“Darling,
are you OK?” Aunt Eileen asked, concerned.
“Yes, I'm good. I am just so excited that we are almost done. These baseboards and wall are about the last of it,”
she said.
“I
found another drop cloth,” Fiona said coming back into the room.
“Excellent
Fiona. Thank you. One more wall to go. We are doing great ladies,”
she said. “I really like this sea foam green color.”
“It’s
very light and airy,” her Aunt agreed.
“I
love that this room is close to ours.”
“And
when that baby cries every two hours you’d wish it wasn’t”
“Really
Fiona,” my Aunt joked, “She’s gonna wish the kitchen and
laundry were closer.”
They
both laughed.
Aileen just shook her head and went back to painting since she wanted that part
to be done and dried so it didn’t stink. She didn’t want Vince to
find the room too soon if possible.
“Thank
you so much for helping Aunt Eileen, Fiona,” she said setting a
glass of iced tea in front of each of them where they had migrated after finishing the room.
“Oh
Hon, you are so welcome,” Aunt Eileen said, “It is for my
grandchild you know.”
The
love she felt for my Aunt exploded her my chest.
“And
my future niece or nephew,” Fiona said.
“How
did I get to be so lucky?” she inquired, quite overcome with emotion.
“Well,
I must take off. I need to get home to help with dinner. Oh who am
I kidding. Make dinner,” Fiona said as she stood and gathered her
things.
“Fiona,
thank you so much for all your help,” Aileen said giving her a bear
hug.
“You
are so welcome.”
She walked her to the door and waved good bye, then walked back into the
kitchen, where my Aunt still sat.
‘Whew.
We got a lot done. But I am ready for a break,” she sighed,
sipping her tea.
“Why
don’t you come back with me for dinner. Or better yet come spend
the night. We can go over plans for breeding, mares, and stallions,”
she persuaded.
“Sure.
I can ride Joe over. I need to put away the paint cans, to reduce
the smell, and lock up.”
“Let
me help you with the cans and then I can meet you at the ranch.”
“Awesome.”
About
an hour later she was in front of a plate of food in the kitchen at the
ranch.
“As
always Uncle Scott. Delicious.”
“As
always. Thank you.”
Washing
her plate at the sink, she said, “I am going to go put Joe in his
stall and say goodnight. I will be back in a few.”
“OK
darling.”
Aileen walked out to the stables. Slow and leisurely. She loved it here.
Never in a million L.A. years would she have dreamed of all this
happening in her life. She found Joe in his stall munching on the last
of his feed.
“Hey,
how is my good boy?” She patted him on his shoulder, as she grabbed his
water bucket, and walked out the barn door to the spigot on the side the
barn. She turned to look at the sunset. Everything here is so
spectacular. Water bucket filled, she turned off the water and carried
the bucket back to Joe’s stall. “Joe, here is some water to get
you through the night. We are both spending the night so don’t
freak out. I’ll be up at the house.” She gave him a hug and a
carrot and closed the stall door.
Back
in the kitchen I found the making of hot chocolate. Carrying my cup
into the living room sitting next to my aunt.
“So
what did you have in mind for a breeding program?”