Chapter 2
Jimmy walked in the house and sat the jars of milk down on the counter. Lou was rushing around the kitchen. Annie was rocking the baby and he could only guess that Lori had wandered back to bed. He watched Lou hustle around before finally grunting. She turned and glared. Jimmy looked down like a scorned child.
"I, uh, brought you the milk."
"Bout damn time!" She growled. "Where the hell you been? Off enjoying yourself while I deal with everything else!"
"I, uh, went to the barn for a few."
"What gives you the right to leave this mess of a damn house with me?! I sat up all night with the baby and then this!" Lou said throwing the plate that she was holding at him.
Jimmy stepped to the side as the plate broke into a thousand pieces on the floor.
"I am so…..!"
"Lou! Stop!" Jimmy yelled pulling her to him.
She folded into him and cried.
"I'm sorry. I don't know what has gotten into me."
"Come take a walk with me."
"I can't. The baby."
"Annie has him asleep. Lori is laying down. Tate has taken Eli to school. Forget the house. Just take a walk with me. Leave this all behind for a few."
Lou looked behind her at Annie unsure. Annie smiled and nodded. She silently mouthed the word 'go'. Jimmy reached around and untied Lou's apron. He tossed it on the table as he pulled her out the door. He grabbed her coat on the way out. She wiped her eyes as they walked out across the far pasture. He watched her take a deep breath, breathing in the smell of horses and fall. He pulled her close under his arm as they walked along in silence.
"I really need to finish storing for the coming win….."
"We aren't talking about that." He said shushing her.
"We need to figure out….."
"Not worrying about that right now either." He said cutting her off again.
She quieted as she walked along beside him. They came to the oaks by the small pond. He sat on a downed log, so she followed and sat beside him, he pulled her close to him again. She looked out at the mares. The almost yearlings playing and running all around. She smiled as she watched the herd. She looked up into sun overhead and closed her eyes. The day was cool yet warm. It was perfect.
"Feel better?" Jimmy asked quietly watching the horses himself.
"Maybe."
He laughed. She could hear the deep rumble that still made her giddy inside.
"You needed this. I think we should do this at least once a week from now on."
"You always seem to know how to make me feel better. I'm sorry for earlier."
"Shhhh, we are not talking about that."
Lou laughed this time. The two sat in the sun for a few hours before finally standing to head back. As much as he hated to admit it, he had things to take care of at home as well. He pulled Lou to her feet and kissed her.
"Maybe we should camp out here tonight." He whispered.
"Yeah right."
"I don't think they would miss us."
Lou laughed. "Come on, our duties await."
Lou walked slowly along. She kept glancing over at Jimmy beside her.
"What you want to talk about? I see you can't leave it be."
"The baby."
"Yeah, and?"
"We can't keep calling him "the baby". Child needs a name."
"I don't see anything wrong with baby."
"Shut up." Lou said pushing his arm.
"It's whatever you want to do, Lou. Call him whatever you think suits him."
"Penny made a suggestion and I think it fits."
"Penny?"
"Yeah, Penny. I know what she's thinking, and she has been more quiet than usual, if that's a thing. Girl's always quiet, but I know she thinks he is his."
"The name?" Jimmy urged as Lou got side-tracked.
"Oh, right. Garrett."
Jimmy thought quietly for a few.
"Garrett McCloud. It fits. He looks like a Garrett."
"Good then that's settled."
"Is that why you were throwing plates at me earlier?"
"No, that was because you are one sorry, lazy, hiding mule of an ass."
"Maybe, but you love me."
"Sometimes."
Jimmy laughed as they walked along. The house came into view. He saw Tate walking across the yard toward the house. Lucas was sitting in the sun behind the barn. Teaspoon was leaving in the wagon heading to town to run a few errands then pick up Eli. Everything seemed so peaceful, yet a storm was brewing beneath the calm façade. Jimmy glanced down at Lou, who looked back up at him. They both knew it. They sighed at the same time.
