The woman slid off the horse and lay down in the field. The horse circled her once and then sidestepped until he was as close as he could get without stepping on her. Then the stallion nudged her side with his head. She didn't move a muscle, so he nudged her again. Suddenly, she sprang up, patted his nose and ran away. The crowd roared.
It was the horse's turn. He got down on all fours, laid down and rolled over on his back until his hooves were sticking up in the air. Again, the crowd roared.
"The horse showed up two days ago," Katie said, watching the woman walk over to the horse. The woman took her bare foot and gently nudged the side of the horse, but the horse didn't move and half the crowd was bent over with laughter. Again, the woman nudged the horse and this time the horse rolled away from her until he was on his side. The woman gently patted his neck, sat down on his side and then stretched out. She folded her arms and closed her eyes. The horse closed his eyes as well and they both looked like they were asleep.
Kevin was worried. "The horse cannot help but hurt her this time."
"I have seen her do this twice before. Just watch." said Katie.
The horse moved so slowly, it was a thing of beauty. He let the woman sit up, step off and move away before he rolled on his stomach and got his legs under him. Then he waited until she grabbed his mane and swung up on his back. As soon as they were up and trotting again, she moved to stand on his back, and when he stopped in the middle of the meadow, she slowly curtsied. The crowd cheered.
"How did you find her and what do I do now? I am married."
Katie was surprised Anna's ruffled nightcap hadn't given it away. She put her hands on her hips and watched the side of his face. "'Tis a sorry day when a MacGreagor does not recognize his own wife."
His mouth dropped and he nearly went weak in the knees. He couldn't take his eyes off her before, but now he saw her as his wife and she was even more magnificent.
"The horse swam the moat and nearly toppled the wall to get to her," said Katie, "I have never seen anyone so happy to see a horse. I tell you Kevin, she rides like the wind and gave her guards quite a scare the first time she outran them."
Anna slid down off the horse and started to walk away. The horse followed and began to nudge her back just as it had the first time Kevin saw her.