CHAPTER 27

HORSES AND ASSES

I showed Greg to the downstairs bedroom and grabbed some t-shirts and Pendletons from my room. I wore a lot of large t-shirts and men's Pendletons around the ranch. We were both tired, I crashed on the couch and Greg went into the bedroom to sleep. I got up around 3 a.m. and went to bed. Around 8:30 a.m. I got out of bed and went downstairs. Jack was in the kitchen making coffee. He had been up since 5:30 a.m.

"How was the trip?"

"Tiring, but I brought home a guest."

"I figured when I saw the door to the bedroom closed and the jacket on the couch."

"Well, what do we have to do today?"

"Most of the herd is down in Witches Hallow so we need to go get them."

"Christ, all the way to Witches Hallow? Ah, it's going to be a long day. I better get Greg up."

"Does he ride?"

"I don't think he does. We'll find out."

I took a cup of coffee into the bedroom and I fell in love all over again. He had no shirt on and he was laying on his left side asleep. His eyelashes, the hair on his chest, the smell of him...it brought it all back, the happiest year of my life. I wanted to crawl in bed with him and not get out...but I had a lot to do and so I put the coffee down and sat down on the edge of the bed. I bent over and kissed his ear and neck. "Wake up dude. Time to be a cowboy. There's coffee here."

He opened one eye and grimaced at me. He rubbed his face and sat up. His hair was sticking straight up on top and his beard was heavier than normal. I handed him his cup of coffee and he said in a morning voice, "What's going on?"

"I had to wake you this early because you have to make a decision, either you can go back to sleep or spend the day with me. I'm going to be about four miles away on horseback for most of the day. So unless you come with us you won't see me until late this afternoon. It's your decision."

I could see that he really wanted to go back to sleep but then he also thought about being with me. "I'll come with you, let me get a shower."

"Don't bother. You'll want to get that shower when you get back. We're going to get really dirty and smelly today...so don't waste your time or the water on a shower now. Just brush your teeth and get out to the kitchen. Jack's making you some eggs and bacon."

"Jack?"

"My sex slave and cowpoke."

We made lunches. Jack had already saddled my horse, Jessie, and I asked him to also saddle Soldier, a much bigger horse, with a large saddle. We packed the lunch and supplies on Jessie. I took my rifle and strapped it and Greg's cane to Soldier's sideand then I got on Soldier. I told Greg to stay on the side of the porch. I brought Soldier around so that Greg could get on him from the height of the porch. He was able to easily throw his left leg over and get up. We shared the saddle and I told him to hang on to me. He had on Levis, a t-shirt, Pendleton, a jacket and his motorcycle boots. We gave him a cowboy hat and he said, "You're joking?"

"It will keep your head warm and the weather and dust out of your eyes."

We took off around 10:30 a.m., a very late start for Jack. But he was a very patient man and just accepted that we would be out later than usual. We let the horses set their own pace until we got to Witches Hallow about noon. The woods were beautiful, the leaves were gone off the oak but the pine trees were thick with needles. We saw deer and Elk and some smaller critters. I would point them out to Greg who was enjoying the trip.

"You're going to feel the saddle tonight. Do you have some pain relievers for your leg if it starts to ache."

"After my three month rehab after the threat of losing my job, I only take Vicodin when it gets really bad, but I will probably need one tonight. I have some Naprosyn with me."

"You better take some because I can guarantee you'll ache." I handed him a water bottle and he took two blue Naprosyn out of his pocket and popped them.

When Greg talked to me I could feel his warm breath around my ear and it tickled. We saw the horses ahead and Jack signaled to me that he was going to go around to the left. I went right. They were in an open field just west of Witches Hallow. I was grateful that they were in the open, it would be easier for us to catch them.

"We're going to gallop so hang on tight to me, ok?"

"I can do that."

I saw Jack break into a gallop. I grabbed the rope off the horn and started galloping. Soldier was a big lug of a horse, but he was also fast and strong. We were at full speed in a matter of seconds and I could feel Greg grab tighter and tighter. He hadn't expected us to be at break neck speeds. I saw a filly and got the rope ready. The filly broke from the herd and started to run. I was after her and was catching up. I threw the lasso but missed. I pulled it in and kicked Soldier to go faster. Every once in awhile I could feel Greg adjust himself in the saddle to get his balance. He was holding me very tight. I twirled the lasso and threw it again. This time I got her and I quickly wrapped the rope around the horn of the saddle. Jack came over, took the rope and brought the filly over to the two horses he had already roped and tied it to the others.

We continued until 1:00 p.m. to rope horses. AT 1:00 p.m. Jack helped Greg off the horse and then he unstrapped his cane. We all sat down and had lunch.

"I think it would be best if you sit on this blanket for the rest of the afternoon while we get the rest of the horses. Otherwise, you're going to be aching for a very long time."

"My butt already feels like I've been in prison."

He watched as Jack and I worked as a well oiled machine, roping the horses and then tying them together. By the end of the day, we had all the horses tied one behind the other. We had two strings. Jack and I brought Jessie over to a large boulder and Greg got on her from the height of the boulder. He rode Jessie home while Jack and I had the two strings of horses following behind.

Later that evening Greg was not only hobbling but he was walking slightly bowlegged. Jack couldn't help but snicker. I smiled a lot but made no comments. We heated some frozen chilli and crumbled crackers in it. We also had a side salad along with some wine.

Jack and I talked all through the dinner about the horses and the upcoming auction. We held an auction about every two years to thin out the herd. Jack was known for raising good horses so we always attracted a good crowd.

That night Greg slept like a baby. I did too.

The next day we spent it grooming the horses. We brought in the local Farrier and he shooed the horses and groomed their hooves. Greg helped comb and brush the horses with us. We had a great time talking about the difference in the way our lives had unfolded.

That night I cooked steak, potatoes, green beans, gravy and biscuits for dinner. Jack usually ate at the ranch house two or three times a week. He joined us for dinner. He and Greg actually hit it off. Jack doesn't suffer fools lightly so the two of them appreciated each other. Jack asked a lot of questions about Greg's work and it gave Greg a chance to show Jack that he could be useful at something.

Jack went back to the bunkhouse to watch television. I cleaned up and Greg watched me like he used to watch me. "You're still gorgeous Maggie. In fact, I think you're even more beautiful. You filled out in just the right places and your face has a kindness you don't see in most people."

"Gregory House, how romantic. Thank you." The phone rang.

"Hello?"

"Hello Maggie. How are you sweetie?"

"Blythe!" I turned and motioned to Greg, "I'm fine. I'm here with Greg."

"Greg?" It was John.

"Yes, he's spending a few days on the ranch with me. He spent the first day rounding up horses. But after being on one all day I think he's had his fill of horses. Do you want to speak to him?" Greg was waving his hands "no." But I glared at him and pushed the phone at his ear.

"Mom? Dad? How are you?"

"Good honey, how are you?"

"Fine."

"What are you doing with Maggie in Colorado?" His Dad asked point blank.

"Just catching up."

The conversation dragged on for a few minutes and then Blythe and I were left alone on the phone.

"Maggie, are you sure you know what you're doing?" Blythe asked.

"No, but at least this time around I know that I don't know."

"I understand. Be careful, you've given up a lot of opportunities for happiness and a family because of your feelings."

"I know. Love you. Bye." I hung up the phone and turned to smile at Greg.

"My mother is the harbinger of doom and gloom when it comes to us, isn't she?"

"She thinks I've said no to a lot of great guys because of you."

"Did you?"

"I've said no to a lot of guys, but I don't know to what extent it had to do with you. I do know that there were two guys your mother really wanted me to marry."

"My mother? That traitor! So I guess everyone blames me for you not finding happiness?"

"Not finding happiness? Aren't you egocentric! What makes you think I can't be happy without a man?"

"Because I know you. You love taking care of a man, you like being needed."

"Oh give me a break. I'm not some sycophant who needs a man to dote on. I'll have you know that most of the men I was with took care of me. They doted on me, showered me with gifts and affection. You're the only one that has been cruel to me."

He snarled, "Oh great, we're never going to get over that are we?"

I stared at him with a commitment to the truth, "Maybe not. Maybe we are destined to keep rehashing that month in Baltimore over and over. I just know that I don't want to keep reliving that pain. I can't do that Greg. If we can't get past what happened, it's ok. I'm older now and I know that I can make it without a man in my life."

"You have a man in your life Maggie, the perfect man, Jack. He's here when you need him, you can have his company whenever you need it and he's in love with you."

"Oh give me a break. Jack doesn't love me."

"He loves you..."

"What about you Greg? Do you love me?"

He swallowed his words and went quiet.

"Well, I guess there's my answer."

I went upstairs and into my bedroom. I started a fire in the fireplace and took my shower. I came out to put on my pajamas and he was standing in the middle of the room leaning on his cane.

He grabbed me and his cane fell to the floor. I was hurt and disappointed so I tried to wrestle my arm from his hand, but he kept firm. He pulled off my towel and then pulled me forward to him. He kissed me, but I wouldn't kiss him back. He looked down at me and I was emotionless. He kissed me again and held me as close as he could.

He whispered against my neck, "I want you Maggie May. I want you body and soul." He kissed me again. Then again. He kissed me until I finally kissed him back. He grabbed my arm and climbed onto the bed and pulled me with him. He took off his clothes quickly and then motioned for me to get under the covers. I did and he joined me. He kept kissing me, only this time his kisses started at my lips and went down my body to between my legs. His tongue took over. He was gentle and when I climaxed he lifted himself up and onto me. He entered me quickly with a quick breath. He was slow and rhythmic and he looked in my eyes the whole time. When he came I held him tightly, not wanting him to pull out. He realized I wasn't going to let him move and so he fell asleep half on me and half off. He kept me safe.

When we woke up he made love to me again, only this time it was fast and passionate. We were both covered in sweat and breathing heavily. When we laid in each other's arms he kissed my head and then turned his body to face me. "Maggie, come back to Princeton and live with me again."

"Greg, there's so much to think about. I have a life here. Why don't you come here? You could open your own practice."

"The type of medicine I practice has to be done in a large metropolitan area. I don't have the type of practice that works in rural Colorado."

"What if I come and stay with you for large chunks of time and then you come here on occasion? I just can't give all this up, I love it."

"If that's the only way it's going to work then ok." He said.

"I don't see it any other way, do you?"

"Let's give it a try and then we can work out the kinks." He said.

"Ok."