The Price (44 page)

Kate wondered if the smoke was visible from the road and if anyone would question why someone in their right mind would be camping in the dead of winter in this desolate place. But someone did see the smoke, and Kate heard the sound of thunder in the distance. It roared like that of a locomotive coming closer to the two campers. Kate saw a cloud of dust peak along the foothills and heard the sound of hooves scraping against the desert plain. She sat upright in her chair and looked out over the horizon.

She felt him before seeing him, as Back Thunder appeared through the cloud of dust. With nostrils flaring he lifted his head and caught wind of her. He turned and their eyes met. Black Thunder charged from the hills and onto the flatted ground. She watched in awe as the wind carried his mane in the air. He paced himself, prancing along the dry lake-bed, approaching them with caution.

“Help me up, Jack,” said Kate with excitement, and she threw the blanket to the ground.

“I don’t believe it,” said Jack, watching the animal move back and forth by the fire as if he were trying to figure out how to maneuver past it to get to Kate.

Jack rushed to Kate’s side and helped her up. She leaned on him for support as he led her around the fire and stopped just short of where the black stallion stood.

“Hello, my friend,” said Kate as she lifted her tired arm and stroked the animal’s nose.

Black Thunder snorted and raised his head.

“Yes, I know it has been too long.” She moved her hand to the horse’s cheek, caressing his coarse fur.

Jack stood back and silently observed. He had forgotten the connection between the blond-haired woman and the wild black steed. It was rather humbling to watch their reunion.

Kate moved alongside the animal’s long torso, feeling his strength with her touch. Black Thunder released a snort and bowed his front legs like that of regal nobility. He lowered himself and shook his head, waving it up and down through the air.

“I’m moving as fast as I can,” she said, making her way toward his back. “I haven’t been feeling so good lately.”

Kate weakly laid her head on Black Thunder’s back and wrapped her tired arms around his neck. She took a brief pause, trying to gather her strength. Jack saw she was too weak to lift herself up.

“Let me help you,” he said, and he lifted her on to the horse. Black Thunder turned and looked at him, then released another snort. “I’m helping her. Is that okay with you?” He directed his comment to the steed then thought he was insane talking to a horse as if he understood.

“I believe he was showing his appreciation for helping me,” explained Kate.

“Of course he was,” he laughed nervously.

This was all too much. He was talking to a horse and Kate was lying on its back deriving comfort. Black Thunder stayed still, not moving a muscle as he kept his position. It made Jack antsy wondering if at any minute the horse could spring to his feet and Kate would be bucked off, or worse—he could dart into the hills with Kate on his back and he would never hear from either again.

Jack moved slowly, creeping to the truck to fetch a rope then slinking back. He didn’t want to startle the animal with any quick movements. He tied the rope, making a knotted circle.

“Easy there, boy,” Jack whispered as he placed the rope around the animal’s neck. “Just want to make sure you don’t run off with my wife.”

He caught a glimpse of the steed’s dark eyes and for a moment, Jack was transfixed. His heart jumped like it stopped and re-started again, and he looked away.

“How long you going to be up there?” Jack asked Kate, but she didn’t answer.

She looked like she was sleeping on top of the animal. Jack retrieved the blanket from the lounge chair and covered her, burying her with the fleece lined material. He pulled up a chair and sat as he clung to the rope and watched.

Kate felt herself melding to the great beast. Her mind quieted—hearing only the animal’s breath. A peace set in and all her worries and worldly cares washed away. She closed her eyes and rubbed her hand along his mane. He was soothing her, lulling her into a state of rest. Like a caterpillar locked in its cocoon, she laid dormant, letting nature do her thing.

Jack sat back in his chair and watched. It was as if they were a stilled photograph, for neither Kate nor Black Thunder moved. His eyelids grew heavy and he found himself dozing in and out of a peaceful and worry-free slumber as if he’d been carried into the circle of Kate and Black Thunder’s unexplainable exchange.

When he woke, he felt refreshed like he had slept for a week straight. He gazed up at the sky and saw a grey overcast shadowed in red. The sun was setting as its orange ball dipped behind the Sierras and an array of brilliant colors caressed the sky. He looked over at Kate and saw her in the same position on top of the horse before he fell asleep.

It was then that Black Thunder lifted his head and released a snort. He moved his long legs, like he wanted to stand. Jack shot up out of the chair and rushed toward Kate.

“Hey baby, you awake?” He leaned over and whispered in her ear.

“Yes,” she whispered back but didn’t open her eyes.

“I got a feeling it’s time for you to get down. Black Thunder is getting a little antsy.”

“I know.” Slowly she sat upright on the horse’s back.

Jack lifted her down and carried her to the lounge chair as Black Thunder sprung to his feet. He began to move away from Jack and Kate, heading across the lakebed and toward the foothills. He charged up the rocks and disappeared over the Sierras like the sun.

“What time is it?” Kate asked Jack.

“By the looks of it, probably close to five,” he stated. “You ready to head in to the camper?”

Kate nodded
yes
. Jack lifted her from the lounge chair and swung open the door to the camper climbing the three steps into the cozy, little matchbox they now called home. He laid Kate on the bed and placed the blanket around her.

“Why don’t you rest while I start supper?” said Jack as he placed a kiss to her lips.

“What are you making?” She sat up in the bed.

“I was thinking about frying me up a steak and some potatoes,” he added, moving to the tiny section called a kitchen. He placed a frying pan on top of the miniature stove and began to cut up a couple of potatoes.

Kate rose from the bed. She walked past him in her usual way, holding on-to the cabinetry and then the table for support as she made her way to the back end of the camper.

“Where are you going?” His eyes showed worry that she was going to be sick again.

“I have to pee.”

She disappeared into what looked like a closet and closed the door. Jack continued his cooking, throwing the steak in the frying pan along with the potatoes. In a small pot, he heated a can of chicken noodle soup for Kate, knowing she probably wasn’t going to eat much, if at all.

The steak started to sizzle and soon the aroma filled the camper. Kate emerged from the water closet and sat on the fabric seat that was now their kitchen table. She leaned back against the wall and lifted her feet on-to the seat. The smell of grilled steak hit her senses and normally would have made her stomach churn. Instead, she felt a light rumble and her belly growled with hunger.

“That smells good,” she said, the smells triggering her saliva glands.

“It does at that, baby.”

He thought she was being polite. He hoped the smell wouldn’t trigger another one of her episodes. He was starved since he hadn’t eaten lunch, and the thought of chewing on cold steak did not seem appealing. Jack finished cooking and placed the steak and potatoes on a plate then poured her soup into a bowel. He set them on the table and reached into the mini refrigerator and retrieved a bottle of steak sauce. He joined her, sitting on the booth seat across from her.

Kate picked up her spoon and began to eat. It tasted so good and for the first time in a long while, she ate the entire bowl.

“You’re eating,” he stated, and his eyes welled up with tears.

“I’m hungry,” Kate smiled and scraped the last bit of soup from the bowl.

That was a very good sign and one Jack thought he would never see again. Kate reached over and stole a piece of potato from his plate and popped it in her mouth. She chewed through the browned surface and let the softness melt in her mouth.

“That tastes good.” She closed her eyes, savoring it.

“You want some more?” Jack pushed his plate in the center of the table to share.

“Maybe one more,” Kate half-laughed and popped another one in her mouth. “What I’d really like is a piece of that steak of yours.”

“Sure!” Jack blinked then stared at the most wonderful sight before him. Kate was hungry and she was eating.

He cut her a small piece and handed her his fork. Kate ate the piece of steak.

“Oh my God, this is Heaven,” she purred as she chewed.

Jack sat on pins and needles through most of their dinner, half expecting her to get up and run to the bathroom, but tonight she didn’t experience an episode—not one single episode. Even after dinner, as they sat together in bed, him drinking his cup of coffee and her sipping on a mug of tea. She seemed perfectly fine.

The next morning, Jack woke to the smell of coffee. He sat up and saw Kate standing over the stove, making eggs and drinking a cup of coffee. He darted from the bed and took two steps toward her.

“Morning,” he said, placing a kiss on her cheek as he wrapped his arms about her waist. “What are you doing up so early?”

“I wasn’t tired anymore,” she smiled up at him. “Coffee?”

“I’ll do it. You go sit down.”

Kate did as she was told but not before grabbing her mug filled to the brim with coffee and cream.

“You think it’s wise drinking it that way?” asked Jack, watching her scoot into the booth.

“I kept the steaks and potatoes down last night,” she stated. “Besides I hate black coffee.”

“I know you do, baby, but don’t overdo it, okay?” He was glad she was feeling better but he was still cautious.

At breakfast, Kate ate all her eggs. To Jack’s relief she didn’t expel it and for the first time in a long while, she wasn’t spent like she was after an episode. By mid-morning, she was ready to go outside and wait for Black Thunder. No sooner had they stepped from the trailer, the black steed emerged from the hills to joined them. Once more, Black Thunder bowed and rested his torso on the ground while Kate climbed on to lie on his back. Jack took his place on the lounge chair and watched.

It became a routine for the next several days and Jack was no longer concerned that the horse would bolt and run off with his wife.

Instead of being idle, Jack busied himself throughout the day while Kate rested and slept on top of the majestic creature.

As each day progressed she seemed to be getting better. Jack had no explanation other than something miraculous was happening right before his very eyes. She was getting stronger and he no longer had to carry her from the trailer to the lounge chair or help her astride the animal’s back.

She was eating again, and she hadn’t experienced an episode in days. The sparkle in her blue eyes returned and the dark circles left. She didn’t look so frail anymore, and Jack swore she was putting on weight.

By the Fourth day, her strength returned. They started to go for morning walks, and to Jack’s surprise, she was no longer winded.

She still napped astride Black Thunder’s back every afternoon. It was a daily occurrence; Kate climbing onto the animal and resting her head on his neck as she clung to his mane with Jack covering her with the fleece blanket to stay warm. This would last for most of the afternoon. Jack wondered if Kate was truly asleep or lulled into a state of mindfulness. Either way it didn’t matter. All he cared about was

that she was
getting better
.

On the evening of the Fifth day, he’d made love to her, but not because
he
initiated it.

“Come on Jack, please,” said Kate, practically ripping his clothes off his back. She climbed on top of him, kissing him all over, seducing him with searching fingers and tingling sensations from her lips.

“Damn you Kate,” he groaned, fighting against his own arousal and wanting to take her hard. “I don’t want to hurt you.”

“You won’t hurt me, I promise.” The old fire was back burning bright blue in her eyes. “Take me, Jack.”

And so he did—he rolled her onto her back, spread her legs and took her just the way she wanted. Afterwards, he laid there with her claimed beneath him and Jack was overcome with gratitude and relief for the black stallion who was responsible for it all.

On the Sixth day, however, something changed. Black Thunder emerged out of the hills and came to rest in his same spot. But he only let Kate stay on his back for about an hour before he grew restless.

“What’s wrong?” she asked the great animal, holding on-to his mane.

He snorted a few times and as Kate went to release her hand, long strands of the stallion’s mane came out in her palms. She slid from the horse’s back and Black Thunder stood. She went to stroke the side of his neck but he stepped back and wouldn’t let her touch him. He snorted again and moved back—his wild instinct returning.

“What’s wrong?” Kate asked again, and her emotions rose.

Black Thunder began to pace, moving back and forth near the fire, scraping his hooves on the ground.

“Jack,” she shouted, stepping back from the stallion for the first time in fear.

Jack came rushing from the camper and saw Black Thunder acting nervous and unsettled.

“Easy there boy,” he said in a calm manner, taking cautious steps as he approached the animal.

Black Thunder settled down and allowed Jack to rub his neck. When Jack removed his hand, he found the animal’s coarse hair glued to his palms.

It was the man now who seemed to sooth the dark stallion rather than the woman, and for the rest of the afternoon, every time Kate tried to go near Black Thunder he would grow nervous again and move away. It seemed the only one who could settle him now was Jack.

There was something
different
about the steed. His stark dark eyes were not as deep as before, and his strength seemed to wane. On several occasions, Jack noticed the horse stumble and try to regain his footing. He rushed to the animal’s side and calmed him down. It was odd, thought Jack, that the horse remained in their presence instead of bolting back into the hills. But he seemed content to stay close as long as Kate kept her distance.