Chapter 7 – Off With Their Heads
Cooper goes down to the barn ahead of Charlotte. He assured her that he can take care of himself. When he arrived, Duke and Landry calls him over to a big, black horse that's already been saddled.
"You can use this horse", Landry said, " you're big enough ride the horse. Why don't you give it a mount and see if you're comfortable with him.".
Cooper tried to recall his limited horse training from camp. He approached the horse from the side, making a little shuffling noise to tell the horse that he was there. He waited a few seconds for the horse to get used to his presence before he placed his hand on the horse's shoulder, pet him with a rubbing motion and calmly said "Good boy". The horse snorted a little and shifted his legs nervously but aside from that, the horse seemed fine. So Cooper continued to talk to the horse while petting him then finally put his foot on the stirrup and mounted.
Duke and Landry had incredulous looks on their faces. Cooper was walking the horse a bit around the barn. This was actually their daddy's horse and not a lot of people can ride the horse.
Charlotte finally arrived in the barn and saw Cooper astride the Big Black.
"Cooper what are you doing on "Thunder"? Get down from there. ", said Charlotte. "What were you boys thinking? Letting him ride Big Black. You know he's high strung and finicky. Cooper could've gotten hurt."
" Charlotte, it seems your man can handle "Thunder" after all. And since horses are a good judge of character, I'd say he passed the test.", grinned Landry as Cooper dismounted. "All in good fun. We won't let him get hurt, you know that, seeing as he's family now.". Duke was grinning as well.
"If anyone is riding Big Black, it will be me.", Charlotte commanded as she approached her brothers . "Cooper can ride "Brown Sugar".
""Brown Sugar", Char? Why do I have a feeling you're letting me ride the staid horse?", Cooper laughed.
Duke who was standing beside Charlotte at this time, suddenly noticed the faint, long scar on Charlotte's right forearm. And he asked , "Charlotte, what happened to your arm? You didn't used to have any scar here. How did you get it?"
Charlotte shot Cooper a worried look, which both brothers didn't miss. Now, they're both standing in front of both Charlotte and Cooper, with their arms folded and waiting for an answer.
Cooper started saying "It was an accident." but before he could say another word, Duke had his hand on Cooper's chest and said "Did you hurt her? That how the accident happened?".
Charlotte pushed her way between Duke and Cooper and said "Stop being hysterical Duke! Cooper wouldn't hurt me.". "I was attacked almost a year ago. That's how I got the scar."
"You were attacked almost a year ago and you didn't say anything?", asked Landry. "And where were you, when this attack occurred?", Landry asked Cooper.
"I already had Cooper worrying about me and I certainly didn't need anymore people worried, especially you and Momma. ", Charlotte answered. "I was working late in the hospital, when I was attacked, so Cooper was not with me at that time."
Cooper interrupted Charlotte by saying "Let me handle this, Char". "I love your sister very much. I didn't know what was missing in my life until I met Charlotte. I promise I will never hurt her. But if I do, I give you permission to kill me. In fact, I'll give you instructions on how to kill me. How does that sound?" "I'm really sorry for not protecting Charlotte from her attacker and I'll regret that for the rest of my life.".
Duke and Landry grunted and backed-off.
"Now, this is the kind of reaction I've been avoiding, that's why I didn't say anything about it. So, don't you go tellin Momma. What's done is done.", dismissed Charlotte. "Come on, Coop. Let's ride.".
Later Cooper came wandering down the stairs. They rode around for about 2 hours before coming back to the house. They took a shower together and changed for dinner. Charlotte told Cooper that he can look around the house if he wanted to and that she'll be down shortly.
When Cooper came to the den, he saw Momma sitting inside, looking pensive, so he went in and sat beside her.
"Mrs. King, you know Charlotte didn't do this to hurt you. We didn't do this to hurt you. ", he said. "It was the right thing for us, at that time. The wedding as beautiful and right.".
Momma gave a sad smile and said "I know. But I haven't been a good momma to Charlotte and I wanted to do right by her, you know, even just for the wedding." "And besides, as a mother, I wanted to be there for the happiest day of my daughter's life."
"Well, I can't turn back time but if you'd like, I can show you the wedding.", Cooper replied. "I'll be right back. Let me just get something."
Cooper comes back with his laptop and starts playing the video of the wedding for Charlotte's momma. After the video, he showed her the pictures. Momma had tears in her eyes when the slideshow ended.
"I have never seen Charlotte so happy. It is a beautiful ceremony. You planned this?", Momma inquired.
"Yes, the planning was easier and I got good help. Would you like a copy of this, so you can watch it again sometime?", asked Cooper.
"Yes I would, thank you.", replied Momma. "And Cooper, call me Momma. You're family now."
The rest of the family came for Thanksgiving dinner. Charlotte was right, they did dress up for dinner, even the kids, so Cooper did not look out of place with a coat. There's Duke's kids - David and Elizabeth. Then Gracey, who is Landry's daughter. Cooper can't help but notice that the children were all named after royalty. And then their wives.
Thanksgiving dinner passed without incident. Duke said grace and carved the turkey. The dinner table abound with good southern food and great wine. Conversation around the table was pleasant enough, with the boys trying to include Cooper into the discussions.
As the evening drew to a close, Landry proposed a toast to Charlotte and Cooper and welcomed Cooper once again into the family. The kids already loved Uncle Cooper. Then everyone said their goodbyes because Charlotte and Cooper were leaving very early the next day.
"You take care of my little girl, promise.", Momma whispered into Cooper's ear.
"I promise, Momma", Cooper replied and kiss Momma good night.
"Charlotte, the next time you visit, you better have a baby in your arms. You have to keep up with these two.", said Momma. And Charlotte answered, "We'll see.".
Early the next morning, Charlotte and Cooper made their way down the stairs to head off to the airport. Charlotte stopped midway and told Cooper to go on ahead. She'll just say goodbye to Momma. Cooper hands her a CD of the wedding for Momma.
Charlotte enters Momma's room and finds her sound asleep. Medicine bottles were on her night stand so Charlotte knew that she took some pills last night, after everybody had gone to bed.
Charlotte kisses Momma on the cheek and whispers "I love you Momma.". Momma didn't even stir. Charlotte leaves the CD on the night stand.
She goes back downstairs and into the waiting car and Cooper.
"Momma okay?, asked Cooper.
"She's sound asleep", answered Charlotte with a wry smile. "Let's go, we don't want to miss the plane."
