Looking up, Dora saw Steve smile slightly at her, admittedly it was a little tight but a smile nonetheless; it meant that, for now, any petty snipes were put aside; the tension wasn’t good for the horses and they need all their surrogate humans’ calm and wisdom to realise their birthright talents.
Reaching the familiar spot, Serena led Meg under the tree with a gentle instruction to ‘Sit’.
“I’ll be back soon, good girl.” She gently rubbed the silky ears and kissed her head.
Back up in the ‘schooling paddock’ the warm weather was about to be broken by a storm…
“Steve you need to be firm with her.” Dora said.
“You did mention it.” Steve replied tersely.
“There’s no need to take that tone with me.”
“And what tone would that be, eh?”
“This one, always angry, always defensive!”
“I wouldn’t if only you’d listen to me sometimes; I do know about horses, Dora.”
“I never said that you didn’t.” She pouted her lips slightly
“The minute I suggest we start doing more schooling or something a little different you walk around with a face like a thunderstorm in September.”
“It isn’t like that, Steve. I mean schooling, riding lessons…it all seems so unnatural for us.”
“Unnatural? Like, Slugger’s Saturday class?”
“Of course not! Besides, that is different, but Follyfoot is meant to be for tired or unwanted horses.”
“I know that, girl and it is.” He murmured levelly, despite his ire. "These ‘deserving cases’, as the Colonel calls them, need special care which we can provide but it costs money, Dora and in doing this we’re building a good reputation.”
“Uncle would never let a horse starve; if things were really…”
“You can’t rely on that forever!” He rubbed his free hand across his mouth.
Dora sighed exasperatedly. “Why does it always have to be about money? Sometimes I just wish that you wouldn’t..”
“Wouldn’t what? Have an opinion?”
“No. Steve, don’t twist my words!”
“I suppose it would be easier if I weren’t even here; no one to ‘rain on your parade’ as they say.”
“Never!”
Silence.
“I think that’s enough for today, we should take them back and get them settled.” Dora spoke quietly, without anger.
Soon there were nearing the back gate that lead to the stables.
“Dora, there’s a ‘phone-call for you!” Slugger hollered from the farmhouse gate.
“Coming Slugger!” She called back, and then with a last icy look at Steve, she handed
him the reins and walked away.
Steve shook his head, his anger still simmering…she always did this; just when things were getting into a calm routine she’d make a mountain out of a molehill, the molehill usually being something to do with him not slotting into the perfect life she envisioned Follyfoot to be and there they were…fighting again.
“Come on, let’s get you two back, eh?” He tempered his anger as best as he could so as not to unnerve his charges.
It had all started out so well, too.
Ron Stryker smiled blissfully as the sun warmed his face; it was lovely day, one best
served, he believed, by basking in it’s and nature’s glory…
“Excuse me?” The soft, cultured voice startled him; as his eyes adjusted to the sunlight,
he saw that the voice belonged to a young, attractive female standing at the closed gate.
“’ello there!” He turned the charm on to 110%. “And what can I do for you?”
“Good morning.” Serena allowed his obvious flirtation to go over her head. “I’m sorry to disturb you, it’s just I’m looking for someone; I believe he works here, though I’m not sure? Dark hair, longish.”
“You must mean Steve.” Ron looked over his shoulder, spotting Steve going into the stables. “Hoi, Steve! Steve!”
“Can’t it wait, Ron; these horses need to be attended to?”
Ron clicked his tongue and rolled his eyes. “Flamin’ ‘orses; he’s almost as dotty about them as Dora.”
“What is it, Ron?”
He looked back at Serena. “Back in a minute.”
“Thank you.”
Ron walked over to meet Steve partway.
“Cor dear, kept that a bit quiet ain’t ‘cha!” He smirked.
“What are you goin’ on about?” Steve asked irritably.