"I want you to let Chuck manhandle the luggage, okay? You shouldn't be doing any heavy lifting."
"Believe it or not, Chuck is a bigger mother hen than you are. He waits on me hand and foot when he's at the lab."
"He's a good friend, Jordan."
"Yes he is, and he'll make a great uncle. It will be good to have a positive male role model in this baby's life, not that I think two women can't raise well-balanced kids, but if it really takes a village to raise a child, I would like that village to be filled with people like Chuck, Gina and Sam."
"Isn't it great that Sam and Gina have decided to get pregnant?" Maggie asked.
"I'm thrilled about that, Mags. Sam is right — with both of us being only children, Gina and Sam's kids will be the closest things they'll know to cousins."
Maggie put the last piece of clothing in the suitcase and zipped it closed. "Done. I'm going to stand it up over here by the dresser so you can grab it on your way out in the morning."
Jordan wrapped her arms around Maggie and kissed her on the head. "Thanks for the help, love. We should probably hit the sheets if I want to get a good night's sleep to travel on tomorrow."
Maggie removed her clothing and crawled in between the sheets and waited for Jordan to join her. Jordan lay on her back and opened her arms for Maggie, who curled up into her side and placed her head on Jordan's shoulder.
"Chuck will drop Jessie off here when he picks me up in the morning. We'll travel tomorrow and attend the conference from Tuesday through Thursday. We already have meetings set up with some of the vendors on Friday, so we'll travel back home on Saturday. We should be home sometime around seven," Jordan explained.
"I'm looking forward to spending the week with Jessie. While she's at school, I'll be working with the saddler on the new saddle design. I'm hoping he'll have the prototype ready for Jessie to try out before Friday," Maggie said.
"You're going to the Champlain Valley auction on Friday, right?"
"Yes. I'm hoping they have a good stock this year."
"Well, you certainly have a good eye for horses. I'm sure you'll do fine."
Jordan yawned.
Maggie lifted her head and kissed Jordan on the cheek. "Time to sleep, sweetie. I love you."
"I love you too, Mags. Good night, my love."
"Sweet dreams." Maggie placed her hand directly on Jordan's abdomen. "Good night my little one," she said before closing her eyes and allowing sleep to claim her.
* * *
Maggie and Jessie waved the next morning as Chuck drove his SUV down the driveway.
"So, what would you like to do today?" Maggie asked.
Jessie looked up at Maggie from her wheelchair. "I'm hoping to do some riding while I'm here, and I don't mind earning my keep by brushing and feeding the foals in the north pasture."
Maggie pushed Jessie's wheelchair across the yard and up the ramp to the porch. "We'll have plenty of time to do that in the afternoons when you get home from school. How about some breakfast, then we'll take a ride out to the north pasture?"
Maggie put a plate full of scrambled eggs, sausage and toast in front of Jessie then sat at the table opposite her.
"Thanks for letting me stay with you, Maggie," Jessie said. "My nanny is really nice, but she's kinda old and not a lot of fun."
Maggie chuckled. "Well, it won't be all fun and games here either. We need to keep the farm operational on a daily basis. There's always a list of chores to do."
"I can help with the chores. There's a lot I can do, even stuck in this chair."
"Actually, I was going to ask you to help me with something while you're here."
"What's that?"
"Well, as you know, I am planning to open a riding school for handicapped children. The generous wedding gift you and your dad gave us will be used for that project."
"So what do you need me to do?"
"I've been working with my saddler on a saddle designed to make riding safe for someone who is handicapped. I was hoping you would help me test it this week."
"Can I?" Jessie asked excitedly. "If it works, does that mean I can ride by myself?"
"That's the goal."
"Cool. When do we get started?"
"As a matter of fact, I've already started." Maggie rose to her feet. "I'll show you the diagrams I've been working on. I'll be right back."
Maggie returned moments later and rolled out the blueprints on the table in front of Jessie. "Okay, so as you can see, the saddle has a high back with arm rests and leg rests in case the handicap requires restraints to hold the rider in the saddle. Many of the features are modular so they can be removed, or not, depending the degree of help the rider needs."
"That's a good idea. I can sit up on my own, but not everyone with a handicap can."
"Exactly. The saddle needs to be versatile enough to adapt to several levels of disability."
"For the record, Maggie, I see my limitations more as an inconvenience rather than a handicap."
Maggie smiled. "I like your attitude, Jess. So, the saddler will be here this afternoon around two o'clock."
"The bus should be dropping me off around three. I hope he'll still be here."
"He will. I've specifically asked him to arrange his visit around your school schedule." Maggie glanced at the clock. "Oops, we need to get going or you'll miss the bus."
* * *
Maggie stood at the end of the driveway at three and waited for the bus driver to unload Jessie via the hydraulic wheelchair lift.
"Is the saddler still here?" Jessie asked as the wheeled her way toward Maggie.
"He sure is. In fact, he brought the prototype saddle with him and wants you to try it out."
"Really?"
"Really."
Jessie buckled herself into the front seat as Maggie loaded her chair into the back of the truck. Five minutes later, they pulled up to the front porch. Jessie was unbuckled and had the door open waiting for Maggie to bring her chair to the side of the truck.
"You're not excited, are you?" Maggie joked.
"I can't help it. I'm looking forward to riding by myself," Jessie replied.
Maggie helped Jessie into her chair and pushed her to the barn where the saddler was waiting for them. "Mike, this is Jessie. Jessie, this is our saddler, Mike Anderson."
Jessie extended her hand. "Hi, Mike."
"Are you ready to try out the new saddle, Jessie?" Mike asked.
"You bet I am."
"Okay. Wait right here."
Mike entered a nearby stall and led a medium sized horse toward Jessie. On the mare's back was the prototype saddle.
"All right, up you go," Mike said as he scooped Jessie out of her wheelchair and gently placed her in the saddle.
"Hold on to the saddle horn while we strap your legs in, Jess," Maggie said. She wrapped two Velcro straps around each leg, one just above the knee and the other above the ankle. "Okay. Your legs are secure. Now, how does it feel?"
"Pretty good."
"Let's fold these arm rests out of the way. I don't think you'll need them as long as your abdominal muscles are strong enough to keep you from tipping side to side. How is your balance?"
"I feel pretty safe. I don't feel like I'm going to fall off or anything."
Maggie looked at Mike. "I'm glad you made the backrest modular. I'm thinking we can take the top tier off. We can always put it back on if she's having problems sitting erect."
"I agree," Mike said.
He addressed Jessie directly, "Jess, I'm going to reduce the height of your backrest because you seem to have really good control over your balance. If at any time, you feel unsafe, or feel like you are going to fall off, let me know immediately and we can add supports back in. We can even strap you to the backrest if you feel you need it."
"I'm okay for now. Maybe we can take a short ride around the paddock to test it out," Jessie suggested.
"That sounds like a good idea," Maggie said. "Mike and I will walk on both sides of yo
u just in case."
After three turns around the paddock, they returned to the barn. "How does it feel, Jessie?" Maggie asked.
"It feels great."
"Mike, what do you say we saddle Shawny and Sally and the three of us take a ride out to the north pasture? Do you have time to do that?" Maggie asked.
"Sure do. I'd like to be there the first time it's used on a real ride anyway." Mike looked at Jessie. "Give us a minute and we'll be right with you."
Twenty minutes later, all three riders were on their way across the field to the north pasture. Maggie rode along side Jessie.
"Jess, normally, you would use your legs and feet to control the animal. Since you don't have that ability, you'll have to learn to control it primarily with your hands and voice. What I'd like you to do is to place both hands just above the horse's shoulders and press inward while giving the voice command 'giddy up'. That would be similar to squeezing the horse between your knees. Remember, you'll need to hold onto the reins while you do that in the event the horse lunges forward. Okay, give it a try."
Jessie followed Maggie's commands and soon, the horse was moving in a slow canter.
Maggie kept pace with Jessie as they rode to the north pasture and back, while practicing the 'giddy up' and 'whoa' commands. It was nearly dusk by the time they returned to the barn.
Jessie's cheeks were flushed and her hair was in wild array as Mike helped her back into her chair.
"That was amazing," Jessie said. "Can we do it again tomorrow?"
"We'll see. While you're at school tomorrow, I'll need to think about a way to get you on and off the horse. I think that will be a bigger challenge than designing a safe saddle."
"Maggie, I took several mental notes while we were out relative to improving the saddle," Mike said. "Nothing major, mind you, but it needs a few tweaks. I'll take it with me when I leave. It might be Wednesday before I can get it back to you."
"All right, Mike. It will give me some time to think about the loading station." Maggie shook his hand. "I think we are very close to having a saddle that will pass the tough safety standards the state is imposing on us."
"Better safe than sorry," Mike said. He hugged Jessie. "Maybe we can try out the improvements on Wednesday," he suggested.
"That will be awesome," Jess said. "I can't wait. Thanks, Mike."
Maggie turned to Jess after Mike left. "Let's head to the house and wash off this trail dirt, then get started on homework and dinner. Sound like a plan?"
* * *
Maggie stood in the doorway to the guest room and watched Jessie maneuver herself out of her wheelchair and into bed. "You're pretty good at that," she said.
Jessie sat on the side of the bed. "After three years, you kinda get used to it." A sad expression appeared on her face.
Maggie walked into the room and sat beside Jessie with her arm around the girl's shoulder. "Why the sad face?" she asked.
"It gets really old sitting in this chair every day. Heck, I don't even have control over going to the bathroom. Sometimes it's overwhelming to think I'll be stuck like this for the rest of my life."
"I wouldn't say that, sweetie. The medical community might come up with something to get you out of that chair."
"When? When I'm ninety years old?"
Maggie kissed her on the head. "I understand your frustration, but don't lose hope. I mean, just yesterday, you couldn't ride a horse by yourself, and today you can. See what I mean?"
"I guess."
Maggie stood. "Now let's get you tucked in then you can call your dad to say goodnight." She lifted Jessie's legs while she reclined her torso and soon, they had her comfortably lying in the bed with the covers pulled up to her chest. Maggie kissed her on the forehead. "Good night, Jess."
Jessie wrapped her arms around Maggie's neck and hugged her. "Thanks, Maggie."
* * *
"Hey, love, how was the first day of your conference?" Maggie asked into the phone.
"It was great. We've already picked up a few tips to improve the device," Jordan replied. "How's Jessie?"
"We had a very successful test of the new saddle today. Mike was here when Jessie got home from school and we took a two-hour ride into the north pasture. She was able to ride totally unassisted. You should have seen her face, Jordan. The excitement radiated from her," Maggie said in a voice laden with emotion.
"Are you all right, Mags?"
"Yeah. It's just that she's a young girl living a life of privilege and what made her the most happy was gaining a little independence. When she was on that horse, she was free and totally mobile. I am so looking forward to seeing that expression and that level of emotion in other handicapped children."
"You, my dear, have a very tender heart. Please don't ever change. I love you just the way you are."
"Thank you, sweetie. Oh, before I say something I shouldn't, it became obvious to me in a conversation I had with Jess that Chuck hasn't told her about the implant. She was pretty sad tonight about being stuck in a wheelchair for the rest of her life."
"You're right. Chuck has decided not to get her hopes up before it's been proven to work in the lab animals."
"Well, I told her not to lose hope. She's a very special girl, Jordan. She's so good with the horses. I'm looking forward to taking her to the auction on Friday."
"She should enjoy that. I remember the first auction you took me to. You fired me that day, if I remember correctly," Jordan chuckled.
"That's what you get for calling me a high-maintenance diva."
"Your words, not mine, my love. Look, I've got to run. We're having dinner tonight with one of the suppliers."
Maggie glanced at the clock on her bedside table. The time was nine-fifteen. "That's right. I forgot about the three-hour time difference between Vermont and California. Let me say goodnight then before you head to dinner. I love you, Jordan. I hope you have sweet dreams."
"Love you too, Mags. Sleep well."
CHAPTER 40
"Buckle up," Maggie said as she started the truck. "Are you excited about the auction?"
Jessie nodded vigorously. "You bet I am. How many horses are you going to buy?" Jessie asked.
"It depends on how good the stock is. I'm specifically looking for mustangs, but I'll pick up any horse that has the temperament to deal with young children."
"Do you mind if I turn on the radio?" Jessie asked.
"Go for it."
Soon, both of them were seat-dancing and singing out loud to the catchy beats coming from the radio. At one point, Maggie glanced at Jessie across the front seat and smiled.
I think I'm going to like this parenting thing, she thought to herself.
* * *
Maggie raised her number card high above the crowd to place a bid on the current sale then crossed her fingers as the auctioneer accepted her offer. After a short pause, he said, "Going once, going twice, sold to the pretty redhead."
"Yes," Maggie said as she won the bid on the prized mustang. "Okay, that makes four horses. I think that's enough for one day."
"How will you get them home?" Jessie asked. "They can't ride in the back of the truck, can they?"
Maggie laughed. "No sweetie, they can't. I'll send John after them tomorrow with the horse trailer." She squatted down in front of Jessie. "That last mare I bought is for you," she said.
Jessie's eyes grew wide. "Really? Is it really mine?"
"Absolutely. You'll have to come over on a regular basis to brush and feed her, and you can ride her any time, using the new saddle. You will be responsible for naming her and training her. Do you think you can do that?"
"Yes. Yes, I can." Jessie hugged Maggie fiercely. "Thank you, Maggie. Thank you so much."
"You're welcome, dumpling. Now how about we get some lunch then head back and see how John is coming on the loading station he was building for you."
"Okay."
"All right then. I just need to go pay for the horses and we can be on our way. Will you be okay
right here for a new minutes? I'll be just a few yards away."
"Yes."
Maggie kissed Jessie on top of the head. "I'll be right back."
Maggie walked to the cashier's table and settled her purchases then returned to spot she had left Jessie. "Jessie? Jessie, where are you?" Maggie said as panic began to set in deep within her gut. "Jessie!"
"Jordan, my God, Jordan, she's gone!"
"Maggie, calm down. What do you mean, she's gone?"
"I… I went to pay for the horses and when I turned around, she was gone. I only left her alone for five minutes. Oh, my God, Jordan, what am I going to do?"
"Did you call the police?"
"Yes, they're here right now."
"Good. Chuck and I will catch the first plane back, no, wait, he just said he'll charter a plane. We'll be home as soon as possible."
"Maggie, this is Chuck. Did anyone see where she might have gone?"
"Chuck, I'm so sorry. You trusted me with her. I'm so sorry."
"Maggie, this isn't your fault. Did anyone see where she might have gone?"
"The police are questioning bystanders now."
"Is there a policeman nearby that I can talk to?"
"Yes. Hold on a minute." Maggie pulled a police officer aside. "Officer, I have Jessie's father on the phone. He'd like to speak with you." She handed the phone to the policeman.
"Sir, this is Detective Williams," the officer said.
"Detective Williams, my name is Charles Malone and the missing girl is my daughter. Can you—"
"Charles Malone? The Charles Malone, as in Malone Industries?" the officer asked.
"Yes, exactly."
"Well, that changes things a bit."
"How so?" Chuck asked.
"This may not be a random kidnapping, Mr. Malone. Considering your wealth, she may have been targeted," the police officer explained. "That also means she may still be alive."
"Please explain yourself, Detective Williams," Chuck said.
All My Tomorrows Page 30