Dash Goes for A Ride

The three weeks since she knew she won the contest to go to Destination: Paradise stretched on interminably for Dasha. She just went through to motions with her family and her obligations to her family, which were many. Coming from the family that she did, she was required to attend many social outings and be seen in many well-to-do establishments, and she despised it all. The more she was around her family, the more she couldn't wait to get away. Dasha's older brother, Bradley, was the only thing that was keeping her from losing it entirely. Of course, her parents had begun to notice a change in their daughter, but they brushed it aside as nothing more than the wistful tantrums of a spoiled brat, and honestly, they were too busy with their next fundraiser or charity event to even care.

Dash spend most of those 3 long weeks either in her room, or riding her horse, Jetty. She always felt free when racing along the pastures, trails, or forests with Jetty thundering between her legs. Her rides were talking her farther and farther into the countryside and she was discovering some great treasures tucked away in the foothills. One such place was a lake in the middle of a clearing that she enjoyed stopping at to give both her and her horse a break. Dasha relaxed in the grass around the lake's edge while Jetty happily cropped grass. It was peaceful, tranquil, and most importantly, solitary.

Taking a look around, even though she knew she was alone, Dash decided today was a perfect day for a swim. She never bothered with a bathing suit out here, and Jetty didn't seem to mind her nudity. After hobbling her horse, she hung her clothes on a low hanging branch and stretched before slipping into the chilly, still lake. The water was clear and she knew it was fed by a waterfall somewhere on the other side. When she had first discovered this place, she scouted out its edges to make sure there weren't any hunting cabins, lodges, or houses that would ruin the secluded nature of it all. There had been nothing.

With the sun high over the trees, Dash floated on her back with her eyes closed and lost herself in the kaleidoscopic shadow/sun play on her eye lids. She felt as peace for the first time in what felt like forever. In this water there were no responsibilities, requirements, or scheduled. It was just here, Jetty and the water.With her ears submerged in the water, she never heard Jetty knicker, nor did she hear the return greeting from the other horse. Dash continued to float, nude, in the lake completely unaware she was being watched.

It wasn't until she registered that there was an irregular plunking sound assaulting her ears that she came upright and began to tread water. There on the bank of the lake, standing next to Jetty was a woman, reins of her own horse in hand. When Dash looked at her, she opened her palm and let a handful of pebbles cascade to the ground. So that had been the sound, she was throwing small stones in her direction to get her attention.

"Can I help you?" Dash asked, doing little to hide the annoyance in her voice.

"What are you doing out here, alone, and...and naked? I thought you were dead! I damned near had to throw a boulder at you to get you to move. Are you ok? Do you need help?"

Dash was a little taken aback by this strangers concern for her. "No, no. I am ok. I'm sorry, I didn't mean to startle you.

"Heyyyyy! I know you!" She exclaimed. "You're Bradley's sister, right?"

"How do you know Bradley?" she asked. "And I'm Dasha, but most people just call my Dash."

"Oh, well, umm, he asked me out on a date about 6 months ago, but I declined." The stranger replied with a shrug. This took Dash by surprise. Bradley was one of the most sot after men when he was in high school and when he started to be groomed for politics, his popularity stock only increased. Women often tried to get dates with him, and it wasn't that he was picky, it was that their parents were. Only women of a certain family or social standing were good enough for him.

"He asked you out and you said no!" Dash didn't mean to ask, or pry, but she was far too curious. She had never heard this story.

"Yeah. Our families are close, but we rarely see you at any social arrangement, so I am not surprised you don't recognize me. My mom was so angry with me when she found out. Don't get me wrong, he is a great looking guy, just not my type." Another shrug, but Dash also caught a look from the stranger.

"What's your name?"

"Jillian. Jillian Hanbrook."

She knew the name, everyone did. Both their parents had been trying for ages to combine their families. So far they had left Dash alone about dating Jillian's younger brother, but with her refusing Bradley, she guessed it would only be a matter of time. She was very glad she was travelling tomorrow.

Jillian hobbled her horse next to Jetty and started to take her riding boots off, followed by her jacket. She must have seen the startled look on Dash's face because she stopped on the bottom button of her shirt.

"Mind if I join you? The water, and you, look so inviting."