Chapter 16 [Dubois Farm]

[A/N: Casey, I think you'll recognize a certain someone in this chapter.]

Grace rode Rumrunner around the back forty. Wind billowed through her hair and rippled her beige blouse. Adjustment came slowly for the newly-revived teenager. Modern Convenience came easily enough to her. She grasped electric lights, the faucet and a shower easily enough. Confusion struck through the self-heating window for the food, the picture box and the horseless carriage. The other villagers spoke of things she barely understood.

And now they were moving to a big city?

How will I keep up? I don't know! She allowed Rumrunner to gallop toward the barn. "Already getting tired? That is not like you."

Rumrunner grunted. He stopped in front of the barn.

She dismounted. "We'll get you all taken care of, Boy." She patted his side. "Thank you for the ride." She removed his saddle and set it on the fence. Then she put him back in his stall.

A whinny echoed from the back stall.

"Winter?" Grace hustled toward the stall in question.

The white mare stuck her head over the low gate. Skittishness had left her shy. Trust remained in short supply. Loneliness lingered in her eyes.

Grace extended her hand toward Winter. "Tis all right, Girl. I'm as lost as you are. Why will you not let me ride you? I would exercise you as I do Rumrunner."

Objection or perhaps Mistrust echoed from Winter's throat. She allowed Grace to stroke her side. Kindness came from this human and the older woman. Darkness within the man spooked her.

"What will we do if you will not let anyone ride you? Please, Winter!" Worry's tears welled up in Grace's eyes. "I would not see you sold."

Defeat neighed from Winter. Abuse left her less than willing to carry a rider again.

"Grace, are you all right?" Angie watched from the barn door.

"Oh! I am sorry!" Surprise stiffened Grace. "I did not see you, Angie."

"That's fine." Angie smiled for her benefit. "Thanks for taking Rumrunner for a ride and putting him back in his stall."

"You're very welcome. He needs a firm hand that one. Still, I worry about Winter. Why will she not let anyone ride her?" Grace took a carrot from her pocket. "You see, Winter? I brought you something." She smiled and handed the white mare the vegetable in question.

Winter munched on it. Affection guided her nose to nuzzle Grace's arm.

"That's more than most of us get from her." Angie walked up to Grace's side. "She likes you. I just wish she wasn't so scared."

"I know. She does not mean to be difficult. Winter's just nervous." Grace pointed to the faint criss-crossing scars on the mare's side. "Who could do that? I know I keep asking. I do not understand."

Before your transformation, you would have, Grace. Angie shook her head. Memoria reminded her all too well of Grace's former state as dark ghostly priestess. "I wish I had some answers for you." She knew Repentance's cloak hung heavily enough around Grace's shoulders without adding more to it. "She is coming with us."

"Really?" Relief lightened Grace's mood. "I know David is so frustrated with Winter. I see him try to be nice. She is so afraid of him."

"It isn't David. It's the Child. His darkness scares her." Angie brought out the bristle brush. "Her mane needs brushing."

Fear widened Winter's eyes. Protest's whiney bellowed from her.

"Whoa! Easy, Winter!" Grace patted her friend's side. "Angie and I will not hurt you. Your mane and tail need to be brushed. Can we just try a little?"

Winter glanced at the two women. Experience granted them a rare bit of Trust's grace (at least where she was concerned). Brush and Barb Wire beat her in her previous owners' hands. She sensed they were different….

…just as long as Scary Man stayed away…

"Thank you." Slow Motions eased through Winter's flowing mane. Snarls loosened. Hair flowed freely. Patience guided Grace through the process on her friend's mane, tail and then the coat. "There you go! You're all pretty now."

Gratitude pushed Winter's nose against Grace's arm once again.

"That's an amazing sight, Grace. Maybe someday, you could be a doctor or a veterinarian?" Angie saw herself at that age in Grace.

"I thought you just helped people?" Curiosity raised yet another question for her.

"I used to do chores in the barn just like you do now. We had cows, steers and chickens. I used to care for them all every day. I had my own horse, Sam. My dog's name was Amber. David will remember that." Angie sighed. "We'd best get back to the house. He's probably has dinner ready. It's a special surprise."

"Oh?" Excitement widened the grin on her face. "That la..la..sie stuff?" Appetite watered in her mouth.

Angie giggled. "Yes…that stuff! He knows how much you love it, Kiddo!" She rubbed Grace's hair. "Your hair is like your Mom's. You know that?"

Mood sank again. Grace sighed. "I wish she'd be around more. You know? I'll be good if she would be!"

"Sweetie, that has nothing to do with it. Your Mom loves you. She has other responsibilities." Angie hugged the younger girl. Why aren't you here, Deirdre, with your daughter? I know you're like Dave's aunt but seriously? Grace is such a joy as she is now. She forced a smile onto her face again. "Let's tell Rumrunner and Winter that we'll be back. Then we can go and eat."

"Okay." Grace nodded. She walked over to Rumrunner. "Thanks again for the ride. I'll be out to feed you." She smiled and did the same for Winter. "We're going to eat. Then I'll be back out to give you your favorite oats!"

Rumrunner grunted.

Winter whinnied with an edge in response.

"There'll be some for each of you." Angie told them both. "No need to be terse, Rum. You're both special." She rubbed the horse's neck. "Come on. Goodies await!"

"Yay!" Grace hustled out of the barn and toward the house.

Angie shook her head. "My Word! Now I know how Momma and Daddy used to feel!" She watched Grace slow down and stop in her tracks. Now what?

An older woman rose from the porch's wicker chair. She wore a nondescript checkered button down shirt and a pair of dark jeans. White wove through the rouge hair spilling over her shoulders. Her emerald eyes met Grace's. A gentle smile eased Stress' groves. "Hello, my Sweet!"

"Momma!" Grace rushed up the porch stairs. She tackled her mother with a hug. "It's so great to see you!"

The visitor held Grace close to herself. Prayer whispered from her mouth in thanks. Over Centuries' passage, she'd watched her daughter's kidnapping, descent into darkness, death and ghostly lingering. Now, as Angie had hoped just a few heartbeats earlier, she savored her daughter's cleansed state. Lament stabbed at her heart. Desire wanted to share a similar embrace with her own mother….

…the mother who could never know about their real relationship…

Mother, why does Momma have to think of Auntie and me as dead? We're the same people! I wish it could be different! Deirdre glanced at Angie. Then her eyes returned to her own child. She kissed the top of Grace's head. "Are you helping around here?"

"Of course! David and Angie are really great! Angie, you think Momma can eat with us?" Grace turned to Angie. Hope and Joy lit up in her eyes.

"Sure. Your Mom's a vegetarian though. If she's okay with us eating lasagna, I'd like that." Angie looked toward the door. "Dave's got a salad or something, I'm sure."

Deirdre nodded. "He's making one for everyone right now. He's always so considerate." Anticipation made her mouth water. "Besides I do make exceptions. His…ancestor's…lasagna was such a treat.

"That he is." Angie nodded. We get a meal together at least. And Captain Dubois made lasagna back then? Interesting. "Sorry that the house is such a mess. We're in the process of moving to the Midwest."

"Really? Sorry but I never thought you'd leave this farm. You both love it up here." Deirdre raised an eyebrow. Rumor and Hint had already alluded to that possibility.

"We're keeping this place too. Dave and I have opportunities down in Metropolis. Grace will have a better school. We'll be close to our friends." Angie held the screen door open for the others. "Are you going to be around?"

"I wish you could be, Mama!" Grace squeezed Deirdre's hand.

"I wish I could be too, Dearest." Deirdre raised her daughter's hand and kissed it. Maternal Urge juxtaposed with Duty in that moment. "The folks in Kansas are really nice. You'll like it."

"Oh they are! I wish we were in Smallville. Too far from friends." Depression sagged down upon Grace.

"You'll see them. Besides we'll make new friends. Remember Mr. and Mrs. Parker? They'll be there. We'll be coming back here too. So you'll see Brother Tony and everyone here too. You're really going to like it." Angie opened the screen door. "Come on in! We've got goodies galore!"

Dubois waved to them. He had the cell phone to his ear. "Sorry, Martha. Angie just walked in with Grace and her mother." He lifted the cover off of the casserole crockpot to check his creation. Then he set it back in place. "Well the picnic's going to be in the afternoon. Then we'll be going to Albany for fireworks and the concert." He listened. Then he replied, "If that's what Jonathan and you think is best, sure. Samantha seems like a bright kid. She'll understand it's about Clark and Lana being safe." He shrugged. "Well you take care. Have a great night. Sorry that Jonathan and you won't be able to come. We'll do something when we get there. Thanks. Best to everyone." He disconnected the call and stuffed the phone in his pocket. A long sigh escaped his lips.

"What's going on? Is everything all right out there?" Angie worried.

"They're fine. Martha and Jonathan want the kids home early. Lana's got a shift at the Talon on the next day. Clark has things to do around there." He put the salad bowl on the table. "Grace, can you set the table please?"

"Sure! Excuse me, Mama and Angie." Grace rushed for the cabinet.

"What a ball of energy she is!" Deirdre marveled at Enthusiasm's display in front of herself. Awe overwhelmed her. Just a few months earlier, Sorrow hung heavily over her about her daughter's ghost and the latter's crimes. Thank you, Mother! "Dave, I think you have your ancestor's skill."

"I don't know about that. I just know what Grandpa and Grandma Alvaro taught me." He brought a knife and spatula to the counter. "I'll cut this here and…." Inspiration hit him. "Wait a minute! I know!" Satisfaction spread across his face.

The girls looked at each other. Confusion and frankly Concern had them on edge. They weren't certain if he was about to lose it.

"It's all right." He put his hand up. "Bring your plates up. I have an idea how the kids can share in the experience. Seems they're not going to be left out after all." Knife cut square marks into his creation. Spatula scooped out pieces for Palates.

Necessity could be the mother of invention….