The pale white horse

By one p.m., they had left for Verona.

They had a lovely ride up there, and as they were passing through, it seemed as though they had suddenly traveled back in time to a calm, serene location free of noise and apartment complexes. Sunny was filled with joy and anticipation as she looked out the window, taking in the view of all the farmland.

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The two young ladies got out of the car and walked up to Beth's parents' house. It was a beautiful colonial house with gorgeous white shutters. Sunny couldn't help but feel a wave of excitement as she looked at the fields of wildflowers and corn stalks that surrounded the area.

As they went inside, Beth asked Sunny, "Let's have some cranberry and vodka drinks; my parents always have that around." Sunny couldn't resist the offer and eagerly agreed.

The two friends were sitting in the living room on a vintage, cozy couch with a floral print, enjoying their drinks and catching up on each other's lives. By three o'clock, the girls had five glasses and were feeling pretty tipsy since Beth had been pouring extra vodka into the cranberry juice.

Sunny then asked Beth a serious question as she sighed and said, "I feel like I'm going to be alone forever." I haven't found one guy to give me butterflies, and I'm twenty-eight years old. How pathetic is that? "What's wrong with me? "

Beth looked at Sunny with sincere eyes and said, "Sunny, you are so beautiful. Sometimes I don’t even think you know how beautiful you are, and it bugs me out. "

Sunny sat there quietly and twirled her hair around her finger.

Beth then continued, "The problem is that you're too darn picky! There’s this really cute neighbor next door. Want to meet him? "

Sunny smirked, pulled her hair behind her ear, and said, "I am not picky." I’m just looking for a great love experience. " I would love to meet your neighbor. What’s his name? "

Beth replied, "Well, his name is Toby Bennett , and he’s really sweet but also quite the hillbilly. But the cutest hillbilly I’ve ever seen! " Let's go over and say hello! "

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The two girls walked over to Toby’s house and knocked on the door. The house was an old, raggedy farmhouse. It had a porch with a rocking chair on it and a rusty old truck parked in the driveway. As they waited for Toby to answer the door, Sunny couldn't help but feel a mix of excitement and curiosity. She wondered what kind of person Toby would be with his sweet yet hillbilly reputation that Beth spoke of. Would he have a thick Southern accent? Would he be wearing overalls and chewing on a toothpick? These thoughts swirled in her mind as the door creaked open, revealing Toby standing there with a warm smile on his face.

Sunny's initial assumptions about Toby quickly dissipated as she took in his appearance. Toby stood tall, his golden blonde hair and neatly trimmed beard adding a touch of rugged charm to his face. He had a southern accent, being from Alabama , but it was far from the exaggerated drawl she had imagined. His voice was smooth and deep, with just a hint of that Southern twang that made her heart skip a beat.

Toby looked over at Beth and Sunny and said, "Well, butter my butt and call me a biscuit, Beth. Who is this gorgeous lady? "

Beth chuckled and replied, " This is Sunny. She's from that furniture store in Ashville."

Sunny blushed and said, "It's very nice to meet you!"

Sunny gazed at Toby with a mix of curiosity and admiration. The rusty old truck in the driveway suddenly seemed more like a nostalgic relic than a reflection of Toby's character as he stood on the porch in ripped jeans and a fitted white t-shirt. Sunny couldn't help but notice Toby's warm smile and genuine kindness. His eyes sparkled with a hint of mischief, making her feel instantly at ease in his presence.

Toby was mesmerized by Sunny’s gorgeous green eyes as he gazed deeply into them and said, "Let's go head down to the PrettyBoy dam. "It's just a walk up this way. " I’ll bring some beers! "

Beth and Sunny followed Toby to the dam.....

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After a five-minute walk, they arrived at Pretty Boy Dam, which was breathtaking to see. The sun glistened on the water, creating a mesmerizing reflection that seemed to dance with every ripple. The sound of rushing water filled the air as they all cracked open their beers.

Sunny was beaming with delight as she said, "I love it out here! In the past, I've taken long walks at this dam on a few occasions. It's such a peaceful, green place."

While admiring the beautiful scene and feeling fortunate to have been born and raised in Verona, Beth nodded in agreement as she said, It sure is."

Sunny then gazed at the dam and said, "The water looks so inviting. I wish we could swim! "

Toby gave a lopsided grin as he said, "Yeah, swimming is not allowed because it's pretty dangerous due to the current."

Beth exclaimed, "Like we haven’t done it before!" She was already picturing herself in the cool water, swimming towards the other side of the dam.

Toby grinned and said, "Oh yeah, last summer." That was great! If your friend Sunny can handle it, then let's go for a dip! "

Toby's words excited Sunny, and she soon imagined how it would feel to take a plunge into the cool water.

Beth looked at Sunny with a huge smile and said, "What do you think, Sunny doll?"

Sunny replied, "I want to do it. "I need to do it."

Toby laughed loudly and said, "Well, that just dills my pickle, sunshine." "Let's take a quick swim! "

Abruptly, out of nowhere, Sunny ran behind a tree.

Beth shouted, "What are you doing, Sunny, you crazy girl?"

Sunny yelled back, "Just wait a minute; I'm coming back unfettered!"

Sunny walked casually in front of the tree, then towards Beth and Toby; she was naked. Beth gasped in shock, and Toby's eyes widened. Sunny stood confidently, unashamed of her nudity.

"What the hell, Sunny?" Beth exclaimed.

Toby grinned mischievously and said, "Well, I'm not complaining."

Beth rolled her eyes and said, "You're impossible."

Sunny's beautiful golden auburn hair had been swept to the side, only covering one breast. She looked down at herself, then back up at Toby with a twinkle in her eye. The water reflected on her beautiful porcelain skin as her heavenly teardrop blossoms bounced in a dreamy dance.

With a wink, Sunny replied, “Oh, I just felt like being free for a bit,” as she gracefully twirled around, her hair glistening in the sun.

Toby smiled in admiration, taking in the sight of Sunny's breathtaking beauty.

Beth was dazed. She couldn't believe her eyes as she said, "I just can't believe it. You're absolutely amazing! "

Toby was lost for words as he said with excitement, "I'm happier than ol' Blue, layin’ on the porch chewing on a big ol' catfish head!"

Sunny then said, "Where do you come up with these things, Toby?" after giggling uncontrollably.

Beth had an unrestrained burst of laughter as she said, "That’s Toby for you!"

Because Sunny was standing naked, Beth and Toby decided to strip as well.

They all laughed, feeling a sense of liberation as the warm summer breeze brushed against their skin.

Beth yelled, " Skinny-dipping!"

"This is going to be amazing," Sunny declared as she twirled with excitement.

Everyone jumped off a big rock and into the water. Together, they laughed, splashed around, and experienced a profound sense of connection to both each other and nature.

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While in the water, Sunny felt like she had to prove something to herself, so she glided towards Toby and gave him a very seductive kiss. Sunny felt free during their magical kiss in the dam as the sun shone down on Toby's strong arms holding on to her body. The two wet bodies were pressed against one another as they continued to share an intimate moment.

Beth shouted in joy, exclaiming "Bodacious! " yet a sad expression crossed her face as she watched Toby and Sunny make out in the water.

Beth's heart was torn between happiness for her friend and the sorrow of her own lost opportunity. She had always harbored secret feelings for Toby but never had the courage to confess them.

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They all emerged from the water after a short period of swimming.

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Sunny noticed a charming white horse in the water while she was getting dressed.

She could not believe her eyes, so she looked over at Beth and Toby and said, "Do you see that in the water?"

Beth replied, "See what?"

Sunny pointed excitedly at the horse in the water and said, "Look! Over there!"

Toby replied, "I see nothing!"

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And just like that, the pale white horse disappeared.

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Sunny explained that she had seen a pale white horse in the water.

Toby looked shocked as he said, "Legend has it that the dam was named after a settler's horse named Pretty Boy."

Toby went on: "The horse was a beautiful white colt, a gift from a loving father to his beloved daughter Josephine. The pale white horse was the pride of the community, but on a stormy day, a flash flood swept him into the raging rapids, and he was lost forever. It is said that if you see the pale white horse, you're in big trouble. "The horse is warning you! "

Beth then said, "I was always told that story as a little girl, but I have never seen the pale white horse."

"I was also told as a child that the PrettyBoy Dam was also known as the Devil's Backbone because the crest of the hill curls around into a spine and a tail."

Then Toby cut into the conversation as he said, "It's also called the Devil's Backbone because people have committed suicide in the woods and on the water."

Sunny had a look of fright in her eyes as she said, "That’s so creepy. I really hope the legends are not true, but if they are, I wonder what the pale horse is trying to warn me about."

Beth cracked a joke as she responded, "The pale horse is warning you that if you don’t have sex soon, you will die a virgin."

Sunny chuckled as she said, "Beth, I'm not pure; I just haven't had sex in a few years!"

Beth consistently assumed that Sunny was a virgin. She was astonished to find out that she was not As she said, "You could have fooled me, but it's been four years too long, girlfriend!"

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They all gathered at Beth's parents' property for a laid-back bonfire on that lovely summer night in the countryside. The night was peaceful, and there was a growing connection between Sunny and Toby as the sparks flew between them like the flames from the fire.

At around eleven thirty, Toby gave Sunny a warm hug and a kiss goodnight, then went on his way back home. Even though it was already late, Sunny couldn't help but feel a lingering warmth in her heart as she watched him walk off into the night while standing next to Beth. As they stood side by side, their gazes were fixed on Toby's retreating figure.

As they settled back into their seats by the fire, the crackling of the flames seemed to echo the excitement in Sunny's heart. She couldn't wait to see where this newfound connection with Toby would lead. She was aware, however, that this was just an interesting new feeling and not the right one.

Since it was late, Sunny decided to spend the night with Beth in Verona, as they would be working together the next day.