Page 32 of A Wanderer's Redemption
“Absolutely, and I will see you both at breakfast in the morning.”
Reggie maneuvers us around Colby like he isn’t even there, and I look back as we walk up the ramp to where they are keeping Bells, only to see him clenching his jaw. The sound of the horses has me looking back again, finding Reggie petting a blonde horse lovingly.
“Hello, beautiful. Did they get you out and walk you around for a while?”
I laugh when she bumps him playfully, envying the smile she brings out on that scruffy face of his.
“Yes, I know. Where is your treat for being good?”
Instead of him handing it straight to her, he hands me the sugar cube, and I squeeze in between them, expecting Reggie to step back, but he doesn’t. Trying my best to ignore Reggie’s massive frame right up behind me, I concentrate on the one wanting my attention.
“Here, sweet girl.”
I reach out, stroking my hand down her face, only for another, deeper whinny to catch my attention. Glancing behind her, I see two others who are watching us, wondering if they will get any attention or not.
“Do you have any more of those sugar cubes with you?”
“I do. I’ve gotten into the habit of always keeping a few in my pocket.”
“Can I have two?”
Reggie reaches into his pocket, then hands them to me, and I can see he is curious about what I’m planning on doing. I pet Bells once more before moving to the two large beasts that have been taken care of but mostly forgotten toward the back of the stock car. Both of their large heads lean over the main stall when I get closer, but I don’t invade their space until they allow me in it.
“My goodness, are you guys all alone back here? You are way too beautiful to be kept in the back. I think you two should come sleep with me.”
The biggest one nods his head up and down like he can understand me, and I laugh as I hold out a sugar cube. I allow him to sniff my hand, waiting patiently until he gently takes it from my palm before moving closer. The second one must be a female because she is slightly shorter and is a little more cautious of me.
I glance back only to find Reggie standing against the wall with his arms crossed, watching. I know that if a stranger walked by right now, they would see a refined lady trying to gain the trust of two animals that could stomp her to death, while her doting husband stands protectively nearby. If anything, this experience has shown me how much clothing and the way you present yourself to others shape how the world sees you. What no one realizes is that I am more comfortable here with the horses than mingling in a world that never stops changing.
“Come here sweet thing, I promise you’ll like this.”
The large mare leans forward, sniffing cautiously before taking the cube from my hand, only to move back and away from the front of the stall, unlike the male, who is now nibbling on the end of my braid that has come loose from the bun I normally keep it in. I had gotten so wrapped up in the calmness and trustof the big male in front of me that I almost forgot about the one watching me.
“You’re a natural with them.”
“Not really. They aren’t much different from us as they just want to be treated right. I’ve always enjoyed being around horses.”
Petting the male once again, I turn back only to hear the train whistle blow once again. Reggie’s eyes never leave me as I walk toward him, and I glance down at my dress, wondering if I have something all over me, before smiling up at him as he appears as intimidating as the Clydesdales in the back. I wonder if I could get him to relax with a sugar cube of his own?
“Bells is stunning, but those two back there would make some pretty babies.”
“I was told that the railroad has been unable to reach their owner. I may offer to buy them if he answers the telegram or take them off the railroad’s hands if he doesn’t show up to collect them before we leave Promontory. Come on, they will want to shut the ramps soon, and I am starving.”
We make our way through the few trains that separate us from the horses in the back, along with several others who are now boarding the train. When we get to our sleeper car, Reggie reaches down to pick up the packages sitting next to the door, and I wonder what he bought at Violet’s shop. Then I remember that we are heading to Grant’s, so it’s more than likely for his new wife, Lauren.
“Reggie, I am going to wash my hands, then you can clean up. I need to re-braid my hair before we head into the dining car. Are we eating in the same place as we did last night?”
“No, they are not open on the days we stop for any length of time. I believe the dinner buffet will be set up in the breakfast area instead.”
“Dang it! We probably won’t see Tyberius or Victoria then since she doesn’t care for the open-seating cars. I really wanted to tell her all about the things I saw today.”
“I am sure you will see her tomorrow.”
Hurrying, I’ve just walked out of the lavatory when the whistle blows, and the train jerks, knocking me into Reggie. Instantly, his arms are around me once again as his large form stabilizes both of us until the train is moving steadily. Glancing up, I am shocked to see him staring down at me, a look in his eyes I’m not sure how to decipher.
“You okay, Jess?”
“Yeah … you would think by now I would have my train legs as much as this thing rocks around.”
