AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“He is and can be mean, but it’s really only Nash he doesn’t like.”
“Why doesn’t he like your brother?”
“I taught him to nip when he’s near, but only because he taught his horse to nudge me whenever I’m near him.”
“I’ve heard that about siblings. You guys can love and hate in equal parts.”
“Especially at the moment,” he muttered. “You ride, Autumn?”
“No. It’s not my thing. I can walk to wherever we need to go. Why is he called Lance?”
“Not sure really, it just kind of happened one day. Maggs said he looked like the kind of horse someone would ride into battle, and Mom said we should call him Lancelot, but that’s a mouthful, so it got shortened to Lance.”
“He’s a beautiful, if terrifying, horse.
“Have you actually sat on one?”
“No, and I don’t want to.”
“You a scaredy-cat, Autumn?”
“Just because I have no wish to climb on a large, smelly animal with feet—”
“Hooves.”
“Hooves that could kick me into next week…”
“My horses are far too well-behaved to kick you into next week.” He was smiling now.
“They have those metal things in their teeth…”
“Bits.”
“…that tell me they can handle taking a large chunk out of me with ease.”
“Not my animals.”
A bark had him bending to greet the little gray dog. She leaped at him, and he caught her. The pup proceeded to lick his face.
“Kismet,” she blurted out.
“Bless you,” he said, lowering the dog back to the ground.
“No. The dog’s name. Nash told me she didn’t have a name. I came up with Kismet.”
He looked at her, then down at the dog who was gazing at him adoringly.
“Destiny,” he said, nodding. “I like it. Thanks.”
“Welcome,” she managed to get out.
“You want to head out to the arena now?”
“Oh right. Yes, of course.” She’d forgotten about her son. When did that ever happen? “Which way?”
“I’ll take you.”
“Just point me in the right direction. You’re probably busy.”
