Page 52 of A Wanderer's Redemption
“Always have, and they seem to like me, so we make friends real fast. The big male Zeus watches me closely, but Coco seems to like me. She let me brush her down this morning and even nibbled on my shirt.”
“Henry, Zeus is probably just watching you being around his girls because he is overly protective. I don’t know you or your father’s plans for when you get to St. George, but I am looking for someone good with horses. I’ll speak to your father about amore permanent position later, maybe in the meantime, you can help Jess with the Clydesdales throughout the day if she needs a break.”
With a yelp, he runs off on his skinny legs, just flying up the hill toward his father as Marcus is stepping up onto the wagon. I mount Bells, smiling as the boy talks animatedly to his father about what I just said. When Marcus sees me watching, he throws a hand up in a friendly gesture, and I ride off toward the first wagon as Deven has already moved his out of the circle.
Bells prances under me, ready to get started, and I motion for everyone to get moving. By the end of the day, we are all exhausted, and most turn in right after dinner. I watch as Jess heats water over the fire while I spread the bedrolls out.
“Reggie, I’ll be a minute. I need to wash this dirt off my skin. I am itching all over.”
Lying down, I close my eyes, simply planning on resting until she comes to bed, only to wake up fully the next morning to the smell of coffee.
CHAPTER 21
REGGIE
Jerking straight up, I look over at the blankets, glad to see that the covers next to me have been disturbed. Dragging myself out from under the wagon, the smell of bacon frying seems to penetrate the air, and there, standing all put together, is Jess. This morning, she has changed into a loose skirt and a thinner cream-colored shirt, with a plain gray apron over it. Running a hand down my face, I head toward the woods to pee, then stop at the back of the wagon, where I see Jess has laid out fresh water and a small towel so I can wash off. Cleaning up the best I can, I head toward the fire only to be greeted with a smile and a fresh cup of coffee.
“Thank you.”
“You’re welcome. Did you sleep well?”
“Too good, I think … I didn’t even know when you came to bed. I really need to be more alert than that.”
“You were worn out Reggie, and we didn’t have anything to worry about. We had a protector for most of the night.”
“Who?”
“Oh, I don’t know, an overly protective two-thousand-pound horse who thinks he is a puppy. I’d just laid down last night when I heard him coming toward the wagon.
I started to get up and take him back with the others, but my legs were killing me, and I thought, heck with it, he isn’t going anywhere. And he sure didn’t. I’m only up this early myself because he was nibbling on the bottom of the bedroll where my toes were. I wonder if something spooked him, or if he just thought he was too far away.”
“Where was Coco?”
“She was grazing a few feet away as well when I got up. Bells was the only one still hooked to the picket line; these two just pull the stakes on their side out and do whatever they want.”
“Shit, I missed out on the highlight of my day.”
“What?”
“Rubbing your ass!”
She smacks me on the arm playfully while looking around to see if anyone heard me.
“Would you behave? I swear, I never know what is going to come out of that mouth of yours.”
Before I can tease her further, voices come our way, and I know the day must get started. The next few days seem to follow the same routine, but we are making good time as the weather has held except for a few small rainstorms that have helped keep some of the dust down.
On the sixth day, I am heading toward the back of the line only to have a heart attack when I don’t see Jessica sitting on Zeus.Thinking she has fallen off, I ride Bells hard, only to pull her up short when I see Jess sitting on the back of the wagon Jacob is driving, swinging her legs back and forth while peeling potatoes, putting them in a pot. Zeus and Coco follow along completely on their own as she gives them small pieces of carrots and other veggies she is mixing in a large bowl. When she sees me, her face lights up with a big smile, and I ease Bells over toward the big horses.
“Jess, how did you get down? Damnit … you about gave me a heart attack when I noticed Zeus was suddenly missing a rider.”
“Oh, Zeus and I’ve got this. He walked right up to the back gate, and I slid off.”
“Are you planning on getting back on him?”
“Nope, we both need a break. So, I’m gonna take this time to get a start on some fresh bread, prepare this stew for supper, and then gather up the clothes that need washing when we stop for the evening.”
“You don’t even have a lead rope on those two.”
