Chapter 1: Mysterious Stranger

It was very early, and Jon was very frustrated. He and Richie usually had no trouble writing together. Richie was distracted with all his personal shit, and last night they hadn’t gotten anything usable. Richie was stuck in a melancholy hole, and everything he played made you want to cry. Or hit something. Or both. Jon exhaled sharply, and rose to get dressed. He didn’t get out to the stables yesterday. He wondered if the animal caretaker was around this early. No matter; Jon knew his way around a horse.

Down at the stables, Jon inhaled the scent of hay, horse, and leather. Ken should bottle this scent, he thought. Strolling down the aisle, the horses came over, curious about this newcomer, and wondering if he had treats for them. Rubbing each nose in turn, he apologized for not bringing apple slices for them. When no treats were forthcoming, most of the horses lost interest. The horse in the last stall was the only one that didn’t walk away upon finding an empty hand. The animal was glorious. Pure white with a black star-shaped marking on his forehead.

“Hello, gorgeous,” Jon said, stroking the animal’s nose. “Wanna go for a ride?” The horse snorted and bobbed his head. Jon laughed.

“That one may just understand what you’re saying,” a voice from the darkness said.

Jon turned to see an older man approach. “You must be the animals’ caretaker we heard about.”

“Name’s Pete,” the old man said.

“Pete, nice to meet you. I’m Jon. Cavanaugh said there’d be someone around each day, but I figured I was on my own this early.”

Pete snorted. “Son, this ain’t early. I’m wrapping up here for the day. You interested in taking Starfire here out for a ride?” He eyed Jon critically. “He’s quite a bit of horse, you sure you can handle him?”

“Yeah, I’ll be fine. It’s been a while, but I’m a pretty good rider.”

“Alright, let’s get this boy ready.”

The pair worked together to get the horse ready. Leading him into the paddock, Jon accepted a leg up from Pete, and settled into the saddle. Jon patted the horse’s neck, and whispered into his ear. “You ready for some fun, Starfire?” The horse blew and nodded again, this time pawing at the ground, anxious to be off. With a carefree laugh, Jon tapped the animal’s flanks with his heels, and the horse took off. Remembering at the last minute to let up on the reins and lay low on the horse’s neck, Starfire leapt over the fence, and headed out into the open fields.

Jon led the horse around the property, checking everything out. It truly was beautiful. There were some formal gardens laid out, but they were inviting, not cold, like they would be in the city. He eventually made it to the southern border of the property. From his perch atop the tall horse, Jon could make out a cottage and barn, but not much else. I wonder who is staying there, he thought to himself.

Jon was startled by the barn door slamming open. A person, a blur of denim, came tearing out on a beautiful gray Arabian stallion, at least 15 hands high, heading for the low wall at the western field. The rider leaned low over the horse’s neck, and the pair cleared the wall with almost six inches to spare. The rider let out a whoop of delight, a woman’s voice. That’s one question answered, Jon thought. Foregoing the dressage and training courts, the woman raced her animal toward a path in the woods. Jon followed at a more sedate pace; he didn’t want her to catch him spying on her. The path ended in a wide clearing, dominated by a huge boulder and a crystal-clear lake; the water smooth as glass.

Dismounting from her horse, Julianna looped the reins around a small tree near the lake’s edge, so the horse could drink and rest in the shade. Stripping down to her bathing suit, Julianna jumped into the lake to cool off. She didn’t notice she had an audience. Jon sat astride his horse just at the edge of the woods, watching her. Wow, he thought.

After a vigorous swim, Julianna pulled herself onto the boulder to sun herself. Stretching out on her back, she heard her horse, Thunder, nickering, and the sound of cautiously approaching hoof beats. Julianna ignored the sounds, hoping whoever it is will leave her in peace. She wasn’t worried; if Thunder sensed any danger, he would warn her. After a few minutes, she heard a splash, and opened her eyes to slits. She saw a pile of clothes on the river bank, and could make out a swimmer in the distance. She could tell it was a man, and she admired his strong stroke before turning over onto her stomach to sun her back. In an unconscious move, she untied the strings of her bathing suit top, and sighed in pleasure as the sun warmed her skin.

Hearing a very masculine, unnervingly familiar voice near her head made her flinch with surprise. “Sorry,” the voice said. “Didn’t mean to startle you. Mind if I share your rock?”

Julianna waved him up without opening her eyes. “Help yourself.”

The pair laid in silence for some time. Eventually, she heard the even, steady breathing of a man asleep. She smiled. Now she could check out her visitor in private. Tying her suit top back on, she sat up, and took in the sight next to her – a man resting on his stomach, head turned away, lightly snoring. She bit back a giggle, and looked her fill. Taking in his strong legs, and the tattoo on his ankle, the feeling of familiarity niggled again at the back of her head. Scanning her eyes past a sinfully taut ass to a strong back and muscled arms, she gasped. The shoulder closest to her sported a Superman tattoo. No, it can’t be. She tilted her head and studied the man’s hair, which was drying from a dark brown to a sun-kissed caramel, streaked with blond. “Holy hell,” she whispered. It was. Jon Bon Jovi.

Hopping down from the boulder to get dressed, Julianna was thinking. He must be the tenant staying at the main house. The rest of them must be here with him! she thought excitedly. She was hoping for a glimpse of Richie. She approached the side of the boulder where Jon was facing, and reached up to gently touch his arm. “Hey, there,” she said.

Groggy, Jon stirred, but didn’t open his eyes. “Yeah?”

“You don’t want to sleep out here too long, you’ll burn, my friend.”

His slumberous, clear blue eyes opened slowly. What a sight, she thought, grinning. “Yeah, OK, thanks,” he said, grinning back.

“No problem.” With that, Julianna strode over to Thunder, and untied him from the tree. In an effortless move, she swung herself into the high saddle, and took off without a backward glance.