When I enter the bedroom, she's hovering around the cabinet that houses my sinful escapades, so I march through the room and command, "Come on.Caesar's ornery ass awaits."
She falls in after me and waits on the porch while I bring the car around.
* * *
Siri
* * *
I glanceat his phone while I wait for the car and see he has 20 messages.Wow, the man is busy!Knowing I don't have enough time to snoop without getting caught, I resist the urge to look, and check mine instead.I have one.It's from Cat.
BABY GIRL!Just got the news!OMFG!I'm so excited for you!So excited!James is beside himself.He goes from laughing to fretting and back to laughing.He has been hugging random people and then busting their chops.He acts like he is on crack!Can't wait to see the new show!Here's me blowing kisses to you!Congratulations.You deserve this!Love ya!Laters!
There's a video of her blowing kisses.
I can't wait to get home!I grin at the phone.James is so dramatic!I should text him to reassure him that "Happy" won't be that difficult, but he's stressing because I'm not there yet to work with him on the finer details.He is such a perfectionist.Once he realizes I've memorized the dance and it will be believable, he'll calm down.We'll work out the transitions between my part and decide how to utilize the other dancers to distract the audience's eye while I change and come back in to pick it back up.I've got some cool ideas on how we will pull it off.Quick-change-clothing that can be done right on stage is one idea.
I text Cat.
Tell James to chillax.I got this.Can't wait to see you all.Will return next week.
I leave it at that.I'm not sure exactly what day, and they will go overboard on the welcome home party if I give them too much advance notice.
When Aurei backs out of the garage, I walk down the porch steps.Climbing in, I hand him his phone."You have 20 messages, Mr.Moore, and I had one from Cat."
He cuts his eyes at me."What did Cat say?"
"Just that she's excited about the new show, and James is freaking out."
He cuts his eyes again, then turns to look at me.I roll mine dramatically, then give him my spot on impersonation of James fretting over the routine.He punches the pedal, the car leaps forward, and he drives entirely too fast up to the Big House.
When we arrive, we find breakfast is already waiting for us, so we sit and eat.I look for signs of Quintus, but he isn't around.The staff comes in and out.They are carrying tables and chairs.They speak to Aurei, and he jokes with them.When we finish, we walk through the tented area where the dinner will be held.A quick count results in 25 tables.There is a roped-off area for dancing.It looks more like a wedding reception than a family dinner.
Aurei fills me in on the agenda as we walk to the stables."The family will begin arriving this afternoon while we are napping.We will come back up to the Big House for dinner with everyone.It will be a late evening but will wrap up before midnight."
He puts his arm around me and pulls me against him.We sync our steps, and he continues."The men rise before sunup, have breakfast together, then spend the day getting ready for the competition.The ladies sleep late, then gather up here for lunch."
"Will Ann be here?"
"No.She's with me."He says, then quickly adds."But she's the exception."
"Great!"I roll my eyes."Then what?"
"The girls do girl things together.Around 4 pm, the women come to the arena to watch the show.Afterward, everyone comes back to the Big House for the Celebration Feast.It will be a long night.On Sunday morning, we will tell everyone goodbye then fly back to Alabama."
When we enter the stables, Paolini greets us from across the area with a wave and points to the far end.We walk through to find Caesar saddled and tied inside the paddock area.
He is beautiful!His thick mane and tail have been cleaned of twigs and combed.He is alert but resting.There is a nice red gelding saddled and tied too for me, but they are separated.We climb the fence and jump down inside.Aurei tells me my horse's name is Rosso, which is Italian for Red.I walk over and introduce myself to him.
Aurei follows and hands me his phone."You better hold this."
I take it and nod at the fence behind him.Several ranch hands have stopped what they were doing and are leaning on the fence to watch."I bet they have a wager if Caesar throws you or not."
"Probably."He laughs."It won't be the first time he's thrown me or the last, I'm sure."He walks over to Caesar, and I admire his ass flexing and rolling in his polo pants.When he stops, I turn my attention to Caesar.His eyes and ears are alert.When Aurei reaches for the reins, he bobs his head.As soon as Aurei unties him, he backs away.Aurei holds his ground, and I see them squaring off.I notice the reins are extra-long, and when Caesar rears, I know why.
I call to Aurei."Can I make a suggestion?"
"Sure.Shoot."He says over his shoulder, not taking his eye off Caesar."You are the horse whisperer."
