Page 6 of Magic Blooms
Joshua stood waiting for me on the covered porch, but rain still pelted him, thanks to the strong winds the storm had kicked up. He grumbled under his breath about how much of a pain in the backside the lost pigs were, even on their best days. I couldn’t quite catch all the angry words as they tumbled out beneath his breath.
Between the billowing rain and wind, it was hard to see or hear much of anything as he led me across the yard. And although the flashes of lightning every few seconds were bright, they didn’t actually help me to discern my surroundings. If anything, they made it that much more difficult for my eyes to adjust.
“Here piggy, piggy, piggy,” called Joshua as his dog, Ranger, pranced at his heels. “It’s not like you want to be out here anymore than we do!”
“Can they understand you? The pigs?” I had to shout to be heard over the violent gusts of wind that swept past.
Joshua’s brow furrow in confusion, leading me to believe I’d said something wrong.
“Huh? Of course not,” came his terse reply a moment later.
“How do we know we’re going in the right direction?” I yelled into the pouring rain as I scanned the horizon for any stray flash of pink.
“We’re going in the right direction,” Joshua groused as he continued to lead me and Ranger deeper into the storm.
But I still wasn’t convinced he had the slightest clue where he was going. “Are you saying that because you’re guessing or because you know?” I challenged.
As much as I didn't like the ill-fitting clothing I’d been given, I now clutched at the material tightly to keep the warmth in and the wet out.
"I know we’re going in the right direction," said Joshua, pausing so suddenly I almost rammed right into him. "Because I can smell the little stinkers."
He could smell them. How?
All I could make out was the swirling scents of woods and musk and rain. And besides, when I held the little one in my hands, Oinkers, he hadn't had much of an odor about him. I knew we were from different worlds, but we were still both human. Could his senses really be so much stronger than mine?
I was about to question him again when three sharp barks sounded at our side.
"Bingo. We found ’em." Joshua smiled wide and reached down to pat Ranger on the head.
The brown and white short-haired dog led the way up a large and extra slippery hill. I stumbled forward and had to catch myself with my palms.
“Careful there,” Joshua warned a moment too late, pulling me back to my feet. “Ranger, take it slow.”
The dog ran back to us and bounced around our ankles, eager to show the way but not prepared to disobey its master’s orders. The poor thing was soaked through but didn't seem to mind at all. His eyes were bright and beaming, and his tongue was lolling out of his mouth with joy.
The short fur showed off a muscular body that could do a fair bit of damage if it wanted. Not that this creature seemed like it was capable of hurting anybody—not now, not ever.
“Good boy,” he told the dog, who now sat, thumping his tail as he waited for me to catch up to them.
When I did, he rushed over to my side and wedged his head between my hand and side, demanding pets.
"Huh. Don't see that every day,” Joshua quipped, smiling at me for the first time since we’d met as I stroked the dog with a wet and muddy hand. “Usually he’s not quick to take to new people.”
“Good boy,” I told Ranger, pulling away lest our easy bond raise suspicions. Lorraine had told me to try to blend in, and so far I wasn’t doing a very good job of it.
Almost as if he’d read my mind and picked up on a single keyword, Joshua glanced at me over his shoulder and said, "So Lorraine said you’re her niece."
My brows shot up. Lorraine had said that? When? And where was I?
“I… Yes." I was terrible with untruths. Luckily enough, in my position, there were very few times I’d ever been forced to lie. Altered the truth for the sake of diplomacy, yes. Lied, no.
I had a feeling that was going to change real fast as I navigated this new place in an effort to find my home again.
"And where are you visiting from again?" Joshua wanted to know.
"From really far away," I answered quickly. Really, I couldn't lie about that even if I wanted to. I didn't know the names of any other locations around these parts.
Fortunately, Ranger saved me from any more of his master’s questioning as he broke into a sprint and rushed forward while barking furiously.
