Part 23
After breakfast Caitlin and Barry walked down to the stable. Caitlin could hear Cisco before they even reached the paddock.
"Stop doing that! Frost doesn't like that! I know this horse. She will not let you saddle her like that." said Cisco
"Look here boy. I know what I am doing. I have been tending horses since before you were born." said an older man.
"I would listen to him if I were you. Frost is like no horse you have ever met before. She doesn't trust just anyone." said Caitlin
"Princess, I know how to handle temperamental horses."
"If you say so. But you are the only one to blame if you get hurt." said Caitlin
"James, maybe you should listen to the Princess." said Barry
"Your Highness, I think I know more then any of you about horses." said James
"Ok but remember that you have been warned." said Barry
Caitlin introduced Barry to Cisco as they watched as James tried to put a saddle on the nearly pure white horse. It was only a couple minutes later that James was on the ground about to be trampled by the horse. Barry ran in with Cisco and pulled the older man out of the way. Caitlin went over to her horse to calm her down.
"It's ok Frost. Calm down. No one is going to hurt you." said Caitlin rubbing a cool hand over the horse.
Barry watched as the white mare began to calm. Once the horse was calm Caitlin nodded at Cisco who grabbed a saddle and put it on the horse. James glared at the boy. He was not going to let this nobody show him up. One of the other hands had been able to saddle Flash for Barry. They both climbed onto their horses and headed out for a ride with their guards following close enough to act if needed. But far enough to give the couple some time alone. Once the young Royals were out of earshot James turned to Cisco.
"Listen to me, good boy. You are not taking my job. You are nothing but a street rat that doesn't belong here. I will be sure that you end up in the gutter that you belong in." said James
"I am not scared of you. I am the only one that Princess Caitlin's horse will trust here. So I think that she will have some say in what happens to me." said Cisco
"She is nothing but a guest here. She has no power over any personal."
"But I do. Mr. Ramon, I understand that you are the only person that Princess Caitlin's horse will let touch her besides the Princess herself." said Jesse
"Yes Princess." said Cisco
"Then you might stand a chance at earning the trust of my cousin's temperamental horse. Who doesn't like this blow hard. James pack your things and report to the payment office. You are no longer employed by the Royal Family." said Jesse
"Princess, I think the King will overrule you." said James
"No he won't. This document allows me to hire and fire who I wish. So get your things and leave. Corporal Haywood get the men you need and be sure Mr. Jesse is outside the palace walls within an hour." said Jesse
"Yes Princess." said Corporal Nate Haywood
Cisco watched as a group of guards escorted James away. He then looked at the young Princess.
"Mr. Ramon, seeing as King Thomas sent you here with Princess Caitlin's horse, I will ask that you take care of it until the Princess returns home. Or if things go the way I think they will you may earn a job here caring for the horses." said Jesse
"Frost liking me is the only reason that I got hired to care for the horse in the first place."
"One of the hands will show you to the payment office to have you placed on the payroll. Just show them this."
Jesse handed a piece of paper to Cisco before heading off. Cisco looked at it and raised his eyebrows. The number on it was even higher than what he was paid back in the Snow Kingdom.
"So what is that guy's problem?" asked Caitlin as they rode.
"James Jesse has been working for my family since my dad and Uncle were teenagers. I don't know much about where he came from. Neither my father or Uncle really like him. But he had not crossed any lines to fire him. Though the disrespect that he showed today will be enough. In fact if I know Jesse she is taking care of that right now. She was recently put in charge of hiring and firing employees."
"I get the feeling that it will not go over well with that man."
"It won't. James is a bit of a sexist pig. He thinks that women should sit at home and do what he calls women's work. You know cooking, cleaning, knitting."
"He better not give me those opinions. I just might shove an icicle in a non ladylike place."
Barry smiled just thinking of the kind of places she was referring to.
"Somehow from what I know of your mother she would not approve."
"Neither would my father or brother. I doubt your parents would either."
"Most likely not in public. But in private my dad might find it funny."
"I am sure he would. Barry, I am enjoying my time here with you. I mean it is not anything like I expected."
"Caitlin, I know that you only came here for your safety."
"Yes, that is true. I was also willing to go through with marrying you if I had to for your father's help. But now I know that it will not just be out of duty on my part if we marry. It will be because I care for you."
"I care for you too Cait."
Caitlin smiled at Barry. She was beginning to wonder what it would be like to kiss him. Not just any kind of kiss either. But the kind that she had seen her brother and Erin share.
