Laura's Cardinal Ch. 02

The house was white with a dark gray slate roof and a white porch that extended across the entire front of the house with the main entrance in the middle and large windows on each side. Next to the barn was a large white corral with eight or ten full-grown brown horses and a couple of younger ones. Standing on the porch and trotting out to meet Mandy's car was some type of black and white collie wagging its tail. Its master was finally safely home.

Mandy knelt beside the dog ruffled and scratched its neck as the dog's tail whipped side-to-side. Planting a light kiss on the dog's forehead and then moving toward me.

"That's 'Lady' like from 'Lady and the Tramp' she's my best friend and protector. I know that the Lady in the movie is a cocker spaniel. I don't care this is my Lady. She's a Border Collie and we watch out for each other. Don't we Lady?"

As Mandy scratched behind Lady's ear, Lady's tail never stopping at the mention of her name and the attention from her master.

Then it was my turn to be inspected. Lady came over and cautiously sniffed first my leg and then my hand. The tail started to wag as I petted her head.

"Well, you passed," she grinned, "She doesn't usually warm up to strangers that quickly. Not that I've had a lot of strange people out here. She likes you."

This time there was a little twinkle in her eyes. It was something that I hadn't seen yet. And then she just held my gaze.

"I guess that means that now I won't have to sleep with my loaded 9 millimeter under my pillow."

For a few moments, she just held and looked at me, expressionless, before breaking out into a bright smile. I had to laugh. What a dry sense of humor. I like this girl already.

Mental note, 'Never play poker with Mandy'.

With another playful smile, she turned.

"Welcome to my humble abode."

"Wow, Mandy. This is beautiful. So neat and clean. And I love the porch."

"Thanks. Yeah, the porch is one of my favorite places to unwind. I love sitting there in the summer just as the sun is coming up and watching the sun begin a new day, as it chases away the dark with its symphony of painting the sky in vivid shades of orange, red, and violet. It's breathtaking.

"My dad built the house just before he and my mom got married. And then as he got into horses the barn and the other buildings were built. And like I said, I've lived here all my life except when I was off at school."

She got quiet for a moment as if lost in some memory. The house did seem pretty big for just one person. I wasn't going to say anything as I pretty much knew that there was something there.

"Come on. Let's get you settled and hooked up."

Twenty minutes later, I was hooked up and even had the password for Mandy's WiFi.

"Knock... Knock."

"Hey, come on in."

Once inside, I watched as she looked around taking in the comforts of my humble abode, and especially the framed wedding portrait of Laura and me hanging on the wall next to the TV.

"I've never been in one of these. This is pretty nice. Not like I envisioned an RV. You've really got all the comforts of home."

"Yeah. I probably went overboard. I mean it sleeps four, but I didn't want to feel cramped. Take a look around, if you want to. I've got some stuff to do up here for a bit. Then you can show me around."

That got a warm smile.

Twenty minutes later and standing out by the corral, "These are my babies. Do you know anything about horses?"

"Not too much. I mean I grew up in Northern Illinois in a small farming town, but it was mostly milk and beef cows. And if anybody had horses they just had one, usually it was just for their kids."

"Well, I don't know what your plans are, but if you want to, I can take you on a horseback ride around the ranch. It's not that big, by Montana standard, only three hundred and fifty acres of grasslands and hay fields of alfalfa. None of it is fenced or anything, so you can pretty much ride wherever you want with no problem. I try to get out two or three times a week. It just feels good to be out in the wide-open space, with nothing but God and country."

"Like I told you, Mandy, I'm not on any schedule. And I'd like that. To do that with you."

Another smile. I was warming up to this girl. And, for some reason, I think that it was mutual and in such a short amount of time since we met. Time will tell.

The inside of the house was just as impressive. It was an open design. The oak hardwood flooring gave off a cozy golden warmth. My eyes were immediately drawn to the huge family area at the back complete with a floor-to-ceiling natural stone fireplace and a west-facing picture window that gave an impressive view of the grass-covered hills that seemed to go on forever. Above the fireplace was a large family portrait. It didn't seem like it was taken all that long ago just by looking at Mandy in the picture and comparing it to the cute girl that was next to me.

"Wow, Mandy. It's beautiful. And that fireplace."

"Yeah, that's my favorite. As you can tell, there aren't many trees around here, so I have a couple of loads of split firewood delivered every fall. The winters are pretty cold. So, except to go outside to take care of my babies and let Lady get some exercise and do her thing, I pretty much stay in here. And to answer your question, which I know you want to ask but are too polite... Yes. It gets lonely."

That was the second time in less than an hour, or so, that she had picked up on my thoughts. There had only been one other person in my life who could do that. I inwardly smiled at that.

"That's me and my mom and dad. It was taken about three years ago. Every time I look at it, I miss them," her voice cracking followed by a tear, which she wiped away with her shirt sleeve.

I was taking a chance, as I moved toward her and entered the 'personal space' of someone who I had only known for a few hours. But, something 'spoke' to me that it would be OK.

Wrapping my arms around her waist I was pleasantly surprised when her arms reached up and over my back as she quietly rested her head on my shoulder.

"Thank you," she whispered.

Pulling back and looking at me through those soft smoky grey eyes.

"I know that we've only met a few hours ago, but there's something about you. I don't know what it is, or how to describe it. I've never felt anything like this before in my life. I mean, I've been hugged by people that I barely knew before, but it never felt like this. Can you develop a connection with someone in such a short amount of time? I felt it the moment we sat down at the diner. I mean, inviting you to spend the night at my house. I've never ever even dreamed something like that could happen. That I could put that much trust in someone so quickly."

"I know. I haven't felt anything like what I'm feeling right now for a very long time."

Picking up on my saddened voice, Mandy just reached up and kissed my cheek. That kiss lightened my mood. It was the first kiss that I had had in a long time.

Then adding, with a grin, "You forgot about the loaded 9 millimeter under your pillow."

Another smile, and a quick kiss on my cheek.

"Come on, let me show you my favorite place."

Off to the side was a door leading to a den with another stone fireplace that was somewhat smaller, and a pair of corner windows one looking west and the other south. I imagined that the sun shining through the south window on a cold winter day would add a cozy warmth to the room. Along one wall was a floor-to-ceiling bookshelf filled with hard-bound books by authors I didn't recognize. I guess being out here by yourself in the middle of winter, there's only so much TV and internet that you can watch, so reading would be a relaxing pastime. Along another wall hung a wide flat-screen TV.

"I love it in here. In the middle of winter, with a glass of red wine, the fireplace, just me and Lady curled up on the couch with my favorite music playing and a good book. I can just shut out the rest of the world."

Lady hearing her name, nuzzled her nose into Mandy's hand.

"Yeah. I'm talking about you," she grinned at her companion as she casually stroked behind Lady's ear bringing Lady's tail back to life.

It was nice outside so we just did burgers with a green salad and sat at her picnic table on the stone-lined patio. Together we watched the setting sun with a couple of Montana specialty beers, called 'Moose Drool' brewed by the 'Big Sky Brewing Company". I was going to have to get some of this stuff.

I noticed a bit further out from the patio what looked like a hot tub. I had never been in one, but I imagined what it would be like to be sitting in one at night, with the lights off, the swirling warm water, and looking up into the star-lit heavens. I don't know why, but an image of Mandy emerging from the swirling water in a fog of steam completely nude quickly entered my imagination, and just as quickly I dismissed it. She was a nice girl. No need to get all weird and pervy. Still... she was cute and in my eyes getting cuter by the minute as her warm and cheerful personality came out.

We spent the next couple of hours just talking about our growing up. Each of us having been born and raised in a small town gave us something in common. She grinned as she said that most of her classmates considered her as kind of a tomboy. Mandy wasn't into the whole girly thing of makeup and frilly dresses. A pair of cowboy boots, worn jeans, and a baggy cotton shirt worked fine for her. She was comfortable in her own skin and couldn't care less what anybody else thought. She had a number of girlfriends in high school who had similar thoughts. A nice date for her would have been an evening out on the range riding one of her horses with one of her girlfriends, or some guy who wasn't intimidated by Mandy's confidence. I found it strange that a girl who was this nice and cute didn't have a boyfriend. I wasn't going to ask.

Mandy didn't regret dropping out of school and was impressed with my education in Computer Science and what I used to do for a living. She didn't ask if I was still doing that. Just like she never asked if I was ever married, or had a present girlfriend. Although, seeing the wedding portrait in the RV, kind of answered the first question. She wasn't going to pursue why I was traveling alone. I mean at this point, what was the point in sharing something that personal? I could be gone in a day, or so.

It was getting late and it had been a long and trying day for Mandy. We said our good nights. I got a parting kiss on my cheek as she once again thanked me for everything.

Sitting at my laptop and composing my emails to both sets of parents about my day, I was deliberately vague about Mandy. Just saying that I had stopped and helped a stranded motorist along the highway and was spending the night near the small town of Broadus in Southeastern Montana. That always brought a response from my mom that she hoped and prayed that I would be careful.

In my own personal diary was where I would record my deep feelings. At times 'talking' to my Laura. But tonight, I was confused. The words didn't come, there were feelings and emotions that I hadn't felt in a long time growing inside of me. Growing inside of me about the cute pixie-like girl in the house. Something about her was drawing me toward her. Wondering where my path was headed.

The night was moonless. Out here miles and miles away from any city light pollution, the heavens seemed more alive than usual as pin-prick holes in the colorless sky and seemed to stretch on forever. Taking a quiet stroll down to the horse corral, resting against the fence, and looking up to the great beyond brought a sense of serenity.

Tonight, I spoke to my Laura, as I often did when I was troubled, and looking for guidance. Most of the time the answers to my concerns came to me in the middle of the night, or just as I was about to enter my dreamland. My Laura 'talking' to me.

Pulling the necklace out of my shirt, giving the set of rings a gentle kiss, and then holding them in my hand always brought a feeling of closeness as I communed with my Laura.

"Laura, my love. I've done it again... I've gone and rescued another damsel in distress. A damsel who is affecting me like you did that one afternoon. And just like us, sitting outside at the Student Union with our fries and Cokes getting to know each other, Mandy and I sitting in a little café getting to know each other and then to this here at her house.

"You've guided me through my worries, through my pain, to here. Always by my side. Your love never leaving, because of the bond between us that cannot be broken. A bond that was formed from a love so pure on that very first night where we gave ourselves to each other... our innocence... the gifts of our purity."

Quiet as I just closed my eyes. Hoping and praying for something... anything. A thought. A distant voice. There were no Cardinals in Montana. I was on my own. Or so I thought.

Then.

"Laura, my love. What am I going to do? What am I supposed to do? I love you. I will always love you. I can't let go... I won't let go. But there's this girl. I can't describe it."

Just then a star shot across the dark heavens and the lyrics of 'Catch a Falling Start' came to me from out of nowhere.

Catch a falling star and put it in your pocket

Never let it fade away

Catch a falling star and put it in your pocket

Save it for a rainy day

For love may come and tap you on the shoulder

Some starless night

Just in case you feel you wanna hold her

You'll have a pocketful of starlight...

A smile. My Laura 'talking' to me. I had my answer. It was the same answer she gave me just before I left on my journey, "Follow and trust my heart. Everything will be fine".

"Thank you, my love... My one and only."

Another shooting star.

Making my way back to the RV there was a sense of inner peace that I hadn't felt in a long long time. A sense of purpose. A new direction.

Unbeknownst to me, Mandy had been quietly sitting on the porch swing in the shadows. She had been watching me since I emerged from the RV, as I walked down and stood at the corral, and now as I quietly returned. Perhaps she was in a similar turmoil with her feelings about this 'stranger' who had suddenly and unexpectedly entered into her life from out of nowhere. This 'stranger' who she found herself being mysteriously drawn to in such a short amount of time.

.......................................

I slept peacefully and woke up fully refreshed. Having always been an early riser, I went for an early morning run while the coffee brewed. It was something that I tried to work into my mornings every other day, or so... depending on the locations. It helped me to relax and find my own inner peace by shutting out the rest of the world and letting those hidden thoughts come to me.

Cooling down, I sat sweating and shirtless in my running shorts at my little fold-up picnic table with a cup of coffee, just reading off my laptop. The sound of the front door to her house closing redirected my attention. I was pleasantly surprised to see the smiling face of Mandy coming out her front door with a plateful of, what looked to be blueberry muffins.

Today was not the working 'cowgirl' Mandy... today was a completely different girl. Today, she was Amanda. She was dressed to let me know that she was in fact a very sexy young woman.

Her blonde hair, while once again in a ponytail, was the color of wheat in the early morning sunshine. A white elastic tube top hugged her tangerine-size mounds leaving her shoulders bare. The pair of light blue shorts rode low on her hips just a few inches below her cute belly button ending mid-thigh. A pair of white sandals graced her feet. And what struck me was that there were no visible tan lines. Only lightly tanned skin and a toned stomach.

As she got closer my heart stopped. Amanda had applied some makeup. Not a lot. She didn't need a lot, or any for that matter. The natural look that I was introduced to the day before displayed a beauty that very few women are fortunate to possess. The makeup was just enough to highlight her smoky-gray eyes.

Stopping at the edge of the table with a beaming smile and bright white teeth, all I could say was, "Wow."

The smile got bigger if that was possible. And then when I asked, "Who are you? And where did Mandy go?"

She laughed.

"She's here. You like? You saw the working cowgirl yesterday. When I saw you head out for what I guessed was a run, I decided that today I wanted to show you my other side. My feminine and girly side. My Amanda side. I haven't dressed like this in what seems like ages. There was never a reason. It was fun."

"Well, you've got my complete attention."

Amanda watched with an appreciative smile as my eyes were constantly moving up and over her complete body. And I will admit. There was a bit of a stirring in my shorts. Something that I hadn't felt in a very long time. Man, she was beautiful and sexy as no get-out. And the funny thing was... she knew it as the smile never vanished it only broadened at the attention that I was giving her.

"These are still warm."

"Wow. Those look wonderful. Let me put my shirt on and get you a cup of coffee."

"The coffee sounds great... and you don't have to put a shirt on just on account of me.... I'm enjoying the view. Just like you are," she grinned playfully as I looked down in my embarrassment. It had been a very long time since a cute girl had openly flirted with me.

"You're so cute when you get embarrassed."

Returning with her coffee and still shirtless, she just impishly grinned that 'pixie grin' as her eyes sparkled with playfulness as she checked me out again. I loved it.

"So what are your plans for the day?"

"Nothing. If you don't mind I'd like to stick around for a while, or until you get tired of tripping over me."

"That might be a long time."

The wide smile and grin were replaced by a soft warm look. A look that told me that she was welcoming me into her world for as long as I wanted. Perhaps there were cosmic forces at work here from both sides.

"What do you think about this? I don't suppose that you have anything to wear to go horseback riding."

"Just like I was wearing yesterday."

"OK. Let's go into town and get you some real riding jeans, boots, a hat, and riding gloves. Then I'll take you on a horseback ride. I have an extra saddle. It's a little too big for my butt, so I don't use it," she grinned.

"Stand up."

I knew that I had a playful grin. It was my turn to have some fun and flirt.

"Turn around."

Looking back over her shoulder, she watch teasingly as I checked out her butt. And what a cute little firm butt it was.

"I can see that. Your cute little butt would probably like something smaller."

Grinning, and running her hand over her tight little bottom, "You think that I have a cute butt?"

"The cutest that I've seen in a very long time."

"You keep saying things like that, and I may never want to get rid of you."

It warmed my heart. I hadn't flirted with a girl in so long. And the fun thing was... she was enjoying it and flirting back.

...................................................

Mandy gave me an approving look as I met her down at the corral while she was getting the horses ready for our ride.

I couldn't help but check her out... again.

She had changed into a nice form-fitting pair of jeans showcasing her nice little firm butt, a long-sleeved cotton shirt with the top three buttons undone, and the bottom tails tied in a bow just below her small breasts exposing her cute belly button again. It appeared that she was braless, given the amount of skin that was exposed.