A shadow falls over us, stealing our sun, and I look up to find Gale and Fox standing there.
“Hello, my loves,” Fox purrs at me.
That’s the second time he’s called me that, and like the first time, it’s a gut punch of sensation. If I am completely honest, I love it. This time, I don’t tell him I’m not ready. I just curl my toes in the cool sand and pretend like his pleasure isn’t one of the biggest turn ons ever.
“You found my horse again,” I murmur.
Gale tosses his mane and tries his best to look cute.
“I’m really sorry, Cordie,” Imogen says. “I tried to stop him, but he just got the bit between his teeth and brought me here.”
I stand up smoothly and take the reins. With easy practice, I swing myself up onto my horse.
I am running away again; I know I am, but I just need a minute.
“It’s all good; he does what he wants,” I say to the younger Sol.
Imogen and I are about the same height, so I don’t need to adjust anything. I urge Gale to turn and then pat his neck.
“You want to play? Let’s play.”
He takes off. I lie low on his neck as he veers towards the ocean before settling to running on the hard-packed wet sand. He stretches his neck out, blowing and making shrill, happy sounds.
I lean over him, laughing until I sit back, saying whoa.
He slows to a trot and then dances sideways.
I lean forward and throw my arms around his neck.
“You’re a pest, but I love you.”
Gale walks us slowly back. When I’m with him, I’m not quite so scared of the water. He wouldn’t let anything happen to me.
Fox walks beside us. “How did you two end up together?”
“Our trust came from years of working together, getting to know each other.”
Seagulls float on the air currents, and a bit of sun breaks through the clouds turning the ocean into a gleaming gem. Like his green eyes when I look down at him.
“Earning his trust was one of the biggest accomplishments of my life. Just getting close enough to groom him took weeks. The first time he came to me, I cried. Our first ride wasn’t perfect, but each time, we got better and better.”
“Sounds like you two were made for each other.”
“The vet estimates that he’s about ten years old, but no one is sure. Even though we searched for his owners, no one came forward, and he didn’t have any visible markings or chips. After a couple of months, I formally adopted him. Mum’s equestrian rescue phase passed, but Gale stayed. He’s family.”
Katsu and Sebastian watch as we slowly walk back.
I dismount, but Gale moves in front of me, blocking them.
“I thought you loved Fox?” I tease the massive horse.
He snorts and fixes a beady eye on Sebastian.
They get along, but only to a point. Gale always tries to get a chunk out of Sebastian if he can. It’s become part of their thing with each other.
A tiny sausage dog comes racing down the stairs, barking his little heart out.
“DANGER!” Elijah jogs down the stairs, calling to the little dog.
