Chapter 5: Six Years Later

‘There is nothing so good for the inside of a man as the outside of a horse’.

Cora---I am living back at home with my father. I am now retired from the CIA. Medically discharged is what it is officially called. I was working in an embassy in Europe when there was a terrorist bombing.

I was one of the lucky ones. Eight people died. I only lost the bottom part of my right leg, along with some shrapnel wounds in my right arm that broke the bone in three places and tore the muscles. After three operations to repair my shattered arm, I was discharged and sent home. A month later I was waiting for a car to take me to my physical therapy appointment when a truck pulled into the driveway. Up walked Hawkeye. I opened the door and stepped out onto the front porch. He might as well see the ‘new me’ in all my broken glory. He hugged me!

“Cora, why haven’t you been by the stables?”

“Hawkeye, I sold my horse when I got assigned to that embassy in Europe. Now I doubt I would be able to ride. I do not even drive a car.” I motioned to my missing right foot with my gimp arm. I was about to cry.

“You can still ride. I’ll show you. Be ready to go at 7 in the morning.”

Before I had time to answer he turned and started walking back to his truck. My ride pulled up and I limped out as he drove away.

I was so distracted during my class that the therapist asked what was on my mind. I told her everything. Well not everything but how Hawkeye had taught me to ride a few years ago and how he had come to see me this morning.

“He is going to pick me up in the morning and take me to his stables. I told him I can’t ride anymore but he doesn’t believe it.”

“How old is his guy?”

“Thirty, maybe 35 I don’t know.”

“Is he good looking?”

“I guess.”

“You like him?”

“Yes, he’s nice.”

“If you get the chance, ask him out, then go to bed with him. That would be the best therapy for you.”

“Don’t be silly. Who would want me. My body is destroyed.”

“Nonsense, Cora. You are a beautiful young woman. You still have all the parts that count. I mean it, you need something to get your mind off your injury.”

I laughed it off and finished my class.

That night I kept thinking about what she said. I started to look forward to the next morning. So much so that I looked and found my old cowboy boots. I only needed one, but I shined it up. My fake foot has a tennis shoe on it. I laid out my clothes for the next day and got in bed with all kinds of thoughts going through my head.

Like he promised, Hawkeye was at my door at seven and we were at the stables in 15 minutes. He had a horse all ready for me. I touched the horse and sniffed his aroma.

“Damn! I did not realize I missed this so much. You’re going to have to help me get in the saddle. This right arm of mine does not have any strength.”

He grinned as I grabbed the reins and put my boot in the stirrup. I felt his hands on my butt as he gently raised me up and placed me in the saddle. He walked to the other side and made sure my tennis shoe was in the other stirrup. I signaled for the horse to move forward and he responded! I made one trip around the arena before I urged him into a lope. This feels amazing! The power of the animal under me, the wind in my face. Hell yes! Hawkeye was right! I can ride!

After two trips I cut into the middle of the ring and started doing a figure eight! I did the flying lead change just as he taught me years ago! After three figure eights and a number of lead changes I walked the horse back over to where Hawkeye was watching.

“You did pretty good for a girl who hasn’t been on a horse in years.”

“You mean I did pretty well for a cripple.”

“No, I meant just what I said.”

Then he took ahold of the horse’s bridle and looked directly into my eyes.