HEARTS DIVIDED: Learning to Ride Part II

by tarskeewee08

John stood next to the horse nervous as hell. Antonio sighed. "Man are you going to get on or what?" John looked at him and then the horse whose head was turned backward looking at him impatiently too.

"Okay tell me again. What do I do?"
Antonio rolled his eyes. "Put your hand on the handle of the saddle and your right foot here on the stirrup. Brace yourself and swing your left leg over in one swoop."

John looked at Charlotte who snorted and turned her head to his naiveté. Sucking in his breath he pulled himself up as Charlotte took a step and fell backwards out of the strap. Antonio grabbed his arm keeping him from crashing to the ground.

"Look bro, the horse knows that you are scared and she isn't going to play nice. Charlotte is a sweet heart and we can work with her but Dora's a bitch. She could throw you or worse deliver a swift kick that would have you eating baby food from a jar for the rest of your life."

John laughed. "Okay..okay…give me a second!"
Gaining his confidence he grabbed the handle of the saddle and swiftly moved mounting Charlotte and grinning wildly at Antonio who stepped away clapping. "Now let's jump a gate!"

Antonio laughed. "No..let's not!"

"I don't have much time man. Just tell me how to make her jump. I saw Evangeline do it…looks like a piece of cake."
Antonio went to Charlotte and stroked her under her throat latch. "Slow down. We'll get to it soon enough. Now I need to explain the rules."

"Rules? You wait until I get up here to explain the rules?"
Antonio laughed "Listen, First to make her go you squeeze your thighs and cluck your tongue." he demonstrated.

"Okay…" John said
"Use the reigns to turn her but never never pull back hard on them when approaching the jump. She will throw you and probably stump you to death for pissing her off"

John laughed. "I thought you pulled back to make her stop?"
"You do once she has slowed herself to a very moderate pace."
John nodded and Antonio grabbed the bottom part of the reins. "Now go."

John squeezed his thighs and clucked his tongue, Charlotte started to walk slowly. Antonio led them around the fence twice and then let him go. Walking over to the fence he climbed it and sat down watching John take Charlotte around. Hearing the thundering hoofs of Dora approaching, Antonio looked back and saw Evangeline coming up the rear. She slowed the horse next to Antonio on the opposite side of the gate. Her face was pale as a ghost at the sight of John on Kevin's horse.

Antonio felt sorry for her. "You okay?"
She looked at him and tried to smile "I guess. He's doing pretty well."
Antonio looked at John who now had the horse going at a smooth trot much faster that the slow gait he started with. "What's this wager, he seems determined to win?"
The color returned to Evangeline's cheeks and she smiled "Nothing…just a stupid bet."

Before Antonio could question her further they both looked up the roaring sound of Jessica's convertible Mercedes driving across the green acreage heading for them.

"I have told that girl not drive that car on the land like that!" Antonio hissed.

Evangeline could see her sister's blonde hair blowing in the wind and her designer shades shielding the anger in her eyes. "Leave her alone, she's just upset about me." she said climbing down from Dora and tying her to the fence.

Jessica stopped her car and Evangeline approached it smiling. "Came to see KJ?" she asked trying to be nonchalant.

Jessica got out and slammed the door. "I came to talk some sense into you!" she snapped tearing off her shades and throwing them into the vehicle.

She then turned and looked at Antonio who rolled his eyes at her. He got down and went to John who was now riding the horse expertly. "What is he doing on my brother's horse!"

Evangeline looked back "Jessie please.."
"No Van, this is crazy. You moved him here and you're marrying him. My god will you sleep with him in your dead husband's bed?"
"Stop it!" Evangeline shouted.
Jessica winced and tears welled in her eyes. Folding her arms she looked at Evangeline pouting "Van, you don't know him. You're moving way to fast."

Evangeline went to her sister and pulled her into her arms. Jessica hugged her back glaring at John over her shoulder.

"I'm just doing what's best for my son. We have an arrangement and so far KJ's benefiting from it."
"Mom said he fired Carlotta!"
"That was a mistake…"
"I'll bet!"
"Listen to me…"
"No, I want to know why you didn't blow him out of the water with the evidence you have on his wife!"

Evangeline stepped back shocked. "Come here!" Snatching her wrist she forced her to walk back to the house with her.

John looked at the scene. He saw the way Jessica glared at him and then Evangeline drag her away. Shaking his head he waited until Charlotte slowed down to pull back on the reigns bringing her to a stop. Antonio approached clapping. "Very good. But multiply that pace times 10 for the jump."

"Are you serious?"
"Somewhat..." he said chuckling.
John looked at the two retreating women and pointed "What was that about?"
Antonio turned around and looked "Jessica seems to have a problem with you dude."
"No kidding."
"Are you really going to marry her tomorrow?" Antonio asked looking at him concerned.
"Yeah."
"Evangeline is a very caring person but she has scars John. Don't play games with her. She will do anything for her son, but don't manipulate her feelings for your own gain."

John holding onto the handle of the strap rose on the horse and threw his leg back over to come down. Patting Charlotte on the back he smiled at Antonio. "I just want a family"
Antonio looked him up and down. "You married Kelly Cramer…didn't you?"
John nodded.

"Sorry for your loss."
Stroking Charlotte he sighed "Yeah it's been rough, did you know her?"
"Sure did she used to date Mr. Buchanan"
John's hand froze. He narrowed his eyes on Antonio "She did what?"
"Oh, I thought you knew. It was years ago before Evangeline came to town."

John felt his stomach tighten and that anger in him that he thought had settled start to swell in his belly. "I had no idea."

Antonio shrugged "Why do you think Dorian hates Vikki? That's one of the reasons." He said walking over to Dora and untying her. He looked at John standing there red faced. "What's wrong?"
John swallowed and waited until his anger quieted down. "Just had to hear that my wife had a life before me and found it hard to take."

Antonio nodded. "I'll put Dora back. I suggest you practice some more with Charlotte after I'm done with my chores I'll come back and we can try the 2 inch gate."

John nodded. He watched Antonio walk away. Kelly dated Kevin? Why didn't Dorian mention that to him when he told her about KJ? John looked toward the house. He knew he shouldn't be bothered by that but knowing how despicable Kevin Buchanan was it made him sick that his precious Kelly was with him. Charlotte snorted at him and he looked back at the horse. "Fuck it" he mumbled climbing back on the horse. He wanted to forget that little information.

"Owe Vangie let me go!" Jessica snapped as Evangeline pushed her through the door.
Evangeline came in behind her. "You listen to me. I don't know what you think you know but you stay out of this!"
"Why? Someone has to help you keep KJ"
"I am not loosing KJ"
"How do you know that? You marry that jerk he has even more legal claim to him."
"Jessie sweetie like it or not he's KJ's father. I can't change that. I have to deal with the situation the best way I can."
"That's not true. You need to talk to David, he left Dorian he may know something about Kelly that could help you!"
"No Jessie! I won't do it that way!"

Jessica looks at Van hurt. She will lose her and KJ to this man. Next thing she'll be threatening to leave with him. Move away from them. She wouldn't loose her, they were family and she was a Buchanan dammit. "Vangie please listen to me. Don't do this, let's find another way."

Opening the door Evangeline stepped aside for her to leave. "I want you to go Jess"
"Van…."
"No, I'm sorry sweetie but I can't have you here this upset. I don't need you interfering with this arrangement. My marrying him is for my own piece of mind. As my husband I know where he is. KJ never leaves my side. You of all people know I couldn't survive having my baby taken from me. So go, after the wedding when things settle down I will come to you and we will get past this."

Jessica openly crying now pushes past her sister and rushes out of the house. Evangeline closes the door and swallows her own tears. It killed her to see Jessica in pain like this, but she had to preserve her agreement with John. She couldn't risk him changing his mind and taking KJ for these weekend visits. She wouldn't abide by any type of joint custody arrangement. She knew she was paranoid but she couldn't do it.

John readied for the jump. Antonio gave him the whistle to pick up speed he lifted in a crouching stance and braced himself as Charlotte neared the gate. As soon as she was ready to jump he closed his eyes and did what he was told not too pulling on the reigns. The horse bucked and he was immediately thrown to the left. Hitting the ground with a thud he rolled over avoiding Charlotte's hoofs as they came back down.

Antonio ran over to John panicked and saw him already rising. "You okay?"
"Yeah man, feelings hurt more than anything." John looked up to see Jessica walking to her car. She stopped and shot him a murderous look then got inside. "Maybe I should go inside and see if everything is okay."

Antonio looked back at Jessica spewing grass and dirt under her spinning tires as she sped away and shakes his head. "That's just Jessie" he said.

John saw Charlotte now on the other side of the field and sighed "If I can't get her to jump then how in the world am I going to get Dora too"

Antonio looked at him then Charlotte "Okay here's the deal. There's a way to get Dora to soften to you. I never told Kevin because I didn't like him." Antonio said laughing.

"Okay tell me!" John said laughing.
"Apples."
"Apples?"
"Yep Van gives them to her. I treat her with them all the time. You give her some apples and I guarantee she will soften up to you. As for the jump, Dora's a pro and she loves to jump forces Van to take her to a jump every time she mounts her. Just steer her to the gate lean into her and relax she will do it all for you."

"You sure?"
"Positive."
John stuck out his hand. "Thanks man for being so cool and helping me today."
"No problem."

Later that night

John looked up as Evangeline came back down the hall. She smiled at him. "KJ's asleep you going to bed?"

"I was wondering if you would share a glass of wine with me first?" he said pulling out a wine bottle he got from down in the cellar after riding today.

"Why did you get that?" she asked suspiciously
John put the bottle down on the table and rose walking over to her. Evangeline looked at him baffled.
"I think we should spend the evening learning about each other."
"For what?"
"For us, for our son. We are getting married tomorrow."
Evangeline noticed how he had a habit of standing in her space when he spoke to her. She discreetly stepped back and he took a step forward.

John reached for her hand and pulled her over to the sofa. She allowed him to lead her. Taking a seat she watched him sit next to her and her heart beat faster. "I don't want to drink with you tonight."
'That's fine….then maybe you want to tell me why you're scared."
Evangeline frowned. "Scared?"
"Scared enough to invite me into your home and marry me."
"I don't understand"
John touched her hand. "I know you love KJ and I do too but tomorrow you are becoming my wife, and that's a life time deal for me. I like you. I want to know the woman I'm marrying. But I get the sense that you are doing this out of fear. I need you to loosen up with me Van, let me in."

Evangeline moved away from him. "Are you kidding me?"
John looked at her shocked "What?"
Evangeline stood up. "Look, let's not kid ourselves. The only reason we are here is because of KJ, I wasn't looking for a relationship or anything romantic from you."

John stood up and Evangeline backed away her leg hitting the coffee table. He went to move to her and she side stepped him turning to leave. Grabbing her wrist he stopped her. "I want to know more about you. Why is that such a horrible thing?"
Snatching her hand away she stepped back. "It just is!"
"Why?" he said still approaching.
"Because…"
"Why?"
Walking backward she came up against the wall. "I'm married."
He smiled at her. "No Van, you are widowed."
"Don't call me Van you don't know me well enough to call me Van!"
John stood in front her close enough to feel her breath on his face. "But I want too."
"Please move"
"You uncomfortable?"

Evangeline looked into his eyes and her breath quickened. "Move."
"Do you know how beautiful you are?" he said staring at her features taking it all in. She smelled of orange sherbet ice cream that KJ got all over her when she tried to remove his bowl from him.

"John, move" she said still held by his gaze.
"I'll ask you again, why are you scared. I lost someone too and I was frightened for a long time. But I met you and KJ and now I want to know and experience more. Don't you want that?"

Evangeline didn't know how to respond. "I don't want to discuss this."
John moved in closer to her his lips centimeters from hers. She looked into his deep blue eyes and held her breath. Placing her hands flat against the door she felt panic and longing rising in her chest. "I don't want you scared of me" he said softly in a low hoarse whisper.

Evangeline's heart now pounding in her chest made her feel weak. She wanted him to do it. God every nerve in her body ached for his touch. Her eyes lowering with her building desire she braced her for the first kiss she would have since her husband died.

And then he pulled back. She blushed from the heat burning in her loins for him and fled the room.

John watched her go and smiled. He saw it in her eyes. He didn't know it until today after practicing on the horse and then coming in and bathing his son with her standing over him barking orders how to wipe his butt.

Then sitting down with his new family and eating what Carlotta had prepared. Taking KJ's pacifier and hiding it only to have him kick and howl in fits of anger. Watching Evangeline go to her purse and get her spare then pop it in her baby's mouth and roll her eyes at him. The ice cream he fed him while Evangeline fussed that he didn't need the sugar. When she couldn't take it any longer she went to take the bowl and KJ stuck his chubby hands inside grabbing the cold ice cream and throwing it on her shirt. Putting him to bed and telling him another Irish fairytale before he fell asleep sucking away on that blasted pacifier. All of these events told him the truth. He wanted a life with her. He wanted a fresh start. He could have a new beginning.

John felt as if he emerged from his cocoon. He was desperate to do so as well. Walking to the kitchen he went to the refrigerator and got an apple. Getting a knife he cut it into fours and raced out the door. The night air was warm and breezy. He walked in the dark to the stable. He saw the light on at the guest house and considered asking Antonio for help but decided to try this on his own.

Walking into the stables he turned on the lights and went straight for Dora. She snorted at him and bucked her head several times in protest of him coming near her. Opening his hands he revealed the apples. Dora stopped snorting and watched him intensely. "Can we be friends?" he asked smiling.

Evangeline put on her nightgown and thought about the desire she felt when he pinned her to the wall. Raising her hand she lightly touched her lips. What would she have done if he kissed her? Of course she was attracted to him but she hadn't really entertained the thought of being involved with him.

She still felt married as crazy as that sounded. Looking down at her hand she saw her ring sparkling. "Oh Kevin" she sighed. "What am I going to do?"

Getting up she went to the picture on the nightstand near the window. Kevin smiled at her from the picture and her pain over loosing him slithered through her gut like a snake making her sick with sorrow. She had to let her husband go but she didn't know how. Hearing what sounded like Dora she looked up to the window. Pulling up the blinds she saw John on her. Trotting around the field. Her heart stopped. Dora could kill him. Raising the window she stuck her head out of the window. "John!" she shouted. He looked up at her and waved, then did the unthinkable. He bent and made Dora take up more speed.

"Oh god!" Grabbing her robe she put on her slippers and raced out of the room to the front of the house. Running down the stairs she rounded the side of the house. As soon as she turned the corner she saw him coming back around and heading to the gate.

"John…no!" she yelled. She hadn't planned on him doing this alone. Actually she hoped he would chicken out. "John!" running and sliding in the grass her slippers wet from the soft muddy ground she watched in horror as he leaped in the air and went sailing over the gate coming down gracefully.

Evangeline stopped in shock. Her screams had alerted Antonio and he came racing outside watching amazed. She walked slowly to the gate. As John brought Dora around and pulled her into a stop.
He looked at Evangeline panting and smiling. "Looks like I won the bet."
Evangeline laughed. "Yeah I guess you did."
John winked and she shook her head turning to head back to the house. Climbing down off Dora Antonio approached. "Damn man that was suicide doing that alone."
He watched Evangeline hair blowing in the night air along with the hem of her robe smiling. "It was worth it" he said patting Dora "Well worth it!"