"I feel the same way. I don't want you to go anywhere. I like being
with you," Evangelina said before she could loose her courage. She
hoped he wasn't afraid of her liking him.
"Oh! Cassius!" Evangelina beamed. She probably looked ridiculous
with the smile she wore, but she couldn't help it! She was so
happy! "I would love that. Yes! I would like that very much!"
She looked up at him and, feeling brave, she hugged him.
Evangelina smiled at him then looked up at the sky. Even though
they had slept in, the sun wasn't yet directly over head. She made
a face at the sun and willed it to move faster.
"What should we do until then?" She asked, turning back to Cassius.
"Okay. I'll do it for you," Cassius smiled and stands up. "Let's
go," said Cassius. "But first," Cassius gets the plates. "I'll
deliver this plate to the kitchen."
Cassius went to the kitchen, put the plates on the sink and went
back to Evangelina.
Evangelina watched him take back the plates. Some of the guys in
the unit still stared at him, but they seemed to be warming to him.
It probably helped that Gen. Lovelace and Evangelina were relaxed
around him.
Evangelina stood and led Cassius to where the horses were tethered.
She grabbed some apples from a nearby tree and handed a few to
Cassius.
"They should love these. See that big black stallion? He's my
fathers. Watch this!" Evangelina told Cassius with a grin. She
stepped lightly into the pen, hiding the apple behind her. The
stallion looked up at her, then trotted over. He sniffed he lightly
and whinnied.
Evangelina pulled out the apple and gave a command. The horse bent
his head and she kissed the stallion on the top of his head. Then
she held out the apple. The horse munched it happily and nudged her
pocket.
"Sorry, I don't have any sugar cubes, Midnight," She scratched his
ear.
"Well, I've known Midnight his whole life," She ruffled his mane
affectionately. "But no, I don't have any siblings. My mom and dad
would have had more children, but the doctors say Mama can't."
She smiled at his comment about a meteor shower. She wanted one
too. She thought meteor showers were very pretty,