Page 114 of Wild Omega

Rickon settles his hand around my waist and tugs me close. “Many are bigger,” he whispers back, green eyes twinkling with merriment. “That one’s only around fifteen hands.”

A woman on the upper end of middle age comes out of the office, wearing tight-fitting beige pants and a long-sleeved shirt with a horse head logo on the breast. “Rickon, welcome, darling!” She swings open the gate between the driveway and the stable courtyard and holds her arms out. “How do you manage to look more gorgeous every time I see you?”

“Hello, Serena,” he says, genuine warmth in his voice as he hugs her, and then pulls back and ushers me closer. “Red, meet Serena, owner of Equinus Events and four-time Alphainus Grand Prix show-jumping champion. Serena, meet Red.”

“Oh, hush with that,” the woman says, backhanding his chest. “I’m just a horse fanatic, and his adopted ma’s best friend.” She tucks brown curls escaping from her tight braid behind one ear, and then rests both hands on my shoulders.

“Darling girl, today I induct you into the inescapable void that is the world of horses. Breathe your last breath as a normie.” She rolls her hand, coaxing me to take a breath.

I grin, loving her melodramatic air, and breathe deep. Smells of hay, wood, and animal hair. And crap.

“Good, now in we go! Let’s meet the stars.” She hooks her hands through our elbows and tows us forward, talking a mile a minute. “Rickon said you’re doing a jockey movie. Honestly you’re too tall to really be a jockey, but never let facts get in the way of telling a good story. I digress. We’re going to start from the very bottom and work our way up so you feel right at home with saddles, bridles, and, of course, our furry friends.”

She stops in front of a stall and a coppery head pokes out over the divider. “This here is Saffron. She’s our favorite for beginners because she’ll plod all day but still has a bit of spark when you ask for it.”

As if knowing we’re talking about her, the horse snorts.

“See? What did I tell you? Attitude.” Serena strokes the soft nose lovingly. “Get over here, Red. You two are about to become best friends.”

I step up to the front of the stall. This close, the horse towers over me. I have to reach up even to pat the hairy chin. Serena shows me how to cup my hand with my fingers pressed tight together, and then she drops a long piece of sweet potato into my palm. Saffron lips it up.

“I thought horses ate apples?” I say, staring at the trail of slobber left on my palm.

Serena chuckles. “Oh, they’d eat apples all day long, for sure. Just like kids would eat candy if it was on offer. Sweet potato and carrots as treats help keep the fructose count down.”

Saffron noses me to see if I’m hiding more food, knocking me off balance. I wobble backward.

“Now, don’t be scared,” Serena says. “Just put your hand out and be firm. You’re entitled to your personal space.” She demonstrates how to push the big head away. “We need to get inside, so give her a gentle push on her body and click your tongue to tell her to back up.”

I rest my hand on her warm, furry chest, feeling the strength and power beneath the skin.

Serena moves further into the box, running her hands along the horse’s flanks. “They’re big but gentle if you treat them right. Show them you’re trustworthy and they’ll do their best for you. Always move slowly, run your hands over them so they know where you are, and don’t startle them with sudden noises or movements.”

She skims her hands around the animal’s rump as she circles behind. “Saffron here would never kick, but with other horses, don’t stand behind them. Now, grab a brush out of the box and let’s get started with some grooming. Rickon says you need a crash course in all things horsey.”

I turn, looking for the brush, and Rickon hands me something that looks like a bathroom scrubbing brush with a strap across the back. He shows me how to slide it onto my hand.

“You seem like a pro at this,” I say as I check the fit.

He grins, but Serena chimes in first. “Of course. Rickon’s practically half horse. It’s a crying shame he never went into eventing.” She winks at me. “Those darling boys were always running around underfoot back in the day. Oh, have you met Callisto? They were an inseparable pair.”

A pang shoots through my heart, just from his name.

Rickon leans on the stable half door. “Yes, she has. We’re currently staying at his house.”

“Oh, lovely. Say hello from me. I suppose he’s still working himself to death?”

“Some things don’t change,” Rickon says, flashing a wry smile.

“Apples and trees,” Serena adds with a sigh. She mimes long brush strokes for me, down the horse’s neck and shoulder.

“What do you mean about apples and trees?” I ask as I copy her movements, dragging the brush along Saffron’s side.

“Press a little firmer,” Serena coaxes. “You should see some hair coming away on the brush. And I just meant Callisto’s so much like his father. He was a brilliant man, but worked himself into an early grave. Wouldn’t listen to anyone who told him to slow down.”

I hesitate. “Callisto’s dad passed away?” My gaze flicks to Rickon. He said he didn’t have parents either. Sounds like both men have a lot of pain in their pasts.

Rickon nods. “Nearly ten years ago now, but it impacted Calli and his mom a lot.”

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