“That’s Artemis.” Daddy pointed to the black horse. “She is Marco’s. The piebald is Domino, and she’s mine.”
“They’re beautiful.” I didn’t step too close. Horses scared the heck out of me. They were so much bigger than I was.
Daddy gently took my elbow and led me closer to the horses. “Here, give them this and they will be your friends forever.” He handed me half an apple, resting my upturned hand in his, and held it out for the piebald horse. My breath caught when her velvety muzzle touched my hand lightly. Her eyes were gentle and inquisitive.
Daddy guided my hand along her cheek, showing me her favourite scritchy places. Domino huffed gently against my hand, her warm breath ticklish.
“She’s beautiful,” I said.
Artemis gave a loud snort in her stable as if to argue the fact.
“Don’t worry girl, you’ll get your turn soon.” I moved back and held my hand out for another apple half. Then I stepped closer to Artemis. She was quite a bit taller than Domino and had a mischievous glint in her eye, reminding me of Papa. “You must be Papa’s horse, you have the same naughty energy he does,” I whispered as she tried to nibble at my hoodie.
“I resemble that comment.”
I jumped as Papa leaned over my shoulder to give Artemis a pat.
“But you’re not wrong.” Papa kissed my cheek before taking my hand to lead me to the next stall.
I noticed Daddy was staying with the horses. “Is Daddy not coming with us?”
“No. He and Ambrosius have a hate hate relationship. Amby spits and your Daddy yells. Though I have to admit, I probably don’t get along any better with him.”
I peered into the stall and a fawn fluffy head stared back at me. Large banana shaped ears pricked forward as if the llama understood every word that Papa had said.
I clapped my hands together softly, excited to meet my first llama in person but trying to keep calm because I didn’t want to scare him. But from the look Papa was giving him, I guessed it was Ambrosius who did the scaring around here.
“You and Daddy rescued him?” I reached out for another apple slice before moving closer to the stall.
“Yeah, he was in one of those travelling pet exhibits and hadn’t been treated very well. Roman saw the woman who ran the show go to beat Ambrosius and stepped in. Animal welfare got involved and all the other animals were adopted out, or at least found good foster families, but Arsehole here was so cranky no one was brave enough to take him on except us.”
I reached over the stall door with the apple held out.
Papa took a sharp breath when Ambrosius came forward and sniffed my hand.
“My, aren’t you a handsome fellow?” I slowly reached out to gently touch one of his ears, which he allowed, tilting his head lower when I found an especially good spot. I giggled at the shocked faces on my Daddies when Ambrosius softly lipped at my hair and allowed me to keep patting him. His wool was soft under my fingers and I wondered if I could ask my Daddies for some of his fleece next time he was shorn. I’d knitted with alpaca wool before but never llama.“Do you think I could have some of your fleece, Ambrosius? I could make the softest of mittens and scarves.”
Daddy came closer and Ambrosius narrowed his eyes, his ears standing up.
“Be nice Amby. Papa and Daddy rescued you, and they aren’t going to hurt you.” I gave Daddy an encouraging smile, hoping Amby would not spit at Daddy or try to bite him. “Rub his ears like this, he likes it.” I showed Daddy where to scratch, taking his hand in mine. Amby gave a little snort. He still watched Daddy carefully, but allowed him to pet him.
“How did you manage to make friends with him in seconds?” Daddy looked at me in surprise.
“I’ve always been good with animals, though I’ve not really spent much time around horses or ever met a llama before Amby.” I kept scratching Amby’s cheek and ear. “Do you think when you get him shorn next I could have some of his wool to spin?”
Daddy nodded, moving his hand away before Amby took a bite. “Yes, though it won’t be until the spring. Mind you, I think I may have some of his wool left from his last haircut. Not a lot, but maybe enough to spin and knit a few scarves. I have it bagged up. We can grab it before we head back up to the house.”
I bounced on my heels, excited at the prospect of spinning Amby’s wool. Who knew, if I had time I could spin it up and knit a couple of scarves for Daddy and Papa for Christmas—though that was only a week away. Maybe it could be a New Year’s gift instead. In the meantime I’d find some nice gifts to give them for Christmas.
Papa walked in carrying a large bucket of feed. He looked all outdoorsy and manly in the dark red plaid shirt he was wearing, and I had to say, the look was doing it for me. He kissed me as he bent down to fill Ambrosius’s feed bucket.
My Daddies were very much into kissing and touching, and I was very okay with that.
“All right, adorable boy, we should probably head back to the house for some lunch and then to your flat to pick up what you need for the rest of the weekend.” Daddy pulled me away from Amby’s stall and towards the doors.
I waved to Amby and followed Daddy inside. Maybe we’d be able to sneak in another quick blow job before we had to head to the flat.
A boy could be hopeful after all, and I really enjoyed the practice.
