Immaculate

Chapter 10 - Does Is Happening?

Saturday dawned beautiful, a winter day with an absurdly clear sky, for the standards of that region. Debbra was used to getting up early, always, and she jumped out of bed at 7:00 a.m., quietly, excited at the prospect of running around the property. She put on a workout outfit - leggings, a burgundy T-shirt and jacket, a cap and black sneakers. Harry was sleeping soundly.

She tiptoed out and was glad to see that there was already some movement in the kitchen. It wasn't Doris who was there, but a stranger. "Good morning, I'm Katy, Doris' occasional helper. I came to make you coffee", she explained, smiling. Debbra greeted her, had a black coffee, grabbed a banana from the fruit bowl, and headed out through the kitchen for her run.

She did a short workout, of less than six kilometers, taking advantage of the farm's internal tracks, and a stretch of a beautiful trail that took her to see some incredible hills, and nearby. She also saw a wonderful lake, which she couldn't explain if it was part of the farm or not. But it must have been the lake Harry mentioned, because it was opposite the sunrise.

Around 8:00 am she was back, and when she entered the kitchen door again, she saw that there were many more people awake. Doris, John, and Dennis were talking animatedly. "Good morning Girl!" John said brightly when she came in, luckily not too sweaty because it was cold and she hadn't run far. "Good morning, John, Doris, Dennis! The day is magnificent and I could see how amazing this place is, congratulations!", she fired.

John asked if she would like to meet the horses, they could go quickly to the barn while breakfast was finished and more people got out of bed. Debbra loved the idea and accepted, already knowing that he should take the opportunity to ask about his relationship with Harry. "Okay," she thought.

They walked together to a large, well-built rustic shed, where a few horses and mares were kept. It was a very well maintained place, and the animals were very well treated. John introduced them one by one, explaining that they could all be assembled with absolute safety. "They are very docile", he guaranteed.

After a while, he invited Debbra to sit on a wooden bench in the sun, next to a bed of lavender. He didn't take long to ask her. "My daughter, if you and Harry are dating, I'll be very happy. Don't be offended, I know you're more mature than he is, and, don't be offended again, Doris and I are much more relaxed about this. He doesn't have the patience or structure to deal with insecure little girls. Anne told us that you are a self made, a woman settled in life, told us that you have a daughter, gave us your record. We couldn't be happier and hoping that whatever it is you have, it lasts!", he spoke.

Debbra sensed the sincerity in his words, but it was her duty to contain his friend's enthusiasm. "John, I appreciate it, that's very flattering. But really? As much self-respect as I have, and I do, you can't help but think that Harry is perhaps a lot more appreciative and curious of me than, I don't know, in love," she said, trying to sound natural.

She saw fit to add something that was also sincere. Harry did have patience and an interest in young women, his own age or younger. That was absolutely healthy, normal, and nobody should think otherwise. Or, it would be another form of prejudice, she thought. But he thought it best to keep it to himself.

John laughed, discreetly. "My daughter, Harry is not one to express gratitude like that. We know him enough to see that he is, yes, excited and curious, grateful, but, above all, enchanted with you. You can understand why", he said, lifting up. "Let's see if the coffee is ready? I'm starving!", he said, leading Debbra gently down the path. She wondered if she should mentally question John's motivation...and decided not to. That he really just wanted to hear from her what she thought of her relationship with Harry and express her approval. If it was something else, she didn't want to think about it. His head was already too busy with these matters.