Avoidance and Subterfuge

Early Saturday Morning

Leonard packed his gym bag carefully. He had his riding boots and helmet as well as a few sugar cubes and 2 carrots for his horse. Leonard also had the funny looking riding pants with leather on the inside of the thighs. When he decided to take riding lessons for this project he had no idea there were so many accessories. His riding instructor Beth Winston the daughter of Amy Winston had set him up. He was learning to ride English style. No cowboy boots to fit his wide feet into, no wrangler jeans to chaff him. Leonard knew that in the end he would be able to ride in anything for the big day but this way he didn't feel like a hick.

Leonard remembered when he had this idea it was supposed to be for just a date. When he'd called Penny's father Wyatt to find out what she liked to do when she was young this was the first thing on the list. He had picked the shooting range instead because he'd never actually even been close to a horse. The truth was they were really big and had scared him. So instead he'd chose something where he tried to blow his foot off. That was one of his brighter moves, well that and asking Penny to marry him during sex another huge brain fart.

Things had been pretty tense since then so he had moved learning to ride up his list. Leonard also realized he wanted to ask Penny to marry him again someday. He wanted that date to be the best one she'd ever had with him. So this physicist was going to need to learn to handle a horse. He'd researched the local riding academies finding great reviews about Amy Winston's place. Once he'd met the older lady he was sold. She was so sweet and elegant reminding him of his own grandmother when he'd been young. Her 25 year old daughter Beth had sealed the deal. A tall lithe red head that was beautiful and friendly but not intimidating. In fact if Leonard wasn't dating Penny he would have screwed up the courage to ask Beth out. She reminded him of Penny in many ways kind and sexy with and easy laugh and comfortable manner.

Leonard zipped up the gym bag and threw it over his shoulder. He headed for the door thinking he was still on the first step of the plan but he had time. Penny and he had to get things back to comfortable again and no longer weird. Leonard went through the apartment door and as he turned to close it Penny was coming through hers. Leonard was stunned for a moment Penny was never up this early on a Saturday.

"Hey Penny you're up early"

Penny stepped into the hallway with the laundry basket under her arm, "Trying to turn over a new leaf, getting my stuff done early today so I have the rest of the day free. Where are you off to?"

Leonard was stuck for an answer, he'd never expected to have to explain where he went early in the morning. Leonard thought about the gym bag on his shoulder and it came to him. He tried not to stutter.

"Oh I have a morning class I've been taking on the weekends." He patted the gym bag on his shoulder, "at the gym at the university."

Penny walked over to the stairs and they started down together.

"Leonard Hoftstader are you working out, aerobics or spinning or something?"

Leonard stuttered for a second well she'd never believe aerobics and her didn't know any other classes spinning sounded good.

"Yeah a spinning class just trying to get in better shape."

"Don't you get dizzy?"

Leonard was taken aback for second, what the hell was spinning he went with it. "Well a little yeah"

"Oh" Penny had said, Leonard didn't think she bought it but too late now.

They had reached the first floor landing. It surprised him when Penny leaned over and kissed his cheek.

Leonard liked the show of affection maybe things were getting better. Penny looked into his face a sly grin on her face.

"I'll see you this afternoon then maybe we can do something I've got the night off."

Leonard brightened up at that, "Sounds great see you then"

Leonard turned and walked out wondering about that little grin and headed for the car.

Winston Riding Academy a little later that Morning

Leonard brought the chestnut mare back from a trot to a walk. Beth on the paint next to him was impressed.

"You've definitely got the hang of it Leonard. You're controlling her with both your legs and the reins. Leonard your posture is perfect."

Leonard blushed slightly and looked over his glasses at his instructor, "Thanks I'm starting to feel real comfortable on her now and she seems to like me."

"She should you keep spoiling her with goodies. But in the next week or so you'll be able to ride about any well trained horse. Still planning to propose to your girl on a horseback ride?"

Leonard just nodded and grinned. He'd felt comfortable enough with Beth to let her know his plans after their first lesson. She had suggested a picnic in the upper meadow. There was green grass and wild flowers with a lovely view she said. Leonard was sold and and added it to the plan.

"Well Leonard how do you feel about your first gallop back to the stables your time is almost up?"

Leonard was a little nervous but nodded yes anyway. He turned his horse back toward the stables and nudged her with his heels. Then he leaned into the ride as she picked up speed. The wind suddenly in Leonard's face was exhilarating. As he neared the stables he brought the mare to first a trot then a slow walk before stopping her. Beth was right behind him, stopped and got off her horse

"Wonderful, you did it just right."

Leonard smiled and climbed down from the large mare. He felt in his pocket for the carrot and gave it to the big animal.

"There you go girl", he said as he patted her neck holding her reins in the other hand. Beth walked over leading her horse, "I think Wendy is falling in love with you Leonard."

Beth looked at him with her lovely hazel eyes, "I see how that could happen"

Leonard blushed and looked back at the chestnut mare.

Beth then led her horse in front of him to the stables. Leonard followed along trying not to look at Beth's bottom in the riding breaches.

Late Morning

Leonard trudged up the stairs to the apartment. Well at least I'm not stiff after riding any more he thought. He had actually noticed both his leg muscles and stomach muscles were getting toner and stronger. Horseback riding certainly beat lifting heavy pieces of iron or throwing around a medicine ball in the gym he supposed. He opened the door to 4A and looked up to see Penny standing beside his desk.

"Hey Penny did you get all your stuff done today?"

"Hey you, yeah I was just waiting for my boyfriend to get home. How was your class?"

Leonard felt uncomfortable again but thought about how well the riding lesson had went today, "It went really well actually thanks. Let me get a shower and then we can walk around old town for a while and get lunch."

Penny stepped over to him and wrapped her arms around his neck and hugged him, "Sounds great come get me when you're ready."

Leonard watched her leave and shook his head, things were getting back to better than normal. Two unsolicited hugs in one day and now an afternoon together. Who knows where that could lead.

"Hey Sheldon off to the shower"

Sheldon looked up at him for moment, nodded and retuned his attention to the show he was watching.

Leonard put his bag in his room, stripped and put his robe on before heading to the shower. He looked at himself in the mirror on the way by. "I've really got to get another robe, something from this century would be good."

Leonard finished his shower, dressed and combed his hair. He walked through the apartment toward the door to see Sheldon sitting in his spot staring into space.

"What are you working on Sheldon?"

Sheldon never looked at him, "I'm calculating and simulating what it would be like to be sitting here when the sun finally starts to die out. The aurora getting bigger and bigger before it finally consumes the earth. It's quite fascinating, really."

"Sounds like a real upbeat day, Penny and I are off to old town see you tonight when the gang shows up."

Leonard left the apartment and crossed the hall to 4B knocking lightly on the door. He heard a scrapping sound then Penny opened the door and started walking out.

"Okay let's go."

Leonard was shocked this never happened he couldn't contain himself, "You're ready?"

"Yep, new leaf an all I'm be on time Penny now."

She closed the door behind her as she walked by him to the stairs. Leonard shook his head wondering if he should check for some kind of alien pod in her apartment later and followed along.

Dinner Time

Leonard sat in his chair eating his rice and chicken thinking about the afternoon. Spending time with Penny had been great today. He'd been happy being with her all day even when she tried on 30 pair of shoes in that one store. Leonard had stayed patient they'd eaten at street vendors and then he got her a large ice cream cone. They'd even shared several long passionate kisses when they walked back through the park. Things were looking up for them he could feel it. They had their comfort level back at last. Maybe in a few more weeks he could plan the big day.

Penny sat her take out bowl on the coffee table and looked over at Amy and Bernadette on the couch.

"Hey ladies who's up for a glass of wine at my place?"

Both Bernadette and Amy smiled and nodded. Penny touched Leonard's arm and gave him a small leer.

"You can come over a little later."

Leonard smiled back at that remark. Who knows with a little luck he could try his new bedroom plans tonight, keeping his mouth shut. He watched the girls leave the apartment and looked over at Raj who finally spoke.

"Cow I thought they'd never leave. Have either of you heard anything from Howard?"

Both Sheldon and Leonard shook their heads.

Raj continued, "Well he talks to Bernadette every day and only just says to say hi to us for him. Doesn't he know we miss him too?"

Leonard was about to make a cutting remark about who Howard should have actually married but decided to cut the astrophysicist some slack. "I'm sure he's very busy Raj and they only get one chance a day to have a video call home."

Sheldon used the whip sound on his phone and started laughing.

Leonard shook his head and collected both his and Penny's take out bowls to put in the trash. He put them in then headed for his desk and worked on his two latest experiments in their essay books. His phone buzzed several minutes later with a text from Penny. It only had two words, "Come over"

Leonard put the two essay books on top of the stack and headed out the door. He tapped lightly on Penny's door twice then entered he was expected after all. The room was lit with candle light as he walked in. Penny was on the couch holding out a glass of white wine. He looked at her curled up there with nothing but her Nebraska t-shirt on and smiled. Oh yeah he thought this had turned into a great day.

Early Sunday Morning

Leonard put some more sugar cubes and two carrots into his bag and zipped it up. He'd really hated leaving Penny last night and coming back to his bed. Last night had been like old times. He'd kept his mouth shut and they had been great together. Leonard had loved laying there with her until after midnight but now he was a bit tired this morning. Leonard was feeling really upbeat about their relationship. Things were comfortable and moving forward again.

He grabbed his gym bag heading for the door and the drive to the Hollywood Hills.

So we know how Leonard saw the day, what do you think? Review are great I'll write back I promise

SOK