Chapter 28 [Next Morning]
Lana stepped out of the house early on that morning. She sucked in a big lungful of fresh country air. Her heart felt light. Celebration picked her spirits up. Still Caution kept her on edge. She didn't want to run into the coven.
Daylight was fully in charge.
I could go through the passage. I just love the air and light.
"Something else. Isn't it?" Miranda followed her down the steps and into the gravel driveway. "I'd forgotten how great this place is. You're up early." She smoothed a bleached out shirt and jeans. "Mind giving me a hand with chores?"
"Is that okay? It is your Aunt and Uncle's barn." Hesitation turned her eyes back toward the house and then the barn again.
"They'll love that we did the chores. Besides there are some folks for you to meet." Miranda led her into the barn. She rubbed the cow's side. "Hi, Mabel. We'll be back to milk you. We're going to meet your stall mates down the passage."
Consideration guided Lana's eyes around the area. Despite her initial issues with the couple during their visit months earlier, the barn relaxed her. "How old is this barn?"
"Uncle Dave says it's almost 200. It's definitely not the original barn on this site. You might ask Captain Crane or Professor Dubois about that." Miranda stopped in front of the horses' stalls. "Okay! Here we are! The horse on our left is Rumrunner. That's Grace's horse."
Rumrunner grunted and slid his hoof across the stall's floor.
"Wow! He's got an attitude all right!" Lana frowned. "What's going on with him?" She studied his eyes and face.
He shook his snout all around.
"He's the dominant horse around here I guess. Auntie and Grace do okay with him." Miranda walked over to the other stall. "And here's their newest addition. Her name's Winter." She leaned over the rail. "Hi!"
Winter whinnied. She retreated back toward the wall.
Fear and Mistrust strummed Lana's telepathy loudly. She saw the scars on the white mare's side. "Are you kidding me? Who would hurt such a beautiful horse?"
"Her last owners. Uncle Dave and Auntie found out about her previous owner in some farm in North Central Mass. They went right down there. The local sheriff was about to put her up at auction. Uncle Dave paid Winter's 'bail'. They brought her back here. She's all right with Grace. She really doesn't like Uncle Dave. Still, she won't let anyone ride her except Grace every once in a while."
"I wish I could." Lana sighed. She reached into a nearby bag of carrots. She brought out a big one. "Hi, Winter. Are you hungry, Girl?" She sent out soothing telepathic vibes.
Winter grunted. She looked right into Lana's eyes. Warmth relaxed her. Deliberation edged one hoof and then the other across the hay covered wood underneath. Her eyes kept to the floor. Anxiety elicited a groan from her.
"It's okay, Girl. You're so pretty! Look at you!" Lana held the carrot up for Winter to see. "I have a treat for you. It's okay. I just want to be your friend."
Winter whinnied. She rubbed Lana's hand with her nose.
Lana stroked Winter's neck. "Thank you. Here you go." She held the carrot up in front of her new friend. "Just little bites. Okay?"
Winter nibbled little by little. Crunch brought Security. She finished the carrot. Gratitude nudged another nose rub.
"My pleasure. Okay." Lana smiled. "Maybe we'll get Rumrunner and you some water here? Looks like you were drinking some last night." She glanced at Miranda who simply watched her in turn. "What?"
"I shouldn't be surprised, Boss." Admiration spread a smile across Miranda's face. "I think you've made a new friend. Maybe she'll eventually let you take her out for a ride at some point?"
"Maybe." Lana took a pail over to the nearby faucet on the wall. She filled a bucket and poured it into Rumrunner's trough. "I'll give them both equal time. There you go, Boy."
Rumrunner grunted a quick thanks.
"You're welcome. I'm sure Miss Grace will be out here soon to give you breakfast." Lana offered him a carrot too. "You deserve a treat too." She let him munch down on that treat. "There you go. Thanks, Rumrunner." She refilled the pail. "And here you are, Miss Winter." She filled the other trough. "Take a good drink."
Winter did just that.
"You have the magic touch, Lana." Angie followed them into the barn. "Thanks for helping out. Grace is with her Mom this morning. She inspected the area and broke open some hay. "I'll give them some fresh stuff for breakfast."
"I've got some for her." Lana picked up a big armful. "You have any oats or maybe an apple?"
"We sure do. I can let you give her some for a special breakfast. Maybe later you can give her an apple for lunch?" Angie opened a barrel to her right. She scooped out several bowls' worth of oats into a pail. "There you go."
"Thanks! We sure got something extra special now!" Lana trucked the pail over to her friend.
Winter sniffed the bucket. She neighed. Then she dug into the pail. She ate the oats with guarded bites. She drank from the cool water in her trough. She leaned close to Lana. Her nose touched Lana's face.
Amazement elicited a smile and a headshake from Angie. "I have never seen her open up to anyone like that so fast. I'm glad we're doing what we are."
"Doing what you are? I know Mr. Dubois and you are going to be in Metro. What will you do with Rumrunner and Winter? You can't just get rid of them." Lana frowned.
Angie shook her head. "No we can't. Talk to Lex. He should tell you." She smirked. "I think you'll like it." She hefted a saddle. "She needs a ride. How about taking her around the Back Forty? The pink bridle's hers."
"Sure!" Lana grabbed the bridle in question. "Let me know if this hurts. Okay?" She slipped it over her friend's nose and head. Then she put the saddle on Winter's back. "I appreciate you letting me ride you, Girl. This really means a lot."
Winter grunted.
"Thanks!" Lana took the reins and walked Winter outside. She slowly got up into the saddle. "That okay?" She stroked the side of her friend's neck. "Let's just have a great ride! Go!"
Winter took off at a rapid gallop across the back fields. Her legs stretched. She followed the tree line perfectly. Fear evaporated. Mane and Tail flowed on the wind. Inhibition evaporated. Trust formed a framework between her and this new friend.
Lana floated on Vibrations' positivity. She laughed. Her eyes sparkled. It had been a long time since she'd ridden a horse like that.
Great Turn for both….