38 Carlos and Hector

Elloreah and Mingan said their good-byes to John. Elloreah found herself tearing up as she realized she'd miss the kelpie. He reminded her, in his own way, of her mother. He gave her a tight hug and promised to call once they'd installed a phone at the ranch.

Afterwards, she followed Mingan out to the backyard, having little else to do. The oak swayed overhead and she relished the way the evening air was beginning to cool around them as she lounged in the grass once more.

"It is rather hot here. I do not look forward to spending so much time in this heat."

"It does cool a bit in the evening." He glanced out over the trees. "Maybe we should take a walk before it's too dark." He looked to her. "Would you like me to show you around? I've spent my fair share of time here."

Elloreah nodded emphatically. "I think it would best. I would hate to get into trouble, wandering lands I do not know."

He chuckled and lit a cigarette as he walked around the pool to a path she hadn't noticed winding through the orchard. His limp was barely noticeable, the lingering ache of it simply an undercurrent of his nature now. As they walked, he plucked a ripe plum from the tree, wiped it on his shirt and handed it to her.

"The season is about over. Best to enjoy them while you can," he told her. "We'll have to see if there are any cherries or late peaches left. Shame the apricots have such a short season." She nodded and stared at the plump, dark, fruit. It was matte where he hadn't wiped it, dark and glossy where his shirt had polished it.

"Thank you," she murmured, and wiped the fruit on her own blouse till it shone. She took a bite, and the juice trickled down her arm before she'd realized it, staining the edge of her sleeve. "Ah!" she exclaimed, attempting lick the trickle of juice.

Mingan turned and gave her a half smile. "Well, that's not going to come out."

She rolled her eyes and worked to eat the fruit down to its pit.

"I'm sure Sitala will have Liwanu take you out tomorrow for some clothes. Something that fits," he added as way of explanation. "And perhaps some boots. Alistair has quite a stable."

Elloreah nodded before asking, "Who is Liwanu?"

"Sitala's right hand man of sorts. He's quiet and nice enough."

Clothing shopping with a blind woman didn't seem like the best of ideas, nor did spending the day with two people she hardly knew.

"Do you think you might come?" she asked before thinking.

He shook his head. "I have no interest in shopping."

"I do not know Liwanu or Sitala."

Mingan only shook his head again. "If you want new clothes, you'd best learn to get along with Sitala. She is the mistress of this place, she oversees the welfare of those who reside here. Though I suppose we could see if you can borrow some clothes from one of the ladies who work in the kitchen."

Elloreah laughed. "I rather like the second option."

"I'll introduce you to Connie then. She'd enjoy taking you under her wing. Here's the barn," Mingan said, drawing her attention to the structure they'd come to.

It was a sprawling stable with a round pen and arena not far off. The building was painted brown with white trim. Elloreah couldn't help but be impressed by the sheer size of it. It rivaled the barn at her father's estate, and their main mode of transportation was on horseback.

"Impressive," Elloreah sighed.

"Alistair breeds and trains horses. One of the few ranches in the area to actually house thoroughbreds. He plans to compete in the races with his stock someday. The rest are working horses, the sort I prefer. Come on," he waved, heading into the long hall of the barn. "Let's see if my favorite little mare is still here." He skipped over the first few stalls.

Elloreah glanced in at tall, slender limbed horses that snorted and rolled their eyes at her before pacing restlessly around the enclosure. They were beautiful beasts, bred for speed, and she guessed these were the racing stock.

She hurried after Mingan, noticing he'd not glanced at the beasts she was admiring and was headed directly to the end. There was a large outdoor paddock attached to these stalls where sturdy horses milled about the shared pen.

"Ah, there they are," Mingan said with some relief. "They're out getting some exercise. Looks like Prissy is out there."

Elloreah jogged to catch up with him, and joined him at the railing where he leaned. Mingan whistled and one of the mares, mostly brown with one white foot, lifted her head. He whistled again and she shook her mane before deciding to make her leisurely way towards him.

"Silly old thing," he murmured, digging around in his pocket to produce a treat. Even with the offered treat, the horse didn't make much effort to pick up her pace. She simply ambled over and mouthed his hand, munching the carrot. Once she was done she snuffed at him again, searching for another. Mingan rubbed her forehead and laughed.

It was nice to see this side of him. The horse had a strong affection for him, and Elloreah couldn't help but read the mutual appreciation of horse and man. She reached out and stroked the horse's neck. The mare turned to her, mouthing her clothes and Elloreah laughed.

"I don't have anything." She held out her hands, palm up. "See? I didn't know I was supposed to bring an offering."

Mingan gave the mare one last rub. "She's spoiled. Plump as she is, she doesn't need the treat, but it's been a while."

"Don't say that, she's just healthy," Elloreah laughed. There were a couple of men on a tractor hauling a small trailer with bales of hay. The horses began whinnying and nickering, pacing the edge of the paddock.

"Looks like it's feeding time," Mingan said, and jogged over to the trailer. "Hey Hector, Carlos," he said, grabbing a flake of hay and tossing it over the railing in perfect imitation of Carlos' motion.

"Hey Mingan," Carlos exclaimed. "Good to see you man! How long will you be here?"

"A month or more. Depends on how long before I die of boredom." They chuckled and continued their work, moving down the line of paddocks.

Elloreah watched for a few minutes before joining in. Her sandals weren't the best for work in the sand, but she watched her feet and made the best of it.

"You're not a bad worker!" Carlos said, clapping her on the shoulder. "Not many of the women around here would have bothered."

"But they more than make up for it in the kitchen," Hector chimed in.

"Damn right, Connie makes some mean tamales."

The conversation went on much like that, and Elloreah found herself pleasantly included in a bit of the mindless chatter. The work was soon done, the animals put up for the night and they settled back at the barn for a smoke. It was only then that she felt out of place, hands empty as she leaned on the wall. Mingan and Hector deep in conversation, Carlos took pity on her.

"So, you like horses?" he asked. His eyes were dark, almost black, sparkled as the lights flickered on in the barn behind him.

"Yes," Elloreah replied. "My father had a barn like this."

Carlos whistled. "Fancy set up, you must be from a rich family. Is that how you know Alistair?"

Elloreah only nodded, not knowing how else to respond.

"You're not afraid to come out and work, I like that."

"I enjoy working," she replied. "Especially with horses."

Carlos only chucked. "You can ride then?"

"Of course," Elloreah responded, perplexed for a moment, forgetting that in this world, riding was not a necessity.

"Well good. Maybe you'd like to go out with us in the morning to move the cattle."

"As long as I'm back early."

"Oh, we'll have you back before breakfast. Be here by five and I'll set you up with a horse."

"I will be here," Elloreah told him without a second thought.

Carlos laughed loudly in approval. "Mingan, I like this girl! Where'd you find her?"

"Out wandering in the forest," Mingan responded.

"No, really," Carlos laughed again.

"She's visiting from John's place," and that seemed to be answer enough for them.