Redemption

~56~

"John"

"Hmmmmm"

"Why didn't you tell me to get dressed up. I look like a muddy farmer. Oh hello Mimi, thank-you for coming so far"

She sure looked a sight. Covered in mud up to her knees and smelling like horse. No wonder Mimi hightailed it over to the drinks cart. Looking down upon herself she felt like committing a felony. John had failed to even hint that an avalanche of family was descending on Paul and Linda's Scottish highland farm and here she stood, smiling through the embarrassment of being under-prepared, looking, for all the world, like farmer Joe.

John smiled over Ivy's little mop of sandy brown hair, blonde tips like she had been at the beach. The kids had barely gotten in the driveway when John had snatched a happy bub from the car seat. And she couldn't throttle him, no she just couldn't. Not now when she needed to excuse herself and become somewhat presentable for a party!

Her party!

Well their party but still... John ran a hand over the bubs head and nodded toward the main house. So she did smell.....

*

"Linda!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" Cringing as the door bounced back into place with a bang she hollered unseemingly again "Lindddddaaaaa!!!! There are many many relatives here- Oh you Bi#-"

Linda stood prepared; all dolled up at the top of the stairs... "Now, now Isabelle hold that tongue of yours. John has certainly spread the cursing love hasn't he"

"You look beautiful and I look like a ragtag scarecrow with hay sticking out of my belly and a crow on my shoulder pooping. I'm gonna cry now"

The day John and Iss had arrived Linda whisked Isabelle away from him for her own girly pleasures.

Riding the two honey blonde mares together, meandering and sometimes galloping over never-ending moors. Exploring the rugged coastline with prancing horses dipping hooves in the breakers. Picking wildflowers and heather.

And finally today...

Standing together in the pouring rain looking over the North Sea. With the moisture dripping down their faces they laughed at the audacity of the gods opening up the heavens, even though they both knew Scotland's wild weather was intermittent and unpredictable at best. Time had paused and laced youthful innocence back around Issy as she took all of Earths grandeur in. From the rolling mountainous seas to the crabs scurrying across the sand she felt very blessed and happy and at one with everything in her life.

"Stop that!! No you don't look like a scarecrow, a muddy farmer.. maybe. Come here" Tugging a shirt with a belly full of imaginary hay Linda scooted Issy toward the stairs then pushed from behind to get Issy situated in upstairs guest bedroom. "Move it! Prince charming has been the most unbelievable prince and got you an absolutely divine dress.... Issy come on, upstairs now miss tardy bum"

"I ought to flog him" Issy paused on the stairs, Linda leaning into her back pushing.

"Do your disgusting sexcapades in your own time Iss" With a squeeze Linda skirted around Isabelle and got in front of her, to pull instead...

"What- No!! What has he donnnee?!" She felt out of control, John is taking the day from her and replacing it with an unknown party instead.

She liked parties, loved them actually, but surprises definitely were not her forte.

"Only organised a whole darn party. Well he told Paul what he wanted and I had to oversee Paul to get it perfect.. But he planned it" Tugging with a little more oomph Linda managed to guide muddy Farmer Joe up the staircase.