"That's what Katie said. I know Alex likes to be in control, but there's a difference between being in control and constantly being responsible. I'm trying to relieve him of some responsibility." She sighed. "Katie says he is too controlling. Maybe so, but I like him being in control, and I think he likes it too."
Gerald was silent for a few moments. Finally his gaze locked on her.
"It seems to me that Katie has a lot of influence on both of you. It's nice to have someone to bounce things off of, but don't lose yourself in her identity. In the time that I've been here, it looks to me like you carry your share of the load - sometimes more. Your relationship doesn't have to be the same as Katie's - or anyone else's."
He was right, of course, but people change. And yet, Alex still wanted to be in control. Why else would he want to select the trail she followed - even the clothes she wore? Yet something was bothering him. Lately he wasn't content - or maybe she was letting Katie stir that thought. No, something was bothering him. Of that she was certain.
She turned to her horse. "I think they're rested enough."
Of course, the horses didn't need the rest as much as Gerald needed the relief from riding. It was taking his muscles a long time to stretch. Still, he was managing it better every day. They mounted again and rode to the barn, where Felipa and the two other guests were waiting for them.
Felipa glanced around at the group. "Aaron and I are going into town for an ice cream sundae. Who wants to go along?"
"Count me in," Gerald said. "How about you, Carmen?"
Carmen shook her head, glancing at a bank of building clouds. "I'd better not. It looks like a storm is building and I need to get some work done in the garden."
Rob followed Carmen's gaze and shrugged. "I think I'll take a shower and rest for a while." He slapped his stomach. "I don't need the calories anyway."
Aaron, Felipa and Gerald headed into town and Rob headed for the house. Carmen stabled the horses and fed them. Then she walked across the field to the house. The bison were drifting through the gate as she got to the footbridge. Good timing.
At the house she grabbed the hoe and started for the garden. Touching the case at her side, she froze. She had left her phone on top of the headstone. Alex would be upset, but even worse; it would give Jonathan ammunition in his battle for a cell phone. How could she say he was irresponsible when she had left hers out in a storm? Of course, he didn't have to know … She started for the path to the stable and then stopped. She couldn't walk through there. The bison were grazing all around the pond. She could drive her car over there, but she'd have to leave it there and Rob would see it. He'd probably want to go with her. Alex might think that was better than going alone, but she and Felipa knew better. Alex thought she was encouraging him. She glanced at the barn where Ed was stabled. Of course, she could ride Ed. It wouldn't take long to saddle him and ride up there and she could ride around the house so Rob wouldn't know. She'd be back before the storm. Alex wouldn't approve, but it was her land and her phone. He shouldn't try to control every facet of her life. After all, if she were running any other business and had to take a trip, he'd think she was capable of doing it on her own.