CharismaticCrowe59f12

Tasha paused before exiting the vehicle, surveying her surroundings. The farm seemed to stretch for miles. Cows grazed lazily in the warm sun, and the sound of horses whickering reached her ears. It was a tranquil setting, and the ranch style house beckoned her eyes. Russ was already out pulling suitcases from the back, and she saw the door to the house open. A young girl ran out, yelling "Uncle!" Tasha watched him sweep the girl into his arms, spin her around and place fatherly kisses all over her upturned face. Tasha grinned to herself thinking about what a wonderful father he would make one day. She assumed this was his niece and he turned and confirmed it by introducing them. Chelsea said "G'day"

Tasha grinned back at her, and returned the "G'day." Just then she heard more voices, and Russell came to stand beside her. She looked up to see his parents as he put his arm around her waist. He introduced her to them quietly, and she saw his mother smiling complacently as she smiled and stuck out her hand. She was wondering how much his parents knew about her, and that was answered when his mother said, "It's wonderful to meet you, Tasha. Russell hasnt told us much about you, and we'd like to get to know you. I hope you will be staying for a while.."

Tasha smiled and said she would be, and she saw Russell blush slightly. Evidently he hadnt told his mother as much about Tasha as she had wanted to hear! But that was no real surprise to Tasha knowing how private Russell was about his love life. She had wondered for a time if this was an indication that he was only toying with her, but now that she knew him better she realized that he just liked to keep these things between them. He had said something about how telling people seemed to take away something special that was theirs alone. She had thought that his parents might be the exception to the rule, but it was evidently not so.

His parents pitched in and helped them carry their things to the house, but she heard his mum promise to have the things moved to the smaller house as soon as she could. Tasha turned to Russell in surprise.
"You have a smaller house? Where?"

He smiled and nodded. "Yes, to have a little privacy. I had it built last year as a place that I could go to for a little quiet time. That is where you and I will be staying. Come on, let me show you the stables!"
He was like a kid at play, pulling her along behind him although she went along willingly. She was looking forward to riding again - something she hadnt done in years. He pulled her out the back door where there was a small training corral, and a huge stable beside it. She gasped at the sheer size. It looked large enough to hold 20 horses. The neighs and whickers grew louder, and she saw several men working in the stalls mucking them out. Russell called out to them, and she heard a chorus of male voices greet him. He stopped before a stall near the front and Tasha saw a brown and white nose flecked with pink poking out from between the bars.

"This is my stallion, Shiner. Yes, after the beer. I also have a mare named Victoria Bitter." Russell giggled, then continued. "He's purebred Arabian, picked him up from a local trader a couple years back. Strong as an ox, and fast as the wind. I've gotten a couple good foals from him." Tasha reached out to tentatively stroke the silky muzzle, and turned her head as one of the guys was bringing in a small, midnight black mare. She gasped, having always loved pure black horses, and Russell giggled again. "And there is Victoria Bitter!"
He led her over to the mare, whom he affectionately called "Vicky"

The mare was perfectly tempered, friendly, and docile. She was a true beauty with a small, intelligent face and nuzzled Tasha's shoulder with playfulness. Russell went into the tacky and brought out a saddle and blanket. As he placed it upon Vicky's back Tasha thought that Russell meant to ride her, but that notion was disabused when a man led the stallion out of the front stall and began to saddle him. Russ grinned at her and said, "Would m'lady care to ride this fine afternoon?"

Tasha looked down at the clothes she was wearing which consisted of jeans and a white t-shirt, and decided she could chance it. Russell laughed and as the stallion was led toward them, he assisted her into the Australian style saddle. Holding the reins, he allowed her a moment to adjust and reacquaint herself with being on the back of a horse. She nodded to indicate to him that she was ready, and he pulled himself up onto the stallion.
They set off at a leisurely pace, with Russell taking some time to point out landmarks, and cows, to her. They galloped across fields of green grass, with Russell warning her not to take the horse into any tall grass for fear that a King Brown snake would be lurking there. Tasha shivered, remembering tales of this deadly creature who could kill a human with a tiny amount of it's venom.

Soon, Tasha began to tire and she wondered to herself why she seemed to be tiring so easily. She thought perhaps it was simply the fact that she had just flown all the way across the world. She asked Russell if they could return to the house so she could lie down for a bit. He looked concerned, but agreed.
As they pulled the horses up at the stable, Russell happened to glance over at Tasha and what he saw made him jump off Shiner. Her face was ash-grey and she was sweating profusely. He had just enough time to catch her as she fell off of the horse. As he lifted her tenderly in his arms he noticed a large blood stain on the saddle where she had been sitting.

"Tasha, love, you are bleeding! Mum, Dad, anyone, call a doctor!!" he screamed. His mother came out to ask what the fuss was all about, and he yelled, "It's Tasha, mum. Somethings wrong, she's bleeding - call a doctor!" His mother was quick to oblige his request, and he heard her on the phone as he neared the house.

Tasha's head lolled to the side and Russell could see she was unconscious. His heart was pounding as he carried her inside, and laid her on the living room couch. He could see blood staining her jeans and her pulse was rapid and weak. He was stroking her hair, her face and murmuring to her all the while wishing the damn ambulance would arrive already. After what seemed like an eternity but was, in reality, only about 10 minutes he heard the tell-tale sirens, and saw the paramedic's rushing toward the house. His mother hurried them in and Russell had to step back as they began examining her and preparing to take her to the hospital. When she was ready to go, Russell rode in the back holding her hand and praying like he had never prayed before. They arrived at the local hospital and as she was being wheeled back they stopped him just before they took her in to be examined. His family had followed the ambulance and arrived just in time to keep him from punching the lights out of the man barring him from the double doors.

Once quieted he began systematically pacing the floor until, an hour later, the doctor came out to see them. The doctor was a woman in her mid-40's, and she appeared to be worrying over what she had to tell them. When Russell said, "Look lady, just tell me what is wrong with my sheila!" she pulled him to the side.
"Mr. Crowe, I'm afraid she has suffered a miscarriage. We were unable to stop it. She will be just fine, but she will need a few weeks of rest, and I suggest no sexual activity for at least the next 6 weeks until her body has a chance to heal itself."

He was completely stunned. Miscarriage? He said, "But she was taking the pill. How is that....can I see her now? Is she awake?"

"Yes, she is awake and asking for you. Follow me." Leading him to the room, the doctor didnt linger. He said, "Tasha?" and as she turned to him he saw the tears streaking her face. He moved toward the bed, and gathered her into his arms, placing his face close to hers where their tears mingled. In sorrow they clung to each other as the sunlight faded from the room and shadows consumed them.