Rainbow first went to see AJ’s cousin Braeburn and see if Applejack stopped by there. Unfortunately, Braeburn informed the blue Pegasus that she had not. In fact, he didn’t even know that AJ had been through Appleoosa.
Because of her going to see Braeburn, the train had left. The next train to Dodge Junction wasn’t until tomorrow. So she was able to stay with Braeburn for the evening. She could try to fly, but Braeburn convinced her that she didn’t need to wear herself out over the desert on a what could be a wild goose chase.
The next morning, Rainbow went back to the train station and checked to see if any previous trains to Dodge Junction had Applejack listed as being onboard; they didn’t. The next for Dodge Junction was about to leave, so she climbed on.
Rainbow tried to fight the feeling that everything was falling apart. She’d always told herself that there would be time to tell Applejack how she felt.
She had it planed out. It’d be a Wonderbolt’s Air Show. There’d be the usual ovation and cheering. Rainbow would then swoop down, in front of everypony, she’d produce a bouquet of cornflowers, AJ’s favorite. There, in front of everypony, Rainbow would kneel down and ask her favorite cowpony to be her Very Special Somepony because she was in love with her.
AJ would hug and kiss her and there would be even more applause.
Rainbow sat there watching the almost featureless desert go by. Even with a couple of trips to the snack car, it was wearisome. So much so, she found herself dozing off so many times.
When it was getting dark, she decided to not fight it and try to sleep through the night. It wasn’t like AJ would be by the tracks, waving to train to stop so she could get on.
“Dodge Junction, next stop,” said a conductor coming through the car, “end of the line, Dodge Junction.”
Rainbow woke up, she’d dreamed that Applejack was near in the desert as the train was going through the night. The train’s whistle calling out to her.
Shaking the cobwebs from her head, she made sure her saddlebag was near. Right after the train came to a stop, Rainbow was the first off the train and was immediately headed out of town to the Cherry Hill Ranch.
Even early, Rainbow found the farm abuzz with workers. Rainbow approached one of the workers and asked where Cherry Jubilee might be. She was directed to the main house.
At the door, Rainbow knocked. It wasn’t long when Cherry opened the door.
“Rainbow Dash!” said Cherry, “as I live and breathe! What brings ya by these here parts?”
“Sorry to bother you Cherry,” said Rainbow, “but I’m here to see Applejack.”
“Sorry Rainbow,” said Cherry, “I ain’t seen hide nor hair of Applejack fer a spell now.”
“Cherry, it don’t matter what you promised her. I really need to see her. I have something I need to tell her!”
“I’d really like to help ya, Rainbow. But I got a message that she might come by and need a job fer a short spell. Be she ain’t showed up here yet.”
Cherry could see that Rainbow was distressed.
“Come on in here,” said Cherry, “I was just about to eat. Ya look like ya need to take a load off. It won’t do ya no favors if’n ya have to run around lookin’ fer Applejack with an empty belly.”
“Thank you Cherry,” said Rainbow coming in the house.
As they ate, Rainbow explained about why she was looking for Applejack. She was a little afraid that Cherry might have some aversion to a mare with mare relationship.
“Rainbow, what’s buggin’ ya? Ah mean right now other than Applejack?”
“I was a little afraid that you might not be open to mare-lovers. I’ve found that a lot of country folk are more conservative.”
Cherry chuckled.
“Rainbow!” said Cherry with a sly grin, “what do ya think we all are? Bumpkins and hayseeds? All a pony has to do is take a look at any barn dance in Equestria and see there ain’t enough stallions to dance with all the mares.
“Not all mares are as lucky as I was,” said Cherry, a slight shadow crossed her lovely face, “Mr. Jubilee was a fine stallion, hard worker and handsome as the day is long.
And sister…
He knew what a mare needed in bed! (The two mares snickered.)
But when the fever took him, I was devastated. I must’ve cried fer three moons.
Finally my best friend, Cactus Flower told me I couldn’t grieve the rest of my life. And that my husband would want me to be happy.
I resisted, but she almost dragged me out the house to a local dance. Then she made me get out on the floor and told me if’n I didn’t loosen up she was going to have to make me loosen up.
Not that I really intended to, but I started to have fun. Afterwards, we went to the saloon and had some hard ciders together and laughed the night away. I didn’t remember much else about the night, at that time.
That next morning, I found two things.
I had a hangover.
And I had Cactus Flower in my bed.
And we were snuggled together closer than just two friends sharing a bed.
‘Cactus,’ I said to her waking up. ‘What happened?’
‘What do ya mean,’ asked Cactus.
‘Why are we in bed… Together?’
‘Well after we were kissin’ out on yer sofa, we decided the bed was more comfortable fer sex,’ she said.
‘Sex!’ I exclaimed, ‘I ain’t no mare-lover!’
‘So?’ she said reaching out to me.
I started to say something but Cactus pulled me close and started kissing me. I was trying to push her away, but all I was doing was pulling her closer. All the loneliness and pain was leaving me as I allowed my heart to accept a pony who wanted to fill my needs as she was needing as well.
The sex that followed, with my head clear, was perhaps some of the best I’d ever had, not quite as good as with the Mister, but it was nice.”
Rainbow giggled with Cherry.
“Whatever happened between you and Cactus Flower after that?” asked Rainbow.
At that moment a pale blue mare with red mane and tail and a blooming cactus cutie mark walked into the kitchen.
“’Morning my Sweet Cherry Tart,” said the mare coming close and kissing Cherry a very passionate good morning kiss.
“’Morning my love,” said Cherry after breaking the kiss. She was smiling a sly smile.
“Never mind,” said Rainbow with a smile.
“Well this has been nice catchin’ up, Rainbow.” Said Cherry, “But ya’ve got a mare yer gonna have to wrangle and tell her like it is.”
“I know that now, Cherry.” Said Rainbow giving Cherry a hug, “thank you.”
“Don’t thank me,” said Cherry chuckling, “get yer flanks out of here!”
“Drop by again real soon,” said Cactus.
Rainbow chuckled as she waved and went to the door and took to the sky.