Page 42 of A Wanderer's Redemption
“You be a good boy. Thank you, Victoria. If I never see you again, I want you to know you were the best fairy godmother a girl could ever ask for.”
And before I fall completely apart, I practically run off the train. My eyes are full of tears as I step onto the ground, looking around to see if I can find Reggie or any of the others. Thankfully, Jacob is waiting on the deck, and the moment he sees me step off, he heads my way.
“Miss Jessie, Mr. Kerns told me to wait for you here. He didn’t want you walking around by yourself as it is taking him longer than he realized to take care of the final bills and make sure the wagons were loaded.”
Taking a deep breath, I step forward, knowing that Victoria is somewhere behind watching.
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 headingstraight 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?”
