Page 24 of Her Guarded Hero

“Boo, can I come closer?” she asked the horse.

Nothing.

She started a wordless hum and started to slightly rock. Finally, his tail relaxed, and his ears began to perk up.

“We good?” she asked.

“Wanna treat?”

Aurora smiled when Aladdin took a deep breath in and nickered softly. He’d smelled the herbs and flowers. His nostrils flared, and he took a cautious step forward.

“Sunshine be careful.” Dalton’s tone was a very low whisper that didn’t startle the stallion. She was impressed.

Aurora smiled. Two days, just two days and she was liking the concern that Dalton was exhibiting. Aladdin nickered softly and walked steadily towards her. He bent his big head and nibbled at the handful of plants, when he was done he looked at her and swayed his head. The big softy wanted a rub which she was happy to give.

Petting the side of his beautiful chestnut neck, she praised him softly. He pressed into her hand, so she put more oomph into her strokes. She looked into his eye, on the right side of his head was getting droopy, between the excitement, the petting and the calming effect of the valerian flower, he was relaxed enough for her to look at his forelock and see how much damage he’d done when he kicked his stall.

Damn. She was going to need Doc Barnes.

She could still see some wood stuck in his flesh and automatically reached in her back pocket for her cell phone. She came up empty.

Smoothing her hand over Aladdin’s silky coat, she spoke softly, “I’m going to have to leave now. Will you be a good boy?” She saw the effects of the valerian by the slight drooping of the big horse’s eyes.

Aurora continued stroking his warm body until he finally nudged against her hand and blew a warm stream of air that ruffled her hair. “Okay, I’ll take that as a yes,” she smiled. “I’ll be back.”

She kept an eye on the stallion as she exited the stall. Dalton had the stall door opened as soon as she reached it. As soon as it was solidly locked, she slumped against it. Dalton shook his head and guided her to a spot further down the hall where she wasn’t leaning on a stall door. Then he handed her his phone.

“How’d you know?” she asked tiredly.

“You would have asked for the first aid kit if you could have handled it on your own.” He held up the kit that was normally on the center beam in the in the main walkway of the barn. “I figured you’d need to call the vet.”

Aurora contemplated Dalton’s phone then gave a rueful laugh. “What was I thinking, I don’t know his number. Everyone’s on speed dial. I’m going to have to call Grandpa.”

Dalton lips tilted upwards. “I understand. I only know five or six numbers, otherwise I would be S.O.L.”

“What does S.O.L. stand for?” Aurora asked as she pressed in her Grandfather’s number.

“Shit out of luck.”

She gave a weak laugh as Gunnar picked up. She quickly explained the situation with Aladdin, noting Dalton’s intent stare as he set down the first aid kit.

“What?” she asked as she handed back her phone.

“You were amazing with him.”

“Grandad?” What was he talking about?

Dalton leaned forward and placed his hand next to her head, effectively caging her in, his face close to hers. “No, with Aladdin. It about killed me to agree to let you go in there. You know that don’t you? He was enraged earlier.”

“No, he was scared,” she corrected as she looked into his Navy-blue eyes. “There’s a big difference.”

“Either way, he could have hurt or killed you.” Dalton gave her a considering look. “But you weren’t afraid. You knew exactly how to approach him. Handle him.”

Was that admiration in his voice?

She swallowed. “Aladdin told me what to do. I just followed his cues.”

“Can you explain them to me?” he asked in a smoky voice. It stroked her senses like velvet. His left hand touched her cheek, pushing a lock of her hair behind her ear. She nuzzled into his hand just like Aladdin had responded to her touch.