I sat on the rail of a fence infront of a paddock and held growing Ella in my lap. The two of us watch Jimmy graze alone in his paddock, quite content in the world. I smiled, as his actions now reflected upon my new life. I was a happy, healthy young woman with a family to look after and friends, old and new, to surround me. Ella began to fuss announcing that she herself was also a very hungry little girl. I smiled down at her and expertly climbed down from the fence.
As I made my way back towards our little house I noted that Bobby and his mother had left, and for the first time, my heart sank a little. Normally, I appreciate the absence of extra hands and opinions, but today, I wanted nothing more than to jst be surrounded by the two most lovely people in the entire world.
"Well kiddo, it's just you and me. Now would like the pink bottle or the clown bottle?" I crooned showing ella each bottle. She made for the pink one, a fine choice, and I began to prepare her bottle. I smiled to myslef at the fussing baby. If she was more like anyone it was probably me, but her temper tantrums, were alarmingly like Nicander's. Bobby always told me to not worry about that nature v. nurture load of facts, but sometimes, at Ella's hungriest moments...I pondered. "Here you are little one!" I said brightly scooping her up and off the floor and walked into the newly painted living room and sat down on the couch.
Bobby arrived home with his mother as I just was putting Ella down for her afternoon nap.
"There you are beautiful," he drew me into his big arms and kissed me. I smiled up into his eyes, "You stink," Bobby wrinkled his nose and smiled teasingly. I pulled away and laughed, "Wow, you're the most wonderful husband, hands down, I bet no one elses husbands tell them theyyy stink," I laughed and walked down the hall to the bedroom where i had already begun to pick new clothes out, before I took a shower.
"Emily!" Bobby yelled later. I sighed, and walked down the darkend hallway and into the baby's room.
"what is it?" I asked curious. Ella was laughing on the floor, and Bobby sat over her, staring. "Nothing, I thought she just said her first word...I was wrong though," He blushed. I laughed, "What'd it sound like?" "Well I thought she might've said dada, but she actually hiccuped." I giggled, and walked back into the kitchen to finished helping Mother J with dinner.
At dinner, after Bobby had finished saying grace he surprised me. "Emily Jensen, I want to get another dog!" He smiled over at me. Mother J nearly dropped her fork, I almost choked on my food in shock. "Bobby, what in the world, you said moving with a horse was expensive enough for your bank account!" I exclaimed. "I know, but you and Ella get lonely while Mom and I are gone, and you need a good dog to protect you, in case..." but he trailed off. It wasn't as if it was a secret that he worried every day that Nicander would somehow escape his maximum security prison and take me and the baby away...never to return. It was a giant, explose scenario, deeply over exaggerated but nevertheless, Bobby believed it could happen. "Bobby, if a dog would make you happy, I will gladly embrace one into the house," I smiled over at him. His face was expressionless and pale, he was fearful of Evergreen.
After dinner was cleaned up I went for my usual walk through the barn. I walked up to a paddock where a few horses were romping and playing together. One by one though, stable hands came to take them to their stalls. Then without warning my heart leapt in my throat as a tall tanned boy, with slightly shaggy hair bounded out of the barn. Two large horses goofing off and there he stood waiting patiently until they were finished. I turned away afraid he might notice me staring. I felt tears threatening to emergef rom my eyes. Curiosity getting the best of me, I walked over.
"Excuse me, Cooper?" He turned to me with a bright smile, that faded fast. "It looks like you need some help?" I motioned to one of the bays. "Yea, take her" He gave me the whinny gray who was causing most of the commotion. "Aww, settle down," I laughed tugging slightly on her lead. "Her name is Lavender," He said, and motioned for me to follow.
"So when'd you get back here Em?" He said. "Oh, about a week ago," I said startled as the mare dragged me to her stall. I quickly unclipped her and shut the door. "Thanks...do you have a horse, err or uh..." he stuttered. "Jimmy stays in the west pasture," I smiled. "Ohhh, OK.'' "Well, it was good seein' you Emily, but I gotta get going," He waved and walked off. I stared after him planted to my spot in the aisle.
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