I nodded. “Yeah, he named her Onyx.”
Peter frowned. “Onyx. That’s a peculiar name. Is it just made up or does it mean something?”
I shrugged. “Oscar says it’s a type of mineral. He spent most of his recent life in Dawson City. Knows all about minin’ and rocks and such. Onyx is a black rock, he said.”
“Hmm. S’pose that makes sense then, e’en though it sounds queer.”
“Sure enough,” I agreed.
Oscar pulled Onyx to a stop and slid down, then gave her a kiss on her smooth black nose. “You’re a good girl, and you’re mine. And we’re gonna have so much fun, Onyx. I promise.”
“All right, all right. You don’t have to sweet talk her. I reckon she’ll like you well enough if you’re the one to put feed in her trough,” I said, laughing at the way he was treating her—as though she were his pet and not a needed form of transportation. Oscar had always seen horses for more than what they were, but I didn’t hold it against him. T’was a part of his nature, the way he showed affection to all living things. He had a huge heart that didn’t seem to have been tainted by all the hardships he’d endured, which was a goddamned miracle if you thought about it.
But he frowned. “I know I don’t have to. I want to, because she’s my pretty girl and I already love her.”
He stuck his tongue out at me.
My goodness. I suddenly had a very strong urge to get home and give him a turn o’er my knee for that cheek. My face heated as I put on my hat and turned back to Mr. Morris.
“Thank you, sir. It’s an honor to do business with you,” I said as Peter opened the gate so Oscar could lead Onyx to where I’d hitched Dixie.
“Likewise. It’s nice to meet new folks. I hope you do well here. My wife and I have lived in Port Essington for most of our lives, and we can’t think of a better spot.”
* * * *
I had Oscar ride ahead of me on the journey home, so’s I could keep an eye on him and make sure Onyx was behaving herself.
They did make a handsome pair, truth be told, and seemed to be made for each other. She was just the right size for him, and he was already smitten. I could see that much. They seemed to be communicating the whole trip home, with Oscar murmuring sweet words and Onyx’s dainty black ears angling toward him. I recalled he’d done the same with his horse, Sprite, and, as a result, they’d formed quite the bond. He had a way with animals. I reckon there weren’t too many beasts that could resist him, me included.
T’was satisfying to watch him as we rode. I enjoyed the sight of his lithe but solid body rocking in Onyx’s saddle as he guided her with ease o’er the grass and between the trees. I felt free enough to be able to keep my gaze on him, since there weren’t any other folks around this far out of town.
By the time we got to the homestead, I’m afraid I was in an indecent state.
But Oscar seemed oblivious. He pulled Onyx up and slid to the ground, going right away to her head to thank her for such a nice ride. Then he turned to me and didn’t notice the strange way I was moving.
“Jimmy, she’s such a nice horse! I love her so much!”
“I’m glad you like her. I think we got our money’s worth, and that’s a fact.”
“You were drivin’ a hard bargain, though. He asked for a hundred and you got him down to eighty-five with free tack.”
“I know it,” I said, basking in his approval.
“T’was impressive to watch you.”
Warmth flooded my belly and even more went into my groin. I couldn’t help making a small adjustment to my trousers and Oscar finally noticed my predicament.
“Jimmy, you ain’t swoll’ in your trousers right now?”
I shrugged. “Maybe.”
He stared at me, then at the front of my trousers, then at his horse, then back at me, with a tortured look on his face. “But…I got to get Onyx settled and groomed right now. I can’t just—”
He seemed so conflicted that I had to laugh, even though there was nothing funny about the way I wanted to grab him and pull him to the house—or into the stable.
“Seems I’ve got some competition for your affections. I reckon I’ll just have to wait, won’t I?”
His face softened and he smiled. “I reckon you will. But as soon as my horse is sorted out and comfortable in her stall, well, then I’ll attend to you.”
