Page 39 of Dragon Her Heels

“Do I look like a tour guide to you?” the Devil complained.

“Yes. I have chores to do—and this specific chore is your fault, so you get to go be a tour guide for my guest. And no, Alligator Bait does not need another bath today, no matter how many times she tries to lead you to the bathing stall.”

Yuless laughed. “Your horse likes taking baths?”

“She lives for them,” I confirmed. “If you want to help give her a bath, you can come over on a day I’m breezing her, as she always gets a bath after breezing. If you’re into racing, and you don’t mind earning your keep, you can help with her grooming on race days, too.”

“I’ll admit I’m interested in watching thoroughbred racing.”

Later, once my guests departed, I would cheer for my good fortune. “Then it’s settled. If you’re available and want to help out, you can be Alligator Bait’s groom for race days. You’ll be in charge of her tack and safety checks in addition to making her spotless and beautiful. I’ll pay for your hotel and transit, and you’re welcome to ride in my truck if you don’t want to drive yourself. I’ll be carting my family along for the first race, so it might be a tight fit.”

“If there are more bodies than your truck can handle, I can help with transportation,” Lucifer announced. “Come along, Yuless. She gets cranky if she can’t attend to her chores promptly. I’m sure she’ll be along soon enough. She hovers when it comes to her horses. And if she leaves us unsupervised, we’ll make off with two of her horses for a ride around the estate.”

“Is Zenzi good with riders?”

“She is.”

“David is a gentleman, but Buttercups can be tough. If you aren’t riding Buttercups, put him on David or Zenzi,” I requested.

“I’ll put him on Zenzi. I’ll ride Buttercups, that way he can see a spicy filly. I’ll shapeshift so I’m lighter. She’s never carried a heavier rider before.”

Right. Lucifer could shapeshift in addition to being able to teleport. “I appreciate that, thank you. If you’re riding when I’m done, I’ll catch up on David.”

“It’s a date,” the Devil replied before guiding Yuless away.

I waited until they disappeared into the trees to mutter, “If only.”