snorted and danced off to the side, tucking her tail and side
stepping out of there. And that left Justin wide open! He inhaled and jumped back, catching her second
ball of mud right against his chest. It was nearly his face! He looked to his side; Trixie had trotted off to
join Asthor on the side, away from the nonsense. There went his wall of defense. It was just him, a
puddle between them, and Georgie, squared off like an old-fashioned gun duel. He hunched down a
little, lifting his arms off his sides in a ready formation like he could draw his pistol at any moment.
"Seems we're gonna have a stand off here, miss." He wiggled his fingers, staying limber for his next
move.

And then quick as lightning, he made his move! He dove forward, ducking down and doing a combat roll
over his shoulder to dodge another attack. He splashed through the muddy puddle and rolled to her
feet. In one motion, He wrapped his arms around her upper thighs and hoisted her up like a little child,
pulling her legs around his waist. He had her now! He laughed, twirling her around, making sure all the
mud and water on him soaked into her clothes too. "I know yer greatest weakness, mamacita."

He gave her back a little pat, just letting her defeat sink in before he chuckled again. He took a couple
steps to the side, bent his knees a little, and SPLASH! Into the water, he jumped! Bringing Georgie right
along with him! It wasn't very deep, but he made sure to get them both wet as possible, letting her go
so she could keep her head above water. He came up, shaking his head and rubbing the water from his
eyes, laughing uncontrollably. He was a right mess now!



Her victory cheer for the second mud ball’s direct hit, unlike the first that had missed him, became
short-lived. The one he had tossed at her - in a very cowardly way - under the horse belly, had luckily not
been a bullseye hit. That one had not even reached her boots. Or well, some of the splatter had. Asthor
snorted, clearly taking the role as herd stallion, placing himself in front of the stockhorse mare, his head
raised up and his tail switch swishing doing his best to look macho. Nobody would hurt this damsel when
he was around, throwing mud at her. Shame! Twoleggeds!

When Justin acted out a western duel in the morning scene, well almost that anyway, she mimicked his
stance the best she could. She couldn't help but giggle. “You mean a mexican standoff-!!!!” Suddenly,
before she could even blink, he vanished from the view in front of her only to appear at her feet. But not

only that - just like that he was on his feet again AND had picked her up like she was nothing. To say she
was too shocked to do anything was an understatement. No man had ever...well maybe her father had
picked her up when she was little when there was some image of a ‘family man’ needed for some paper
but...other than that, none.

Her eyes grew even bigger as she felt him pull her legs around his waist. What was...happening? Her
mouth went dry and her heart came up her throat. Much of her body seemed pressed up against his.
Everything, it felt like she could feel everything, his wet clothes and beyond that...the heat from his
body. Again her ears was filled with his laughter along with a weird whooshing sound in her ears. The
world vanishing in a blur. It was so intense. Instinctively perhaps, she felt herself wrap her legs harder
around his waist. His strong arms held her as he spun her around. For a second her hazel eyes caught
the gaze of his blue ones. Wait! Why was he getting closer to the water!? Oh no! What was he...was he
really?!

“Oh! No- non-no-nonoooooo, no-don't you d-aaareee - Juuuuustiiii---!” For a short moment she was
submerged under the water, then she felt him let her go and part from her. That made the water feel
even colder now when she didn't feel the warmth from his body. Coughing and spitting out water,
maybe due to inhaling at the wrong time, her head came over the surface. She felt like a drenched cat,
her hair was sticking to her face like weird spiderwebs and her clothes stuck to her body like a second
skin. Her arms flailed slightly as she fought to get her bearings as well as balance back. Even if she had
removed most of the overload of make up, there was still enough runny mascara left to make her face
look like the one of a mismatched panda. She coughed again, it felt like she had gotten water up her
nose too!

He was still laughing. She couldn't get mad. Why...would she... He looked so happy with himself. Even if
he was all wet, with a few mud stains still on his face. He was happy because...of what. The mud? Or the
fact he had managed to get her into the pond? There was that futter in her midsection again. Did...did
he like her? Or...she nibbled her lip. Was this something he did with most girls. There must be a woman
in the western circuit that was here that knew about how Justin McBride acted. She had never had
someone genuinely interested in her so she wasn't sure what to think of his behavior. Still, she got a
little closer, and placed one slender hand on his shoulder, giving it a light stroke. It was warm and firm.
Just...play along like he does, Georgie... Slowly she took off his hat that she still had on her head.

“Well played, el caballero travieso...well played...I guess you deserve a...reward...for that...” She looked
into those blue pools of his. Was it possible for eyes to shift in color, or at least..within the same
spectrum? Like that night at the hotel, she swore...when he carried her in...they had been dark like a
stormy sea at one point, but when he had been at the rodeo...lighter, like a summer sky. The hand that
had rested on his shoulder slowly went up to his face, tenderly stroking his cheek, removing one of the
bigger remaining mud splatters with her thumb close to those...soft lips of his. Her hand then went up to
his hair, gently combing it back and away from his face with her fingers. Even wet his hair was soft. Her
gaze grew soft, tender. Did he remember the hotel? A soft sigh.

No. Why would he do that? He probably met with many-...no, just go with the flow Georgie. He probably
don't overthink this like you do. He probably just...does what he thinks is fun. Try it...even if it's just
once... She became aware of what she held in her other hand and a smile began to grow on her lips, but
she never broke eye contact with him. Instead she came a little closer to his face, braving herself to get
as close as he had done in the barn...only to then put his hat on his head - the inside of hat she had filled
with water.

At the same time she put the hat on his head she retracted and as the water ran down his face and eyes,
she hurried herself backwards. She even took some help a few swim strokes as well as pushing back with
her feet against the bottom of the pond. Then she turned around and tried to as silently as possible ‘run’
through towards one of the finished cross country jumps that stood in the middle of the pond where it
was a little bit more shallow. It was enough for her to be able to rise out of the water. Hopefully it would
provide her with a hiding spot if she kept herself bent forward, holding on to the jump itself. It was built
like the back of a sea serpent. Maybe, just maybe he would think she had ran up on the shore instead.
After a short moment she carefully tried to take a little peek from behind the jump, leaning forward,
trying to see where he was. Some water still dropped from her face.



Oh yea, he was proud of himself alright. Getting the tender loving touch, he almost felt bad for tossing
her in the water. Almost. His laughter died down to little chuckles, looking down at her softly as she
stroked his face and hair. He probably had a dumb boy smile on his face since he had been behaving like
a rascal teenaged boy, chasing the girls around the playground for their attention.

He leaned into her touch, used to her quirk to kind of pet him. He had never been bothered by it, but
rather recognized it was sort of a soothing mechanic when she was curious about something; his tattoo,
his injuries, the mud on his face, his scratchy stubble, his lips. Bingo. He had her hooked now. He let his
eyelids droop down as she got closer to his face, leaning down to meet her half way. It was the
gentlemanly thing to do for the shorties-

He flinched, sputtering the water out of his mouth and stepped back. Had he just made out with a
mermaid?? And then he realized it as he reached up and bumped his hands into his hat. He started
laughing again, pawing at his eyes to get the water out of them. He lifted the hat to properly drain it all
over him again, shaking his head like a dog shaking water from its coat. He could finally see again,
looking to see what she was up to now after hearing all that splashing around, "I see you've taken after
me, senorita! Dirty tricks are supposed to be my thing! But that's okay-ah?" She was gone. She had
pulled another vanishing act. Boy, she was good at it.

He looked back at the shore and both Asthor and Trixie were still there. And a quick look around the
scenery, she hadn't run for the hills because he would have surely seen her. There were still some
ripples in the water from her moving around. He looked around his immediate vicinity and didn't see
any bubbles like she was underwater... Where did she... He grinned and had a good idea. He looked over

to Asthor, the long-eared companion. He saw the donkey looking somewhere further away and followed
his line of sight to a monster looking thing in the pond. He squinted his eyes a little and saw the faintest
ripple in the water like something was dripping behind it. He snorted and could just make out the tiniest
reflection in the water of her hair color. He mentally thanked the donkey for being concerned enough to
look in the direction of his treat-provider.

He tossed his hat like a frisbee to the shore and sank down in the water. He could play hide and seek
too. He skirted around the jump to head behind her, using the mud they had kicked up as a
smokescreen. Once out of the deeper water, he stayed down low, using the jump as a wall to block out
his figure. He could finally see her, crouched over to hide behind the jump and that she was searching
for where he had gone. Just a little closer!

He sprang up from the other side of the jump, leaning over it and capturing her around her waist,
"Gotcha!" He pulled her up and over the jump with a laugh. "Yer tagged, remember? I'll know where yer
at for as long as...well...until you do yer laundry," he chuckled. He eased his grip on her and hiked a leg
up on the jump, hopping up on it to sit on the sea monster as best he could. He pulled Georgie up with
him, letting her sit on one of his thighs, letting her out of his arms, but keeping a hand behind her back
so she didn't slip off backwards. He let his breath settled a little before tipping his head to her with a
happy smile, "Truce?" He could torment her all day but he had his fun and didn't want to completely
scare her away forever. He reached up to her face and wiped some of her smeared mascara away. Well,
at least she wasn't one of those girls that shouted at him for ruining their makeup! Well...not yet
anyway.



Another squeak came from her as she felt arms grab her. It couldn't be helped even if she knew who
grabbed her. She felt herself getting pulled over the jump. How strong was he to be able to do that?
Simple! He is much stronger and bigger than you, you silly goose! He does hard labour for a living unlike
yourself! Her cheeks grew pink from her self scoulding. Eventually Georgie found herself on his lap, with
one of his hands behind her back to support her. Was she a ventriloquist doll now?

At least she dared to look up at his face without blushing - that much. Now she was alone with him.
Perhaps more alone than she had been at the hotel. She sat pretty much in his lap. A deep breath.
Just...calm yourself. Oh gods! No, she did sit in a man’s lap! Could she do that? Should she? Did friends
sit in eachothers lap? Yes? No? She didn't know? They did in the movies but... Did they do it in real life?
He spoke one word but she completely missed what it was when she felt his warm calloused hand on
her cheek. So she just nodded and nibbled her bottom lip. A small shiver went through her body as a
breeze came from behind. Perhaps she even got goosebumps even if it wasn't a cold one, but the water
had been - coming from a deep underground source. Thanks to some large trees by the pond they sat
mostly in the shade right now, just some specks of sunlight making it through the canopy of large
branches that stretched out over the water.

Just in case she would hurt him, she sat as still as she possibly could. While she was hardly in the same
category as Sydney, he had almost crushed Justin when sitting on him. So she sat still. Somewhere at the
back of her head she knew she had to look like a mess even without a mirror to look into. This was as far
from ‘looking proper’ as you probably could come. Part of her hair had probably dried enough not to
stick to her and instead it began to slowly curl around itself. It was a sort of natural curl to it that neither
in her family seemed to have - only her. The same with the thickness of it. Of course she couldn't
compare with her brothers because they didn't have the same length of hair - but she could do it with
her mother. While it was a much paler, more mousy brown it was thinner and straight. She had to resist
the temptation to try and correct the frizz. A lady - if she even was one - was to be calm, collected, act
with poise. Good thing that William didn't see her now...she hadn't acted like a lady....or a Darcy at all.
The corners of her mouth turned up slightly - she hadn't acted the slightest ladylike and it felt quite
refreshing.

“Didn't I tell you that there is more to me than meets the eye?” She did her best to wipe off water from
herself as she spoke, using the same technique you used when wiping off water from a horse, only she
had to use her hands. Most water she got off her frontside and some from her thighs, but she didn't
want to move around too much - she sat on Justin leg after all. She gave him a quick look. “I watch and I
learn...that is how I've learned most new things in life, you know, monkey see monkey do? Or...I've read
a whole lot too of course...” For a moment she was quiet, he had started work so early and...she had
hardly been forced to lift a finger. Even so...he was now more free than she had ever felt. Or...this...this
had felt like freedom. The feeling inside of her that somehow wanted to give back all that he had given
her, to show him that way how much it meant to her, grew stronger. She had to be delicate about
it...but...what harm could a new trailer do? Just a small one? For two horses...or so. And of course that
simple little sleeping quarters.

“When...when you go to those rodeos...how many horses do you bring?”


More than meets the eye? Well, he already figured that much out from the first time he had met her. A
glance down her body with her clothes sucked to her tight, well, yep, he was seeing more than he had
before. For one, she wore a bra. He picked his eyes back up before he was caught snooping. It didn't
register in his boy brain the difference between wearing one or not so it didn't really matter, just an
observation. Some girls did. Some didn't. And he had seen some girls in rough places that probably
should have been wearing one. His eye twitched just slightly, recalling a certain 'biker babe' he had run
into at a bar once. She had on only a leather vest and a tight leather mini skirt. She had been a babe
maybe thirty years prior. He cursed his gentleman's code that night as she felt she had to prove to him
that she had her nipples pierced. Oh yea, Justin had far too many stories he could tell.

"I-uh...horses?" Justin looked up, giving it a thought. Must have to do with her 'monkey see, monkey do'.
She had the western horse now and maybe she was interested in following suit. He scratched his beard
a moment, "Well, I guess it depends." He lowered his hand over her knees, pulling her closer in his lap to
put her more in the crook of his hip to keep a better hold on her; one hand holding the bend of her

knees, the other sat gently on her hip, wrapped behind her. He didn't seem to be fazed at all with how
close she was to him, his chest bumping into her arm as he spoke, "I usually take two or three. Two fer
sure. Keep one as a backup just in case I get one worked up a little too hard or somethin'. I don't wanna
be stuck someplace with a lame horse after shellin' out entry fees. I try to keep my horses pretty flexible
in what they can do jus' in case one needs to replace the other one night. Any more than that costs too
much to be rentin' stalls out to," he chuckled. "I'd be spendin' more time lookin' after the things than
actually ridin'.”

He swayed back and forth a little, keeping her attention, “You be careful on which monkeys you be
watchin' now," he gave her a little squeeze in her arms, smiling at her. "You'll end up workin' yerself to
death if you follow my footsteps, young lady. Course, you'd also have to grow a beard and lose all yer
pretty looks and we can't be havin' that." He got a laugh out of the thought, rubbing his scratchy stubble
on her cheek. It was like he just didn't have to worry about his stresses right now. Or chose not to in the
presence of others. He'd much rather have a good time with someone, playing around and slinging mud,
sitting on some lagoon monster with a cute thing in his lap, looking over the twinkling ripples than have
to think about the logistics of life. He'd much rather share a smile with someone. And maybe that was a
flaw in a way. To not take things so seriously. But he wanted to live life. Not be tormented by it.

“You write this down in one of yer books. No lady is required to grow a beard to come play with the
cowboy monkeys, ya hear? If ya do, we’re gonna have to rename ya Beardiana.” He gave her a wink. “Ya
know what? That kind of has a nice ring to it. Whatdya’ think, Beardiana?” He tickled her chin with his
stubble again, chuckling away at his terrible jokes. Terrible on purpose to get a giggle.


Georgie mentally made notes as Justin spoke, doing her best NOT to let her mind wander too much as
he pulled her closer. A trailer for at least three horses, should she let it have four slots just in case...yes,
why not... She remembered the man she had been able to find, the photographer...he probably knew
where to get more pictures of Justin...and people to contact to make it perfect. With the right amount of
money she knew you could get anything you wanted, it could even make the most stubborn of rocks to
move out of your way. She had never really used the power she had to make people go up and beyond
by that power alone, just for the fun of it like William could do when he was bored. She had always been
friendly and kind, perhaps that was why when things did become a mess or when she really needed
quick assistance, people did it because they liked her. It was not something she did often either.

She glanced at Justin as he talked. It was hard to sit still, she crossed her legs and put her hands in her
lap, her back straight like she was at Mrs Robinssons ettiquette class again. She would do it all for him,
but she wouldn’t be able to answer why if someone asked. What made him so special that she would do
all that...just for the reason that he had tossed her into the pond? That wouldn’t make sense to anyone,
she was sure of that. But they didn’t understand...and if she was honest with herself...she didn’t
understand it either. She just felt it inside of her. He deserved it. This and more. While she hadn’t asked
for how long he had done this rodeo thing, but she had picked up some small details. In his pickup there
had been signs of old things for example, worn til they had broken but he had still not thrown them

away. She could only guess they had been kept as hopeful spare parts for other similar things. He
worked so hard...and nobody seemed to see it. She was sure Justin and Sydney had a mutual
understanding, but she still couldn't get how Sydney treated him. It felt like he took him for granted, but
she didn't know Sydney that well. Most of the time she had felt so unsure around him, like playing
Battleship - only it being real. You never knew when things would go BOOM.

It was perhaps cruel of her to plan all this behind his back...but it was for a good cause...hopefully he
would think so too. Not get angry with her. Sure a new trailer wouldn't make him win, but if he had a
place he could stay no matter where he went...then he would save money, money he could use for the
things he really needed. Maybe she could get a crew to look at the outside of his truck too. Not to fix the
dents because she remembered that he called them memories. She was not to take a man's memories
away, even if they were in dent form. But they could clean it up - at least on the outside, polish it up,
make it look new...and she could leave a free certificate for an inside cleaning if he wanted it. Yes, that
was an idea. Perhaps new tires too if needed. The living quarters in the trailer would get all the best
things. It would be a good idea to have two beds there - in case Sydney would be...joining him. She had
suddenly remembered the two ladies at the bar,especially the one who had bought him a drink. Maybe
it wouldn’t be Sydney...but an extra bed would probably not hurt - if not it could be storage space. A soft
smile. She would leave Pemberleys own stuffed little toy horse in there...as a memory.

He moved and she almost felt like she was going to fall off, but his strong arms held her, just right where
she was. It made it hard to keep her posture and facial expression. He suddenly scratched his chin
against her cheek, and she wasn't sure her reaction was what it was. She made a small gasp. Luckily he
didn't seem to notice that or the slight tremble. What was it with him and him touching her like that?

“Oh, um...no...I don't need to write it down, I rem-” Wait, what had he really said? He was laughing?
Oh...oh, it was a joke! She stuck out her tongue at him and crossed her arms under her chest. “Ha-ha,
very fu-” Again with the tickle, his almost coarse stubble against her cheek, like a cat’s tongue. It was like
she had no chance to recover from the first time he did it and now it felt like the sensation went deeper.
Perhaps because he was closer to her ear this time or... something else. It felt like she was getting
goosebumps all over her body - both on the outside and on the inside. She swore she had felt his hot
breath on her neck too. Ol’ mighty. He was just...teasing her. This...it didn't mean any...thing.
Just...breathe. She swallowed. Control. Get yourself under control. Poise. Breathe.

How romantic this spot would have been if...No, stop... She had to say something. Anything. “So...you
mean that I, um...I don't have to go undercover at the freakshow? I thought my beard was nice...” she
took a chunk of her mostly wet hair and held it under her chin, her hand trembling just slightly. Now it
looked more like the beard of a goat. She let her hair drop. “Beardiana...it sounds like a bad place in
California or...Europe...there is actually a place one in Denmark called Christiania, famous for its open
cannabis trade...did you know that?” She halted herself, he probably didn't. Why was she talking about
drugs? Stupid, stupid Georgie!! Say something else, something he knows...

“So...I...didn't quite have the time to look at the files what classes you are entering...are you here with
just Sydney or is ...there anybody else... How long will you stay for?” She tossed the questions out of her
mouth like she would be fine if he just spoke and didn't look at her the way he did right now. That smile,
the laughter in his voice, those blue eyes. She should really just get out of his lap. Right away. Now. But
she didn't move, instead she remained like she had been glued there. She had to make that call...to get
the ball rolling, give them time to finish it....she had to...somehow make him stay the entire weekend.
Question was how. How did you make a man stay, how did you make a friend stay just...a little longer.



Justin hadn't taken her for a girl to know the drug trading routes or whatever. He definitely raised a
brow and leaned his head back a bit to look at with a tinge of skepticism or confusion or both in his eyes.
He'd look slapped silly if she listing of how to cook meth or something next. Little Georgie? Nah. She was
thin, sure, but she was clean looking. Definitely not a tweaker.

He patted her knees, "Well, 'bout that. Brought a mare of mine to get some experience in on her but I
went and conned Sydney into ridin' her instead." He chuckled like there was more to that story than he
let on. Poor Jarin. "But I thought I'd test out yer rough stock out here. See what kind of bulls ya got
rompin' 'round here. Hand's all healed up, good to go." He wiggled his fingers in front of them to prove
it; gnarled knuckles and all. "See if yers are gonna sit on me too," he chuckled. He found it funny,
anyway.

He glanced down at her arms for a moment, noticing she had some goosebumps and it didn't help that
he was constantly dripping onto her. He thought the water felt pretty good but ladies did tend to get
cold easier. She'd probably be a lot more comfortable in the sun where she could dry off. Well, he
already had her in his arms. All he had to do was hook his arm under her knees, pull her to his chest and
up she went, cradled like a baby in his arms as he trudged through the shallow water to shore.

He looked ahead, taking it slow so he didn't trip, just talking like normal, "Ya know, I might have to stick
around. I kind of signed up on this show on a whim. I had a hole I needed to fill and it fit perfectly. I think
it'll be worth it to hang around. Syd didn't tell me that he was bringin' his lil' lapdog with him. I dunno if
you've ever met the guy. Lil' Jar-bear," he looked like he almost pitied the boy. "Trust me, you can't miss
him and you won't forget him. He's practically attached to Syd's hip and worth every penny to watch in a
ring." There was also Sydney's sister... Hmm, whether to mention her or not... They had...a history
together... Better safe than sorry. "Ah, ya know, seems Syd's sister came along as well. Well, she came
up on her own. We kinda board at the same stable back down in Texas. It's where I keep the rest of mah
horses I ain't usin' at the time. Guess the gang's all here," he chuckled.

"I guess my question to you is..." he finally made it to shore and gently lowered her feet to the ground,
steadying her, "How long do ya want me to stay, miss?" His lips curled up softly. He knew she was eager
for him to stick around. He knew that tone of voice. He had used it many times in his youth when he'd
hang around Sydney, clinging on to being his friend no matter how much Sydney resisted him. He was so

lonely as an only child and working all day. Since Justin got a job working on the Brannon Ranch, Sydney
quickly became an interest as a friend since they were similar ages and even in the same grade in school.
Where Sydney went, Justin wanted to go too. 'Can I come too, Syd?' 'I can help with that, Syd!' 'Do you
wanna come over to my house, Syd?' 'You'll be here tomorrow, won't ya, Syd?' All the things he used to
say and ask, just trying to have some sort of company and friendship. And eventually, with enough
pestering, Sydney just sort of gave up keeping Justin away from him. They had somehow grown together
into adulthood. Of course, Justin keeping to the road and Sydney landing a successful career. He still
clung to Sydney as his first friend. His bro.

So, he could feel the same hesitation in Georgie's voice. She had told him the first time he met her that
he was her only friend. Seeing the life she came from and how she talked about tradition...maybe she
really was kept under lock and key. Maybe he really was her only friend and she just wanted that little
extra time. The 'just five more minutes' plea he knew so well from his own childhood. He understood.
He didn't think it was silly. In a way, he just kind of understood. Totally different backgrounds and yet
not all that different.



How the idea with the rough stock in include had come up she didn’t know, but William had approved of
it - much likely due to some research and the popularity of the sport. If something was popular, people
came to see, and where people went...it meant there was money to be gained. She had just seen the
cattle for a brief moment, and for the bulls...only two of them had been close enough for her to see
them up close. It had been a pale one and a dark one, both looking quite menacing. She couldnt
remember who of them that had a wonky looking horn, not that it mattered, to her they just looked
terrifying. She gave him a glance. He wasn’t scared going out there, riding them, but she still
remembered the feeling when she couldn’t see him, the short second she thought the bull had crushed
him. It hadn’t felt good at all. Justin had waved it off like a thrill. Perhaps it was just that. All she could do
was to hope and pray he would come out of it alive. "I've just seen two of the bulls, but there was some
more at the back of the pen...but I can't say more than that...for me its just cattle and they all look
pretty much the same - well - unless you speak of colors of course.”

All of a sudden he hooked one of his arms under her knees and then she found herself tucked close to
his chest, his warmth. She had to reprimand herself not to lean into him. A beginning of a weak attempt
of resistance, that she could do this herself. That he didn't have to be so...like him. Kind and like a
gentleman “Justin--I...I can walk, you...don't have-” She halted her words as Justin started talking. She
relaxed a little. No, don't you dare lean on him. He is not some dashing hero that come to ‘save’ you.
Stop. This isn't some fairytale! Georgie glanced up at his focused face. For some reason she found
herself studying every line, the way he had trimmed his beard, noted the different shades in his
haircolor. She had to resist the temptation to touch it again. How did it feel when it was newly cut? Ugh.
Wasn't she supposed to stop doing this? Lapdog? Her mind did a double take. Did she hear that right?
She had not pictured Sydney to have a little dog. Was it a jack russell? Sometimes they were used in

agility and wasn't they supposed to be able to herd as well? Somehow it felt odd to use such a small dog
if you had a big farm, that Sydney and his family seemed to have.

Sydney's sister? And she was at the same stable as Justin? Then surely she knew things about
Justin...she had to. If the girl wasn't married, she should be named Brannon too. She blinked, doing her
best to act normal as he finally put her down on firm soil - or somewhat anyway. “I guess you are happy
to have friends with you then...or at least have people you know around you?-” Her voice tempered off
as he spoke, asking her a question.

Looking down at her feet she didn't know what to say. She would head back to the Crosby stables very
early monday morning. Asthor would be loaded up and shipped. She would take a flight. A part of her
wanted to say forever because slowly she had felt herself come alive when he was around her. He made
her feel things she had never felt before. He made her dare things, do ...crazy...things...like riding a
mechanical bull...jumping into a pond with your clothes on. Made her feel free in the ways she had
never felt. Before she met him her best sense of freedom had been a gallop on Asthor. But she knew he
could never do that. He wouldn't. And...he probably shouldnt either. She wasn't sure what it was she felt
when she looked at him, and she wasn't sure if she should feel anything. The kiss he had given her at the
hotel made it even more confusing. She couldn't help denying to herself she wanted more, to learn
more, feel it more, let her hands through his hair more but...they were friends.

“I'm leaving for New York early on monday morning, so if you could...maybe...stay until Sunday
evening...” She looked away, unsure if she really should come with such requests, but sunday would give
her some time to arrange his gift. And maybe...just maybe he wanted to see her at least one more
time...unless he rather spend time with his other friends.



He smiled and looked impressed, "Wow, New York, huh? Been a long time since I been up that way.
Sounds like yer a busy lady." He jogged back down the shore a ways to pick up his hat. He dusted the dirt
from it, gave it a shake and secured it back down on his head. On his way back, he unbuttoned his shirt
and peeled it off. He still had on a dark grey undershirt stuck to his muscles like his own skin. "I tell ya
what, lil' lady…" he picked up Trixie's reins and slung his wet shirt on the back of his saddle. He took his
hat off again and hooked it on the horn, patting her neck to assure her that there was no more mud
being slung around her.

He reached down his sides and untucked his shirt, airing it out a bit before ringing the end of it, pond
water splattering at his feet. "I'll hang around if you promise me one thing." Hell, it was warm enough
for him. He reached back over his head and grabbed the back of his shirt and with a good tug, he just
pulled it over his head and off his arms. "You don't go runnin' off on me again, aight?"

He slapped the wet shirt on top of the other one and leaned an arm on Trixie's saddle, giving her a
smirk. Oh...he noticed the way she looked at him after he just peeled his clothes off. He glanced down.

The tattoo. 'Get Fucked' staring right back at her in all its circus print and stars. He snorted, only because
there was nothing he could do about it now. It made quite the statement. It was an undeniable part of
him. Some days he felt proud of it. Some days he wished he could peel it off. Why? Because he had to
hide who he was in order to secure his chances of scoring?

Tough shit, McBride. He couldn't win them all and he knew that well. And Georgie wasn't some piece of
a game. She washed his dirty, gross socks. She was worth way more than a dumb redneck with such a
crude motto scrawled across his abs. He was the exact kind of guy that if Justin saw smooth talking a girl
like Georgie, he'd try to butt in to try to protect her against.
And why did he think he could matter more to her when he already knew he shouldn't try to mess with
her heart? Maybe it was a good thing she saw. Even though it was facing her, he sure felt like he was on
the receiving end of that 'Get Fucked' slur.
He looked up again, maybe a bit tense, making those abs underneath flex, only making it more
apparent. His natural instinct was to just roll with it as best he could; adapt. But maybe this time, his
goofy grin looked a little nervous.



“Yeah...back to the Crosbys...” Things hadn't quite worked out as planned. William wasn't that thrilled
but she had tried to keep firm that it wasn't ‘that’ much of a change, she was still a groom. She was still
learning many things, she worked hard, she didn't met with ‘boys’ - well other than those living and
coming there. There were many different horses to exercise, and she learned a lot from all their
different quirks and manners. Not only did she have to ride their horses, she had to make sure both
Conall and Asthor was happy. The donkey thankfully didn't always need as much attention when it came
to keeping him happy as the irish warmblood. Asthor was simply happy even if the outing was simply a
walk around the place, or if he was taken by a lead while she rode the black stallion. Another good thing
was that the horse and the donkey was both good friends, despite the fact both were intact. Asthor
usually kept Conall company in his little turnout pen.

She watched him go and get his hat, and did her best not to look that much as he removed his shirt on
the way back. The dark grey undershirt stuck to his body like a sausage skin. The tattoo on his arm
peeked out and she remembered seeing more of it at the hotel. William would never let her get one. It
didn't really matter that she was so close to being an adult that could technically do what she wanted. In
most cases it was William and not her father, or Charles, who decided things for her and being used to it
- she let him. Lately however...even if not giving a voice to it, she had begun to question it, wanting to
make choices for herself.

Asthor snuffled her hand and she looked down to watch him trying to play with her fingers using his
agile upper lip. With her other hand she stroked his long ears the way she knew he liked it. Sometimes
he acted like a cat when petted, while he didn't purr, he made small squeaky noises in his throat. It was
one of his quirks. The decision to bring him was selfish, but the donkey didn't seem to mind being

shipped around, always walking into the transport without any hesitation. It made him a good travelling
partner for nervous horses.

“Why on earth would I run away from you, Justin?” She sort of understood him, if you looked at how she
had left the last time, and how everything had started today... but it had all been for a reason. A big one.
Pemberley. But now he knew. There wasn't anything else she was keeping from him. The noise of
something wet being dropped made her look up. Whatever she had planned to say next vanished and
she just stared, her mouth just slightly opened. Oh lord. Like risking having the current view snatched
from her, her eyes quickly took in what stood in front of her. Slowly her eyes went downwards over his
muscular chest, taking in that tattoo on his shoulder, there was an old scrape, was it related to the one
on the bruise on his face?

In her chest it felt like her heart was beating just a little faster. Then when she saw the lettering across
his abdomen her head came to tilt slightly to the side, like she was a dog hearing some promise about a
treat. It was a very...crude statement, yet...there was a flutter inside of her. A similar one as when she
sighed in front of a romantic movie, wishing it would be as simple as that. It a weird way she felt herself
being all transfixed by the tattoo. She had a bit of an odd fascination of old prints and signs, and this
type of font that had been used on his belly looked just like the one used for circuses of old. That just
happened to be her favorite.

That interest had started early, she even played circus with her toys, and had asked to attend circuses
whenever she had seen something about it, but they had despite the riches not gone often. It was too
simple, too common folk. Not worthy of a Darcy. When she expressed her wish to join a circus herself at
age ten, the dream had been thoroughly crushed (since that was NOT what someone with the last name
of Darcy did, end of story), she had focused on the graphics like the use of text and layout, collecting
things like old flyers instead. Looking at the old pictures and imagining her own world of the circus. The
strong men, the clowns, the prima ballerinas, and the high wire act. Then it had grown to having some of
the old signs too. But it was a long time since she had added anything to her collection. It was just the
old flyers and some tickets she had framed in her room, the large signs was in storage. It was something
with the font used in the tattoo that seemed so familiar. Many of them looked the same but...there was
some small subtle differences, sometimes one could see what circus it was from if you just knew what to
look for. She looked up into his eyes. For the first time he looked...she wasn't sure, but it wasn't his
normal self. Where she got the guts to ask she wasn't sure but in the next moment she heard her own
voice “May...may I look at it?”

She thought she heard a somewhat stuttered ‘uh, yeah, sure’ - and it was probably the first time she had
heard Justin sounding...almost...something else than his normal confident self. It was almost like she
heard herself speak - but with his voice. Almost. But he had said she could so she went closer to him, at
first just looking at the tattoo like it had been an interesting picture or a piece of artwork at a museum
or gallery - and not something on a living person's skin. Then she squatted down just in front of him and
stretched one of her hands forward. Look somehow became touch and in her curious nature of

discovering things she didn't think about asking about that. She swayed slightly so she placed her other
hand on high up on his thigh, just about where the jeans pocket was, to keep her balance.

Once more she tilted her head as she looked. The phrase...it still made her feel weird inside, not in
a...disgusted way just...something. The typograph in her however couldn't help but slowly trace the
outlines of the tattoo with her index finger across his belly. Whoever made this must have shared her
fascination - or just found a good source for good letter printing. Even the little things like shading, and
the blocking, spacing, everything...the stars matched too. Her finger circled part of the left star, half of it
was hidden by his pants. It felt familiar in a very weird way...like she had seen this very text before, or
well the look of it...just with a more...family friendly text. His skin felt...smooth and warm, perhaps just a
little chilled or damp due to the wet clothes he had worn. She did her best not to look at the trail of dark
hair that grew under his navel - nor the place where it went down into his jeans. She had seen enough
male models to know where it led. Then she closed her eyes.

Shifting slightly, and with a bit of a wobble she got to her feet again, backing away a few steps. The
tattoos he had on his body was very different from eachother if you compared them, not that you had
to have them match, but sometimes people that had more than one usually had some sort of thing
going on. You didn't see a biker that had skulls, devils and hateful words on their backs, suddenly
throwing in something like a fluffy unicorns, kittens or my little pony into the mix. Justin still had that
unusual - for him - look on his face she noted.

“Uhm, it was...I like the text, I mean the font...I like the font...” Her cheeks flushed just slightly as she
corrected her words. Calm down, it's just...printed words, and it was just a little slip. It's not like you
touched him somewhere inappropriate. Now Asthor stepped forward, nudging past her, acting just as
curious as his treat giver and stretched out his muzzle. He gently lipped at the man's belly, wiggling his
upper lip like he tried to mimic Georgie’s touch, just with his lips instead. Soon he found the hairs
Georgie had pretended not to see and lipped at those too.



Well, she was full of surprises like she had said. Like he knew her to be. So he shouldn't have been so
surprised when she asked to come take a closer look. She had traced his shoulder, half sleeve one the
first time too. It was her thing. He reckoned she didn't get around too many people with heavy tattoos
up and down their body. So he was just as curious as she was like one species examine the other.

When she got closer to the softer skin near the stars, he tensed up again and giggled, leaning away for a
moment. And again. Her soft touch had him feeling a little ticklish too. He had to scratch the tickle away
or he'd squirm out of his skin. He should probably explain it. She hadn't ran for the hills or called him
gross yet. "I, uh," where to even start… "I was kind of an ornery kid. Got this one when I was sixteen. Not
that I told the artist that," he chuckled. To get a tattoo in their area, if they weren't 18, they had to have
their parent's permission and present for it. His mother would have never let him get something so
mouthy put on his skin. "Bunch of us guys decided we’d all get tattoos around the same time and we

were all tryin’ to outdo each other. Who had the most badass one. Course Syd got a big ol’ longhorn
skull and eagle wings to start with. Ol’ buddy of ours, Wade, he got this like demonic lookin’ bull thing. I
didn’t have the money those guys did so I went with the most I could afford and got all the bang outta
that buck,” he chuckled, shaking his head.

“Sure thought it was the coolest thing when I got it. So what if they got ol’ bulls? I went all in on this bad
boy. I don’t know how long they laughed at me. Hell, they still do,” he was still smiling away. He had long
gotten past it. It was a chapter in his life where they were just young and dumb boys he could look back
on and laugh about. He remembered how proud he was to reveal it. He had the balls to permanently
have ‘Get Fucked’ tatted onto his skin.

He patted his chest that had a cross on his pec. “But this only makes it half as bad, right?” He chuckled
again at his logic. “You remember Will from the clinic?” Suddenly his chuckles started to pick up. “He got
a worse one than I did if you can even imagine.” He covered his mouth with the back of his hand, looking
up to the sky, trying not to crumple in laughter. “Syd ‘bout killed him. He got-” he snorted and had to
take a moment to laugh. “He got his sister tatted on the inside of his thigh.” Justin cracked over it.

What he left out was that he got his teenaged sister tattooed on his thigh: completely naked except for
a cowgirl hat, boots, a whip and gun holster on her hips. And then told Sydney he put it on his thigh so
when he’s jerking off, he has some motivation material. Young and dumb boys.
Justin wiped his eyes, his giggles calming down, “Aw shoot, see, I ain’t a monkey you wanna follow
‘round too closely.”



Her forehead frowned for a moment as she thought about what he said about Will’s tattoo. On the
inside of his leg? “Why did he put it there, Justin? I thought you made tattoos for them to be seen?
William’s, um...assistant I guess you can call him, Christopher says his have meanings, every one of
them. That they tell a story...not that I've seen them...but he is french polynesian so if I would guess,
they are sea related maybe...” His giggles and chuckles were hard to resist, as well as the look in his eyes
after that weird look he had when he had turned and he noted that she had seen his belly tattoo. Her
chin raised just slightly at his monkey statement.
“And why is that? Do you think I would do something similar as you? It's like asking if I would jump off a
cliff if a friend did it, isn't it?” She pushed the donkey’s inquisitive nose away from Justin. The slopper
was not much to do about and...Justin would probably shower as soon as they got back anyway. She
took a deep breath and then she placed her hand over his heart. “I know a good m-, a good person
when I see them.” His skin was warm and soft. Her fingers ached to caress it for some reason but after
just about a breath or two she removed it. Slowly she let her hand close as she let it drop to her side.
She looked down for a moment. God, how cheesy she had sounded. She swallowed before she looked
up. Make a joke, Georgie. You can at least try. Maybe he will...smirk on how bad it is...

“I mean...if there are two of us monkeys, and I follow you because you know the area - and there is a
buffalo bull...who do you think he is gonna try and sit on again...the one who always pester him climbing
on his back, or the one scurrying to the safety in the trees?” Ugh. Bad joke. It couldn't even be called a
joke. She looked away in the direction of Pemberley. William would never give her permission for a
tattoo. But soon she wouldn't need it, she could be her own person.


Oh, if only she knew not all tattoos were made to be seen by everyone. He had seen quite a number of
interesting one in his time when the clothes came off. Some of them meaningful, as she had said. Some
personal and he got to get the story on a few. One girl had three tiny dots right between her breasts. He
had to know why just simple little black dots in a straight line. She had told him that each dot
represented someone who had left a mark on her life, someone important and meaningful that had past
on.

And then there were the tattoos that really shouldn’t see the light of day. Like the girl who had an erect
penis tattoo’d on her back. It started right in her butt crack and followed up her spine. It had the tasteful
phrase above it that read, ‘must be this big to ride’. Cynndy. That was her name. She preferred to go by
Cynnymyndy when she was working… And Justin had been thankful that night she had one too many
drinks so she her measurements were a bit off. It was a good laugh.
Justin was smiling a little goofy, thinking about those terrible tattoos as Georgie went on about the
monkeys. He squinted his eyes a little, “Eeeey, if yer implyin’ I’m soft and cozy lookin’ yer absolutely
right!” He gave her a wink. He hummed a little laugh, perhaps mischievous as he stepped closer to her,
thumbs hooked in his belt loops. “You think I’m a good monkey?” He lifted his chin too, looking down at
her with a grin.

“How many times I gotta remind you, Miss Monkey? I ain’t nothin’ but a naughty, no good, dirty lil’
monkey…” he held still for just a moment. His abs tightened for just a second as to give her a heads up
and then he jumped forward. He knew he could catch her by now. This time she was up over her
shoulder like a sack of feed. He held her back and the back of her thighs, giving her a spin, laughing, “You
can’t climb a tree if I’ve already throw ya to the bull while I’ve made my getaway!” He didn’t toy with
her for long, the poor thing. He gave Asthor a pat on his forehead and plopped Georgie down in the
saddle, both her legs on one side but seated. “Still think I’m a nice guy now?” He crossed his arms on her
lap, looking up at her with a cocky grin.



Her cheeks flushed slightly, adding a modest shade of blush, as he said the words ‘soft and cozy’. It was
impossible for her to know that, but some boring nights when she couldn't sleep she had thought of
him. Just a little bit. She hadn't seen that much of James Crosby at all so perhaps it was only natural that
her brain had shifted objects to daydream about. Of course it had just stayed at the G rated but oh so
romantic things. Many times it was a good mix of fiction in there in her dreams because she couldn't
quite...see someone Justin even remotely interested in a clutz like her. Even if she was willing to try out

the western world - and even if she had gotten a perfect horse for it...she knew it wasn't were her heart
was at when it came to the equestrian sports.

Seeing him with his chest bare...it would be a hard visual not to remember. She caught herself lost
looking at his abs when he took a step closer to her. When she tried to take a step back as to get out of
his way, since she thought he wanted to pass, for some reason her backside bumped into Asthor. Right.
He stood there. Georgie swallowed. He was so close to her and she was sure she could catch his scent.
Again with that scent that she had felt that day at the rodeo. It was fainter now obviously, since he had
washed some of it away with the cold pond water but instead there was more of his own masculine
scent. For a moment her eyes darted like a spooked shoal of minnows. She began to shake her head,
firm in her belief “I don't think you are neither dirty or no good...maybe nau-” Why she squeaked the
way she did she didn't know. She didn't get scared - not of Justin - but it was still a sound that came out.
Somewhere in her mind she knew she had seen him move. But for some reason she hadn't moved out of
the way. If she had just taken a step to the side he would have headbutted Asthors belly.

Now, she was hoisted up over his shoulder and she felt his warm hands, one on her back and the other
on her thigh. The world spun around her. So many thoughts filled her head and now they got all jumbled
up together in a big mess. Her logical mind tried to understand all of this that happened. All that he did
made her wonder and doubt at the same time. She had to find out more. Sydney's sister...maybe she
could get to know more there. His hand on her thigh shifted, so did the one on her back, he stopped and
the moment after she felt herself getting pulled off his shoulder and put down on...Asthor’s back.

Asthor turned his head, snuffling on the man’s still damp pants. First at his waist and then a bit down.
There was a bit of an interesting scent in that pocket. He started to lip at it. Georgie looked into those
smiling blue eyes. He crossed his arms in her lap and looked up at her. From where she sat she could see
every well chiseled muscle, his shoulders and even some on his back. She also really had to resist the
temptation to stroke him over his hair with her hands. How did it feel when it was freshly cut? Did he
even cut his hair? Surely he had to do that. Her mouth felt dry. The words was felt on her tongue, she
heard them in her head, but it sounded so cheezy. She couldn't say those, none of them. Instead she
swallowed and simply nodded very affirmatively. She nibbled her bottom lip.

The donkeys nostrils flared as he snuffled the man's jeans. What was it in there? It smelled delicious! He
had to have whatever it was! It wasn't his normal favorites, but...oh - he wanted it! Something that
smelled that good had to taste just as good. He couldn't understand why twoleggeds kept hiding the
good stuff. Luckily he had trained since he was but a wee colt on how to work objects to give up the
hidden good things. It didn't matter if it was digging after water or wiggling out the best treats. Asthor
pulled back his lips slightly and started to tug just a little bit at the fabric. His teeth slipped off the fabric
the first two times so the third time he opened his mouth a little more to get a good hold.


Justin sighed, accepting defeat and having his head, laying it on his arms just shy of her legs. She could
probably feel the hot air of his breath warm her legs. What was personal space, anyway? Justin sure

didn't have bounds. "Boy, yer right, Miss Georgie. Ain't no changin' yer mind no matter what I do." He
lifted his head, grinning at her. "Yer a good woman, Georgie. Keepin' yer boys in check. How could I
possibly misbehave 'round you now?"

He shifted his weight off her lap, wrapping them around her thighs, resting his hands on her hips, sort of
like a very loose hug around her hips. She was so easy to love on; flirt with, be cutesy with, play with.
She didn't think his jokes were terrible or distasteful, granted he hadn't unloaded the level of filth he
and the boys joked about either. But she goofed around him too and he liked that. A playful kindred
spirit. "I ain't never been nobody's good boy b'fore. I ain't even sure I got it in me. But if you see it, then I
gotta trust it. I wouldn't mind tryin' to be yer good man- Ow! Hey man..."

Justin flinched and stepped to the side, looking down at the sneaky donkey that took a good bite on his
hip. He hadn't really noticed him lipping at him before. Justin had a lot of nerve damage in various
places throughout his body so little taps and touches didn't bother him a lot. But a strong donkey-teeth
pinch on his hip got his attention. He patted his forehead, "Alright, jealous. She's yours, I get it." He
didn't know the donkey like Georgie did so he took the nibble as a curious one. He gave Georgie a smile
before going back over to Trixie.

He gave his beard a rub on his way over and mounted up. She'd never know. Justin was good about
rolling with the punches. He couldn't believe what he had been saying to her. There was flirting and then
there was just leading her on. What was he going to say next? Ask her to be his girlfriend? How? How
the hell was that going to work? He already knew she left for New York in a couple days. He already
knew the kind of lifestyle he had on the road. He had to stop before he broke her heart. And maybe
even his own.

But he didn't stop grinning, looking back over his shoulder, "Maybe I'll be good over here? Seems yer
man over there don't think there's any room for the both of us," he chuckled.



Woman. He called her a woman, meaning he must see her as a grown up. The first to actually say it in
words! It made her smile. To her family, she was just a little silly girl who didn't know any better or one
that needed to be guarded, watched and instructed all the time. Molded just to be handed off to
someone else when the time came. Like she was a thing, an empty object with a fragile painted surface.
Something that held nothing of value on the inside, just on how others judged her outside. His rather
innocent touch, his hands on her hips sent pleasant shivers through her body. Like most of the time she
could not resist returning his smile with one of her own. It was weird that one part of her brain wanted
him to ‘misbehave’ more while the other was perfectly fine with a wellbehaved cowboy. The
misbehaving part she wasn't sure she would be able to resist. Then of course, she also wasn't sure how
to act towards a handsome....misbehaving...naughty cowboy. She knew nothing of that sort since that
wasn't something they had taught them at Longbourne, and in fear to do or say something wrong, that
she misunderstood everything, she did nothing at all.

What he said next caught her a little off guard, unsure if...if she understood him correctly. It sounded
honest even if... Her smile had faded just slightly as her mind tried to sort his words out, double and
triple checking them for meaning something else. It almost sounded like...No. That wasn't... She jumped
at Justin's ‘ow’ and couldn't help but feel like she had lost something...the moment maybe. Asthor
smacked his lips loudly as the man walked back to the mare like he had been some dude cat calling out
after a woman as she passed by. Wait! Where did she get that from? Dang movies!

With Justin's back was turned towards her she looked down at the donkey - who looked like his normal
innocent happy self. She caught his eye and it was like he picked up on her emotions. “Naughty boy...”
she mumbled as she swung her leg over the horn. When Justin spoke she made a small shrug. “He
shouldnt be...he isn't really the jealous type...when it comes to small or young animals he is actually
usually more protective, if he is with a horse Asthor is usually the one who always stands guard if the
horse decides to lay down and sleep. Who knows if he had a friend there to watch over. I wish I knew
more about his life when he was wild but...I don't. I just know the people on that island round the wild
donkeys up like mustangs, some get new homes, others are killed, some even just for sport. There is
even a tiny version of Drabardi that only exist on an even smaller island just outside the main one...
There they cull most colt foals just not to have the island overrun and inbred...apparently the meat is
seen as a delicacy.” She gave a small shudder. Sure, she liked meat but just the thought of culling little
babies and the mama's calling for them. It was just as horrible when it came to calves and such.

She was happy that Asthor hadn't been of that tiny type of donkey. “Perhaps he acts that way because
he was a herd stallion...with his own family...” she pondered, and turned her head away, looking over
the pond. At first she felt sad over Asthors possible family, but then as she looked at the water, some of
it still stirred up she smiled to herself. When she returned here next time...there would be more things
to think back to. To remember. The time when she was thrown in the pond by a bandit. If William knew
about that... She exhaled as she looked back at him. “Most likely however...you either have or had
something in your pocket that smells like vanilla. I don't know why but that is his absolute favorite.
Vanilla fudge most of all...I'm sure you would be able to make him do anything if you bribed him with
that.”

They probably needed to head back to the park, especially if she would have some chance of getting
everything in order. Picking up the reins and turning Asthor around she gave the man another look.
“So...Justin McBride...what is your favorite?” She hesitated for a short moment. What would she do if he
said a woman's name? She mentally rolled her eyes at herself. Why would he even bring a woman up?
And if it would be so - then it was just to roll with it...and besides..a person could not be a ‘what’ - more
a ‘who’. “I mean, like sweets, colors, food...and things like that...” Georgie gave him a smile that was of
the type you couldn't quite see it on her face, but more of that type that made you feel it inside. “Good
friends should probably know things like that about the other friend, right?”

It was better to play the cards where she pretended she hadn't made one of those over the top and
wrong guesses from what he had just said. With her luck she would have misunderstood and it would be

awkward. She was awkward enough as it was. No need for encores on that area. “I like lighter happier
colors...things are usually so dark and gloomy as it is so why not add a little bit of color...but I must keep
it modest, of course. Not too much of the fun.” Then she gave him a playful wink “...but what they don't
see, they can't complain about...” Gods, why did she say that...that was too cheeky wasn't it? Georgie
hurried herself to look straight ahead, letting her fingers play with Asthor’s thin mane.

There was no point of bringing up food or her problems with it, nor that she tried to avoid sweets all
together. She didn't mind treating others however, even if she hadn't really learned to cook anything
herself. It looked fun however and she wouldn't mind trying out to make something out of those
cookbooks, maybe even for Justin but...a Darcy didn't cook, they got their food served.



Vanilla? He glanced down at his wet jeans. Surely they just smelled like mud now. That donkey had an
incredible sense of smell on him. He'd remember that for the future.
He chuckled at her description of the colors she liked, "Well that makes sense. Pretty, happy colors for a
pretty, happy lady. When I got into showin' horses, like more than jus' roping and wrestling 'cuz they
really don't care what ya wear. But when I got into showin' reiners and such, boy was I surprised how
people mixed and matched colors like their score depended on it. Thank God it don't 'cuz I woulda never
survived. I ain't so good at it. Matchin' colors and all that. Way I figure, can't go wrong with black, right?"
He tipped his black hat as a gesture to his color choice. It was a safe color. Sure, dirt and dust showed
easily on it but as far as he was concerned, it matched any horse he put it on. Meaning, he only had to
buy one set of tack and not have to worry about it. Besides, he thought he looked cool in all black too.
"'Course, I guess I'm awful fond of purple too. I know, I know, kind of a girly color but I like it. Girls can't
have all the colors to themselves," he grinned.

"As for food, I guess I don't mind a lil' bit of this and that. I'm open for experimentation," he snorted and
laughed maybe a little too much at his own joke. He thought it was funny. Of course, someone would
have to have their mind in the gutter to understand what he had been playing at. And honestly, he
wasn't really a picky eater. There wasn't a whole lot he wouldn't eat. "Guess if I had to pick a
favorite...hmmm...can't beat a good barbecue! Comin' from Texas, we pride ourselves on some good
barbecue!"

But he didn't just want to talk about himself. That wouldn't be very gentlemanly of him. So he asked in
return, "You got a favorite place 'round here you like to go? I ain't too familiar with these parts, been a
while since I've been in this area."



Purple and black. Those colors was immediately stored so she could give the information to those that
would create the custom made trailer. Then he turned the topic into food. Almost instantly she felt a
sour taste at the back of her throat. It had been a bad day today. She gave him an almost sad smile

before she turned her gaze to the trail before them. Was it possible to be jealous for the others ability to
be happy? Over food? Over life? What was so funny with food experimentation anyway? She couldn't
see how it could make anyone laugh. But...he had made her laugh for just being close to her, by treating
her like a normal person. Perhaps it wasn't a weird thing. A sigh escaped her. “Um, I don't go out much.
But William spoke about some french restaurant in town that he said was ‘tolerable’.” In truth, it wasn't
really until she had left for the Crosby stables she had the chance to explore the outside on her own.
Even trying fast food, even if she could just have the size of a kids meal before feeling nauseated. Before
that William had insisted that she would go with his chauffeur if she needed something in town, and he
would go with her. Mr Roland was a nice man but he wasn't quite her type of lunch companion. Georgie
shifted in her saddle. Wet pants it turned out wasn't so comfortable to ride in, it had made her
underwear go into places where it shouldnt go.

“But...just so you know, there is a special menu for the riders staying at Pemberley during the event...I'm
not sure if they have a barbecue...but I'm pretty sure they have some good meat to choose from...and it
is included in the fee so it is free...even for Sydney.” A faint smile appeared as she thought of the blonde
man's appetite. While she hadn't seen the event menu itself but knowing William, it wouldn't be any
‘junk food’ served, it would be the same quality like they had up at the manor.

“Do you cook food yourself?” Why did she continue the food talk? She knew it only made her more
anxious. All the chefs at Pemberley were male but there were females in the kitchen - she had seen that
herself. Asthor began to act a bit nervous, his long ears going back and forth a few times. She felt him
get slightly tense under her but she put her legs closer to his sides to keep him going. Usually he was fine
with wild game but one never knew.



Justin was enjoying the sights around, still all new to him as they plodded back to the park. His upper
half was drying off in the sun and hopefully his shirts, laid over the back of Trixie, would dry up at least a
little to throw back on. "French place? Sounds fancy..." He only assumed that because he could never
remember a time he could go to a French restaurant because it was out of his budget for just food. He
didn't feel like he was missing out on much. He heard the horrors of the French eating snails and that
just didn't sound anywhere near as good as farm-raised hamburger on a plate.

Asking him if he cooked caught him off guard a little as he looked back over to her, rubbing his neck, "Do
I cook? Well..." He looked up in the sky to think about it. "It's been a while. I try to help my mama out
when I visit sometimes and she chases me right back out of the kitchen then she'll swear at me for not
helpin' out enough. I think she jus' wants the company," he smiled warmly. He did love his mama. He
noticed Georgie looked a bit nervous, "Hey, I won't make you try any of my cookin'. My mama's
probably right, ain't all that great. I don't ever get the time to practice out on the road. Lot easier to jus'
pay someone to do it for me. And probably a lot safer," he chuckled.

"Hey, when yer up in New York, try one of their New York strips for me! I always wondered if they taste
better where they're named from or if they just think they know beef. That's if ya got time. Sounds like
you'll be busy, huh? Whachu' got goin' on in the Big Apple, anyway? Takin' ol' Asthor with ya?" Seemed
the more he talked about his horrible food, the more tense she got. A change of subject might be what
she was actually wanting. Polite girls like her weren't so good about voicing those kind of things. Justin
just tried to be better at picking up on their body language.


When he spoke about his mother she could hear the affection he had for her. Georgie was sure his
mother felt the same for her son. Her parents never spoke like that about her...or William or Charles...or
well...Her father always spoke about how proud he was over his sons and how well they ran
things...Perhaps she hadn't done enough for it to count yet. Not that she had to win her father's
approval to be someone.

She only shot Justin quick glances as he spoke to her. Trying her best not to look...too much for too long.
The way his muscles flexed as he moved Trixie forward. A deep intake of air and she shifted in the
saddle, feeling hot and slightly bothered again and the only remedy she could think of was not to look at
him. But...it was considered not polite not to look at the person talking to you - or not looking if you
talked to them. While it might not be a brink of war conflict, it felt almost like it inside of her. Justin was
her friend. If she kept repeating it to herself often enough, maybe all these thoughts and feelings would
just...stop. She still wasn't sure what he had meant with...what he had said...that had sounded almost
like... No.

Oh gosh! He was still talking! Her eyes widened and her eyes went to his mouth like they would be able
to play back what he said moments before. She had heard one word. Strip. Wait! Did...did he think that
she went there to... Taste better? Beef? Violent strippers? She didn't have any problems with anybody -
as far as she knew. And...why on earth would she try and find that kind of people? Her cheeks felt warm
- again. Then he mentioned Asthor and somewhere from her conscious she heard the missing words.
Oh...it was beef as in the meat. Stupid. If she didn't let her mind drift away so much.

“If...if you want to have that I think I can arrange it for you, Justin...If I'm not mistaken one of the sous-
chefs here are from New York...” She closed her eyes as she tried to remember “Joe Carleone is his
name...I'm sure he can make you one...” William liked big pieces of meat...but she...could never eat as
much. She had stopped ordering red meat when she was with her brother. The meat she had with Justin
was good...but she hadn't finished the whole piece...and he had not bugged her about it...so that had
probably helped.

Asthor snorted, and shook his head before turning his neck to check in on the mare. She had been a bit
nervous at the ‘wateringhole’ before, even if there hadn't been any scent of predators. He took care of
those in his herd no matter how small or big it was. His ear went back as he felt the human on his back
pet his neck. “But yes...Asthor is coming with me...he should really have stayed but...you know...it's
always hard to leave a friend behind...” She tried to curl a strand of the donkeys mane around her finger.

“I'm going back to the Crosbys...I'm working as a groom now...riding many different horses each
day...and getting to see all kinds of places...of course I'm not one competing but...I hope I get the chance
some day... William even lent me his horse to compete with...because...well, I guess the stick jump
committee on the higher levels don't like donkeys. They would never let me enter with him.”


Justin gave a little whistle, "Well, hot dawg, sounds like yer movin' on up in the world! Kinds funny if
they dun' want no asses jumpin' yet they let ol' Syd have a go at it anyway," Justin laughed. He probably
would have gotten a punch in the arm for that one but the oaf wasn't around to catch him. Besides, it
was funny. "Sounds like you'll have plenty to do. So long as what it's what ya wanna do, the rest of yer
friends, here, are jus' gonna have to cheer you on from aways..." He looked over to her with a softer
smile. Maybe a little sad. Maybe a little relieved.

If she was gone and he was gone, it made things between them pretty simple. Or rather, it didn't
provide grounds to complicate anything. In a way, it made him feel like he good kind of let down his
defenses. Not against her. But against himself. Just loosen up and not worry so much. Sounded like they
were both on the same page.

He brought Trixie closer to her, bumping his leg into hers on purpose, "So how long ya gonna be there
anyway? Be there long 'nough, I just mind have to wandr on up there, make sure you ain't forgot 'bout
me. Make sure, mi hombre," he tipped his head at Asthor, "isn't bein' forgotten with all them stick
jumpers neither. Ain't that right, bud?" He leaned over and gave his neck a pat. "She gets too busy for
you, amigo, you just plod yer lil' tail back to my place and we'll go 'round up some steer together, ey?
Teach those other donks what a good donk should be like, right?" He finished scratching his neck and sat
back up in his saddle, "Hey, you never did show me how this guy jumps! I ain't some stick committee. I
ain't gonna tell on ya," He gave her a wink. Justin didn't have much of a clue what the whole craze about
jumping was but a jumping donkey sounded a hell of a lot more interesting than any other youtube
video he happened to watch.



“Yeah...it's...want I want...or well, not to be a groom all my life...but...it's James Crosbys stable, or his
fathers...and it might help me...” When she didn't hear anything that reminded anything about a
confirmative answer she remembered - Justin didn't know who he was. “James Crosby is a wellknown
rider, and so was his father...his brother is also very talented...it's ...I suppose like being hired by Ol’
Slemp to take care of his horses, at home and at shows - while you learn things from him at the same
time...and maybe just maybe have a chance to compete too.” She looked at him. Couldn't help but
wonder what he was thinking. Georgie bit her lip and looked away. Who would cheer on her...besides
him? Asthor could do many things, but not that.

Asthor flicked an ear back when Justin got closer. His rider glanced at the other again. “I don't know
really...especially now when...after James...I mean Mr Crosby got hurt...it was set up that I would be his

groom...now I've just...helped several. William is not happy about it...at all. He doesn't think I should be
there at all actually. Especially since the arrangement fell through with the fall. That is not what he....I
had to beg him to stay just a little bit longer...” She cleared her throat. She had said too much. Put
William and perhaps herself in a bad light. She hurried herself to speak again but Justin beat her to it.
Her smile returned to her when he brought up the jumping. She looked around and spotted a rather
simple log jump combination. It was set up for the novice cross country. It would be a little tricky
jumping in the western saddle but. She leaned over and whispered to the donkey, low enough so the
man even if he was next to them wouldn't hear. The donkey had turned both ears back now, listening.
The human on his back then pointed towards the jumps and the donkeys ears went forward again.

Georgie sat up again and turned to Justin “They are not that impressive, I know, but if you want to see
something on the spot, that's what I can do for now. I think you have a good view from here.” The
anxiety she had felt over the food topic was all gone, instead she felt excitement. Easily she qued the
longear into a gallop. Naturally it wasn't the same as the one of a true sporthorse, but she had practiced
a lot and Asthor was doing his best to cover as much ground as his breed could, with a clear gait.
Georgie made him warm up slightly first, two laps on the left lead, and then two in the right. Then she
showed the true western rider that she had practiced on backing up. Even if she was going to show just
two jumps here she knew there were other jumps up ahead. If Justin just followed along, even Trixie
would be able to jump along.

A grin spread across her lips. Question was if he would dare to... Perhaps have it as payback for dumping
her in the pond. She looked up at him “Ok...I'm ready...” She aimed the donkey straight on the jumps
and just like a little longeared rubber ball, the donkey jumped. He had learned to jump more horselike,
pulling his frontlegs up differently than how donkeys normally did when entering for example coon
jumping. When she landed she turned Asthor around on his haunches, like she would have turned after
a dodging heifer but instead she aimed for Trixie. Was there a bit of surprise in his eyes? She shook the
thought away as she rounded the mare quite tightly and as she came up alongside the mares rider she
gave him a nudge before she galloped off again, towards the wooded area.

“Tag! You're it!”

Out in the open she knew he would catch up to her in no time, but here...he had to swerve for the
trees...and then, just before there was open land again, there was a jump, it was like a giant hedge with
a hole in the middle. There was a narrow passage you can go through if you didn't jump, but that took a
bit of extra time. After that they would come to another jump, across a creek. The creek wasn't deep at
all, but some horses still took an extra glance to it due to what was at the bottom of the jump. She felt
the excitement again, hearing him behind her. She leaned over the donkeys neck. “Fly my prince...” she
whispered. For most people that looked at her donkey they would not see a ‘prince’ more of a ‘jester’
but she saw him for who he was. He had done more for her than most people. Only...she glanced under
her arm. Justin looked to be keeping up so far, but the jump was just ahead of them. Perhaps he thought
he had her cornered. The tight gap was on his side of the trees. If he went through this gap he would
have another gap to get through to her side to pick up the chase again. That would win her at least one