“Elodie is struggling to find her place, just as we all are.”
Bennett leaned against the side of the stall and studied her for a moment. “Not only can you play the bagpipes, but you also have won over Hercules. Which is not a small feat.”
Keeping her eye on Hercules, Delphine shared, “Myfather purchased a stud once who seemed to hate everyone and anything. He spent much of his time alone and far away from the other horses. Being young, I worried that this horse didn’t have any friends so I decided to be his friend.”
“You wanted to be friends with a horse?”
Delphine shrugged. “I was friends with a goat so I didn’t see a big difference in the two,” she said. “I named him Lord Cranky Bottom.”
Bennett smirked. “What are the odds! I was just thinking I should call my next horse that. Although, I fear that name is become increasingly common.”
“If you aren’t nice, I won’t continue my story,” Delphine said, a smile playing on her lips.
He waved his hand, indicating that she should continue.
With a satisfied look, Delphine continued. “I would bring a basket of apples with me and sit on the edge of the far fence,” she said. “Whenever Lord Cranky Bottom came near, I would hold up an apple and wait for him to approach. The first attempts felt like hours, but slowly he began to trust me. Eventually, he would come when I called to him.”
Bennett turned his head towards Hercules. “I do not think Hercules will ever like me enough to let me ride him.”
“Hercules is still mourning the loss of his owner. You must be patient with him,” Delphine encouraged.
“My father thinks we should sell him and be done with him,” Bennett admitted.
Delphine’s eyes grew wide. “Is that what you want?”
“No,” he replied. “Hercules meant a great deal to Uncle Richard, and I could not bear to part with him.”
Reaching down, Delphine picked up an apple and extended it towards Bennett. “Give Hercules an apple.”
“I have tried but?—”
She spoke over him. “Try again,” she urged. “Only this time, remember that you are both mourning the loss of your uncle.”
Bennett accepted the apple but didn’t look convinced. “Why should that make a difference?”
“Horses can sense changes in our emotions,” Delphine replied.
Holding up the apple in his hand, Bennett leaned closer to Hercules. “Go on, then. Eat the apple.”
Hercules eyed the apple but did not make a move to eat it.
“I tried to tell you. Hercules hates me,” Bennett said as he lowered the apple to his side.
Delphine moved to stand next to Bennett. “Don’t give up. Hold the apple up again and tell Hercules why you miss your uncle so much.”
Bennett huffed. “Hercules is just a horse, Delphie.”
“Try for me, please.”
With a shake of his head, Bennett held the apple up once more and shared, “I miss going to my uncle for advice. He would take the time to sit down with me and make me feel as if I had just asked the most profound question.” His lips curled into a smile. “He had the unique ability to make people feel heard.”
Hercules shifted towards Bennett and promptly ate the apple from his hand.
Bennett looked at her in surprise. “How in the blazes did you know that would work?” he asked, bringing his hand up to the horse’s neck.
“Much like people, horses can sense vulnerability and react to it,” Delphine said.
Hercules turned his head towards Delphine and nudged her.
