“You’re looking at him. Tyberius brought them to me moments before you arrived. I will tell you more about it later, as these two have now conjured up a whole new set of issues.”
Instantly, she is next to the massive animal again, “Ohh Zeus, it seems like we will get to play a little longer. You are going to love it where we are headed.”
I am paying so much attention to her that I almost jump when I hear Deven call out.
“Mr. Kerns, they just delivered the larger tack for the two Clydesdales. Where do you want me to put it?”
Crap, so much has happened since they arrived, I haven’t even thought about how I’m going to get them to Grants.
“Bring it here, Deven. I need you to take this money, grab Colby and the lead wagon and head to the feed store to pick up five more bags of grain. While you are there, see if they have any lead ropes.” Muttering, I turn back to the horses. “Now what am I going to do with you two?”
“I could ride him and lead Coco behind.”
“Absolutely not,” I answer without thinking.
Jessica shifts her weight, her hands on her hips, and from the look on her face, I am about to get an earful. “Why, Reggie? You’ve already said you won’t let me drive a wagon. We have no other horses I can ride, and these two need to get from here to there. Not to mention, it would also keep me from having to walk Lord only knows how many miles, with the snakes and briar bushes fighting me the entire way. If your plans are to hook either of these to a wagon, it’ll only be harder on the oxen when they decide they are done following behind, and the oxen are dragging their dead weight. Coco can carry the sleeping rolls and our necessities. She won’t even notice such a light load.”
“Zeus won’t notice you up there either. He throws a tantrum and tosses you … you’re either dead or wishing you were. Zeus is massive and he’s an unknown. Just because he is behaving right now does not mean that is his true temperament.”
“Reggie, we can stand here and debate this all day, but you are wasting daylight. The moment that the train leaves the station, you need to be moving. I saw the paperwork you were working on and the plans showing how many miles we need to cover each day to arrive before the summer heat sets in. So, are you going to make me walk the whole way or let me ride the big guy?”
I take my hat off, slapping it against my leg before running my fingers through my long hair.
“Damnit, Jessica, I just don’t want you hurt.”
“Thank you. I appreciate that, but I can handle Zeus. Were all the supplies ready when you got here this morning?”
“Yes, the food and most of our day-to-day supplies are in the rear wagon. I had Jacob arrange them, but I am sure you will redoit. Are you positive that you don’t want me to hire a cook to go along with us?”
“There is no need to waste more money when I am more than capable of cooking whatever we need. This evening may not be a feast as I have not been able to get anything started ahead of time, but we won’t starve.”
“I had Deven run over to the diner a little bit ago. He picked up dinner and some sandwiches to get us through today. Have you eaten?”
“No, I was not in the right frame of mind when I woke up. I’m sure it will take us a few days to get used to traveling like this and get into a routine.”
“I had a feeling you were going to say that, so there is a small leather bag hanging on the last wagon with a waterskin, some dried meat, cheese, and bread in it for you. Now, let’s see if this beast will allow me to saddle him, and then we will figure out how to get you up and on him. And hopefully, it will be without everyone seeing all your charms.”
“I have my pants on under this skirt, Reggie. No one is going to see anything. I’ll go grab the bag and be right back, just in case Zeus throws a tantrum, as you say.”
CHAPTER 18
JESSICA
I haven’t been gone more than a few minutes when I look back to see Reggie standing next to Zeus, a huge saddle in his arms, and Zeus doing everything he can to keep him from tossing it onto him. Throwing the bag over my shoulder, I rush forward, grabbing Zeus’ reins.
“Would you behave? He is just doing this so we can spend the day together.”
Instantly, Zeus stops, and I swear I see Reggie shake his head with a small smile on his face as he finishes tightening the saddle sinch. Gathering Zeus’ reins in my hand, I pet him as I walk around his side. Zeus turns his head, looking down at me as I stand next to him, as if he wants to watch me get into this saddle.
“Young man, go ahead and laugh, but before this trip is done, you and I will have this down to an art.” I point at him playfully, and he whinnies at me like he is laughing.
“Are you talking to the horse or me?”
“Well, I was talking to Zeus because I think he’s silently laughing at me right now.”
“It’s because you barely come up to his shoulder. The damn saddle is over your head.”
“Hey, I can’t help it that I am horizontally challenged.”
