I hope you enjoy this chapter. Again, I own nothing of the Phoenix and it's affiliates.
The Phoenix
Chapter 2
Bennu greeted the sun out in the field as he finished feeding the cattle. Yesterday, he had been shown all the rest of the chores that went on in this small family. Tim had shown him the orchard that had a few fruit trees and the patch of ground that they had been tilling for a garden. They laughed a little as Coyote chased a rabbit from the orchard. Last night, Clara showed him the room he would be using and she had gotten some of her son's old clothes for him to use. The room was situated opposite the living room, away from the kitchen. This morning, he had suggested to Cody that he would feed the cattle in the pasture while Cody exercised the horses. To his delight, Cody agreed.
"That takes a load off me. They'll get fed early and I can pay more attention to the horses. Thanks, Bennu."
As the glow faded, Bennu contemplated about Beth's ability. He had asked Sunshine if she had ever 'spoken' to Beth. He found out that the calico had been around since Beth was born and use to talk to her as the child grew and she had learned to respond back. But when the child told the parents, they just laughed and said that all children thought that animals could talk to them. As Beth grew older, Sunshine realized that it would alienate the child from others and soon stopped. Bennu had been disappointed as the cat to learn that she didn't even realize that she could still do it.
Bennu hid the medallion and finished putting the wire in the bucket. He soon headed for the barn. He arrived to see Cody finishing with Dancer. He helped rub down and then feed and water the horse. He put the food in the bucket and walked out of the stall as he heard a yelp. Quickly closing the door to the stall, Bennu ran over to Shadow's open stall. He nearly laughed as he saw that Cody was playing tug of war with Shadow.
The stallion had the halter in his mouth and was holding on tight.
"Shadow, let go!" Cody spotted Bennu in the doorway. "Shut it, please. If he gets out, he'll run for miles."
Bennu obliged him and grinned as Shadow lifted his head and the jockey with it.
"Shadow!" Cody said as he dangled a few inches off the ground. "Come on, boy, the others have gotten their runs. It's your turn."
Bennu looked around and saw Beth next to the stall. He moved away.
"Why don't you just let go?" Beth said as she looked in.
Bennu held in his laughter as Shadow dropped the halter, Cody with it, and headed for the stall door. He heard Beth laugh as Cody got up and brushed himself off.
"Careful, cuz, he's feeling his oats today."
"Are you giving Cody trouble today, my beautiful boy?" Beth put her head against the stallion's and closed her eyes. After a bit she opened her eyes and reached for the halter. "Okay, now behave yourself." She put the halter on and led him out.
"You know what, why don't you exercise him today, cuz?"
Beth frowned. "Can't. Mrs. Clark will be here in about ten minutes." She tied Shadow and started rubbing him down. When she helped put his tack on, she looked Shadow in the eye. "Now behave yourself or no sweet feed."
Shadow nudged her as she smiled.
Everyone turned to the sound of a car honking as it drove up, with Coyote answering, and Beth left the barn.
Cody noticed Bennu watching as Beth greeted the woman that pulled up and retrieve a box from her. "Beth got her certificate for accounting. She does taxes for people around here."
Bennu nodded then went to clean Shadow's stall as Cody took the stallion to the track that was located a few yards behind the barn.
After lunch, Cody took off and would return later in the evening. Bennu helped Tim in the orchard: checking the irrigation line for leaks or breaks; younger trees for breaks; and all the trees for any dead limbs that needed to be cut off.
That night the wind had gotten chilly as Bennu and Tim went to check on the animals before retiring for the night. Clara had loaned Bennu a jacket that was stored in one of the closets. His own jacket had been in his bag. He checked Dancer's blanket to see if it was secured and left the stall. He heard Tim talking to Coyote to stay put while he checked the chicken coop door, so Bennu headed for the opening when Shadow poked his head out. Again, Bennu approached the stallion and to his surprise, Shadow did not retreat. Instead, curious, the stallion stared at him.
"You understand now that I won't hurt you."
Shadow's ears flicked.
"You are very beautiful." Bennu slowly reached out to try and stroke Shadow's nose. He smiled as he felt the warmth that blew from Shadow's nostrils and he slowly rubbed the horse's forehead and tried to move to his neck. He felt Shadow's muscles twitching as he moved his hand on the horse's neck. After a bit, Bennu stepped back. "Thank you." Bennu walked out of the barn for the night and on the way, he 'heard' a contented purr behind him.
As he entered the house, he heard laughter from the living room and stopped to feel the warmth and love that flowed from the family. He walked into the living room, determined to head for his room, when Tim called out.
"Bennu, come joini us." Tim, with Clara sitting close, sat on the couch that was situated in the middle of the room, in front of the fireplace. They smiled at him as he took a seat in one of the comfortable recliners. "We were just talking about the garden."
Their garden spot had already been tilled so now need the seedlings.
"We have quite a few of the vegetables already started, but were thinking of planting some late to get a crop. You have any ideas on what would be a good late crop?"
Bennu didn't answer, just shyly smiled.
Tim gave him a look. "I've seen you around the orchard; you have some skill in growing plants."
Bennu nodded. "I've picked up a few hints now and then, but as for ideas…" He shrugged. "It matters on your tastes."
"Well, I think that if we plant the watermelons on the out skirts of the garden, we can put the pole beans there." Clara commented. "And I think squash and garlic are good late crops."
Tim faced her. "What is it with you and garlic? We have three cords hanging in the barn already."
"And you know that when Apa comes next month, he's going to take two; maybe half of the third."
Bennu had wondered why there had been garlic, braided into long ropes, hanging in the barn. The cords were at least six feet in length.
"Okay, okay. Is he going to save that money, too?"
"Nope, he's going to use it to help with the wedding."
"I don't need help with my son's wedding." Tim frowned. "We both have enough saved to help her father with the expenses. Tell your father he needs to save that money for the rest of the family."
Clara grinned in reply. "You tell him, yourself."
Tim shook his head. "Oh, no. Not this time. You are."
Grinning, Bennu got up and said good night.
"Good night, Bennu." They both said in unison and continued their 'argument'.
Bennu piled the hay onto the truck and went for the bags of feed. As he came out, he spied Tim and Beth heading for the barn.
"Bennu, can you help us for a bit. Cody is going to be late this morning. Car trouble. I want to get the horses prepped and ready for him to ride when I go get him."
Bennu nodded as he put the bag onto the truck. "Okay. Which one first?" He asked as he followed them into the barn. He saw that Beth had the tack room open and was getting Mocha. Tim pointed to Dancer.
"Get Dancer out and tie him over there." He said as he pointed to a ring on the opposite side. "We'll leave Shadow in until I get here with Cody. While he's exercising the horses, I'll help you with the cattle."
Nodding, Bennu put the halter on Dancer and led him out of the stall and tied him to one side. He brushed him down and placed the saddle, hitching the strap securely. He waited as Beth finished with Mocha. They kept the horses tied until Tim returned with Cody.
"They already picked up my car, so I might have it this afternoon." Cody said as he went to Mocha first.
Beth shook her head. "You need another motor in it."
"One of these days, cuz, one of these days." Cody sat astride Mocha as Beth took them out to the track.
Tim and Bennu fed the cattle in the field and headed back as Cody was finishing with Dancer. Bennu helped rub him down and feed him as Beth and Cody got Shadow ready to run. Bennu closed the door to Dancer's stall and followed them out to the track. He watched at Cody brought Shadow to a stop to one side near the starting gates. He wondered why they didn't put him in.
Shadow fidgeted and danced in the one spot until Cody triggered him and he leaped to race down the track. Bennu caught his breath as the stallion thundered by on the first round. Then Bennu saw Beth looking at him with a small smile on her face.