Chapter 4 - "The Stranger"
My name is Dylan Michaels and first, let me get one thing straight, I am not a stalker. Just wanted to clear that up.
For you to know what is going on, I have to tell you my story. First, I have known Tricia since before boarding school, well, she doesn't know me, but I am hoping that will change, unless she has me arrested for watching her. Never mind that, back to my story. Just before I went to boarding school, I met Mr. Tinsdale, Tricia's father. We chatted for a while and he made me an offer, to keep an eye on his daughter. Little did he know, I already adored her, but I was way out of her league. I was raised in a modest household and saved most of the money myself for boarding school. I cared for other peoples animals when they were away and planned on being a vet someday. Anyway, Mr. Tinsdale told me that Tricia should never know about me and for me not to approach her, ever or I would regret it. That sounded like a threat to me.
After we were in boarding school for a while, I learned that Tricia was headstrong and didn't make friends easily. Alot of the students thought she was snooty and that she was better than everyone else. I also knew, she had never done anything on her own and always had servants to do everything for her. Right before we were to graduate, I learned that Tricia had run off. Mr. Tinsdale called me and said that Tricia had moved out of town and all she had with her was the clothes on her back and her horse. (I didn't know though, he had kicked her out) He wanted me to find her and report back to him what she was up to and he also knew where she was. He would pay me of course, but I am not sure I want any part of it. I did however, move to Apaloosa Plains, but not on his conditions, more on my conditions. She was the woman I was going to marry some day, she just didn't know it yet.
I found a modest little house, with enough room for myself and my horse, Jersey. A man had given me Jersey, when he moved out of town and couldn't take him with him.
I love horses, but I have really never ridden one, so this should be interesting. I wasn't sure how I was going to find Tricia, but I knew I had to be careful and approach her when the time was right. I was doing some exploring and found this little out of the way park, when luck would have it, I saw her staring out in the water at a boat. She was on her horse and she was breathtaking, long hair, gorgeous eyes, I could go on, but I think she saw me, gosh, I hope not. It is not time yet and I don't want to ruin things.
A few days passed and I thought I would lay low for a while. I still didn't know where she lived yet, but that would be soon enough. I decided it was time to take Jersey for a ride and wound up at the training grounds. Well, guess who was there.
I got closer and sat at the table behind her, this was getting too close to soon.
My phone kept ringing and ringing, somehow I knew who it was and I didn't want Tricia to become suspicious. I finally answered it and my hunch was right, it was Mr. Tinsdale. I told him I hadn't found her yet and I didn't think I wanted to continue to help him anymore. That didn't go over very well. Oops, she saw me, now what.
I thought she was walking towards me, but she kept on walking, which was a good thing, because I was still arguing with her father, which was not a good thing.
After that, she got in her truck and left. I know one thing, she is still as gorgeous as ever and my palms are soaking wet. What am to do.
After she was gone, I noticed Jersey had made a friend. A really pretty white horse. I noticed a woman walking over to me and I thought she was going to hit me, but she started talking to me and I found out her name was Honey and the white horse was Skadaddle.
Honey told me she saw me watching a certain young lady. I felt really embarrassed, but Honey knew her. Hmm, not sure if this was going to work out. I told her I thought I knew her from my hometown, but realized it might not have been her. I didn't like lying, but I don't want my plans ruined right now. I had to be very careful from now on. We chatted for a while and I told her I needed to get home. I called Jersey and saddled him up. I was still a newbie about horses and somehow, I knew this wasn't right. Good grief, another one of those dumb moments.
It was getting dark, but on the way home, I passed this house and the truck looked awfully familiar. I couldn't believe it, I had found Tricia's house by accident and it was not too far from my house. Not sure if this is good or bad.
I had to think about this for a bit and I wondered what I was going to do. I had to meet Tricia, before she had me committed or something. I arrived home and put Jersey in his pen and decided to read the paper before bed. I read that Tricia had won a couple of races and then it hit me. So far, we had one thing in common, horses.
Wonder if that would work to my advantage? Only time will tell.....
