Part 27

Aileen was trying to figure out where everyone was in the room so she could practice moving without everyone gushing over her. Ooo, there’s a toe. Ooo, there’s a finger. The downside was that now she was tired and really just wanted Vince to sing. She enjoyed his instrumental stuff, but developed a fondness for his voice gliding over her like a soft wind. She guessed all this thinking made her blood pressure go up because the machines started beeping. Crap. Breath slowly. Better, but it caught the attention of a nurse. She didn’t stay long, as she managed to calm down a bit by stopping her exercises. It did concern Vince enough to sing to her which is what she ultimately wanted. Aileen smiled slightly and fell asleep.

Vincent did notice, but didn’t say anything because he didn’t want to share yet. He swore she had a smile on her face so he kept singing.

The nurses had been good enough to find him a recliner that he had been sleeping in. He waited till the floor was fairly quiet and then stood up. He moved over next to the bed and took her hand in his, leaning over her, giving her a few soft kisses.

“Ah, my fairy pixey, I love you. You stole my heart.” He pulled his head back to look for any signs. He saw a slight smile and another tear. Hopefully, a happy one now.

He kissed her once more, scooted a chair up next to the bed and sat down. Vince crossed his arms and placed them on the edge of the bed, resting his head across his arms. He fell asleep.

The nurse came in to check on her patient. She opened the drapes a bit to let in some morning sun. Poor Mr McGregor. He was so tired that he didn’t even realized that the patient was stroking his hair. So the nurse whispered in her ear that he was asleep. Aileen shook her head in acknowledgment. The nurse smiled and left to go find Aileen’s Doctor.

Aileen felt more aware today. She was enjoying just laying there quietly stroking his hair.

Finally Vince stirred. He sat straight up and moved to kiss her.

“Och, I dinna ken where all this sappy affection is coming from,” she whispered in a bad Scottish accent.

Vince chuckled and whispered back, “There’s more where that came from.”

“Joe.”

“He helped save you. But misses you terribly.”

“Go hug him. Go sleep.”

“I will, but first I will go call your Aunt. She has been so worried.”

“Hmmm,” she mumbled and fell back asleep.

Vince left to go home now that Eileen and Scott were back. He was so relieved now that she was out of the woods, as were Eileen and Scott. Vince was going to head home first, then later he would go see Joe.

Eileen and Scott came to the hospital to keep Aileen company and to relieve Vince for awhile.

“Sweetie,” Eileen started, as she adjusted Aileen’s pillows, smoothing the blankets, “Do you remember what happened? If you are too tired to answer that’s OK.”

Her Aunt started brushing her hair. “It was a bird. It flew up from some tall grass and smacked the horse right in the face. It kinda wasn’t his fault. He reared up and fell over backwards. I tried to get free, but I hit my head and passed out, he must have fallen on top of me before rolling over the cliff. It’s a wonder I didn’t go over too.” Aileen stopped talking for a second enjoying the feel of her hair being brushed. “What happened to the horse? Are they going to blame us?”

“No they are not blaming us. It’s not our fault the horse was an idiot, and we did every thing to train him against all that. Uncle Scott arranged for the removal of the body.”

“I’m sorry Aunt Eileen, maybe if I hadn’t gone out this wouldn’t have happened”

“Oh Honey, it is not your fault. We are just glad you are still alive,” she said as she bent down and hugged Aileen.

“I wish I could go see Joe. Let him know I’m OK,” she said wistfully.

“Don’t worry. Vincent is going to go check on him before he comes back here.” Eileen came around from behind the bed and continued, “Do you know that Vincent hardly left your side the whole four weeks you’ve been in here.”

I smiled. “What do you think of him?”

“He’s a lucky man to have you, but I wouldn’t throw him back,” Eileen said smiling back, walking around straightening.

“Honey?” Scott queried.

“Hmmm?”

“She’s asleep.”

Eileen saw that her niece was indeed asleep. “Then, my love, let’s go run some errands.”

Vincent jerked awake. God, what time is it? He jumped down out of bed and walked to the bathroom for a shower. The rugs Fiona bought really helped with the cold floor. An hour later, pressed and dressed, found him over at his neighbor’s place.

He parked his car and went to look for Joe. He had a couple carrots for him, hoping he would eat them, since Eileen said Joe was off his feed. Vince found him in his paddock. If a horse could look anymore depressed he didn’t know. He just stood there, his chin resting on the top railing of the fence, just staring out towards the road. He walked to the gate, opening it, and called out to Joe, as he went inside the paddock.

“Joe. Hey Buddy. How are you?” Vince said softly as he walked up to Joe. Joe looked so sad. Joe put his head over Vince's shoulder and hugged him horse style. The Joe just leaned on him almost forcing him to his knees. Poor Joe. He looked like he hadn’t eaten in months. With one last hug Vince moved out from under Joe, patted him on his shoulder and offered him one of the carrots, which he took without much enthusiasm.

Vince rubbed Joe’s forehead making small baby talk with him. “Joe, she is going to be alright. Our Fairy Pixey will be home soon and you two will be dancing again. She misses you so much." Vince proffered the other carrot which Joe took more quickly, hopefully understanding Vince’s tone if not the actual words. “You were so brave. You are special horse.” Vince looked up at the sky and saw that it was getting dark. He thought maybe Joe needed to go in for the night and since he didn’t see anybody he took hold of Joe’s halter and led him to his stall. With one last goodbye to Joe and telling him not to worry, he got into his car and drove to the hospital.