Word Count → 236
What the man had assumed was a distant scent turned out to be a very present one. Scanning the area as Fern flicked her ears, Wayne unexpectedly met the deep azure eyes of a dog hiding behind a tree. Quickly, he stroked the mare’s neck, but the gesture was more for his own comfort than hers. She only bobbed her head at the sight of the blue merle girl stepping out into full sight, greeting her with a sweet look if anything.
Abashed at assuming he’d been alone, the Labrador mongrel offered a weak smile and slowly dismounted. He barely heard the other’s quiet greeting as he stepped down from the saddle, though Fern swiveled her ears forward attentively. Slightly amused by the mare, he patted her again then dipped his head to acknowledge the girl.
“Howdy,” Wayne replied in his characteristic greeting. The mare shifted her weight to lean a shoulder into his, and he smirked. “I’m Wayne McCoy, and this here lovely lady is Fern.” At her name, the horse nickered and turned her head, nibbling along the brim of his hat before he took it off with a sweeping motion, holding it by his heart. Such theatrics were usually far from his mind, but with the encouragement of the mare and the timid disposition of the d’Arte girl, he wanted to make a friendly impression. “A lil’ cold for a stroll, ain’t, miss?”
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