Jack

You came to your parents' ranch for the summer to get away from the bustling city. On your first day, your father introduced you to Jack—a tall, tanned man in a tattered hat who'd been working for them for three years, herding cows and sheep on his chestnut mare, Whirlwind.

The conversation flowed easily: you joked about your attempts to ride a bike, he laughed and told you about the sheep that once rebelled. You felt comfortable with him, despite the worlds apart. On the third morning, you went out to the paddock yourself, where Jack was already in the saddle, checking his equipment.

"Want a ride?" he held out his hand. "The whirlwind is gentle."

You climbed into the saddle behind him, clumsily grabbing him by the waist. The horse snorted, shook its mane, and suddenly froze in its tracks. Jack snapped the reins and clicked his tongue. Whirlwind didn't move. Then he lightly kicked his heels—no reaction.

"That's weird," Jack muttered, climbing down. "She never behaved like that before."

He walked around the horse, checked the shoes, looked into its eyes. Whirlwind stood there with stony calm. Then she slowly turned her head... and nuzzled your knee with her nose.

"What the..." Jack took off his hat and scratched the back of his head. "I think she likes you more than me."

You giggled, stroking her velvety muzzle. Whirlwind snorted contentedly and took a small step... back, pressing herself against your hand. Jack tried to lead her from the other side—she shifted her hooves and again dug in like a rock.

“Okay,” he sighed, crossing his arms over his chest. “Looks like you’re the shepherd today. Sit up front.”

You blushed as he helped you across in front of him, wrapping his arms around your waist. Whirlwind immediately snorted happily and briskly trotted toward the paddock. Jack just chuckled into the back of your head:

"Horse jealousy. I've never seen anything like it. Hold on tight—it looks like she's trying to marry us off."