Page 17 of Max
With another sigh, she pumped water into a basin in the sink and started cleaning the vegetables.
Chapter Ten
“I have to leave tomorrow,” Max said as they ate. “I should return by evening the day after. I will call you if it is longer.”
“Okay. That doesn’t sound too bad.”
“Had I not committed to this job, I wouldn’t leave. I have one hundred protectors arriving the day after tomorrow, and I still need to pick a place for our base.”
“It sounds like you are going to be busy. I’ve never been to the cities, but I haven’t heard good things about it from those who have,” she told him.
“Some rangers and protectors take their mates with them on the job, but two females were badly injured. I won’t put you in danger like that,” Max assured her.
“Your need to protect me could put you at risk, and my work is here. I depend on this homestead to survive. But if there is any way I can help you, I will.”
“Taking care of the gangers’ horses is already helping.” He took a bite of food, his eyes glinting with appreciation. “Once I get my protectors settled in and working the city, I hope to have more time to help you. I guess the first question is do you want to live here together, or would you like to have something new built?”
“Well, this is a four-bedroom house. I’ll be happy to share it with you.”
“As you wish, my mate.” This time he smiled as if he was just happy to be with her sharing a simple meal.
Falyn could feel herself blushing as his gaze darkened with passion. Her body responded to that look and the memory of their earlier lovemaking. Her nipples tightened, and her core throbbed and clenched against emptiness.
She looked down at her plate as she speared some meat and vegetables onto her fork and brought them to her mouth. She would need the nourishment to keep up with her male’s energetic mating. Oh, but she did love it!
After dinner, Falyn washed the dishes with homemade soap and left them to air dry on a wooden rack. The sun was just setting, so they went to the barn to get the horses inside. She only had to call Angus, and he came trotting up to the barn, but she wasn’t sure how to get the other horses to come.
Angus knew to come because she always gave him a small measure of grain or some carrots from the root cellar. When the other horses seemed content to stay at the far end of the pasture, Falyn said, “it looks like I might have to saddle up Angus and herd them in.”
Max looked at the horses casually grazing at the far end of the pasture for seconds while accessing the AI net from his internal processors for a solution. “I can run out and herd them in.”
“Okay.” Falyn looked a bit skeptical but nodded. “I’ll keep the barn door opened.” Holding her horse by his halter, she watched Max jog across the field.
He jogged past where the other horses grazed and shooed them toward the barn. When one tried to turn back, Max raced to block it. As Falyn watched him, she realized he could run as fast as they did.
With the other horses headed in, she led Angus to his stall. As she gave her horse his treats, the other four horses trotted onto the walkway between the six stalls. Max closed the lower half of the barn door behind them.
Closing Angus in his stall, Falyn said, “They can go into any of these stalls.” She opened the stall next to Angus and reached for the closest horse. Speaking to the chestnut gelding. She coaxed him into the pen with a hand under his head.
Watching Falyn, Max then followed suit. Maynard, the would-be kidnapper, was right. They were all nice horses and responded to a soothing tone and a gentle touch. Once inside the stalls, Max handed out carrots to them while Falyn measured out small scoops of grain.
“With this many horses, the grain won’t last long,” said Falyn.
“I will contact the Enclave and see where we can source more for you. Since this is related to the case, you won’t have to pay for it. Their stay here should be temporary until I can find the families.”
“What if you don’t find them, or they don’t want them? They’re too well-mannered to just turn loose.”
“We’ll find someone else who can use them, who will care for them properly. It will be a while before more modern forms of transportation are widely available.”
“That sounds good. I love my horse and horses, but I don’t need four more.”
“I’ve come to admire horses from my time in Montana. There are still places where they roam free.”
“There are a few in the valley, I’ve heard, but they are most likely descended from tame horses left to fend for themselves.”
“I have been thinking about learning to ride one, but I need a big strong one who can carry my weight.”
“Probably a draft horse could carry you. But you don’t look like you would be too heavy for any of these.”
