I don’t focus on that and focus on the gorgeous dog at my feet when he rolls onto his back, wanting a belly rub. I laugh when his tongue lolls out of his mouth with what I can only describe as a doggy grin on his face.
I hear that odd noise again and look to my left. Tied to the porch railing is…a horse.
I straighten and Abraxas goes to Alec for his next source of pats.
It’s a brown sort of reddish horse with white bits on its legs that go up to his or her knees.
It nickers—a melodic noise.
Dom laughs softly at my gaping. His hand slips into mine and he tugs metowardsthe horse.
They are a lot bigger when you’re standing beside them.
Dom undoes the lead from the porch rail and just lays it over the horse’s neck.
“Won’t he or she run away?” I whisper to Dom like the horse can hear my words and might take the opportunity to flee.
Dom grins. “She. And nah, Red likes pats too much.” He scratches behind her ear like a dog.
The red horse’s name is…Red. “That’s not very original,” I tell him.
Dom shrugs. “Just keepin’ things simple.” I swear his drawl got deeper just being near the horse.
I’m distracted by that when Dom grabs my hand and directs it to the horse. He gives me a reassuring look when I freeze. I relax and let him place my hand on Red’s neck.
Oh. I let my brain process the soft feeling of her coat. Dom’s shows me how to pat her and I brush my hand up and down her neck.
She nickers and flings her head up and down. I’m surprised by her sudden movement and jump away, stumbling back.
“Hey, hey.” Dom steadies me, his arms coming around me. “It’s okay, baby. It means she likes it.” Faint concern fills his eyes as he rubs my arms.
My heart pounds, flush creeping up my neck. I let him lead me back over.
I feel Luc and Alec step up behind us. They don’t come over, just stand a few metres away.
I don’t freak out when I pat her and she does it again.
A smile grows on my face as I run my hand up her neck. She turns her head towards me and I rub the thick white stripe down her face. Those almond shaped eyes watch me, her long eyelashes curl when she blinks.
Dom keeps his arm wrapped around my waist as he reaches out to pat Red.
“There you go,” Dom murmurs in my ear and my smile widens.
This is amazing!I internally squeal with excitement.
I take a deep breath and release it along with the nervous feeling.
“Thanks, Dom,” I whisper.
Dom ducks his head and softly kisses me. Red nudges us with her head when we stop patting her. We laugh.
Dom and I continue patting her. Alec comes over to join us but Luc keeps his distance.
“Come on, ya’ll,” Dominic’s mother hollers from inside. “Your lunch will go cold!”
I reluctantly say goodbye to Red. Dom ties her back up to what I realise was specifically built into the raised verandah with big brass rings attached to the wooden railing that the reins are tied to.
Some of the construction guys walk in and out through the kitchen and living room carrying tools. Dom said that some of the rooms aren’t finished so they must be working on the spare rooms.
