The horses and riders trotted and cantered through open fields, wove through the woods, and picked their way through narrow, rocky paths. The horses were handling the different types of terrain very well. Mallory and Copper had taken over leading, when Marion's horse, Marley, had gotten tired of going first. Amy's horse, Fancy, who had started out the day a bit up, was settling in. And Gizmo, the forward Arabian, that Lisa was riding, had settled into the back of the group,comfortably and was riding along on a loose rein.
They came to a wide river, and Mallory started across with Copper, knowing that he would handle it well. Amy and Soraya followed Mallory, their horses leaning on Copper for support, when they were unsure.
Jack then descended into the river on Paint, using him to lead Marion's horse Marley and Lisa's horse Gizmo across. Initially Marley was very nervous about the river, and balked at stepping in. But Marion coaxed her forward as Jack and Paint waited for them.
Gizmo, on the other hand, had other ideas. He had really enjoyed the trail ride so far. And, as forward horses sometimes do, he had become a bit overconfident as he had proceeded over the various types of terrain that he had transversed. He stepped boldly into the river, almost pawing the water with his right front hoof. Lisa was trying to stay soft with him, even as he attempted to charge into the water. But he got away from her and out in front of her leg just a bit. And as his first hoof slapped against the water, he realized that he had figuratively, even if not literally, gotten in over his head.
As his hoof slammed down into the water, and the rushing water splashed up into his face, he reared in the air, whirling around, trying to change directions. Lisa heard screams of, "Lisa!" "Mrs. Stillman!" "Sit up!" And "Ride him forward!" As she attempted to turn Gizmo back around and get him going forward again.
She spun him around and he launched off of his hind legs, leaping into the river with all four feet. He then leapt up off all fours like a Lippizaner and attempted to hop his way across the river; bucking as his feet landed and hit the rocks. Lisa sat several bucks as he bounced across the uneven ground, before eventually she and Gizmo parted company and he launched her over his head and into the river.
Mallory and Soraya stood frozen on one side of the river, as Amy hopped off of Fancy, and went to collect Gizmo.
Marion and Jack stood frozen near the other bank, waiting for any sign of Lisa coming up out of the river. Unsure whether they should rush forward and risk crushing her, or stay where they were.
After what felt like a lifetime, but was likely no more than a few moments, Lisa surfaced, gasping for air.
"Oh, thank God!" Marion said, before shouting to her dad, "Go ahead!"
By the time Jack and Marion had crossed the river, moving toward where Lisa had come up for breath. Lisa herself had made it to the other bank and was catching her breath on the rocks.
Jack jumped off of Paint, leaving the horse with Marion and rushed over to Lisa. Everyone was still holding their breaths; adrenaline rushing through their systems, wondering if she was okay.
"Lisa," Jack shouted as he reached her.
And, as Lisa flipped over on the stones, he could tell she was laughing. He helped her sit up, "Lisa, are you okay?" He asked, worry etched over his brow.
She continued to laugh, struggling to catch her breath, before finally responding, "Well, I haven't come off a horse that dramatically in a very long time."
And as everyone realized that she was okay, relief and nervous laughter started to trickle through the group.
Jack smiled slightly, holding her by the shoulders, "Are you sure you're okay?"
She laughed harder, "Never better."
Jack hauled her to her feet, even as she continued to laugh. Marion, Amy, Soraya and Mallory had now joined in and were laughing right along with her.
Jack ran his hands over her arms, still concerned, "No scratches, cuts, bruises?"
Lisa shook her head, "The only thing wounded is my pride."
This set the others off to laughing even harder.
"Look in my eyes!" Jack said, peering into her eyes. "I need to make sure you don't have a concussion."
"Jack," Lisa said, tipping her head to the side, and taking a deep, steadying breath, "I assure you I'm fine. Aside from being a bit damp."
Finally, Jack too, started laughing.
"Are you sure you weren't a bronc rider?" Marion asked. "Because I'm pretty sure that you made it more than 6 seconds."
"Mrs. Stillman, that was incredible!" Amy exclaimed.
"He skipped over the river like a stone." Soraya said, as Mallory nodded her head in agreement, her mouth agape.
Jack stood there holding onto Lisa's shoulders as they laughed. "I'm just glad you're okay," he chuckled, "I think that's about as much excitement as I can handle for one day."
Lisa laughed, smiling boldly, "I'm sorry for giving you a scare." Before adding, "Marion, I, uh, think he might need a little bit more work with water."
Everyone dissolved into giggles again.
Mallory cut in, "Wait! Isn't that little guy in the movie Gremlins, named Gizmo?"
"I think so, why?" Marion asked.
Mallory started gasping for breath, laughing so hard she almost couldn't breathe. She choked out, "Don't let him get wet!" And everyone dissolved into laughter.
"Oh that is so perfect!" Soraya laughed.
"Now we know where he got his name!" Amy added as they laughed.
"Except that I named him Gizmo." Marion said, "I just thought it was cute."
"You must have looked deep into his soul." Mallory insisted and everyone laughed.
Lisa sighed, breathing deeply, finally catching her breath. Jack peered into her eyes again, "Are you sure you're okay?"
"Positive," she said, smiling at him brightly.
He paused, eyes locked with hers, "You think you can ride?"
"Absolutely." She said. "I promise, I'm fine."
He ran his hands over her upper arms again, "You're dripping wet."
She laughed, admitting, "I am."
He smiled, running his hands up and down her arms again, "You must be freezing."
She smiled, looking up at him, admitting, "I am."
Mallory, Soraya, Amy and Marion shot each other glances, amused by how concerned Jack was about Lisa, and by how very much they resembled a couple, standing there together on the bank.
He stepped back and took his jacket off, and held it up, "May I?"
She grinned, turning around, and replied softly, "You may." And Jack helped Lisa on with his jacket. He rubbed her arms, as she turned around, smoothing the jacket down over her arms. "There you go," he said.
"That's much better. Thank you, Jack," she said.
"Let me help you back up on your horse." Jack said, walking her over toward Gizmo. And Jack held the stirrup for her, running his free hand over her shoulder and down her back, as she stepped up on the horse. "You okay?" He asked again.
"Never better." She said, smiling down at him.
He looked down, smiling sheepishly, then scratched at his chin hair, and walked over toward Paint before mounting him.
"Okay, guys, let's get this show on the road!" Marion said, heading off in the direction of Heartland. Lisa and Gizmo fell into step next to them, as they laughed about the incident at the river and discussed Gizmo's training plan. Marion smiled to herself. She really liked Lisa. The woman was game. And she didn't back down from a challenge. Plus, anyone who could get pitched off a horse into the middle of a river, and come up laughing, was a-okay in Marion's book.
Amy and Soraya followed along behind Marion and Lisa, talking about Fancy and her prospects as a versatile all-around horse for the right rider. Amy thought that she could likely be competitive in the English and Western disciplines. And Soraya agreed with Amy, citing Fancy's lovely gaits and smooth way of moving as assets in the show ring. Soraya even asked Amy if perhaps she might let her ride Fancy sometime, since she was looking for a replacement for her horse George, who was entering retirement. Amy readily agreed, thinking that Soraya and Fancy could be a very good match, given a bit of time to get to know one another.
Jack and Paint moseyed along at the back of the group, content to enjoy the silence and the beauty of nature. But Mallory and Copper fell back to join them. Jack sighed, thinking that his blessed quiet was surely bound to be interrupted.
Mallory smiled broadly at Jack.
"What?" Jack asked, already exasperated.
"Jack, Jack, Jack," Mallory said, "you need to up your game!"
"What are you talking about?" Jack said, rolling his eyes.
"Lisa Stillman." Mallory grinned, "You like her don't you? Because when she talks, you act all funny."
"Keep your voice down." Jack hissed.
Mallory grinned like the cat that had gotten the canary, "She's pretty isn't she?"
"She's not half-bad looking," Jack conceded before adding, "She's got nice eyes. Like a husky dog."
"Jack!" Mallory said.
"What?" Jack said, smirking, "Huskies have nice eyes."
"So do horses, but women don't want to be told they have 'horse eyes,' now do they, Jack?"
Jack, shrugged and shook his head. He could see her point.
"You've lost your touch." Mallory said.
"What touch?" Jack muttered, then even more quietly, "I never had one."
"Are you gonna ask her out? You should." Mallory said, grinning brightly.
"Mallory," Jack growled, "Ride on!" And Mallory turned around and rode forward with Amy and Soraya.