Sally's Destiny - A short story of Love and Romance in the Scottish Highlands (5 page)

“Yes, that’s the first thing to do. No doubt they will arrange for the screen to be repaired – they may even come out to the premises to do it if we’re lucky. Certainly the main roads are passable now, so it should not be a problem.”

“What about the other damage though – is it bad?” Asked Sally; a little apprehensively.

“No, it’s not bad at all. You will probably have an excess to pay when you return it though. We just towed it
in because it wouldn’t
start – but I’ll have that sorted in no time
. I think the battery terminals have been slackened off in the bump.”

After discussing the whole event over a hot cup of tea, Sally made the call to the hire company, as Tom and Robert went out to get the car started, and also to cover the windscreen till a replacement arrived.

Soon she was able to report that the windscreen
r
eplacement would take a couple of days, and the excess on the insurance would have to be paid when she returned the car. Meanwhile Tom and Robert managed to get the car started without any drama, and headed back towards the house.

“So Robert…what do you think of our friend Sally?”
Tom asked his friend, while trying unsuccessfully to cover a big grin.

“Well
….I must admit she’s a bit of a cracker! I just can’t believe how easy it is to talk to her – it’s like we’ve known each other for years.”

“Brilliant, Elizabeth is going to be over the moon – you know how romantic she is! Last night I think she was already arranging your wedding – horse driven sleigh and all!”

“Hey
hey
, steady now!” Robert laughed. “She may not even like me that much!”

“Hmm, yes your probably right
..”
Tom teased his friend, resulting in a punch to the arm, just as they reached the door of the cabin.

They bundled inside
chattering
like two naughty school-boys.

Agnes looked them up and down as they entered. “Well now, just what on earth are you pair up to? No good I would imagine
!
” She said
good
naturedly.
“Have you got the car sorted out at
least!
”

“Yes indeed we have, and the windscreens all covered up for now. We have put it in the barn at the back of the cabin, where it will be out of the weather for now.

“Talking off the barn – have you fed Romeo?”

Yes of course, he’s all fed and watered – thought I would take him out for a ride in the snow later on, you know how he hates being locked in the stable.”

“Romeo – what or who is Romeo?” Sally asked, a little bemused.

“Oh, I forgot to mention Romeo – how could I?”
Said Agnes.

“He is a Clydesdale horse that used to work with the estate, but when he was no longer required he was ‘pensioned off’
– and
now we have him.
Robert, why don’t you take Sally round to the stable to meet him?”

Sally immediately perked
up,
she loved horses having had a pony when she was a little girl.

“Ok then, I’ll leave you kids to it – some of us have
work
to do!” Tom said looking over at Robert. “
Robert
..you
are on sick leave for a couple of days – you don’t look at all well to me!” He winked slyly at
‘The Kids’
as he headed for the door.

“Thanks Tom!” Robert managed to blurt out.

“Meanwhile Sally, I’ll get Elizabeth to call and you can get things sorted out with her. Is that ok?”

“Tom you’re an angel – albeit a fallen one!” She teased.

“Tell Elizabeth I’m looking forward to seeing her soon.”

No sooner was Tom out the door, when Sally headed for her warm gear.

“Right…
Lets
see Romeo!”

Romeo the Clydesdale, stood ears erect and head-up as they approached the stable through the deep snow. Robert called out to him.

“HEY Romeo…I have a visitor for you!”

He bobbed his head up and down as if acknowledging the welcome, and leaned his massive head over the gate for the sugar lumps that were sure to appear in his
masters
hand.

Sure enough Robert brought out a couple of the sweet treats for him, and offered them in the flat of his palm for Romeo to tenderly remove with his massive lips.

“He is Gorgeous!”
Piped up Sally.
“And totally enormous!”

“Ha
ha
,
yes he is a bit I suppose. At 18 hands he is one of the larger horses that they used on the estate. Fantastic for log-pulling, they have quite enormous strength; but at the
same time are the most docile of creatures. Romeo
here,
is a real ‘Gentile Giant’ with a fantastic nature – we both love him to bits
.

“So do they no longer use Clydesdales then?” Sally asked while gently reaching up to pat the side of Romeo’s neck.

“Well not really. Occasionally though they will borrow him for some show piece, or perhaps to pull logs from an area that machinery would cause too much damage in. There is a big move now towards ‘sustainable forestry’ so
hopefully there’s
a chance that the Clydesdale may be in for a bit of a come-back.
”

Romeo nodded his huge head as if in agreement, much to Sally’s amusement.

“He is just gorgeous Robert – I love him!”

“Well if you like, we could go out for a ride through one of the forest trails?”

“In this snow – won’t it be too cold for him
; and will he be able to carry both of us ok
?”

“
Ha
ha
, easy-peasy, he is built like a Clydesdale! And as for the snow
– he can handle this stuff easily if I keep him out of the drifts; the trail through the woods should only be a foot or so deep – and he’ll love it!”

Sally clapped her hands together with glee, looking for
all the
world like an over-excited teenager, rather than a mature young woman in her 30’s.

“Great – I’ll just nip in and tell Agnes where we’re going,
then
we can get him ready for the trail.”
Said Robert
;
heading towards the cabin.

A few minutes later he was back
and carrying a bag with hot coffee and a sandwich for them.

“Agnes insisted that we take something to warm us up!”

He said, waving the bag at Sally.

“Will I get the saddle over for him?” Sally asked, already heading in the direction of the saddle that was nearby.

“No need Sally, I’ll just put a couple of blankets over him and we can go bareback – will you manage that ok?”

“Yes I think so – as long as you hold on to me!”

Robert of course had every intention of holding on to her – and having Sally hold on to him was the ulterior motive for riding bareback altogether!

He fitted on the bit and bridle,
then
led Romeo out of the stall, where he waited just a little impatiently for the riders to mount-up.

Sally looked up at the massive muscular body of Romeo
,
and wondered how on earth she was going to manage
to get up on his back at all.

Robert handed her a riding helmet to fit on, noticing her apprehension.

“Don’t you worry Sally – He is a big horse I grant you; but he is really docile and contented.”

“Yes,
its
not that; I’m just wondering at the height of him – you’ll have to help me up!”

“No problem!” He leapt easily onto Romeo’s back, and led him over to a raised platform.

“Right Sally, just jump up on this platform – and I’ll pull you aboard!”

Sally did as she was told, and flew up unto Romeo’s back right behind Robert – and immediately wrapped her arms around him from behind – perhaps just a little tighter than was really needed!

“Ok,
lets
get started!
Gee-up Romeo!”
And they headed off down the trail which was directly opposite the cabin. Sally
turned around to see Agnes waving them off, and waved back laughing excitedly – even at this distance an understanding passing between them. Agnes let out a sigh
“I just hope that this is the one for my boy at last.”

A quick glance at the letter on the bunker, changed her mood, and a worried frown crossed her brow as she headed back into the warmth of the kitchen.

******

Romeo plodded on through the snow, not the least bit troubled with it – only occasionally starting when a clump fell from the snow- laden branches of the Douglas
Fir
trees, sometimes covering them with cold snow that ran down their necks and caused them to wriggle about laughing and shrieking like two silly kids.

They chatted animatedly as Romeo
’s huge feet kicked up great plumes of dusty light snow
– sometimes having to barge thr
ough drifts almost to his belly.

“Are you comfortable back there Sally? Riding bare-back can be a little hard on the rear I know!”

“Never mind that – I’m almost doing the splits here to try and get by legs over his wide back!” Sally laughed.

The truth was that she was finding the position – although a little uncomfortable – more than a little erotic; as she was forced into a position where she was sitting legs spread wide
, and hips pressed against
Roberts behind. The steady rhythm of Romeo plodding along, mixed with the warmth from his body and the overall animal back-to-nature experience; caused her mind to wander where it had not ventured for some time – an experience that she found both surprising and exciting on so many levels.

Robert meanwhile was lost in his own thoughts – largely directed by the pressing of Sally’s ample breasts into his back. She had her arms wrapped tightly around him, so that he could feel every rise and fall of them, and found himself speculating whether or not she was wearing a bra – something which he though a huge turn-on.

He was also very aware of the proximity of Sally’s hips – and
could not help his mind’s eye wandering in that direction.

“Get a grip on yourself, you filthy pervert!”
His mind chastised.
“This poor girl would be horrified if she could even guess what you were thinking!”

“You’ve gone all quiet on me Robert, what are you thinking?”

“What me…oh
..eh
..
nothing
at all Sally – just enjoying the ride..
and
your company of course!”

He turned to look mischievously at her; and was immediately taken by her face, so fresh and pretty in the cold air
– the absolute picture of innocence and purity; it pulled at his heart-strings and caused his pulse to race.

“What
!...
is my hair a mess or something?” Sally teased as she recognised the look of longing that poured from
Roberts
eyes.

“Ha
ha
, well since you ask…yes it is! I
thought
for a moment a
crow’s
nest had fallen from the trees and landed on your head!”

He quickly turned around as Sally gave his back a good
thumping
.“
You’re
an absolute horror Robert – I think I must have left my ‘Snowy Knight’ somewhere back at the cabin, and the ‘Black Knight’ has taken his place!”

“Ah well now – I’ve been told that the ‘Black Knights’ have all the fun – I live in hope!”

He turned back to give her a wicked smile – unable to hide the longing in his eyes.

Sally felt her heart race
and her mouth go dry, as she struggled to make some witty reply. Before she could however
,
Robert had turned back and announced.

“Ah, here is the woodshed – I thought we could stop and have our coffee and snack – is that ok with you Sally?”

“That’s perfect.” She said, finding her tongue. “I could do with stretching my legs a little that’s for sure!”

Robert guided Romeo towards the shed and jumped athletically from his back, before turning to raise his hands up to Sally.

“
Ah
..good
Knight – you have returned!” She said with a smile.

“Ha
ha
, you haven’t seen what I have in store for you yet – have
you !”

“I think the coffee and sandwich will do fine thank you kind sir!”

They both laughed as Robert lifted Sally down from Romeo’s back – relishing the moment as she lay in his arms – and led the horse to the side of the woodshed; which had a roof covering and was sheltered from the chill wind.
After rubbing Romeo down with some dry straw, h
e went back around to the front and pulled open the heavy wooden door; revealing a good tidy space with a workbench and a couple of rough chairs.