Grün hebt die Stimmung

Josh had left, and I had a restless night — full of bad dreams and too many tears. When I opened the door the next morning, Jamie was standing there with two cups of coffee.

Jamie: “Good morning, ma’am. I made us coffee. Please take one quickly before my hands are burned forever.”

Gillian: “Jamie?! You’re an angel. I really need that coffee. Come here, let me rescue you from your suffering.”

We stood on the terrace, sipping quietly.

Jamie: “If you don’t have anything important planned today, you could come with me to Silverglade. I need to pick up a few feed sacks.”

Gillian: “I’ve got nothing planned… what would I have? Claire’s with Rowan this weekend and no new training horses arrive until next week. Wait — you’re not expecting me to carry the feed sacks home on my back, are you?”

I had heard Tai had set up a new training course I wanted to try. Jamie chatted and joked the entire time. That was just Jamie — a good guy, doing his best to cheer me up. I loved that about him. But today… it felt like a little too much.

Jamie: “Oh, what fair maiden do I find upon this bridge?”

Gillian: “Jamie… just be quiet for a second. I need to concentrate.”

When I had opened the door that morning and seen him, I’d truly been happy. But this little trip also made me feel guilty. Josh had chosen to leave — to give me time. But would he have done that if there hadn’t been shows waiting? If Mac hadn’t been waiting? Lost in my thoughts, I almost rode straight into Jamie on a narrow turn.

Jamie: “Gillian! What are you doing?! I’m not allowed to joke because you need to focus — and now you almost crash into me? I think we better just get the feed from Barney.”

Gillian: “Jamie, I’m sorry. I wasn’t paying attention.”

What was wrong with me? I was so trapped in my thoughts that something could have happened. That was enough. Josh was gone. And I was here with Jamie — who was always there for me, always trying to make me feel better. He didn’t deserve my distance. He was the other man I loved. And it was unfair not to show him. We picked up the feed sacks from Barney.

Barney: “Why don’t you take the path through Hollow Woods on your way back? After winter, the green there really lifts your spirits.”

Jamie: “Good idea, Barney. I think we could use that.”

Hollow Woods, with its lush green, truly was beautiful.

Gillian: “I’m sorry about earlier. I’m happy to be out here with you. And you’re allowed to talk nonsense again. Barney was right — this really lifts the mood.”

Jamie: “He was right. I’m already full of spring feelings… in love, happy — though apart from butterflies, my stomach’s empty. I’m starving. You too?”

We sat down by a small stream. Suddenly, Jamie pulled something from his jacket pocket.

Jamie: “As luck would have it, I packed two sausages this morning… Viennese. From your homeland. You can eat them cold.”

I burst out laughing.

Gillian: “Jamie, you are the best!!! I don’t know how you do it, but every minute with you is wonderful.”

After our break, we headed back to Meadowland.

Jamie: “I won’t compete for you unfairly. I’ll just stay who I am. The man who loves you and wants to win your heart. The one who makes you laugh, comforts you, makes you happy, and is always there for you. Oh — and the one who wants at least four children with you.”

Gillian: “Jamie… I wish everything were simpler. You’re perfect. You’re everything I want for my life. I wanted to tell you that after our evening together — but then Josh came back. And since then, I feel so torn. Tell me… would maybe three children be enough?”

When we had finished everything, I suddenly had an idea.

Gillian: “You know what? To end this wonderful day together, I’ll cook us something nice.”

Jamie: “Oh Gillian… with a strong will to survive and the hope that we’ll have many more wonderful days like this, I vote we order takeout instead.”