*This story was inspired by something I read many years ago. Thanks to the 'original' author for the inspiration....

Jake had been out ridin' his horse 'Dusty' for almost an hour and thought 'Dusty' might enjoy a drink. Jake had owned 'Dusty' for several years now, and had picked out 'Dusty' from the neighboring ranch when he was still just a colt. Jake had liked the colt's looks, his 'free' spirit, and the fact that when Jake first saw him, he was rollin' around in the dirt, just happy to be a silly little colt, doin' what he wanted to do.... Jake knew that that colt must be a 'kindred' spirit, as Jake also didn't mind gettin' somewhat dusty and dirty himself at times....

Jake nudged 'Dusty' off the trail that led to a small path leading to a shallow river where he could give his horse a drink. As he rounded down the path, he saw up ahead, another rider who apparently had the same idea. Jake lost sight of the other horse and rider for a bit, but when he saw them next, the other horse and rider were in the middle of the shallow river. The other horse and rider hadn't noticed Jake and 'Dusty' yet, and Jake was about to call out a friendly 'hey'. But he noticed that the other rider was in a somewhat 'strange' position... He seemed to be dismounting his horse in the middle of the river!

The other rider was in full equestrian gear; tall black riding boots; tight white, full-seated britches tucked into the boots; a tight, fitted, light-blue jacket over a white frilly shirt, with a black leather tie. And the 'proper' riding helmet on his head.

Jake's first thought was 'Wow, must be a real stuck-up, priggish kinda' guy.....', but then he realized that he was bein' awfully 'judgmental'....

When Jake took out 'Dusty' for a ride, he loved to get 'totally' geared-up in his cowboy clothes. It was sorta' a 'turn-on' for him..... Today he was wearin' a pair of ultra-tall cowboy boots complete with spurs, (though he never used the spurs on 'Dusty', he just liked the look, and the 'ching' and 'chang' they made when he walked...). Bat-wing chaps over tight, custom-made 'button-fly' Wranglers, big belt and buckle. Snap front, western style shirt with the sleeves rolled up so he could show off his leather wrist-bands. A leather vest that matched the chaps, tight leather gloves, a bandana around his neck, and of course, one of his big, wide-brimmed cowboy hats. 'Don't be so judgemental Jake', he told himself, and had to laugh when he realized what he must look like to others.....

'But what was the other rider doin'...???', Jake wondered as the rider had dismounted and was now standing in ankle-deep water. He then seemed to be about to sit in the water!!! 'Dusty' was gettin' a little impatient and made a 'snorting' noise, which made the other horse turn around to see what was happening, and the sudden movement caused the other rider to fall back on his ass into the water with a splash!

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to startle your horse, I just didn't know what you were doing. Are you all right??? " Jake said, rather perplexed.

"I was just tryin' to swipe at a bee that was buzzin' around his head, then he moved and I fell into the water....", the other rider replied flustered, and rather awkwardly, sitting in the water for a few seconds, then quickly standing back up.

Moving 'Dusty' closer to the other rider, Jake's first thought was, 'Wow, even with that 'equestrian-thing' goin' on, the other rider was really good-looking!' Blond curly hair pokin' out from beneath the helmet, sky blue-eyes with incredible long lashes, a really warm, bright attractive face, and a body that fit his clothes perfectly!

"Think that had to be one of the most un-gracious dismounting falls I've ever seen", Jake said with a laugh and a smile. And seein' how the other rider was feelin' rather foolish, as he realized that Jake had seen him purposely dismount into the water, Jake casually continued, "Hi, I'm Jake, and this is 'Dusty'.....".

"Hi, I'm Ian, and this is 'Flame'...", Ian replied, tryin' to hide his embarrassment...

"So how's the water, it looks kinda' refreshing", Jake said with a laugh, tryin' to make Ian feel a little better.

"Ummm, well, it's actually kinda' nice. I guess you kinda' saw the whole thing huh? I feel kinda' stupid...", was Ian's response, still standing in the water, with the seat of his pants and the back tail of his jacket all wet.

"Don't feel too bad, if I wasn't all geared-up, I might join you", Jake replied with a smile, and seein' Ian lighten up a bit. "Do you do this very often?".

"Uhhhh, no, this is the first time I've ever done somethin' like this and I get caught", Ian said, though lookin' rather sheepish, and tryin' to avoid lookin' back into Jake's eyes....

Jake just laughed and said, "Somehow I just don't believe you.....".

Ian looked back at Jake, this time lookin' into his eyes, "Okay, I confess. I've done this before, but I've just never been caught gettin' into the water and gettin' wet before.....".

Ian was really looking at Jake now. Jake didn't seem to mind that he had seen him gettin' off his horse in the river. He seemed amused by it! And what an attractive guy, with his 'tough', masculine, 'Marlboro-Man' look. And he looked so hot in his cowboy gear! Ian felt something beginning to stir in his tight riding pants....

Feeling somewhat bolder, Ian said, "Will you give me a leg up?".
Jake laughed and said, "I will if you come out of the river".
And Ian said, "Oh you're no fun", and easily re-mounted 'Flame', and rode over to Jake and 'Dusty'.

Even though they had just met, under somewhat 'unusual' circumstances, the guys seemed to be enjoying each other's company, especially how they were looking at each other.... There seemed to be a 'mutual' attraction startin' to go on...

"If you'd like, I can show you a nice spot about fifteen minutes ride from here where you can get wet with a little more privacy", Jake said, thinkin' and wondering what Ian would look like all wet....

"Oh, sure that would be great!", Ian replied, and with that, the guys rode off together....