Chapter Twenty-Six
CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX
Annie had walked through the forest for only a short time before she slowed her step to take in the surreal sight. Wisps of mist rose from the ground, so transparent they appeared almost like dust, yet barely a foot away bands of what looked like puffs of powder floated upwards. Raising her eyes to the tree tops, there were none to be seen, just the majestic trunks disappearing into the white fog. The picturesque, quiet scene felt magical.
“If I make a wish will it come true?” she whispered. A moment later she felt a breath of air against her cheek, as if an invisible finger had touched her. “Is it wrong to ask for everything? Can I have Brody and the horses and my singing? Can it all work together in harmony?”
But as the words left her lips a gentle rustling sound caught her attention, and turning her head she saw the large, gray dog.
“Hello, how lovely to see you again,” she murmured, crouching down to be at his level. “I’m sorry I don’t have any treats. Darn it, I should have brought some in case I saw you again.”
The dog tilted its head to the side, then began ambling towards her.
“What a beautiful boy you are,” she continued, speaking softly as he neared. “What happened to your family? You should have a name. I can’t keep calling you boy or dog. I know, how do you like Magic? I was just thinking how magical this place is and you appeared. Or Merlin? Yes, I like Merlin.”
As he stopped in front of her, she confidently reached out to stroke his head, and to her great joy he sat down and panted happily.
“You are such a sweetheart. I hope you weren’t caught in that awful storm yesterday. You seem pretty dry. I bet there are all kinds of ways to shelter in this forest. Will you join me for a walk? I can’t go too far in, though with you to protect me I don’t have to worry,” she added with a smile.
Straightening up, she started to move forward, but he didn’t follow.
“Don’t you want to join me?” she asked, turning around. Standing up, he barked, but he didn’t step towards her. “What? You don’t want me to go any further?” As if answering her question he barked again and she broke into a smile. “Okay! You know this place better than me.”
“Annie? Where are you?”
Hearing Brody’s voice, she walked a few steps away and looked down the path, but couldn’t see him.
“I’ll be right there,” she called back. “Please, come with me, Merlin,” she said softly, bending down and waving him over. “You’ll adore Brody, and I bet you’ll fall in love with Bella.” But to her dismay, he turned and ran off, disappearing into the trees. “Darn it,” she muttered with a frown, but when she saw Brody riding towards her ponying Luna, she broke into a wide smile.
“I figured I might as well bring the horse to you,” he declared. “I got done with everything faster than I thought I would. Are you still up for a trail ride?”
“You bet,” she exclaimed, smiling happily as she hurried over to join him.
Reaching Luna, she placed her foot in the stirrup, pushed off the ground, and swung her leg over the saddle.
“You did that like you’ve never stopped!” Brody exclaimed. “How does it feel?”
“Absolutely fantastic. I don’t mean to keep repeating myself, but I’ve missed this so much. I’ve missed everything.”
“I bet you have.”
“The fog looks really thick. Should we go through it. Do you think it will be clear when we reach the top?”
“We can give it a try. The conditions don’t happen often, but with the rain drenching the ground yesterday and the sun comin’ out this mornin’ there’s a good chance.”
“I’d love to, but only if you’re sure you have the time.”
”I do, but even if I didn’t, I’d find a way to make time,” he declared, then leaning across the narrow gap between the horses, he kissed her.
“Just as well I’m in this saddle,” she murmured when he pulled back.
“Because?”
“My knees are weak.”
“I’ll be makin’ them even weaker pretty soon,” he promised with a wink. “Come on, Bella.”
As they started up the trail Bella ran ahead, but as the mist became thicker, he called her back and told her to stay close.
“This is so creepy but so amazing,” Annie murmured. “It would be so easy to get lost.”
“You bet. That’s why I brought my compass. It almost happened to me once.”
“Really?”
“Yep. Bella got us back.”
“You’re kidding?”
“It was after a storm like the one we had last night but there’d been really high winds. The path was covered in so many downed branches I had a feelin’ a twister might’ve touched down. Anyway, by the time I’d ridden around them I wasn’t sure where the heck I was, and I decided to head back. I told Bella to go home and followed her.”
“Good grief, that sounds—” she began, but was cut off as Luna abruptly stopped with her ears pricked, and Brody’s horse Maverick did the same. Suddenly Bella started barking and both horses began to snort. “Uh…Brody, what should we do?” Annie asked nervously.
“If I was alone I’d keep goin’, but you haven’t ridden in a while so I’m thinkin’ we should turn back.”
“What do you think it is?”
“A wolf…maybe even a cougar…who knows,” Brody replied as his horse began to jig. “There’s a lot of wildlife out here, though I have to say it’s odd. I can’t remember the last time Maverick was antsy like this.”
“I’m getting scared.”
“It’s okay, just slowly turn around, don’t let her run. If she gives you trouble, just—”
“Nose to the knee,” Annie said, finishing his sentence.
“Bella, stop your barkin’, we’re goin’ home.”