Read The Shoes Come First: A Jennifer Cloud Novel Page 25
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As the trees began to thin out, I could see a river off to the left following the tree line. The water was flowing lazily downstream, and the wind was gently blowing, relieving some of the afternoon heat. A hawk spread his wings and swooped down toward the water, checking for a midday snack. Gypsy seemed content trotting along behind Dan. Gertie developed her riding legs and was able to maneuver the big gray horse along the trail. I loosened my grip on Caiyan because the heat we were generating between us was starting to make me hot.
“It’s the gift.” Caiyan answered my unspoken question. “The connection between us generates a warmth, sometimes an extreme heat.”
I pulled closer, and sure enough the heat intensified.
“Careful, lassie, I’ve been told I dinnae have good self-control, and you’re making me sweat.” After riding for what my thighs screamed was too long, we came upon a clearing. In the middle of the space was a stone circle that looked as if it had been built for a campfire.
“This place is good to make camp,” Caiyan said.
The river branched off to the right and formed a small stream. Caiyan tethered Dan to a tree near the stream, and the horse helped himself to a drink. Gertie tried to maneuver Gypsy in the same direction, but she stomped and snorted, then trotted sideways.
“This damn horse won’t mind a bit.” Then she gave Gypsy a good kick, and the horse freaked. She took off running, with Gertie screaming, “Shiiiiit! Stop! Halt! Brake, damn you!”
“Do something,” I cried out, grabbing Caiyan’s arm.
“What ye want me to do, love?”
“I don’t know, make it stop!”
Caiyan stepped forward and said in a very stern voice, “Whoa.”
Gypsy came to a screeching stop, then lurched forward, sending Gertie sailing over the horse and landing in a grove of prickly-pear bushes.
“Well, that’s one way to get off.” Caiyan smirked.
I ran to the prickly bushes to check on Gertie. She was struggling to get free. I gave her a hand out and helped her pick the leaves out of her hair.
“Double damn, that hurt. Stupid horse wouldn’t stop. What did Caiyan say to make her stop?”
“Whoa.”
“I guess that would have been the obvious choice.”
Gypsy sauntered over to Dan and started drinking from the stream. Caiyan snuck up next to her and secured her to the tree. Dan gave a snort, then decided he would see how things went.
The sun was starting to set in the sky, so I figured it must be around seven, give or take a few minutes or an hour. I never did get the whole sundial thing in Girl Scouts. My stomach was starting to rumble, and I didn’t see a McDonald’s anywhere.
“What are we going to eat?” I asked.
“I picked up a few things at the store,” Caiyan responded, opening his backpack. He unpacked plates and cups made of tin, a small cooking pot, and some utensils.
“If you ladies would help me find some wood, we can eat.”
Gertie and I went in search of wood to burn. Caiyan set up a makeshift grill and made a fire. He cooked something that looked like beanie weenies, except the weenies were bigger.
Caiyan asked me to get the rest of the food from the backpack. I peered in to see bread and some wine. Well, at least I am getting Communion. If we all held hands and said a prayer, I could cut down on my Hail Marys for the month.