Part Five

    “I don’t know about this Jen,” he said warily as he saw the horse he was assigned to. “He’s awfully big.”
    “Relax, he said she’s as gentle as a kitten.”
    “She?! He’s a she!! She’s huge.”
    She put her hands on her hips. “Well, duh! Her name is Big Mamma.”
    “Big Mamma, huh? Well, it fits her.”
    “Now get on up there?” she encouraged him.
    “You know the last time I got up on one of these Lance promised me I’d be all right. I was holding on for dear life the whole time.”
    “Oh, stop your bitchin’ and get on.”
    He grinned. “Okay, but I’m only agreeing to this cuz you look good in jeans.”
    She laughed. “Well your bum ain’t too shabby either,” she said and gave it a pat as she walked off.
    “Woah,” he said. “Are you lookin’ at my bum? Are you a bum lookah?”
    She chuckled as she turned around. “Yep, so get that fine looking bum in the saddle.”
    “Yes mam,” he laughed and then swung on to the saddle. Jennifer led her horse toward Justin’s. “He said just to follow the shoreline until we get to the rocks, then come back up through the dunes.”
    “Sounds like a plan,” he said and then raised a brow when he saw her horse. It was a lot smaller and very petite. “Please tell me that’s a she, too.” She laughed. “Nope, this is a gelding. His name is Mini Me.”
    Justin busted out laughing. “That’s perfect,” he said as they led the horses out. “So, what is a gelding, exactly?”
    “It’s a male horse that…uh…” She made scissors with her fingers. “Snip, snip.”
    He scrunched up his face. “Ouch, gotta hurt. Sorry, fella.”
    She laughed as she slapped his neck. “He’s a man, he can take it.”
    “He sure is, cuz I sure couldn’t.”
    She laughed. “I don’t think there’s a man out there that could.”
    “That’s definitely true. So, how do you know so much about horses?”
    “My uncle owns a ranch in Montana,” she said as they made there way along the shoreline. “He’s the wealthy one in our family. My sister and I would fly over and spend time with him all the time. He taught me everything about horses. I even have a horse of my own up there.”
    “That’s cool. Do you still get to go up there?”
    Her smiled faded. “No, he passed away a year ago.”
    “I’m sorry,” he said softly.
    “That’s okay. It’s just sad to see the ranch go.”
    “Could he not pass it down to someone.”
    “He left it to this guy who’s been working for him since he started out, but he’s running low on money so he’s going to have to sell it.”
    “I know it must be hard,” Justin said.
    She shrugged. “Yeah, it’s hard to see a part of your childhood get taken away from you like that.” She took in a breath. “But let’s not talk about it, we’re here to have fun, right?”
    He gave her an encouraging smile. “Right.”
    She grinned. “How would you like to do some running?"
    “Oh, no, no,” he said. “I like to stick to walking thank you.”
    “What’s the fun in that,” she exclaimed. “You’re just scared that Mini Me will beat Big Mamma. She’s a fat one, isn’t she.”
    “Hey, now,” he said as he leaned over and patted her neck. “She’ll hear you. Don’t listen to her Big Mamma, you’re a beauty.” She just laughed. “Eat dust, Big Mamma,” she said and gave her horse a kick and they flew off.
    “Oh dear Lord, help me now,” Justin praised as Big Mamma started to get restless. “Okay okay, but if you kill me I’m gonna put you down!” He then let her have the reins and silently prayed for his life.
    And while they were racing down the shoreline, they both had no idea that Peter was walking into a empty bungalow at that very minute.

    "Ow, ow, ow, ow," Justin groaned after every step he took.
    "You big baby," she teased although she hated to admit it, but she a little sore herself.
    "I hope I don't have to do any dancing anytime soon," he said with a laugh.
    "Oh," she said all of the sudden. "I didn't think about that, I'm sorry..."
    "Jen, Jen," he said as he turned toward her and grabbed her shoulder. "It's okay, I was joking."
    "Well, yeah but you..."
    He muffled her words with his lips, giving her a soft lingering kiss. "Like I said, it's okay."
    She smiled up at him. "Want me to make it up to you?"
    He lifted a brow. "And how would you do that exactly."
    She wrapped her arms around his neck. "I'll make you some lunch." She brushed her lips with his. "Maybe baby you a little bit."
    He grinned as he wrapped his arms around her slim waist and lifted her up, until her feet were dangling in the hair. "I like the sound of that," he said and kissed her before putting her down.
    She grabbed his hand. "Let's go inside."
    "You're place or mine?" he asked.
    "Mine. My mom is suppose to call me."
    He stopped and tugged on her hand to stop her. "Are you going to tell her?"
    She sighed. "Yes, I am. I'm gonna tell her everything."
    "She still thinks he's here." She nodded as she stared at the ground. Justin tipped up her chin with his figner. "She'll be there for you."
    She closed her eyes and smiled when he moved his hand to the side of her cheek. "I know," she said as she took his hand and kissed his palm. "Now, let's go in. I'm starving."
    "Lead the way," he said and with hands linked they both made their way in her bungalow.
    "Jen, is that you?" Jennifer froze when she heard Peter's voice coming from the bedroom and saw him walk out. "Jen, it's your fav..." Peter stoped short when he saw her standing next to another man. “What the hell is this?”     “I came here to surprise you, because I had time off.”
    A laugh escaped Justin. “I bet,” he mumbled.
    Peter gave her an icy stare. “Who the hell are you and what is that suppose to mean?”
    “What’s the matter Peter? You’re secretary couldn’t keep you warm enough in bed, so you decided to get the next best thing?”
    “Justin!” Jennifer exclaimed. “Stop it.”
    Justin ignored her and walked up to him. He towered over him. “I expected you to be a lot bigger.”
    Peter tried to act calm, but Justin could see his Adam’s apple move up and down. “I don’t have to take your accusations,” he said. “Jen, tell him to leave.”
    “I will do no such thing,” she shot back. “I know you're cheating on me, Peter.”
    Peter looked down at her. “Jen, I am not going to talk about this with you while he is here.”
    “Well, that’s just too bad,” Justin said as he took a step closer to him.
    “Look here,” he said as he gave Justin a hard shove. “I don’t have to take your shit.”
    “Peter, stop, both of you,” Jen pleaded and tried to get between them but Peter was so mad he pushed her out of the way, causing her to fall on the ground.
    “You son of a…” Justin grabbed a chunk of his shirt and threw him so hard, that he crashed against the wall and fell to the floor.
    Justin immediately ran to Jennifer’s side. “Are you okay?” he asked with concern as he helped her up.
    “Yeah,” she sighed as she got up. “I’m fine.”
    “Jennifer,” Peter groaned as he got up. “Listen to me. I love you, my secretary meant nothing to me.”
    “Spare me, Peter,” she said as she walked up to him. “You were a trouble from the start. Why I fell for you in the first place is still a mystery to me.”
    “Jen, don’t be silly…”
    “Peter, get your things and leave. It’s over.”
    His eyes narrowed at her and then shifted to Justin. “I see how it is. You wouldn’t sleep with me, but I bet you flew flat on your back with him.”
    “All right, that’s it…” Justin said with fury as he stalked towards him.
    “No, Justin wait,” Jennifer said as he held him back.
    “Allow me.” She then pulled back her fist and hit him right across the mouth. She watched in satisfaction as Peter’s head flew to the side as he stumbled back.
    “Woah,” Justin laughed. “You tell em, girl.”
    She grinned at him. “You bet your ass I will,” she said and then picked up his bag that was laying on the couch and threw it at him. He barely caught it before it hit his face. “Get out.”
    “Fine,” he said angrily. “But I’m checking you out as well, so you better start packing. Like hell, I’m gonna keep paying for you to stay here.”
    Justin watched him stalk off. He had to clench his fist from not running after him and beating the crap out of him. He then turned to her. “Wow, you threw quite a punch there, girl.”
    “Yeah, and I’m paying for it now,” she hissed as she clenched her hand. It hurt like hell.
    “Let me see,” he said as he carefully grasped it and examined it. “Just a little bruise. You should of let me do it, it would of given me great pleasure.”
    She laughed harshly. “The pleasure’s all mine, believe me.”
    He flashed a smile up at her and then looked back down at her hand. “Here sit down, let me get you some ice for that.”
    “Don’t bother,” she assured him. “Besides, I got to get packing if I…”
    “Packing,” he said. “Why are you packing?”
    She shrugged. “You heard him. My time is numbered here.”
    “Like hell,” he said in disgust. “I’m not letting him spoil your time here.”
    “Well, what else can I do?” she asked as he let her to the couch.
    “Sit,” he ordered. “I’m gonna get you some ice and then your gonna get your things together and move into my bungalow.”

Part Six