About half an hour later, James was tying Leo at the rail while Isabella placed a tall stack of pancakes on the table. He walked in and sat at the table, smiling up at her. "Yummy," he grinned.
She pulled out the butter and some syrup, putting a plate in front of him. "Dig in, baby."
He began to eat, looking up at her. "These are great, honey."
They ate in comfortable silence until she finished her smaller stack and kissed his cheek. "I'm going up to get ready." She headed up the stairs and into the bedroom. She pulled off her nightdress, slipping into her riding skirt and a top that wasn't nearly as "proper" as she would normally wear.
Downstairs, James finished eating and cleared the dishes. He walked into the living room and sat down to wait for her. He heard her on the steps and looked over his shoulder at her. He nearly tipped the chair over backwards upon seeing her blouse. He flailed wildly, then somehow caught himself and leaned back forward. "My, my..." he murmured under his breath.
"You ok?" she smiled.
"Yeah, they're gonna get an eyeful in town, though." He laughed, walking over to her.
She looked down, "it's not that bad." She glanced at the sleeveless shirt that instead of closing at the throat closed just above the swell of her my breasts.
He shook his head, "I don't know, I can see the hills and valley pretty well."
"Are you complaining?"
He laughed as he opened the front door for her. "No ma'am, not a damn bit. Let's go."
She smiled as she followed him outside. She paused to glance wistfully toward the barn.
"Come on, love," he called.
With one last look, she turned and walked to where he had pulled Leo away from the rail. He kissed her cheek.
"He's going to be so hurt when we come back with a new horse," she sighed.
He shook his head, "he'll know why." He grabbed her waist, throwing her up on Leo's back and then swinging up behind her.
"He'll think I gave up on him," she sighed once again as she leaned back against him.
James nudged Leo as they took off for town at an easy gait. He held her close while they rode, smelling her hair.
She looked back at him and asked, "Do you really think he'll know why?"
He nodded, "absolutely."
"How?" she asked.
"He's a smart horse, and horses are smarter than people give them credit for," he stated simply. "But what will he think?" She stared up at him, "in his mind, why are we getting a new one?"
He shrugged, "because he hurt you."
She nodded, "I know that he's sorry."
"I know that, too baby." He rubbed her am gently, "but that doesn't make him any less dangerous."
"Now enough sadness," he smiled. "Today is a happy day."
"It is?" she questioned.
"Yes! You showed up the old bitch. We're having a baby. Doc is coming over for dinner soon. We're getting a new horse and we're getting married in a week and a half." He kissed the back of her neck as she laughed.
She nodded, smiling wide. "You're right. Today is a happy day."
He nudged Leo to an easy lope. As the old horse begins to run, she noticed a scar running along his shoulder she you hadn't noticed before, as well as 2 or 3 small circular ones. She gently ran her fingers over it, and looked back at James. "What happened?"
"Well, let's see," he stated thoughtfully as he looked down. He pointed to the two small circular ones. "Those are bullet wounds." He reached further down to the longer one, "and that was a spear wound."
Her eyes widened as she looked back at him. She took James's hand.
He looking down at her, "what honey?"
She shook her head, "nothing. It's just that you could have died, and then we never would have met."
"I almost did die," he murmured as he looked out at the skyline for a moment.
Her eyes widened, and she took a deep breath. "Baby?"
He rubbed her arm as he pointed to the spear scar, slowing Leo to a walk. "We were in an especially intense battle and I got knocked off. I was turning around to shoot the man that knocked me off, but as I turned I saw a union soldier with a spear. He was coming right for me, but Leo lunged in front of me. He took the spear in his chest and I killed the man."
Tears filled her eyes, "I'm so sorry."
James pulled Leo up and led him to the side of the road. "We're both still here, honey. He's a bit worse for the wear, but he's a tough old guy."
She leaned down and pat his neck gently. "He's a good horse. I get it now," she turned and looked up at him. "He'd never hurt you."
"Or you," he noted.
She bit her lip, struggling with her next statement. "Maybe we should just get rid of Beauty altogether. I mean, with a baby coming..." she drifted off, tears filling her eyes again. She shook her head, "he's just not careful."
He squeezed her tight. "Baby, we can try and geld him first. That should calm him down a lot." He paused for a moment, considering. "Or do you just want to be rid of not only the horse but the bad memories, too?"
She sighed, "I have good memories with him, too."
"We'll go talk to the vet, have him come out and geld him," he kissed her shoulder.
She nodded. "Ok."
"I don't want to see you sad," he whispered into her ear as he nuzzled into her neck. "I think you would be sad if he was gone."
She leaned back into him, and he kissed her cheek and the approached town. "Oh, and I forgot to tell you the best part of the story! For his bravery Leo was awarded a special commendation. Which I suppose doesn't matter now that the confederacy is gone."
"Hey," she chastised. "Of course it matters! Congratulations, Leo," she patted his neck softly.
