Chapter 4

Soft light filtered through the curtains and Yzzy felt like she was floating in a cloud. Snuggling into the quilts that were wrapped around her, she smiled to herself.

The previous night, when Ryan had brought her inside the house was slightly chaotic, but in a good way. Ryan’s mother, Francine Grant, had rushed up to embrace her in a hug and was told she was obligated to call her “Mom” while she was visiting. Yzzy smiled and nodded. She was then introduced to his brother, Cameron and his wife Nichole. Their son was in a playpen in a corner, amusing himself with a few stuffed animals. Logan looked up at the new person in the room and gave Yzzy a big, gummy smile. “Hoss!” he called out, holding up his toy.

“Yes it is!” Yzzy laughed. “And soon a big boy like you will be riding one!”

There were two others that were introduced as ranch hands and they politely shook Yzzys hand before heading out to their own bunkhouse for the night.

Then, there was Leona. Yzzy knew that she was engaged to Ryan. He was 25 and she was 23. Yzzy accepted the fact that she was being sized up as potential competition. As far as physical differences went, they were striking. Yzzy was tall and slender, narrow hips and she was lucky to fill a “B” cup bra. Leona was perhaps 5’2” and had a full figure. “Lush” would be a good descriptive. Wide hips and the bra she wore struggled to contain her “D” cup breasts. Wavy brown hair, when not pulled back into a ponytail, came just to her shoulders. Brown eyes studied the newcomer.

When Yzzy held out a hand to greet her, Leona paused for a moment before taking it. “It’s nice to meet you,” she smiled. Leona just nodded.

When she felt a shove against her thigh, Yzzy looked down into the happy face of what she would describe as a ‘couch hippo’ that was wiggling with excitement. The dog was brown with splashes of white on the face and body. Head like a cinder block and bright eyes looked up at her as her rear end swung back and forth with a nub of a tail moving so fast it was hard to see. The mouth was opened slightly into what looked like a smile. Obviously a mixed breed with some Pitt Bull, Labrador, along with something else. A bright pink collar was around her neck.

“Well, hello there!” Yzzy squatted down to rub her fingers over the dogs head, tracing around short ears that stood up slightly, but the tips folded over. “And what is your name?”

“That’s Spud,” Cameron answered. “She’s a good dog but about as smart as a doorknob.”

“Well, I think she’s adorable,” Yzzy laughed.

Francine made it a point to tell everyone that dinner would be ready in a few minutes and Ryan needed to bring Yzzys luggage to the guest bunk for her.

Swinging her feet out from under the quilt, Yzzy looked around the room. When you entered at the front, the door was on the left. To the right was a small sitting area and further back was a small kitchenette. A queen sized bed and a tall dresser was off to the right, and in the back was a ¾ bath by a rear exit door. Actually very cozy. A ceiling fan and a few wall lamps provided lighting. Several framed prints of horses and landscapes were placed throughout the room. Her cell phone indicated it was just before 8:00 and she decided to hop into the shower for a quick wash.

Getting out a few minutes later, she heard a knock at the door. With a towel wrapped around her hair and a thick terrycloth robe, she went to the door. Leona stood there looking uncomfortable.