Chapter 16

For one week Max did as the Doctor ordered and got plenty of bed rest. One day Harry came to her room, sat down next to her, and with one hand on her knees said, “They’re about to deliver the horses in about an hour. It’s still not too late to change our minds. We can tell them to take the horses to different stables.”

Max looked into Harry’s eyes and with great conviction said, “No. They need to stay here. At least for now. I need to do this.”

Harry half-smiled, “I figured you’d say that. Would you like to help us unload the horses, or watch from the living room or your window?” When he mentioned her window he pointed his chin towards her window.”

Max glanced at the window then down to the floor and said, “I think I’ll watch from my window.” The last two words were so low that Harry could hardly hear them. He just nodded and headed for the door. Then more confidently Max said, “What you and the others are doing is helping me. I know if I continue to get your support that I will be good. I’ll be fine soon.”

“That’s good. I love you, Maxine,” Harry said.

“I love you too Dad,” Max said surprising Harry. And once again she spoke up just as he was about to leave, “I’m going to be 19 soon. In two months. There is something I’d like for my birthday. A couple of things.”

“What’s that? If I can get it for you I will,” Harry told her truthfully.

Max frowned, “First of all I don’t want you to get it out of pity or anything. I know that sounds harsh, but that’s all I feel like I’ve been getting lately from a lot of people. I don’t need that from you too.” Harry nodded. Max continued, “I want to go on a ride just you, me, and Lissa. I want to go on the old trail. That is if I’m up to riding a horse by then. I’d like Kiwi to go with us but she can’t really go on a ride while that far in her pregnancy. And second I’d like ... um. I’d like a horse of my own. I’d like one of the horses that are coming in today. If I can’t handle a real horse yet I’d like a wood carving of a horse. Like how the neighbor a couple of houses down the street used to make. Those were the prettiest wooden horses. They don’t have to be those exactly. It’s just a thought. Silly I know.”

It took Harry a moment to respond. He had thought that Max was going to ask him to impregnate her again. Soon after she found out she had lost the baby he overheard her talking to Kiwi and she said that she wanted to become a mother. She said that after Kiwi stated that she didn’t want to keep the baby.

When Harry finally spoke he said, “We’ll see what will happen once we get to your birthday.”

Harry went in to kiss Max’s cheek but she moved enough to ensure their lips met. They embraced for a couple of minutes and lost themselves in that kiss. Both enjoying entangling their tongues with one another. When the horses finally arrived Max sat by her window as she nervously watched each horse being unloaded into the coral. When she counted five horses her heart calmed.

She whispered to Kiwi, “He’s not there.”

She was about to go down to the kitchen to grab a bite to eat when she noticed they were still trying to get a horse out of the trailer. But she knew that couldn’t be. Harry said that they could only find five out of six horses that were forced onto her. Soon enough a sixth horse came barging out of the trailer. It was the horse. The first horse she ever had sex with. Her mind quickly went back to that day.