Free Sicilian Dreams by J. P. Kennedy Page A

aware of much apart from her fright but in some part of her terrified brain she realized that galloping on a horses back was easier than it looked. But just as quickly she realized that stopping might be harder than it looked as well. She clung on as Stella came close to Diavolo, but sensing this, the big horse simply turned on the turbo jets and took off, thundering away ahead of them until he came to a screeching halt with a whooping Marco, both of them lathered up and way out of control. Cassie pulled on Stella’s reins but she really didn’t have to as the well schooled horse simply slowed before the stable entrance, making a neat half turn and coming to a complete stop next to Diavolo, as if to say, this is the ladylike way to do things you silly great beast. Which is exactly how Cassie felt although she now started to verbalize her feelings and was rewarded with Marco rolling around on his saddle laughing like a drain. Clearly he has lost his mind thought a maddened Cassie. I wish I had a whip, because I would give him a good lashing right now. She was still glaring at him with eyes like daggers when Guido walked out into the yard and greeted them, taking her reins and helping her to dismount. Once again, on terra firma, her legs felt like jelly and she had to stand still for a few seconds until they began to feel like normal legs again. No so Marco. Still laughing at her, he swung his leg over Diavolo and dismounted like a jockey. Smart-ass fumed Cassie as he casually took Diavolo’s rein and led him towards the giant water trough in the corner. The next minute, to Cassie’s utter amazement and complete joy, Diavolo’s head dropped down and his big nose swung up bunting Marco in the backside and sending him flying through the air head first into the trough. The big horse snorted and Cassie could swear he was laughing at Marco as he emerged, spluttering and coughing from the depths of the trough. Cassie was hooting with laughter, jumping up and down like an idiot, pointing at Marco as tears ran down her cheeks, delighted that he had been given his just desserts by his own horse. It was a beautiful moment and Cassie wished that she had a camera on her. What a keepsake that would make she thought as Marco slowly climbed out of the trough shaking his head like a dog to get the water out of his eyes. Guido raced over with an old towel, trying not to laugh as Marco stepped out of the high trough one sodden boot at a time. He took the towel and wiped his face slowly, never taking his gaze off Cassie, who suddenly realized she was the only one still laughing. She stopped and coughed slightly.
    ‘Oh c’mon Marco, you’ve got to admit that was hilarious. ‘Diavolo’s my man,’ she said slapping the horse’s big strong neck in a parody high five. He did seem very pleased with himself she thought. I didn’t know horses had a sense of humor.
    ‘Very funny Cassandra, Diavolo will take advantage of me when he gets the chance which is not very often. But what is not amusing is your hilarity at my situation. I could have been injured,’ he said and Cassie recognized the voice of wounded male pride. Oops she thought, Mr Cool has been made to look the fool and he doesn’t like it one bit. She tried to stifle another giggle as Marco pulled off his boots and more water flooded out of them. Guido took the boots and went back inside the tack room muttering something in Italian, probably about trying to dry them thought Cassie. Good luck, they looked ruined to me. Meanwhile Marco had stripped off his shirt and was trying to wring the excess water out of it without much success and he finally threw it over the hitching post in disgust and strode over to her. Cassie could see the look in his eyes and she backed away slowly, not at all sure how to take this.
    ‘Cassandra, you may have had the last laugh today’ he said softly, with a steely undertone, ‘but remember, paybacks are hell.’ He smiled wickedly and Cassie felt