Page "adventure" Paragraph 69

He burst from the hot confinement of the room into the cold night air.

Gavin's stallion was in the barn and he tightened the cinches over the saddle blanket, working by touch in the darkness, comforting the animal with easy words.

When he had finished he led him and the mare to the porch.

The stallion had smelled the mare coming into heat and began to paw the turf, shaking his head.

Clayton looped the reins in a knot over the veranda post and patted the warm flesh of his neck.

The mare had backed away.

`` You take it easy, boy '', Clayton whispered.

`` She doesn't want you now.

You take it easy, your time will come ''.