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The lantern lit up about five feet of the path in front of them. The place was dank and colder than she’d hoped for the animals. Juan Carlos lifted the lantern to his shoulder and illuminated the stalls. There were shuffling sounds, whinnies and snorts as all four horses came into view. Beauties.
They were curious enough to approach their individual gates. Though she’d been here earlier, Portia could see hints of work done today to make the stable more secure for the horses. The stalls had been shored up, and beds of straw had been laid down. Holes in the walls letting in cold air had been hastily boarded up. Juan Carlos knew how to get things done.
Her eyes darted to the animals’ backs. “They’re wearing blankets.”
“To keep warm. I put Luis on it tonight. They seem comfortable enough, don’t they?”
She smiled, relieved. “Yes, I feel better now. They are amazing creatures. Are they yours? I mean do they belong to the palace?”
“We haven’t had time to build a remuda of horses for the palace. The transition takes time, but we will have a royal guard on horseback one day soon. These horses belong to me personally, as of two days ago. I have it on good authority they are gentle and trustworthy. I’ve yet to ride any of them. Tomorrow will be a good test.”
“For them or for you?”
His brow arched. “Maybe for all of us.”
“Maybe,” she agreed. “I’ve never claimed to be an expert, but I do love animals. What are their names?”
“Come. Let me introduce you.” Straw crunched underfoot as they made their way to the first stall. “This is Julio. He’s a two-year-old gelding,” Juan Carlos said. The sleek charcoal-colored horse had a thick black mane and tail. “He’s an Andalusian.”
“The horse of kings,” she said.
“Yes, I’ve heard them referred to that way.”
“Because they’re powerful and sturdy?”
“Because they’re intelligent and docile.”
She eyed the commanding animal in front of her. He was gorgeous. “Docile?”
“Not as hot-blooded as a thoroughbred. He’ll be my mount.”
Julio was tall and grand. His curious ink-black eyes watched her. She lifted her hand to him cautiously and he edged closer. She took that as an invitation to stroke the side of his face. “That’s it, boy. You and I are going to be good friends,” she crooned. Back in Los Angeles, she volunteered at an animal rescue when she wasn’t working. Her lifestyle and schedule didn’t allow having a pet of her own and she enjoyed donating her time to animals in need.
“You’re good with him.”
She touched her cheek to Julio’s cold nose and he nuzzled her throat eagerly. The force pushed her back a step and she righted herself and giggled. “Oh, he is sweet.”
Juan Carlos’s gaze touched upon her. Something flickered in his eyes. He swallowed and stroked his hand over his chin. He hadn’t shaved today, and his stubble only added to his good looks.
With an inward sigh, she focused back on Julio, giving his mane a solid but loving stroke. She sensed that she had indeed made a new friend today.
Juan Carlos tugged her along to the next stall. “This is Sugar. She’s an Arabian. Quick, sharp and good-natured. You’ll ride her tomorrow.”
“Hello, Sugar. You’re a pretty one.”
Sugar wasn’t as tall or commanding as Julio, but was equally as stately. She had sensitive eyes and seemed friendly. Her chestnut coat glistened under the lantern light. “I’ll see you in the morning, girl.”
Juan Carlos showed her the other two horses, Arabians named Estrella and Manzana, who were presumably for Eduardo and Luis. Were the king’s bodyguards good riders? Was that part of their job description?
New feedbags hung from nails in the walls, replacing the shredded ones from this morning, and a bag of carrots sat on a splintered bench. “Can we give them a treat?”
“Good idea.” Juan Carlos went to retrieve the carrots. He dipped his hand inside the bag and came up with four. “One for each.”
“Only one?”
“We don’t want to spoil them.”
“I bet you’d be a tough disciplinarian with your children.”
At the mention of children his eyes twinkled and somehow the mischief seemed aimed directly at her. “I’m ready to find out.”
Her blood warmed. She hadn’t thought along those lines for herself. Parenthood was a long way off for her. But Juan Carlos seemed to know exactly what he wanted. He was resolute, an action taker and at times, he intimated her with his decisiveness. “You want a family one day?”
