Chapter 37 [An Hour Later—Kent Farm]
Lana set the last dish in the strainer beside the sink. She let Suds ebb down the drain. Glad that's done! Exhaustion forced a deep breath from her lungs. Even with being Kryptonian, it's still tiring!
EVEN WE HAVE OUR LIMITS, LANA.
She sucked in another breath. Balance between Talon and home mandated effort and a learning curve. How does Clark do it?
IT TOOK HIM TIME. HE ADJUSTED OVER SOLAR CYCLES. YOU HAVE DONE MUCH IN A FEW LUNAR CYCLES. YOU HAVE DONE A GREAT DEAL, Jor-El advised.
It's so hard to be patient. I guess I have to be. She wiped her hands on a towel. I just want to keep up with Clark. I don't want to hold him back.
YOU ARE NOT. YOU ARE HIS EQUAL. YOU GROW EVERY DAY. AS YOU JUST SAID, HAVE PATIENCE. I WOULD LIKE TO SEE YOU LEARN TO FLY.
We'll get there. Thanks, Jor-El. I need some girl time! She put the towel back on its rod. She walked out the door toward the barn.
"Hey, Lana!" Clark put the horses' brush back on its hook. "I was just grooming Duke. He wants a ride. Think Winter might be up for it?"
"You know what I like, Mr. Kent." Amor prompted her lips' brush across his cheek. "Just give me a sec." She headed toward Winter's stall.
Winter stuck her head over the stall's gate. She whinnied in greeting.
"Hi, Girl! Ready for some exercise? It seems the guys want to race." Impetuousness sparkled in her eyes toward Clark and Duke.
Clark shook his head. "I said ride not race." He set the saddle on Duke's back. "Come on, Boy. We'll wait outside." He led his horse by the bridle toward the door.
Raspberry escaped Winter's lips.
Lana snorted. "I couldn't have said it any better myself." She slid Winter's bridle and saddle onto her friend. "Let's show them." She led the white mare outside toward the waiting guys.
"Lana, I don't want to stress Winter out. You've had a long day. I wanted you to relax." Clark knew that Lana wanted to prove herself. He frankly didn't want a race or anything. "Come on."
"Keep up, Clark." Lana urged Winter into a dead gallop.
"Girls." Clark shook his head.
Duke grunted at him. He took off on a pace to match Winter's. His legs' length kept him in sight of his new barn mate. He kicked it up a notch.
Lana laughed. Pleasure sparkled in her eyes. What's the matter, Clark? Can't beat me in a horse race either?
Clark narrowed his eyes. Smoke could almost be seen spilling out of his ears. Whatever, Lana. Women….
What was that?
You heard me. Clark ground his teeth. Follow me. I've got an idea.
Where are you going? I thought you wanted a treat. We've got cake at the house.
I was thinking ice cream. Maybe Reilly's by Crater Lake? That is…. Clark urged Duke down the trail toward Crater Lake.
Lana rolled her eyes. She definitely wanted that ice cream. She wanted the win more though. She set Winter on Duke's trail toward the woods' cut through.
[Reilly's—Twenty Minutes Later]
Warm Breeze kicked off the rippling lake. Grasses waved back and forth in greeting Scene's human, animal and bird guests. Cars sat on blacktop. Winter and Duke munched on the grass. They adjusted to each other.
Friends on one hand. More on the other….
Lana watched Birds fly through the late afternoon sky. Clouds drifted through their blue backdrop. Her mind weighed the issues at hand. Reverie delved deeper and deeper still into her issues. Her spoon raised Chocolate Chip to her mouth.
"Lana? Lana, are you all right?" Concern grabbed onto Clark's attention. He rubbed her forearm.
"Hmm? Oh sorry, Clark. I was just thinking…" She ate the spoonful of cream and chocolate. "How do you do it? How did you get to do everything without tiring yourself out?"
He looked around before going on their link. I guess I just build up endurance. The more we do stuff, the better we get at it. I get frustrated when I see Professor Dubois fly to New York and back without breaking a sweat. I'm lucky just to make it from here once. Then I have to rest overnight. I was the same way when I started running or lifting things. Just start small. Work your way up. It's okay.
But I feel like I'm holding you back. I should be doing more, she pointed out.
Lana, you've only been like me for a few months. You're doing great. I wish I could've learned as fast as you are doing. You aren't holding me back. Just be patient. Okay? He bit into Fudge Ripple's creamy-chocolate goodness. We'll get you there. I just want to be better so I can be the guide you deserve. He squeezed her hands.
Pink tinged her cheeks. Shyness clamped off response for a few heartbeats. Her eye caught Diamond's sparkle on her finger. You're that and more for me, Clark. Thank you.
He grinned at her. No problem. Now eat your ice cream. Teasing prompted a smirk from him to challenge or maybe exceed Lex's. It's melting all over.
Fine. Be that way. Mirth prompted a smirk of her own.
Amor healed her heart and made her whole….