Chapter 31 [Dubois Farm—An Hour Later]
Lex parked in front of the house. Breakfast got a little better but the conversation hadn't been the best by any stretch. Restraint had kept things to mostly small talk about the upcoming move and their new endeavors. "All out."
"It feels better in the daylight." Peter admitted more to himself than the others. He didn't get Spider Sense's tingle at that point.
"Well I want to see Lana's surprise! Anything groovy to get us upbeat again!" Gwen bounced out of the car. Granted Apprehension still had her on guard. Still she wasn't going to let the situation get her down any further. She watched the guys get out as well.
"Wait until you hear Samantha play tonight. That'll be something else." Lex waved to Lana. "Hey, Lana! Heard you've been having fun this morning."
"Hey, Lex!" Enthusiasm lit up Lana's face. "Winter and I just had a great ride. Angie said you have a surprise?"
Lex nodded. "Follow us into the house." He beckoned them all to follow him inside.
Dubois, Angie, Clark, Crane and Katrina stopped their conversation. They watched the others enter the room and take their seats at the table.
"Angie mentioned a surprise before. Lex said something too. What's going on?" Lana tried to puzzle through this latest situation. "I just hope Winter's going to be okay. She's such a great horse. Wow! She took off across those fields."
Dubois exchanged looks with Angie and then with Lex. Satisfaction lightened his mood. "So you two had a great ride?"
"I haven't seen you like that since Nell sold the farm, Lana," Clark observed.
"I haven't felt like that. It's a horse-rider thing with her and me. She really perked up." Lana leaned back in her chair. "I just wish she wasn't going to be back here on some farm when you move."
"Who says Winter's going to be here?" Angie shrugged. "She does have a stall set up in Smallville."
"Smallville?" Clark scratched his head. "Someone bought her down there?"
"She's yours, Lana. We've made arrangements to get her down there." Lex smiled.
"Lex! That's not cheap! And where will we put her up?" Lana stiffened. She tried to puzzle things out.
"Mr. and Mrs. Kent have those extra stalls. We're paying for Rumrunner's stall and board so to speak." Dubois gulped on his coffee. "Actually you can help us get her down there. Winter's scared of my other half. He wants to help get her down there. Think you can calm her down? Then you can introduce her to the Kent Farm and everything."
"That would be great! Sure! I'll be with her every step of the way. Clark, mind flying back with Lex and the others? This way I can help with Winter. I'll get the chores done and help your Mom in the house," Lana suggested.
"They'll love that. Just remind Dad I'll be back as soon as Lex's plane touches down in Smallville." Clark took a mouthful from his mug.
"Now that we have that done, I'll brew another pot." Angie walked toward the waiting coffee pot.
"We will be leaving this afternoon. Leftenant Mills and I unfortunately must be back at the department tomorrow. It is a pity. I would like to be here for Miss Cooper's effort with the orchestra. Alas! Duty calls. Peter, Gwendolyn, you may ride with us to Sleepy Hollow if you would like." Crane cleared his throat.
"You may spend the night with us. You need to speak. We can do so at our cabin. Then there is the train back to New York on the following day?" Katrina invited.
Peter mulled over the offer. He knew the Cranes had valuable information on their shared situation. Gwen and he needed answers. Still Secret held him back. He'd already seen Crane's mental sharpness. Worry concerned him that Crane would discern his real connection to Spider-Man. "Maybe just the ride, Mr. and Mrs. Crane? I need to be checking in on my Aunt May." He shook his head ever so slightly at Gwen.
What? Why's he being like that? Peter, we need those answers. Disappointment sagged onto Gwen's shoulders. She wanted to check in on Aunt May too. "I guess we should be heading back. Maybe some other time, Folks?"
"That would be fine. We will be leaving in a few hours' time. Are you packed?" Katrina glanced at her husband. I wish he knew Peter's role as the costumed hero.
"Our bags are waiting back in our room. We just need to get them, check out and we'll be great! We appreciate the ride." Gwen sighed. "Lex, if you can wish Sam good luck for us?"
"I'll do that." Lex didn't say anything more. He could see that Peter still struggled with the previous night's events. He simply chose to respect his friends' feelings in that regard. "We'll head back to the hotel in a few minutes." He offered Dubois a shrug and set his mug down.
"Sorry, Folks. Thanks for a great meal last night." Peter shook everyone's hand. His eyes met Dubois'.
Spider Sense blared at him.
Dubois fought off a spasm. "You're both welcome, Peter. Remember the doors here and in Metro are open any time. If and when you want to talk, we're here." He forced a smile across his face. Irritation, however, chafed at him.
"Maybe we might talk at Met U?" Gwen bit her lip. She wanted to respect Peter's wishes. She certainly understood his reaction to the previous night. Still, Answers would be most helpful in dealing with their situation. She took a mouthful of coffee and left it at that.
Uneasiness weighed down on the table….