Saturday, July 6, 2013

'The Horse Farm' - Part One

Louise decided to spend the evening in her study with a glass of Riesling and a challenging crossword puzzle. She sat at her desk wearing pink slippers, reading glasses and not much more. As she browsed through the clues in search of her next word, she thought about the dashing stranger that she had met earlier at the Ferrari dealership.

Louise didn't own a Ferrari; she went to the dealership to enquire about toys for her car-fanatic nephews. The stranger chuckled when Louise asked the receptionist whether they sold model cars. 

Louise was taken aback by the rude gesture, but the man apologized and offered to give her a tour of his horse farm just out of town. Louise declined - it had all happened so quickly - but now she wondered whether she should have accepted his invitation.

Frank, as he called himself - his business card said Francisco - was trim and tall but not overly so, and tan as one would expect of a man who works with horses. Frank's eyes were expressive and fair and contrasted with his raven hair.

Francisco Mela, El Corazon Stables, 555-7932

The business card didn't list an occupation. Frank probably worked at the stables training the horses. (She couldn't quite imagine a man of Frank's looks shoveling manure, but who knows...?) 


Someone else probably owned the farm - and the Ferrari. Here he was, the dutiful employee taking care of some maintenance on his boss's expensive car. That made more sense. Still, she wondered. Had she passed on a date with a stable boy or a man of means? And did Francisco's job even matter? What's an eight-letter word for gorgeous?

She thought about those eyes again now - knowing, tender eyes, eyes that had seen the world. She imagined having lunch with Frank, or Francisco - she wasn't sure what she would call him if they ever met again. It would be interesting to look into those eyes, to ask them questions and watch their reaction as Frank responded. Would they be cool and measured, or would they well up with passion as he recalled past adventures.

"Louise, are you decent?" came a voice from down the hall.

"As decent as usual, silly!" Louise had all but forgotten her crossword puzzle.

"Do you need a refill on your wine?" Louise's boyfriend Walter brought the bottle into the room.


'The Horse Farm'
Copyright © 2013 Daniel R. South
All Rights Reserved

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