Chapter 17
REGGIE
Bells is stomping and agitated, and I don’t know if it’s because of the crowd or if she is feeding off me as I wait for Jessica and Jacob, who should have been here by now. Deven and Colby are tying down the tarps on the last wagon when I see Tyberius heading my way. I reach out, shaking his hand.
“What brings you out in this mess, Tyberius?”
“I overheard one of the conductors talking about the Clydesdales that were in the same stock car as Bells and thought I had a remedy for all involved.”
Movement over his shoulder catches my eye as I see a worker leading the two massive horses our way.
“Here’s their bill of sale.”
“What?”
“These two needed a home, and you have just the place for them.”
“I can’t just accept them, Tyberius. At least let me pay you. I asked about them earlier, but they said they were already claimed.”
“I was able to get hold of the owner last night, and with some persuasion, I was able to get him to release them to me. Reggie, I want you to consider them an investment in your future. You have a long, hard trail ahead, and hopefully these two will be more help than hindrance in the long run.”
The train whistle blowing has both of us looking toward it.
“I need to get back on the train and to Victoria, but I want you to know I’ve enjoyed your company and hope to see you again one day.”
Tyberius takes my hand in his once again but before he lets go, he looks me right in the eye, “Hold on to that little jewel as she is a rare beauty.” He is about three steps away when he turns back. “You really should marry that girl, Reggie. Women like Jessica are uncommon.”
“I plan on it.”
With a smile on his lips, Tyberius tips his hat and turns, only to stop for a moment to talk to Jessica as she is weaving through the crowd, hanging onto Jacob’s arm.
I see him hand her something before he kisses her on the cheek.
She smiles sadly up at him as he pats her lovingly on the shoulder before walking away.
I can tell she is struggling, but the moment she looks up and sees me, it’s like her entire body relaxes.
Just as I am about to tie Bells to the wagon post and go to her, I see the big male Clydesdales jerk his reins out of the handler’s hands angrily, and before I can yell for Jessica to get out of the way, he is heading straight at her.
I panic when I see her push Jacob away from her just as she steps in front of the massive animal.
“JESSICA!!”
I scream out her name, convinced that the animal is going to stomp her to death, only to be shocked when he skids to a stop inches from her waving arms. I am steps away when she shakes her head no at me, and I force myself to stay back.
“Whoa, Zeus. Come on, handsome boy, I know all these people are scaring you, but you’re alright. Come here and walk with me.”
He shifts his massive weight from one hoof to another, agitated but calm enough that she can reach around his massive head to gather the reins that are dragging the ground. With both reins in hand, she pulls his head down gently, stroking his head lovingly.
“Let’s go find your little woman. I am sure she is not happy with you running off.”
I can’t help but smile as this petite little woman leads the largest horse in the area effortlessly through the crowd like he’s a lap dog.
He reaches up, tugging on her long braid, and I hear her laughing as she continues to talk to him.
I walk beside her, but at a distance, so that I don’t agitate him before she can get him tied off.
The moment she has his reins tied to the hitching post, I grab her, pulling her into my arms, my heart beating out of my chest.
“Dear Lord Jessica, you scared me half to death. He could have killed you.”
“Nahh, Zeus is a good boy, he just needed a familiar voice to calm him down. Look how good he’s being now; it’s Coco we should worry about as she is giving us the side eye.”
“How do you know their names?”
“I don’t, but I had to call them something besides horse, and because he is such a tremendous presence, I thought he should have a powerful name.
So, I’ve been calling him Zeus ever since the first day I saw him with you, and she is the exact same color as cocoa, so it stuck in my head.
I just thought Coco was cuter. Did you ever find their owners? ”
“You’re looking at him. Tyberius brought them to me moments before you arrived. I will tell you more about it later, as these two have now conjured up a whole new set of issues.”
Instantly, she is next to the massive animal again, “Ohh Zeus, it seems like we will get to play a little longer. You are going to love it where we are headed.”
I am paying so much attention to her that I almost jump when I hear Deven call out.
“Mr. Kerns, they just delivered the larger tack for the two Clydesdales. Where do you want me to put it?”
Crap, so much has happened since they arrived, I haven’t even thought about how I’m going to get them to Grants.
“Bring it here, Deven. I need you to take this money, grab Colby and the lead wagon and head to the feed store to pick up five more bags of grain. While you are there, see if they have any lead ropes.” Muttering, I turn back to the horses. “Now what am I going to do with you two?”
“I could ride him and lead Coco behind.”
“Absolutely not,” I answer without thinking.
Jessica shifts her weight, her hands on her hips, and from the look on her face, I am about to get an earful.
“Why, Reggie? You’ve already said you won’t let me drive a wagon.
We have no other horses I can ride, and these two need to get from here to there.
Not to mention, it would also keep me from having to walk Lord only knows how many miles, with the snakes and briar bushes fighting me the entire way.
If your plans are to hook either of these to a wagon, it’ll only be harder on the oxen when they decide they are done following behind, and the oxen are dragging their dead weight.
Coco can carry the sleeping rolls and our necessities.
She won’t even notice such a light load. ”
“Zeus won’t notice you up there either. He throws a tantrum and tosses you … you’re either dead or wishing you were. Zeus is massive and he’s an unknown. Just because he is behaving right now does not mean that is his true temperament.”
“Reggie, we can stand here and debate this all day, but you are wasting daylight. The moment that the train leaves the station, you need to be moving. I saw the paperwork you were working on and the plans showing how many miles we need to cover each day to arrive before the summer heat sets in. So, are you going to make me walk the whole way or let me ride the big guy?”
I take my hat off, slapping it against my leg before running my fingers through my long hair.
“Damnit, Jessica, I just don’t want you hurt.”
“Thank you. I appreciate that, but I can handle Zeus. Were all the supplies ready when you got here this morning?”
“Yes, the food and most of our day-to-day supplies are in the rear wagon. I had Jacob arrange them, but I am sure you will redo it. Are you positive that you don’t want me to hire a cook to go along with us?”
“There is no need to waste more money when I am more than capable of cooking whatever we need. This evening may not be a feast as I have not been able to get anything started ahead of time, but we won’t starve.”
“I had Deven run over to the diner a little bit ago. He picked up dinner and some sandwiches to get us through today. Have you eaten?”
“No, I was not in the right frame of mind when I woke up. I’m sure it will take us a few days to get used to traveling like this and get into a routine.”
“I had a feeling you were going to say that, so there is a small leather bag hanging on the last wagon with a waterskin, some dried meat, cheese, and bread in it for you. Now, let’s see if this beast will allow me to saddle him, and then we will figure out how to get you up and on him.
And hopefully, it will be without everyone seeing all your charms.”
“I have my pants on under this skirt, Reggie. No one is going to see anything. I’ll go grab the bag and be right back, just in case Zeus throws a tantrum, as you say.”