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Chapter 3.
Sookie awoke the next morning. She had a wonderful dream of Eric. But as soon as she woke, she felt guilty for thinking of another man like that. She got up and took her shower and got dressed for the day. She went downstairs to make everyone breakfast. But the cook had beat her to it. Her Mother and Father would be home today around lunch time. They had gone to New York to check on a horse. They was hoping to breed the male to one of their females. The cook was busy fixing breakfast so Sookie went in search of her Gran. She found her in the library. Her Gran loved to read and write poetry. She was sitting at the bay window looking out over the grounds. Gran looked so sad. Sookie wondered if that is what she looked like when she was thinking of Alcide. Gran finally noticed Sookie. She gave her a smile. And said, " Its bad for a old woman to have to much time on her hands. Gives you time to think about the past to much. Woulda, Coulda, Shoulda." Sookie nodded her reply. She knew she done the same thing. Sookie spoke, " Gran lets go get some breakfast." Adele just nodded.
They made their way into the kitchen. It smelled heavenly. They tried to help the cook to set the food on the table but she would have none of it. Gran started the conversation. "Sookie dear, are you ready for you dad and mom to come back? You know Michelle will be all over you. She has been so worried for you." Sookie stopped eating and looked at Gran, " Gran, I know. But can you talk to her? I want to try and move on. I just don't know how yet. I've got to move at my place. I had so many hope and dreams with Al. Now I have to put them away on a shelf. And its not easy." Adele agreed to talk to Michelle. When they finished eating Sookie got up and took their plates to the kitchen. Sookie asked Gran if she was ok and what she was going to do. Adele said, " Don't worry I'm fixing to lose myself in a book dear. Go do what you have to." Sookie kissed Adele on the top of the head and left going to her vet clinic. They had got the kennels in. She loved it. Now she just need her surgical supplies she had ordered.
She made her way to the stables. She got out her horse and was grooming him. She decided to through a saddle on him and ride. Maybe just to forget her life for a little while. So that's what she had done. She rode him to the lake and sit under a tree. She fell asleep. It wouldn't till Mark come up hunting her she knew she had been gone to long. Mark spoke, " Sookie your Gran is worried to death. She said you have been gone all day. And The Northman's are here to for Pam's lesson. Sookie nodded and jumped back onto her horse. She made her way to the main house to let Gran know she was alright. She come through the back door. She heard Pam laughing. No doubt Gran was putting her up to something. Sookie spoke, 'Hey Gran, sorry I was gone so long. I actually fell asleep by the lake under a tree." And Sookie laughed. Gran just shook her head. Sookie looked at Pam and said, " Alright Pam, you ready for your lesson? Your dad can come today. That way he knows that I will take good care of you." Pam run up to Sookie, " I'm ready Miss Sookie." The three headed out the back down , down the stairs. They made their way to the stalls.
Pam: Miss Sookie, have you always ridden horses?
Sookie: Yes, I grew up here. We always had animals around. I loved growing up here. I learned all sorts of things about animals. I learned that horses wear shoes. Did you know that?
Pam: No, How do they wear shoes?
Sookie: Well that is one of the things I'm going to show you today. You maybe little, but as long as you have the right attitude you can stay calm around a animal that is larger than you.
Eric: Is it safe for her to be around such large horses?
Sookie had to laugh at that. She looked at him and said, " Mr. Northman, She lives in the country, she have to know how to ride a horse. It's a requirement for around here. And trust me, she is safe with me. If she gets hurt, its because I'm already hurt. I'll take care of your baby girl. Eric just shook his head. He was nervous about Pam riding the horses. But Sookie acted like she knew what she was doing. They made it to a stall. And there stood a American Painted horse. She was brown and white with little black flakes on her. She was beautiful. Pam was nearly beside herself. Sookie spoke up and told Pam , "Pam this is Hope. She has been my horse for a while. She is good with kids and she loves women. She may not like your dad much. But I guarantee she will love you. She's a mother, so she will watch out for you." Eric was worried about what Sookie had said. But Pam just nodded her head and smiled. Sookie picked up a apple out of the bucket to the side. She took a pocket knife and cut it in half. She gave half of it to Pam and set up the step stool for her. She took Pam's hand and guided her up the latter talking to her the whole time. " O.k. Pam, It's time to officially introduce you to Hope. Just lay your hand flat and put the apple in the palm of your hand." Pam did as she was told. She extended her hand to Hope and Hope eat the apple out of her hand. Pam was smiling ear to ear. Sookie showed Pam how to pet Hope. And then she told Pam something that nearly broke his heart. " Pam when you feel down, or if you feel you need a friend just to sit with you. A horse can be that. A horse can be your best friend. They listen to you. They never try to dismiss your ideas. They can love the pain away. Because they don't care how much money you have or haven't got. They judge you for only the amount of love you give them. Hope is my horse. But I'm willing to share her with you, if you want." Pam was so excited. She told Sookie of course. So with that Sookie showed Pam how to groom Hope. And she even showed Pam, Hope's shoes. Even Pam told Sookie, they should make prettier shoes for Hope. Sookie and Eric was laughing. But Pam didn't understand why. She was dead serious. When their time was over with. They all headed back to the main house.
Sookie: Pam and Eric I would love if you would stay for supper. If Pam's going to be a cowgirl, she needs to eat like one.
Pam: can we daddy? Please….
Eric: I don't want to impose on you and your family Sookie.
Sookie: You won't be imposing. My mom and dad should be home by now. They are coming to the main house to eat. That way you and Pam can meet everyone at once. And she'll get to know everyone.
Eric: Ok. Sounds good. As long as we are not imposing.
Eric was kind of nervous about meeting the family. He wasn't dating Sookie but he would love to. Maybe he could see what her family said. And go from there. He was sure he liked Sookie. There was something good about her. And she was good with Pam. He had went with enough women to know that most was materialistic. Sookie didn't seem that way. And he would love to know her story and generally get to know the three of them headed in the house. And Adele was chatting away with a woman that looked like Sookie would in 20 years. He wasn't disappointed. He didn't find her attractive like just the thought of seeing Sookie in 20 years.
Sookie run over to a man and he picked her up and spun her around. Eric was assuming this was her dad. Adele spoke up, "Eric, this is my son Corbett Brigant. And this lady is his wife Michelle Brigant, These are Sookie's parents. Corbett had let Sookie go and Sookie told Pam, "See, my dad is the best to. Dads are very important." Pam went and met everyone. Corbett took one look at Eric and knew he liked his Sookie. So he stood in front of him and said, " Hello son, How are you?" Eric was so nervous his palms was sweating. What in the hell had gotten into him. He shouldn't be this nervous just meeting the riding instuctors family. Eric stuck out his hand and said, "I'm Eric Northman and this little girl is my princess Pam Northman. Pleasure to meet you sir." Corbett chuckled, " Son we don't stand on attention here. Just be yourself and you'll be good. Come on into the dining room while the hens talk. We can get a beer. Pam wanted to stay with Sookie, so Eric let her. Eric and Corbett made their way to the dining room and there was beer on the end of the buffet they had set up. Eric lets go have a talk my boy. So they went to the back deck, Corbett motioned for Eric to sit down next to him.
Corbett: If I may be blunt Mr. Northman, You like my daughter, do you not?
Eric: Yes, I would like to get to know her.
Corbett: Let me tell you something, then if you want to still get to know her you can. This is really isn't my story to tell. But I'm trying to give you a fighting chance. Sookie went to college up north. She met a boy, He asked her to marry him, she said yes. Al was a good soul. He loved Sookie very much. But you see, God had other plans. Alcide died in a car accident. And I don't have to tell you what it done to Sookie. She came home after he passed. So she is getting settled. But Al has been gone awhile. Its time for her to move on. But who ever she dates will have to be patient . Other wise they will spook her off.
Corbett fell silent. He wanted Eric to absorb what he was saying. So he sit back and drunk his beer.
Eric: I would be honored if she would go out with me. But I will give it some time.
About that time Sookie came through the back door. " What are you guys doing? Gran and everyone is at the table waiting in you. So come on." Corbett and Eric stood, Corbett walked by Eric and softly spoke to him, "Just not to much time." Eric understood, He needed to time it right. They all went to the table. There was enough for every body times 2. But Gran knew men loved to eat. So she let evry body get their plates and about the time Eric was fixing to start eating, Gran spoke up and told Sookie to say grace. Sookie spoke, " Thank you God for the meal before us. Thank you for blessing us, and supporting us. Please bless our new friends. Thank you God for everything you do. In Jesus name I pray, Amen." Everyone said Amen and went to eating. Eric loved the back and forth talk. Everyone wanted to know about Pam. And where they lived before they moved here. Eric told them they had lived in Colorado before moving here. They didn't bring Nora up. Eric was grateful. He didn't know how Pam would take it. But then Sookie was asking a question to her mother about something, And Sookie's comment was , " Well that's something only a mother can answer." Pam's eyes went wide. But she didn't say anything. But Adele caught on and bumped Sookie's arm and pointed her head toward Pam. Sookie was ashamed she had said it. It was innocent but Sookie should have watched what she was saying. Sookie got up from the table and went to bend down in front of Pam. " Pam, I'm sorry if my words hurt or confused you. I would never, ever hurt your feelings. I was being silly. But please forgive me." Pam nodded and hugged Sookie. Pam spoke," It's ok. I don't really remember my mom. But I forgive you." Sookie was crying. She looked Pam in the eyes, "Pam if you ever need to talk , you can come to me. But I'm sure your mom loved you very much. I just met you and I already love you." They hugged and when Sookie looked over shoulder to Eric , he was smiling at her. She was grateful. Pam then wanted to know if they had ice cream for dessert. Sookie and everyone else laughed. Sookie carried Pam in the kitchen. And in about 20 minutes they were rolling out a cart with every body a banana split. They sat down and enjoyed the company and the food. After dessert was through, Eric stood up and said, "I don't mean to rush, but I have to get Pam home. But we will be back tomorrow." Everyone stood to say goodbye. Sookie asked to speak to Eric in private. When they were on the front porch by themselves Sookie took the lead. "Eric, I'm so sorry for the comment I made in front of Pam. I never would hurt her feelings. Please, I'm so sorry." Eric was still in awe because she was so innocent and yet went through so much in her short life. But he looked at her and said, "Sookie think nothing of it. She does not remember Nora. Nora was not the best mother or wife. But she did love Pam in her own way." Sookie was shocked at what Eric said, "Eric your little girl is very precious. Even I can see that. But I just don't want a misunderstanding. Are you ok with what happened?" Eric replied, "Sookie please don't worry about it. She is fine. Do you want me to drop her off tomorrow or can I come with her again?" Sookie was surprised he asked, " Yes of course, you can come with her. It might be good for both of you to do this. But I would like that." Eric told her he would see her tomorrow at 4:00. They went inside, everyone said bye. Sookie walked them to their car. She made sure to give Pam a hug. When they were on their way home Pam asked Eric, " Dad was my mom as nice as Sookie?" Eric didn't know what to say. He said the first thing that come to mind. "No one is as nice is Sookie, not that I have met. But your mom was nice to. " Pam understood. And then she said, " Why can't Sookie be my mommy?" Eric thought, "Uh-oh…..
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