SHE

                   by Gwen
 

Part III.

John sat on top of his horse and watched the young woman.  She was dressed in a maroon gown. Her hair uncovered but pulled back from her face. This woman was one huge riddle to him. He hated riddles. Especially when they worked for him. Turner tried to come up from behind her. Attempting to sneak up on her, to surprise her. He was not successful.

Angelia stood at the fence line just as she did when she first laid on eyes on him. Now, they were joined in the common goal of destroying the Logans. She was stroking the neck and face of a yearling. She seemed oblivious to everything around her.

 "Good morning Mr. Turner. And how are you this morning?"

"Good. And you, Angelia?"

"Very well. But I will do better after the Derby. Where does Gauntlet usually spend his mornings. I heard that he is usually in the Logans North Pasture?"

"That’s correct. What do you plan on doing?"

"Well, I heard that Gauntlet has not been doing well in his practice runs. I was going to find out why. And straight from the horses mouth so to speak. I will return as soon as I find out exactly why. Then we can plan our next move."

"Good. Would you like to plan our next move over dinner this evening?"

Angelia turned to look at him for the first time. She was more used to dealing with horses then with people. But there was always a first time for everything. "That would be lovely."

"Good. Shall I pick you up at say six this evening?"

"That sounds wonderful. I will be back this afternoon with an answer on Gauntlet."

With that she mounted her horse side saddle. And rode from his sight.

Turner opened his jacket and pulled out his pocket watch. He opened it, studied it curiously and then placed it back. He would need to wait until Angelia returned after talking to Gauntlet.  That still sounded strange to him. But he had already seen her work firsthand. He just shook his head. He had other things to think about.

Angelia watched Jeremy approach the horse. Gauntlet became skittish and reared back. Then he  ran off almost as if he were teasing the human. Angelia slightly chuckled. She loved horses. She just had a problem with people. To her people were not as easy to deal with as horses. She watched Jeremy move back and then ride off down the road.

Angelia stood from behind the tree. Gauntlet had already noticed her and watched her carefully. She was new to him. He did not recognize her scent. But still he could tell she was not a usual human. Angelia carefully approached the fence. She muttered something in Gaelic. Gauntlet reared back a half step but then looked like he changed his mind. He slowly, carefully approached the fence.

"That’s a boy. I won’t hurt you. I would never hurt one of your kind. So how are you feeling today, little one?"  Gauntlet approached a little closer. Angelia gently stroked his neck and the top part of his head. The horse whinnied a bit and then stepped even closer. Then she gently stroked his face right over his nose.

"I’m sorry to hear that, I hope that you feel better. I hope that we will see each other again Gauntlet."

She backed away slowly. The mental clasp being broken. Gauntlet shook his head briefly and then walked off to play. Angelia smiled at the horse. She looked at the small timepiece around her neck. It was already well into the afternoon.  She needed to get back. She needed to tell John the interesting news on Gauntlet.

PART IV.

Angelia had no problem at all finding John Turner. He made sure of it. He wanted to know exactly what was wrong with Gauntlet. Especially before a huge race like the Derby. The Logans had almost bet the farm on him. And payback would be sweet if he could recoup his losses on one race—and watch the Logans swing in the wind.

Turner stood at the front porch—talking to one of his charges. Then he looked up and saw his co-conspirator arrive through the front gate. Now maybe he would have some answers to his questions.

"Angelia, I’m glad to see that your here."

"Yes, It appears that you were waiting for me. I’m flattered."
Turner looked around. He did not mean to be so obvious. However, he needed to know what was happening to the Logans. Or more precisely what was slowing down Gauntlet. Was it temporary or permanent? "I always find it hard to wait for information that I need?"

"Need—or want?"

"There is no difference."

"You're wrong. But back to the point….Gauntlet is in pain. It is growing worse daily. He doesn’t see how he can run."

"What exactly is wrong with him?" He still thought all this was ludicrous bordering on the absurd.

"He seems to have a problem with his front right leg. He seems to be developing arthritis in the joint. A shame since he is such a young horse. But it will be very painful for him to run….Especially as the humidity increases…."

Turner almost smiled. The humidity had to go no where but up for the next six months….and will be a major factor for the Derby.  "Interesting. And Gauntlet told you this?"

"Do not mock me Mr. Turner." Her face turned into a angry glare, she did not appreciate having her aptitude challenged by anyone. Even her employer. "What I have told you—I can easily tell the Logans."

"Yes. But you won’t—will you? You have a larger ax to grind than I do? An old hurt…Isn’t that what you called it?"
Angelia had to admit….Turner had a point…and a good one. They needed each other. She had the information, but had no idea how to use it to hurt the most. That would be his job.

"Well, Mr. Turner, we should leave something to discuss over dinner…shouldn’t we?"

Turner smiled at her. Probably for the first time. "Of course. I will see you then at six this evening."

"Of course." With that she felt that her work was done, at least for the evening. She would need time to prepare for her dinner meeting.

PART V.

Turner walked into the front parlor of his employer. He was trying to figure out how to explain the situation with the new hire….he didn’t even understand it himself. He had not even informed them of her hiring. Well, she was to valuable to be let go. Especially since she knew what was wrong with Gauntlet. Now he just had to try to explain to her how to take advantage of the new information.

He walked in and saw Vivian sitting at the desk trying to correct her brother's creative bookkeeping  again. She loved him and hated him at the same time. It was bad enough she had to use the family's assets to bale him out once…but repeatedly making the same mistakes was getting on her nerves. She looked up and saw Turner standing in the doorway. "Yes Mr. Turner, how may I help you?"

"I have information on Gauntlet—that you may find interesting."

"Yes, and what is it?" Vivians  face was still buried in the books.

"It seems that Gauntlet has a physical affliction that will make it very difficult for him to run in the Derby."

She looked up from the mountain of books for the first time. "Yes, you have my full attention now."

"He has pain in his front leg. Possibly arthritis."

"And how did you come across this piece of information?"

He was hoping to avoid the question. "We now have a woman working for us that has the ability to communicate
with horses."

"What do you mean communicate?"

"She talks to them."

She tried to hold back a laugh but was not very successful. "Mr. Turner, I thought you were less gullible than that. How do you know she talks to horses?"

"The other day when I met Angelia, that is her name, she told me that the brown yearling was feeling pain in her ankle. The next day the horse fell, she almost had to be destroyed. The ankle that was injured was the exact ankle Angelia said would be hurt."

"I chalk that up to coincidence. Luck. Chance. And this Angelia is the one that told you about Gauntlet?"

"Yes, she did."

"And she is now under the Winters’ employ?"

"Correct."

"Well, let’s test her shall we. We still have that Grey Stallion, the male, that no one has been able to break. I s that correct?"

"That’s correct."

"Good. This woman that talks to horses—she will have two days to break him. If she can—she will stay in our employ. If not, she will leave without pay. And so will you. Never hire anyone….without going through me first."

"I see. When will the deadline begin?"

"Well, you can tell her tonight. The deadline will begin tomorrow at dawn."

"Then I will tell her this evening. Good day."

John left the room. He had more to discuss with Angelia than he thought. At least he could do it over dinner.

PART VI.

Angelia was glad that she had purchased the cloth the week before. She barely had enough time to make herself a dress suitable for dinner. Of course, it had been some time since she had dinner out, much less with a man.

She looked at herself in the mirror. The green fabric clung to her body. It brought out her green eyes. Angelia smiled to herself. Not bad if she did say so herself.

She ran a brush through her hair. Then put her ear bobs in. OK. She was about as ready as she will ever get.

There was a knock on her door. She glanced at the clock. It was six o’clock. She took a deep breath and unlocked the door.

John stood in the doorway, he didn’t know what to expect from the woman. He hated that. He liked it when he had the upper hand. That was not happening here.

Angelia slowly opened the door. "Mr. Turner. Good Evening."
He looked at her as if seeing her for the first time. He had not been prepared for this. He quickly removed his hat with his hand.

She half chuckled to herself. "I take it that you approve."

"I apologize."

"Apology accepted. I will take it as a compliment. Are we going to dinner Mr. Turner?"

"Yes, and I would appreciate it if tonight you would call me John."

"Thank you--John." Angelia placed her hand in the crook of his arm as he led her down the stairs.

"You do look beautiful tonight."

"Thank you. I’ve been looking forward to this evening."

"So have I."

He helped her  into the carriage and then went around to his side. "So you explained to the Mistress of the House of my hire?"

"How did you  know?"

"Walls have ears. And so do I. And what happened?"

"She wishes to test your abilities."

"How so?"

John started the horse into a slow gallop. They had time before their dinner reservations. Angelia sat close enough for them to barely touch. But enough to be discreet. She pulled the shawl closer to her, and over her bare skin.

"There is a gray stallion in the west pasture. No one has been able to tame him. To break him. He has hurt three men and almost killed another. You have two days to do the impossible. To ride the horse. To tame him."

"AAAhhhh, that sounds like quite a challenge. The others, the men, they used brute force didn’t they? You know that I do not work that way. There is no reason for me to. As they say in my country….you catch more flies with honey."

"I hope your right."

"You are agreeing with me John? That is a little surprising."

"If you do not accomplish taming the stallion, you and I are both out of work."

"So that is why you are worried. When does the time begin?"

"Tomorrow at dawn."

"Well, at least we can enjoy the evening then can’t we?’

"That’s true. And if it is not to forward. You look beautiful this evening."

"Thank you John."

They traveled down the dark road with only the moon to guide them. John became a little uncomfortable in her company. He was not sure as to why. He needed to get to know the woman—especially if they were going to work together to bring down the Logans.

Angelia became a little uncomfortable in the silence. She could tell he was rather tense. Could it be that it was a long time for him to be in the company of a woman also? "It’s a beautiful evening isn’t it?"

"Yes, it is. So how long have you been talking to horses Angelia?"

"Ever since I was old enough to speak. It is passed down in my family..from parent to child. I will make sure that my child also have the gift…when God sees fit to give me one."

"And you speak to them in English?"

"Sometimes. Sometimes in Gaelic, that is my native tongue. Sometimes it is more of the way you present your body to the horse."

"So how do you read his thoughts?"

"Now John, a lady must have some secrets—shouldn’t she?"
Well it was a nice try—he thought. He felt that he had been caught red handed with his hand in the cookie jar. "Yes, she should."

"And what did you do during the War John?"

"I was married, I had a plantation—in Georgia. However, Sherman took care of that for me. My wife died shortly thereafter."

"I’m sorry. I didn’t know."

"That’s all right. It’s been a long time now. It’s time for me to begin to live again."

"I’m glad to hear you say that. You always look like you're here, but you're distant at the same time."

"I didn’t know that I gave that impression."

"John, you do leave quite an impression."

"Well, I’ll take that as a compliment Angelia."

John and Angelia arrived at the restaurant. They sat together in one of the corner tables. They sat close enough so their conversation would not be overheard but still remain civil.

It was then Alice Logan walked in with her dinner companion. Angelia watched the two enter and seat themselves at one of the better tables. Her eyes glared with hate. John made a mental note of that expression.

"Angelia, try not to be so obvious."

"I am sorry. But I disdain the have and the have nots’ in this country."

"I know. But why don’t we enjoy the evening."

"I am sorry. I did not to mean to be so rude. I apologize to you."

"Now. You told me that Gauntlet was going to have trouble running?"

"Yes. He is already in a great deal of pain. I don’t think that he will live past the year. He may need to be destroyed before winter. Sad, since he is so young."

"What I intend to do—is to place a large bet on Gauntlet to lower the odds. And then place a great deal of smaller bets—but larger in sum—on our horse. That way I can recoup our loses on the past races. It will not look suspicious. The Logans will not even recoup their entry into the Derby. Their horse will be worthless."

"Agreed. How can I help you in this."

John took a sip of his wine and began to cut his steak. "Well, for starters—break the stallion…..starting tomorrow…."

"That will not be a problem for me. What else?"

"You can enjoy the evening with me?"

"I already am. You are someone that I would like to get to know better—John."

John looked up at her, for a brief moment. He was not used to a woman being this forward. But then again—it was a different time. He set his knife down for a moment. His hand went over to hers and gently caressed hers. Angelia blushed a bit in the candlelight. "I would like to get to know you better also. If you have no objections?"

"None at all."

John walked Angelia up the stairs to her quarters. He could not enter the room with her. That would not be appropriate at this time. He could not even ask. John removed his hat and held it in his hand. He nervously ran his fingers over the brim. Angelia could tell he was tense. She gently touched his elbow. And took about a half step back so she would not crowd him.

"Thank you for a wonderful evening, John. I hope that we can do it again."

"I would enjoy that also. You must excuse me. It’s been a while since I have had dinner with a woman—such as yourself."

"You have nothing to apologize for John. You were a perfect gentleman—I enjoyed your company immensely."

"I also enjoyed yours Angelia. May I call on you tomorrow evening. Perhaps to go for a walk at sunset."

"I would like that."

John took a deep breath. He felt her take a half step forward. Her fingers gently went up to his shoulders. He bent down to the small woman and gently touched his lips to hers. His hands went to her elbows and rested there. His first kiss lasted only a moment. He pulled back and watched her open her eyes. She smiled up at him.

"Good night, John. I shall talk to you in the morning."

"Good night, Angelia." He put his hat back on and slowly walked down the stairs. He wondered what on earth he had just gotten himself into.