Page 79 of Saving Veronica
“Okay,” he said, as he kissed her nose after a snowflake landed on it. They kissed, then parted when someone bumped into them. After continuing to the building, Finn said, “If I’m to take next week off, I’d better go into the office. Can we take Major with us?”
“Absolutely. I’d like to take Captain, but he’s not quite there yet. Maybe in the summer.”
“Sounds good.” Finn kissed her one last time and let her go. “How long do I have?”
“Test takes a minimum of four hours, we’re allowed eight.”
“Okay, text me when you’re done, and I’ll come as soon as I can...” He nodded and pointed across the street. “...since the office is only one block down.”
Ronnie laughed as she stood on tiptoe and kissed his cheek, then she turned on her heel and headed into the building. Finn walked as fast as he could to his office.
*****
“What do you think?” Ronnie asked Finn, mid-morning the next day.
“Beautiful, absolutely stunning,” he said, as he looked out at the meadow and saw the snow actually twinkled in the sunlight, like it had diamonds spread out over it. The snowfall from the night before lay heavy on the trees, so they were all white. They laughed when Major came bounding up the trail, and jumped into a pile of snow that caused him to disappear. When he reappeared he too was completely white.
Ronnie taught Finn how to tether the horses, and set up for a winter camp. In under an hour, they had shelter for themselves and the horses, along with a clearing, and a fire burning. Finn settled down on a log with a steaming cup of coffee, and shook his head in wonder.
“What?”
“The only time I came up here, it was dusk, and I was looking for you. I never got to see this meadow for the beauty it holds. No wonder your grandfather says you lose all track of time when you come up here.”
“Yeah, when I need to decompress I come here. I have to be honest. I’ve wanted to come for some time now, but I was scared after the last time I was here. That’s why I asked if you wanted to come with me. Not only could I show you the beauty of this place, but I’d have someone with me if something happened.”
“Thank you for thinking of me. That means a lot to me.”
The next week went without a hitch, and two days before they were scheduled to go back down the mountain, Finn spotted an awesome sight. It was early morning and he had been making coffee, but Major had alerted him. Ronnie was still sleeping, but he nudged her with his foot. When she opened her eyes, he held his finger to his lips and pointed. Wrapped in a blanket, she crawled out of the tent and stared toward the meadow, sucking in her breath at the sight.
In the area where there was a forest that led to the other plateau on the next ridge, and where Paige had given birth and Ronnie was injured, Ronnie counted seven young horses coming into her meadow. Finn gave hand movements for Major to remain silent and they stayed and watched. Ronnie quickly went into the tent and dressed. When she emerged she had a grin a mile wide.
“Stay here.” She immediately went to the pack that held the horses’ provisions and strapped something around her waist. Man and dog watched as the woman slowly waded through thigh high snow toward the animals. At one point she stopped and began dumping the feed on the ground around her in a circle, about six feet from her. Then three feet in front of her. She sat in the middle of the smaller circle and didn’t move.
“No way,” Finn whispered, and the two horses, Sarge and Lou looked at him. He swore Sarge grinned, then went back to eating his own hay. Finn remembered something Hector had told him once, and began making his and Ronnie’s breakfast. Instead of the eggs and sausage for her, he made it into a breakfast sandwich that she could eat anytime. He continued to keep an eye on Ronnie and the horses, but left them alone.
At one point Finn heard Ronnie’s laugh, so he jumped to his feet and stared in slack-jawed wonder when he saw that all seven horses were nuzzling her clothes and hair. He continued to stare when she reached out and petted each one. When they didn’t back away at her touch, she stood, petted each one again, then slowly made her way back to the campsite. She grinned when Finn handed her a cup of coffee and the breakfast sandwich from earlier.
“How would you feel if we left for home today?”
“Are our friends coming with us?”
“I hope so. They’re young, I’d say the oldest is around a year. There’s no alpha. I sat out there that long and no one came. They’re hungry. That’s why they came up to me. I think if you and Lou lead the way, Sarge and I can bring up the rear.” They froze when the horses approached and Sarge started making noises to them. It shocked the hell out of Finn when he saw the young ones seemed to do what he was telling them.
“Sarge is your alpha.”
“Yes.”
“Okay. I thought you’d want to go, so the tent is all packed up, we only have to take it down, and douse the fire. Everything else is done.”
“Thank you.” She kissed him and in under an hour, the two stallions were saddled, loaded, then Finn gave directions to Major to head down the trail. He and Lou led the way. The seven new ones followed him.
“Hey, Finn,” Ronnie called out when they were halfway down the trail.
“Yeah?”
“Why don’t you ride down and get Hector to open the pasture. He’ll be at his house now. He doesn’t know we’re coming home early and have guests.” She giggled when he laughed.
Finn waved his hand and used his heels to spur Lou on. Luckily the trail was in the trees and very little snow had been able to accumulate on it, leaving it dry for faster movement.
