Magnificent Modern World

The meal finished, the dishes in the washer, the four of them moved outside on the flagstone patio where the scent of roses hung almost tangibly in the air. The jasmine were still too newly-planted, but their time would come. A full moon hung low over the treetops, casting its silver glow over the garden and its occupants. Joimus had two wooden gliders, each with deeply padded seats, facing one another with a small table between. The evening air was pleasant, the heat of the day having modified with the setting of the sun, and a low chorus of insect song drifted through the darkness.

"I do love it here," Joimus sighed. "Thank you both so much for thinking of asking us to come." She looked at Maximus, close to her right. It had been the right thing, leaving Kent, moving here where there was more than enough land for him to raise horses and crops, for her to garden to her heart's content. "I am even thinking," she added with a little smile, "of starting my own
garden center. There are so many new houses here in the Glen,  with more being added all the time, that it could be nice to have some place  really local to find the plants for all the unlandscaped yards. What do you think, Bridgid?"

She was a million miles away. Joi's question hardly registered at this point. Bridgid stared off toward the stables thinking about the wonderful life that Joi and Maximus had. Would things ever be like that for her or was she destined to be an old maid? She'd never talked to Jack about how she felt and she figured she'd upset him if she did. What was the point? Would he ever
change? Maybe she was growing, moving but he wasn't. Yes, she loved him with all of
her heart but she was damn bloody well tired of being alone so often.

"Bridgid." Jack nudged her. She turned to him and replied "What?"  As if he'd annoyed her or something. He looked perplexed, confused. "Bridgid, Joi has asked you a question. Is there something wrong?"

"What the hell could be wrong?" she snipped. Turning to Joimus she apologized. "I'm so sorry. I guess I'm a little tired. What did you ask?"

"A garden center. I think I might open a garden center here near the house. It's something I've always kind of thought about doing and now we have the land. Besides my own enjoyment of it, the people here in the Glen would be able to find what they want without having to search the countryside for nurseries. Do you think that could work? Here in the Glen I mean?"

"Ah yes it would work well, Joi. There are so many new homes here and I'm sure a lot of folks would love to have not only some advice on gardening but a place to buy exactly what they need to put that little patch of Heaven together. No one has the green thumb you have." She smiled at Jack as he patted her hand. Maybe she just had a bad case of PMS or something. "We could have a lovely garden if either of us were here long enough to tend it. I'm sure the
flowers that are blooming now are seeing their first and last season. 

"Do not let her fool you." Jack joined in. "She is wonderful in the garden. In fact you must be our guests for supper sometime next week. The vegetables look wonderful and I am sure Bridgid could prepare a feast." 

Bridgid controlled her mood now. "Don't tell porkies, Jack. You know I'm no where near as good a cook as Joi is. I must say that you certainly impressed me. Maximus, you are a lucky man to have such a talented wife."Joimus right then had her hands folded in her own lap and Maximus reached his left hand out, completely covering both of hers. "I find that I am lucky in
every ay, Bridgid."

Joimus leaned her head contentedly on his shoulder. "I don't think I realized you had a vegetable garden, Bridgid. That's something I want to put in, too. I've just gotten so lost in the roses and the lilies I've let  the cucumbers and  green beans go. Now you've inspired me and I know just the area to put it!" Her mind was off and running, planning how many rows of tomatoes, how many of lettuce.

Jack listened intently to both women. He sensed Bridgid was in a bit of a mood and he was sure he could put his finger on exactly what ailed her. Perhaps it would be a good night to see if the General would like to tip a few back at the pub. Yes, yes after he brought his Siren home of course.

He sighed. Gardens. What did he know of them? "I'm not much of a lubber however things do seem to grow on their own here. If there is one benefit to having ones feet dry, it is the fact that fresh vegetables can be had." He reached for Bridgid's hand. If she thought she had any chance of withdrawing it from him she'd have another thought coming. His grasp was firm.  He did understand women's problems and all.

It seemed to Maximus that Jack and Bridgid were a bit restless. Perhaps the dinner visit needed to reach some sort of closure? He cleared his throat. "I have just acquired two new horses, Captain. If you have the opportunity in the next day or two, mayhap you would like to look them over? Fine animals, both of them. I wanted you to be the first to see them."

Bridgid looked over at Jack with a smile. He knew right then and there how to fix her problem. She'd said she'd like to have a couple of horses for them to ride. Jack always did love a spirited steed and  Maximus would have one in mind just for him. He would want an honest safe mount for Bridgid, even if she did claim to be an accomplished rider. 

"Perhaps, my friend, we could call it an evening. I could see my Siren home and we could meet up in about an hour's time to discuss this further." His eyes fell on the General and he'd hoped the man would see the need in them, the  need for some time away from Bridgid right now.

Taking Joimus' hand in his and giving it a slight squeeze, Maximus stood, smiling at Jack. "I would enjoy that. Where did you have in mind?"

Jack turned to Bridgid. "You will not mind, my love?"  he asked quietly. She shook her head no. It was obvious that she was tired. She moved over to give Joi a hug and a thank you as Jack continued his conversation with the
General.

"The Pub at the boarding house will suit me just fine. They have brought a decent Port in which suits my taste. In an hour, Sir."

"I shall be there, my friend." He, too, made his good-byes then he and Joimus went inside.

"He really does want to talk with you, doesn't he?" she remarked.

"I think it is, perhaps, a necessary male thing from time to time," Maximus smiled gently, touching her cheek as she stood facing him. "It is all right with you?"

"I understand.  I'm a bit tired after gardening most of the day and then cooking this evening. I think I'll just curl up with a book and a cup of tea while you're gone."   She started for the kitchen then turned back. "Will you take Legion or the touring car?"

"He is all settled for the night. I think I shall simply drive."

She smiled affectionately at him, remembering when he had first been learning to operate an automobile. Now he drove with the same efficiency and expertise he brought to everything he did. They had brought the classic touring car with them from England. It was long and low, a convertible with the spare tire over the fender, leather seats, and a clutch. The General had grown quite fond of it.

He followed her into the kitchen, sitting on a stool while she put water on to boil. "It was a pleasant dinner I thought. It was good to have them come to dine at our home."

"Well, we're here because of them and I like to see as much of them as we can. I think I'll stop by soon and see their vegetable garden. It seems just about anything will grow in this place, but I'd like to know what they've chosen. And, you know, the more I think about it, the more certain I am that I'd
like to start my own greenhouse. I've just really thought about something like that for years."

Forty-five minutes passed in discussion, and then Maximus kissed her and went out to get the touring car. It was a short and pleasant drive to the Pub and he liked the night air blowing on his face as he guided the car down the narrow
lanes.

Jack took his time tucking Bridgid into bed. She was asleep before the light was off. He moved quietly through the house and out the door. Hoping the sound of the car starting didn't wake her he drove off feeling a sense of contentment. It had been far too long since he had some time alone with the General.

Making it to the pub in minutes, he bounded out of the car then through the door of the pub like the imposing force he was. He found his friend sitting at the bar.  Giving the man a hearty pat on the back he rubbed his hands together. "It is good to be free of them, General. No matter how much we love them; there are moments that should be reserved for men and men only. A drink,
sir. I need a  drink."

Steve smiled at the sailor and took care of providing his usual libation. "General, another?"

"In a few moments," Maximus replied, not yet finished with his VB. It was as close as he could find to Roman ale. His lips twitched a bit in a somewhat repressed smile as the Captain spoke. After all he and his Joimus had been through over the years, he didn't really think in terms of it's being good to be free of her. But he was quite fond of Jack, felt not only the kinship of the
command of men with him but also a genuine liking of him for the man he was, and was most willing to spend some time with him. He nodded toward a small table in the corner. "Shall we move there?" he asked, thinking it a better place for conversation.

"Indeed." Jack paid for his drink then moved to the table with the General. "Normally, Sir, I would   enjoy my evening with my Siren. She is however in a foul mood today and I felt it was best to remain out from under her gaze at this time. It does not happen often." Raising his glass, he held it up to the General before taking a sip.  "Ah, that is better. Now if you would please
tell me of the horses you have."

"The horses...," Maximus repeated, true delight coming into both his tone and his eyes. "There's a bay, Jack, a warmblood bay with more spirit to him  than I think most men could handle. But then...," his eyes twinkled as he looked  at his friend. 
 
"I'm not most men." Jack finished his sentence. "A stallion I would 
presume?" There was an equal light of excitement in the sailor's eyes. "When can I see
him and the other? What have you found for Bridgid?"

"You can see him at your earliest convenience, Jack." Maximus grinned again. "And I would offer you nothing less than a stallion." His face settled into a simple, pleasant look. "There are a number of people who are settling here who are either inexperienced or completely new to riding, and so I have been acquiring a number of somewhat...gentler...stock, as well. There is one particular grey gelding that you might wish to check out for Bridgid. A fine, handsome animal but with a calm and steady nature. As soon as I saw him I thought of Bridgid.When you come to see the bay stallion, ride the gelding, too, and see what you think."

"Hmm." Jack rumbled. The animals sounded perfect. He trusted Maximus' judgement without a drop of doubt. "Would tomorrow be suitable? First thing in the morning perhaps?"

He knew Bridgid would prefer a spirited animal and he did not doubt her skill but for many reasons he'd prefer to keep her safe and sound in the saddle, as sound as one could be aboard a fifteen hundred pound beast.

Maximus knew both Jack and Bridgid well enough that he was aware of what Jack would be thinking. "Tomorrow is good. Yes, first thing. And, Jack, it is not that the grey is not spirited, but more that he controls it, is the master of his spirit. I've found myself calling him Master for that very reason." His eyes twinkled again. "Which has led me to call the bay Commander. But, never fear, those are just my personal names for them. I know you will wish to choose your own."

Jack let our a hearty laugh. It nearly unseated him. He lowered his voice so that only Maximus could hear him say "My good friend, the only master my Siren will ever sit astride is the one seated across from you." He threw his head back and chuckled some more. "You have come up with the two of the most inventive names for these steeds. I am sure Bridgid will come up with some womanly shortened version of a pet name for her gelding, though. You know how they are. The poor beast will be known affectionately as Muffin or some such."

Maximus chuckled. Joimus' mare was a light buttercream color and she called her 'Buttermilk'. She said there had once been a rather famous western horse belonging to Dale Somebody-or-other with that very name when she was a little girl. "Buttermilk and Muffin," he grinned. "I could open a bakery instead of a
stable at this rate!" 

"Personally I find bakeries to be much more fragrant than horses. I love a good ride but I prefer to leave the stable work for someone else. My Siren seems to enjoy the brushing and hoof cleaning that goes along with equine ownership. Which leads me to another question. Are you set up to board the animals for us? We have been discussing a small business that would require we leave the area for a week or two at a time. Unless we were to hire a stable keep then it would be better if we were to lodge the horses with you."

"That is, indeed, part of my planning for the horses, Jack. As you have seen, my stables are somewhat expansive and were made so because I know not everyone in the Glen who wishes to own an animal will have room or facilities for them. And with the riding school, there was also need for a good supply of horses. It has turned into quite an enterprise for me. I have had to hire several groomsmen, in fact."  He leaned back in his chair. "And day after tomorrow I have five new horses arriving from that large ranch in the foothills near the Dorrigo Escarpment."  His lips curved in a small smile. "It is all good, very good."

Jack raised his glass. "Here's to your future. May you see plenty of brass from your new endeavor and the same for your lovely Joimus. Her garden center should prove to be an equal success." Jack downed the rest of his Port. "A hearty congratulations to you, my friend." The sincerity in Jack's eyes was significant. He was pleased to see Maximus do well in this magnificent modern world called The Glen.