Lane had drawn up contracts to engage builders to construct a state of the art stable, paddock, and kennels. He wanted his horses and puppies and such to live the good life. The plans for the building included ultra-modern spacious stalls, air-conditioned everything, fresh-water, and whatever else that could be done to make the place the envy of every horse and dog owner in the country. Construction was ongoing, and nearly every day, there was something new and wonderful to attract Lane outside. 

Lane also knew that this complex would require an accomplished manager, someone with imagination, someone who truly loved animals, and who could also ride and hunt and train others to do so as well. Loving animals was tantamount, since, just like all other beasties at the Towers, only rescues would be brought home. 

He found the Stable Master he was looking for in Darryl Stockard, an ex-Racetrack stable manager, who had been making his own plans for such an endeavor. Darryl was displeased with the horse owners with whom he had been dealing, that couldn't see the advantages of modernizing the less-than-adequate housing they provided for their animals. He shared Lane's vision and was very involved in the design and construction stages. Previously, he just couldn't find the money. Having the Towers wanting to recruit him was like having a dream come true. He nearly embarrassed himself jumping to say "yes."

Darryl had hopes as high as Lane's grand plans. He wanted the stalls to be large enough for the inhabitants to move around in and for each to have an accessible back gate, to allow the animals to go out with a direct aisle to the paddock. (...Whenever he spoke to Lane, he never said "horses", 'cause he had a thought in the back of his mind to rescue a couple of burros he had seen living in deplorable conditions in Louisiana. He was waiting for the right time to bring it up. Little did he know that Lane would have more or less given him carte blanche when it came to taking care of the stable house and it's inhabitants...)

He hadn't even started talking about the ideas he had for the kennels. Darryl was already collecting resumes for the two or three hands he knew he was going to need. He had brought up the possibility of an on-site veterinarian when the place started filling up. He also wanted maternity stalls, in the event that they ever get involved in breeding. He did bring up a couple of rooms on site, for those times when someone had to spend the night in the stable building. Lane was pleased that Darryl was thinking ahead to provide for the comfort of the animals and the people that would be under his care. The building plans were immediately modified to accommodate up to four simultaneous overnight stays.

As soon as some of the stalls in the stable were habitable, Lane and Darryl started looking for inhabitants, finding first a pretty, though mistreated, mare for Ayla. Her name was Maid Marian, and her previous owner had let her get a little overweight by just totally neglecting her. She was friendly and affectionate, but hadn't been out of her stall in four months. Maid Marian was so eager for affection and to get out and run that she nickered whenever she heard any movement at all. It became habit for everyone, when they entered the stable for any reason, to nuzzle Maid Marian first.

Ayla hadn't ridden since she was a child, and was waiting for an opportunity to have Darryl help her. As soon as he had an available hour, she was up on Marian and cruising over the wildflower field with Darryl riding his own mount, General Lee, to accompany her. General Lee, much to Lane's approval, had been a retired race horse that was facing the proverbial "glue factory" when Darryl purchased him.

At Lane's invitation, Brandi Daynon had ridden her stallion over to meet Maid Marian, and had stopped to talk to Darryl a couple times. (...She described Darryl to her sister as a crotchety old dude...She wasn't stupid enough to let Sherry know there was a great-looking single man within reach...) Having already talked to Miss Brandi from next door, whose stallion El Cid had a magnificent blood line, he started looking for mares for whom local breeders were shopping for sires. Brandi's family wasn't even interested in keeping El Cid, much less breeding him. He was a "big mouth to feed" that added nothing to the "quality of life"(...her "evil" sister Sherry's words...) at Westward.

Without even consulting Lane, Darryl offered to board El Cid at their new stables. She was so pleased and excited that she hugged him and cried. Darryl was surprised at how gratifying it was to have this pretty little girl hug him. He hesitantly put his arms around her when she started crying, feeling like the big, strong, protective male. He was shushing her with non-words and held her close, his cheek on top of her head. 

At that moment Lane walked in on them, his mind occupied elsewhere. Lane had a sheaf of papers in his hand, and was examining them, when he called out, "Yo', Darryl." Walking in to Darryl's office he stopped dead, as he came upon what he found to be a highly interesting tableau.

Darryl lifted his head to glance at Lane, but didn't release Brandi. "Uh, Lane, hi." Brandi pulled her face out of Darryl's chest to look at Lane. She sniffled a greeting, "Oh...Lane...hello, sir."

"Brandi?...Is that you?" He stepped to her side and ascertained from Brandi that the problem was no longer a problem. Darryl cocked his head slightly and arched a brow. Lane smiled an understanding smile. Darryl was leaning back from the girl in his arms with a kind of uncertain look on his face. Lane knew that Darryl wasn't sure what had just happened, but that this girl had just worked her way into his heart. Lane was almost smirking as his "meddling" gene kicked in.

Brandi was staring at Darryl with a soft smile as she examined his face and innocently caressed his arms. Darryl just looked stunned. (...deer in the headlights, Lane mused...) Neither of these two had had much experience with the "lady's tears syndrome." Lane himself remembers having been struck down by that one when he first met Ayla. Darryl was helpless to resist holding her, protecting her from her hurt, and she was helpless to resist his non-contrived masculine chivalry.

Lane asked Brandi, "What brought you to the Towers, honey?"

"My family is trying to force me to get rid of El Cid. Well, Sherri is, anyway." Lane's arched brows told her what Lane thought of Sherry's wishes. "She can't help it, Lane. I don't think she plans to be mean; she just is."

"Is El Cid going to live here with us?" He directed his inquiry to Darryl.

"Yes, sir."

"Lane," he corrected.

"Yes, Lane." Darryl grinned. "I also have other plans for Mr. Cid." Lane arched a brow. Darryl continued, "It seems that Cid is in a constant state of...How does one describe his condition?... uh, "tumescence?" Lane nodded. He had experience with that condition also. (...Lane mused that Darryl might soon suffer that condition, as well...) Lane grinned. Darryl continued, "I've already been seeking a lady friend for him. He has an excellent blood line, and based on the terms of possession, he might provide Miss Brandi with her own income." He glanced at her, and she grinned and clapped her hands.

Lane remarked, "Brandi, you'll still need to come over and ride him frequently. He'll, uh, "perform" better if he stays in an, uh, excited state." Brandi blushed. Darryl cocked his head at Lane, indicating his disapproval of that kind of talk in front of his sweet Brandi. (...his Brandi?... What did I mean by that?...) Lane recognized the confused look on Darryl's face. (...He's already caught...Poor sap...)

"I'd like to take him out tomorrow morning, if I could. He and I usually escape the breakfast argument by being gone by 8:00." She lay her hand on Darryl's arm. He looked at her hand as if he'd never seen anything so adorable. Recovering his senses, he replied, "Sure. I'll have all of us ready at 8:00. You get here as soon as you're ready." He took both her hands in his and smiling a soft besotted smile, awaited her response. Smiling sweetly and staring directly into Darryl's eyes, she nodded. Lane waited until the moment ran its course, before he offered to see Brandi home.

Darryl gave him a "butt out, buddy" look. "I'll see her home, Lane." He turned to Brandi, "If that's all right, Miss Brandi?"

"Of course...Darryl." She lowered her eyes and blushed prettily. 

Lane could take a hint. "When you get back, please let me know. I do have something I need to run by you. Need to get your okay." Lane was gratified to see Brandi's eyes widen a little. Darryl almost got a lump in his throat when he realized what Lane had just done. (..."Damn the man. He's already put me in his debt...")

"Miss Brandi, shall we go?" Darryl turned and nodded his gratitude at Lane. Lane returned a perfunctorily little salute. (...Good luck, my brother...)

Lane had wanted to talk to Darryl about an elderly stallion he had found on line. He wanted him. He really wanted him. The stallion was a golden palomino named Ra, like the Sun God. Lane thought other than his Ayla, he'd never seen anything so beautiful. He actually did need to talk to Darryl about special accommodations. They couldn't have several non-gelded males all housed together or out in the paddock at one time. They'd fight and maybe even hurt one another. At least he didn't think they could. Darryl should know. 

In the morning, Darryl was up early and took a little extra care with his daily grooming: very close shave (...I think I removed a layer of skin...) even a little aftershave, clean "Western" shirt with silver studs, polished boots, snug jeans. He checked himself in a full-length mirror, back...and front. "Might as well show off the 'goods'," he thought smugly, knowing he had a good butt. "Horse-back riding," he acknowledged. (...And he didn't want the jeans snuggling so close in the crotch that he looked like a circus freak...) His face reddened when he realized what he was doing. He was never a conceited guy, but here he was, displaying pride. He was almost ashamed of himself. (...If he only knew what the ladies thought when they saw his back...and his front...It seemed the ladies liked both views in snug jeans...He might be a bit conceited for sure...)

When she arrived, Brandi noticed his back and his front and became a little unnaturally warm. (...The girl was so inexperienced that she didn't even know why...) She had taken care in her attire, as well, wearing her best long split skirt and velveteen riding coat. Both were a striking royal blue with black braid trim. She wondered if Darryl would notice. He did.

Mounted and heading out across a grassy field, Brandi was holding El Cid to a slow, sedate pace, (...much to the eager fellow's disgust...) with Darryl on General Lee prancing along next to Cid, trying to egg him on. Darryl mumbled soothing phrases to get Lee to settle. When Cid danced sideways, Brandi would laugh off and on, confident that she could handle her mount.

They had picked a route that took them toward the mountains, and worrying Darryl, perilously close to the ravine on the North side of the property. They had been about fifteen minutes out, and El Cid still wanted to dance around. Brandi leaned forward to pat him on the neck, just as a rabbit broke cover and ran right under El Cid's front hooves. Cid reared up on his hind legs and took off at breakneck speed directly toward the ravine. Brandi was leaning over Cid's neck and hanging onto his mane, having lost hold of the reins when he reared, the reins now trailing along the ground.

Darryl didn't take time to think. As soon as Cid had reared, Darryl had given General Lee his head. Seeing Cid take off at full tilt, Lee's racing instincts took over. He was neck and neck, and trying his aging heart out to best the younger El Cid. Darryl's heart was in his throat, trying to overtake and turn Cid. Lee pulled ahead, and Brandi turned her head to look at Darryl. 

The look on her face was so desperately frightened that Darryl was shaken. She was so terrified that all she could do was blink and hold back her tears. Darryl was scared for her. As General Lee pulled ahead and Darryl leaned him into Cid, Lee nudged Cid, forcing him to turn a little left. Brandi slipped off her precarious perch and was sliding off Cid's back. No hesitation, Darryl leaned toward Cid, reached an arm around Brandi's waist and dragged her off Cid and onto his lap. She lay across Darryl's legs like a blanket, clutching at his jeans and crying hysterically.

General Lee, although now burdened with the extra weight, was still nudging Cid to the left. Lee lowered his nose and stuck his head under Cid's neck, effectively distracting him and causing him to slam on the breaks.  Straightening his legs Cid slid to a halt, almost parallel to the ravine. Lee did likewise, throwing himself, and his riders, to the ground with him. Lee's hooves nearly overhanging the cliff edge, Darryl, holding onto Brandi's jacket, managed to stay on Lee's back. General Lee jumped to his feet and skittered around for half a minute until Darryl had him settled again. Cid just stood there with his head down, cropping grass.

Darryl manhandled Brandi into a sitting position on his lap. She sat stiffly between his arms with her long skirt hanging over his leg, her face completely blank. He directed Lee over to Cid, where he reached down to retrieve Cid's reins. Leading Cid, he turned Lee back toward the Towers. Brandi seemed almost in shock, sitting perfectly still, leaning a little into Darryl's chest. "Miss Brandi, are you all right?"

She turned her head slowly up to face Darryl. As her eyes met his, her lips started trembling and her tears overflowed. She threw herself against his chest and wound her arms around him, wetting his carefully-selected Western shirt. Placing all the reins in one hand, he wrapped his free arm around her shoulders and held her tight. He tried to see her face by cocking his head and leaning down. "Miss Brandi...Brandi?..." She sat back and resting her hands on his chest, looked directly into his eyes. Her eyes centered on his lips and flicked back to his eyes. With his eyes centered on her mouth, he began a very slow descent til his lips touched hers. Her eyes closed and she clutched at his lapels and held very still while he moved his mouth gently over hers. Reaching up to his face with both hands, she lay her hands on his jaw and caressed his cheeks with her thumbs.

He closed his eyes and increased the gentle pressure on her lips. Lee stopped walking. Reins and all, Darryl wrapped both arms around her, pulled her close, and held her tight. Lifting his lips, he held her cheek to his shoulder and kissed her hair on the top of her head. "Oh, Darryl, I almost died. You saved my life, and Cid's life and ...oh, Darryl you were so brave and so...so sure of yourself. I was so scared and you just kept coming and coming right on...until you saved us." She brushed her fingers across his lips. "How can I thank you?"

"There's no need, honey. I would never have forgiven myself if something had happened to you..." He smiled softly. "And you would never have forgiven me if something had happened to El Cid..." She gurgled a wet giggle, gave him a quick kiss, and lay her head on his chest. With head tossing and held high, Lee started a slow stroll toward home, leading that young upstart El Cid.

Airen had raised the alarm when Cid had reared and took off at full speed. He notified Lane, and the two of them started rescue efforts, but by the time they could actually make a move, it was all over, and Darryl had become a real hero. Lane nearly broke his own neck stumbling down the stairs to get out to the stable before the "Good Knight" Darryl and his damsel in distress made it home. (...The story spread through the Towers inhabitants faster than the couple could get home. Everyone there was in awe of Darryl's bravery...)

Lane was waiting and took Brandi in his arms as Darryl handed her down to him. Darryl jumped down and took her back from Lane with a very pointed look. (...Everyone in the county knows that no woman can resist the beautiful Lane...)  Lane, oblivious to the jealousy he engendered in every male he met, took the reins of both horses, led them to their respective stalls, and proceeded to unsaddle and wipe them down with towels. While Lane was working on General Lee, Ayla ran in from the house and took over the care for El Cid.

Darryl, having settled Brandi in one of the not-quite-finished bunk rooms, Darryl returned and took a curry comb out of Lane's hand. "I don't suppose that this is a good time to broach the subject of hiring some additional hands...and later a vet?" Lane stood with his empty hand still stuck out where Darryl had taken the comb from him. He reached out and took it back.

Ayla had stopped what she was doing and was watching what was happening in the stall across from her. El Cid stepped up and was looking across the room with her. Lane, in his best "boss voice," commanded, "Go take care of Brandi."

"Sir?"

"We'll hire you some help. Right now, there's a very traumatized young lady who needs you. Go to her...now." 

Darryl hesitated a second, undecided where his loyalties lay. "Thank you...Lane." He nearly sprinted back to Brandi.

Lane looked up and noticed Ayla watching him. "Just can't help yourself, can you?" Lane grinned. She mouthed, "I love you." He smiled his sweet smile and nodded before returning to his chores. He finished with the horses and notified the Daynon household of Brandi's close call, and that she would be staying at the Towers tonight.

Shivering as if from cold, Brandi lay in a fetal position in the middle of a double bed in the unfinished bunk room. She saw Darryl quietly let himself into the room and started to sit up. "No, honey. Stay there." He scooped a comforter off a dresser and moved to the side of the bed. Kicking his boots off, he sat next to her and wrapped her in the quilt. He clambered onto the bed on the far side of her and put his arm around her, lying down and snuggled her against his side. Putting his head on her pillow, he kissed the top of her head. Her trembling eased up a little, as she turned in to his side and lay her hand on his chest.

"'Darryl...I'm still scared. Will it get better?"

"Yes, honey, it will. It'll take time. I'm gonna stay right here with you until you do feel better. I've asked Airen to bring us some tea and cakes." She smiled a shaky smile. "Lane called your home, and they expect you to stay here tonight. And Ayla took care of El Cid. You have nothing to worry about."

"Thank you. Thank you all." She lay her head on the pillow next to him, her face barely an inch from his. He searched her face and ended up gazing at her trembling lips. He glanced at her eyes and saw the innocent longing there. Closing the tiny space between their mouths, he pressed his lips to hers. Turning his body to face her, he caressed her cheek and wound his fingers into her dark hair, his warm kiss lingering. 

She parted her lips just the tiniest bit and hoped he'd know what she wanted. (...She had been kissed before and had liked what the boy did...) Darryl touched his tongue to her lips, and she opened her mouth a little more. Gently, he slipped his tongue into her warm mouth and caressed her tongue. She surprised him by gently sucking his tongue. He stiffened slightly. She pulled her lips away. "Did I do it wrong?"

"No, honey, it was perfect. I was just a little surprised. I didn't know you liked me enough to kiss me like that."

"What do you mean? My last boyfriend kissed me like that, and I...I enjoyed it. It made me feel all gooey inside."

"I'll bet it did, and probably your boyfriend, too."

"I don't understand." 

"When people love each other, they kiss like that to get closer to each other. Guys usually do it to get a girl to allow more than just kissing. Did he touch you, your breasts, and...and other places?"

"Yes, he did, my breasts...but it felt good, I liked that too."

"That's why the kisses are so important. They make you feel good and make you want more. Guys kiss that way, hoping to have sex. They seduce the girl with kisses and touching, and they don't always love the girl they have sex with. Usually, when women kiss that way, they love the man they're with, want him to be pleased, and want to have sex with him."

"Oh..."

"Brandi...don't tell me if you think it's none of my business. But...Honey...Have you ever had sex?" She slowly shook her head. Darryl tried to keep an impassive face, but was again surprised. He didn't know if he was pleased or totally stymied.

She watched the march of expressions across his face, that he thought he was hiding. "Darryl, what's the matter?"

He raised up on one elbow and locked eyes with her. "I'll admit I'm confused and don't know what to do. Since you kissed me like that, I thought that you might...really like me. Since I'm a guy, I could have taken advantage of that. And then, knowing I really couldn't, I was afraid that maybe someone already had. But since they haven't, even if I love you, am I uncaring enough to take your virginity? Do you see my problem? I don't know if you do love me, and if I...I do love you...Can I make love with you?"

"Darryl...Have you ever made love?"

"Yes, but I had sex with other women and was in love once. She was a virgin and making love with her was what broke us up. I've never touched a virgin since."

"'Darryl? Let's say we do love each other." She gave him a hopeful look. "Would you make love with me?"

He stroked her cheek and searched her innocent face. "Baby...After this discussion, I'm about ready to make love to anything...But...Honey...The first time hurts, sometimes a little, sometimes a lot. I'd rather die than hurt you." 

"Will it hurt you?"

"No. That's why some guys don't care. It only hurts the girl...A guy can be careful and make it hurt less, but it still hurts. He paused and looked uncertain. After the hurt stops, it can still be wonderful..."

"Gooey inside?"

"Very gooey inside...and more...much more..." She leaned close and kissed his mouth with a tongue stroking his lips. His lashes fluttered. "I think I've just been seduced." He tried one more time to forestall the inevitable. "Do you really want to do this? What if I do hurt you? You'll hate me."

"No, I can't hate you. Hurt me, don't hurt me. I don't care. I want...you. I..love you..." She couldn't know what those words did to him. Swallowing over the lump in his throat, he breathed a resigned sigh, pulled her to his chest and crushed her lips in a deep and ardent kiss. (...Please forgive me...) He plunged his tongue into her mouth and sucked her tongue with gentle warmth. He pushed her jacket off her shoulders and kissed the hollow at the base of her throat. He released her a moment, sat up and took off that much-bedamned Western shirt. She copied him and threw her jacket to the floor and pulled her cami off over her head.

Sitting in the middle of the bed, they admired each other. He grabbed her arms and pulled her close, lowered his lips and laved and sucked both her small but ample breasts. She sucked in a shaky breath and arched her neck, as her lashes slowly lowered onto her cheeks. 

He drew her close again and kissed her neck. Sliding his lips to the spot just below her ear, he kissed her gently all up and down her neck.  Brushing his thumbs across her tender nipples until they stood in tiny peaks, he moved his mouth to her kiss-softened lips and drew the breath from her and lay down, taking her with him. 

He tugged at her long skirt. Too impatient to wait, she jumped off the bed and kicked the skirt off. Grabbing his too-snug jeans she pulled them off him, and climbed back on the bed. She took a moment to stare at his hardened manhood, and felt the gooey feeling inside that she had wanted. She placed a hand on her abdomen, causing a soft smile on his lips. "Gooey?" She nodded. He raised up onto his knees and pulled her up with him and against his hips. Wrapping his arms around her, he bent her back over his arms, kissing her breasts and lowering her to the bed.

On his knees between her thighs, he deliberated how to minimize her coming discomfort. He bent down to lave her breasts as he placed a gentle thumb on the nub of her womanhood. She jumped and stiffened momentarily. As she relaxed and her eyes closed, she squirmed in unexpected bliss. He guided his swollen shaft to her moistened vulva lips, leaned forward onto his hands, holding himself above her and decided to make it quick to shorten the duration if not the severity of the pain. He plunged his hips against her, driving himself deep into her center. She cried out a soft whimper and dug her nails into his upper arms.

Holding himself perfectly still, he lay his lips softly against hers and nibbled and sucked at her mouth. When he felt the tension leaving her body, he lifted his lips and began a gentle rhythm with his hips. He wrapped a hand around a breast and molded it gently, lowered his mouth to her lips and plunged his tongue into her mouth. Her hands crept up his arms and around his neck. Her eyes opened slowly and she tentatively moved her hips to try to match his rhythm. Lifting his mouth, he sucked in a ragged breath as his own body began its quest for relief.

She started breathing rapidly through her nose and moaning a soft rhythmic moan. "It's so...beautiful...I feel some...thing coming...Oh, God..." Her hips' rhythm became a little staggered, and a wall of aching joy washed against her center and rolled wave after wave of pleasure over her. She arched her back and her hips stuttered to a halt. He was desperate to let himself join her in bliss, but he wanted to be sure that she found her love, her release. Her body collapsed in a limp warmth. He almost smiled...when his own body insisted he speed up. 

He pumped his hips spasmodically for a couple moments, and noticing her gazing at him through thick dark lashes, he gave in to the aching ecstasy as his own release overtook him and shook him in short bursts of pleasure. She watched his face and he tried to meet her gaze, but was forced to close his eyes and collapse onto his elbows, as joy took his strength.

After a few minutes, they lay side by side, gazing in each other's eyes. "'Darryl...Was that love?"

"Yes, yes it was." She closed her eyes and snuggled against him. He watched her a moment and closed his own eyes, his cheek against her hair.

Keeping an eye on his investment, Lane noted that Darryl never came back to his rooms that night. When Darryl and Brandi showed up for breakfast with the Towers family, the looks on their faces and the way they couldn't stop touching each other told Lane all he needed to know. He mouthed an "I love you" to Ayla, and she glanced at the newly-formed couple and nodded.