“I did think about more dogs,” Jimmy said between the banging, “but I have not spoken to Daniel about it and I don’t want Coyte to feel bad, you know?”
“I understand,” Ruth gave a small nod and felt a corner of her mouth tug upward. “I noticed there are fewer horses in the corral, and I was wondering about, well, there is one horse that I like and it’s not there anymore. Is the horse sold?”
“What does the horse look like?” Jimmy asked.
“It had a black mane, brown body, and brown legs with white socks.”.
“Oh, you mean, Muse?” Jimmy stopped hammering and looked up at her. “So, you like Muse, do you?”
“If that’s her name, then I like her.”
“Muse is in foal.” Jimmy returned to the hammering.
“In foal?” Ruth repeated in surprise. “When?”
Jimmy smiled proudly as he added the last nail to the post. “In a month or so.” He stood and clapped the dust from his hands, “In fact, there are five mares in foal, but three of them, Muse, Gypsy, and Red will start foaling soonest, so they are kept in the barn now.”
Jimmy picked up another post and walked over to the next post
hole. “Can you help me with this one?” he turned to Ruth with a hopeful face. “Once. this is done, I’ll add the barbed wire and it will keep out those pesky critters.”
Ruth nodded and held the post steady as he pounded it in place.
“It’s funny you ask about Muse,” Jimmy said casually, not looking away from his task.
“Why is that?” she asked.
“Muse was Mary Jane’s horse,” Jimmy continued, “I just find it interesting, that’s all. She’s a special horse, no doubt about that.”
Ruth was surprised by Jimmy’s unexpected explanation. “Mary Jane’s horse?”
“Yep,” Jimmy stopped and wiped his forehead again with his neckerchief, “Daniel doesn’t allow anyone to ride her. It’s a pity, too, because she’s such a sweet darling.”
“I know you said you only met her twice, but what was Mary Jane like?” Ruth wondered if she should be asking about Daniel’s deceased wife, but the more she got to know Daniel the more she wanted to understand him.
“As I said before,” Jimmy cleared his throat and bent to pick up his fabric-covered canteen, taking a long draught.
“I’m sorry,” Jimmy looked to the ground. “I should have offered you first. I was just so thirsty. Would you like some water?”
“It’s alright. I’m fine, but thank you,” Ruth smiled. She was glad she helped but was also glad the task was finished, as her hands were a bit worse for wear.
“I feel real bad. I hope Daniel won’t be angry I let you help.”
“It’s not your fault,” Ruth insisted. “I offered to help you.”
“Still …” Jimmy sounded distressed. “Hold out your hands so I can pour water over them.”
Ruth did as Jimmy asked, and as the cool water washed over her palms, she sighed with relief. Ruth watched him remove the soft fabric that covered the canteen and felt the cool damp fabric soothe her palms as he held it against her hands.
“This should help,” Jimmy said with a frown, “I’m truly, sorry, Ruth. I should have known better.”
Before she could say anything, he added, “Mary Jane was a little like you. She would have liked you.”
Ruth could not hide her astonishment. What did he mean she was a little like Mary Jane?
“Tell you what,” Jimmy said as he hammered the last nail, “I’ll make it up to you. Let’s go to the barn and check up on those mares.”
***
