Fox blinks. “Who?”
“She’s ninety-eight years old. It’s not her; she can’t even use a remote. Don’t be ridiculous, Mack,” I snarl at him.
“It could be anyone,” Mack muses. Then his expression turns serious. “What are you going to do to them?”
“Ask them politely to stop.”
That is not what he told me, but I guess I can see the merits of not walking around telling everyone the evil they plan on doing. I’m not bitter, not bitter at all.
“What the devil is that?” Devon shouts from his boat, staring behind us.
I turn and see a chocolate idiot cantering straight towards us. He trots up on the jetty, nickering unhappily. He’s never been a fan of the jetty, and I’ve never forced him on here, but apparently, Fox’s magnetism outweighs his sense of self-preservation.
“How did you get out this time?” I snap.
He comes straight to me and neighs as he bobs his damn head up and down, being as cute as is possible for a horse this size. Once he’s got a pat and reassured himself I’m not going to turn him into glue, he abandons me for the new love of his life.
Mack and Devon don’t even get a side-eye.
The pair of them just stand there snickering and saying all sorts of gloating and irritating things with their eyes. I, on the other hand, just wait, like the fifth wheel on some unpleasant and awkward date.
“Come on, Fox,” I say in exasperation.
Who needs a lead rein when I have the allure of this strange alpha? Gale follows like an obedient puppy, flicking his tail and putting on all the cute prancing moves. He even grabs hold of Fox’s shirt and trails after him like an errant schoolboy.
Gwen sees us and starts laughing. I slap the book on the outside table she’s sitting at and glower at her.
“You are the idiot who named him Winter’s Gale. He’s stubborn and as strong-willed as winter.”
I snarl at her, but she just laughs harder.
“Really? That’s his name?” Fox says brightly. “Oh, it is beautiful. You are a beautiful boy, aren’t you?”
Gale arches his neck, showing off.
“I need to help the kids with their swimming lesson. Fox, can you watch Gale until I get someone to come and take him back home? It should only take a few minutes.”
I take two steps when Gale bounces into my path and stamps a foot, startling me.
“Come on, I have to do this. I don’t have time to play today.”
I duck, but he slams his hooves down on the cobblestones, bringing silence to the street. His ears pin, and he swivels his bulk, blocking my path.
With that sound ringing in my ears, I stand up to my full height slowly and look at him.
“I made a commitment; I’m going.”
He lets out a loud neigh, then another and another. When I try to move, he blocks my path and then starts using his bulk to push me back.
“Did you know horses can detect heartbeats from four feet away from people?” Gwen says dryly. “I personally have wondered what else they can feel. Maybe you don’t want to get wet tonight, Cordie?”
I glance at her, stricken.
“She can handle the class without you tonight, Cordie,” Fox says calmly. “Gale doesn’t want you to do this, and if he’s getting this upset, I think there’s a good reason why.”
The calm, soothing logic is underscored by an alpha’s deep concern. It’s not a command, but it’s a strong suggestion. I want to hate it, but it feels like a hug, like someone I could lean on. The instinctive urge to give in presses on me, tempting me.
I fight it.
