It was time to go back north, to the beach they started out on. Dixie had a feeling that they would stay there for a long time, seeing as it reminded both her and Wayne of their home on the Texas coast. Of course it wasn’t as pretty or full of the nature that they were used to, but that small similarity was enough to curb the feeling of longing that grew in their chests after a long while of being away from home. Fern, the large draft mare, had birthed on the beach between the two more southern packs, dropping a large healthy colt that probably weighed half as much as their full grown stud, Duke. Now that she was unburdened with the extra weight of the foal, Fern was being trained to pull the wagon. Dixie was back to riding on Duke like usual and the stallion seemed happy for the change.

Wayne was driving the cart, his saddle and their bags carried in the back as well as about ten pounds of sweet grass, fern leaves and other assorted types of vegetation that they’d seen the horses eating. Dixie wanted to collect a lot of it for their beach trips so the large beasts had something to eat other than the scraggly, dying grass that grew in the sand. Fern had appreciated the treats and the canine’s had been able to help with the birth and clean the colt up quickly afterwards. There had been no fighting or intimidation routines from the big mare, and Dixie knew then that they had a faithful companion. The colt had been named Bark, as in tree bark, but both Dixie and Wayne thought it was a hilarious name since the foal’s first noises had sounded like the barks and yips of a puppy.

They were in a field alongside a forested area, the flat terrain making it easier for Fern to pull the wagon. Dixie, her tiny white body resting on top of Duke and the beautiful leather saddle brought from Texas, was keeping watch as they moved. About thirty miles had already been covered since they had started traveling before the sun rose, and the horses were starting to get a bit tired. Wayne grumbled a few times as Bark trotted and scampered around the wagon and his mother, kicking up his heels and getting in the way. They seriously needed a distraction for the foal because he was beginning to get on their nerves…well Wayne’s at least. Dixie just giggled and wagged her tail, clicking to Duke for them to trot alongside the foal and keep him occupied for the five minutes that his attention span stretched.

Wayne saw the stranger before the horses or Dixie did, which was a big surprise. The white girl just guessed that the large beasts were so focused on the colt that they weren’t paying as much attention as normal. The large male driving the wagon growled softly and appeared to start raising his lips in a threatening snarl. Dixie kicked her heels against Duke’s sides and got the horse to pull up alongside the wagon, then reached out and smacked the half Labrador’s head. Would you stop growlin’ at everythin’ that moves! Gracious Wayne, we ain’t been jumped yet, don’t make people want to jump us! The female growled out at him in her soft and normally sweet voice. She was just about tired of his bad attitude when it came to anyone who they didn’t know…which was everyone.

Huffing softly in annoyance, she pulled ahead on Duke and trotted closer to the oncoming male, signaling for Wayne to pull to a stop. She heard the wagon’s wheels slow and then halt, Fern snorting when the colt followed Duke out further. He sure was a cheeky, daring little devil for only a few days old. Dixie was about to great the male wolf when a little fur-ball shot through the grass and startled Duke, causing the stallion to squeal and shy away. Clinging to the reins and his mane, she held on and leaned down to rest against his neck, whispering soft words into his ear. Over the years they had adopted a small system. Dixie couldn’t speak low speech, but she sure as hell could repeat the same comforting words over and over until her horse understood what she was doing and saying. Within moments he was bobbing his head and prancing, growing closer to the stranger and ignoring what he now knew was a silly ‘coon.

Hey there, Mister. She sat up in the saddle and waved back to him, a bit of sadness tinting her green eyes as she watched him try to walk closer while using the cane. He wasn’t a bad looking man; the mottled and oddly colored coat was healthy and good looking, as was his physique and stature. But his leg was so twisted…it looked downright painful and Dixie immediately felt that maternal urge to scoop him up and cuddle him close. Didn’t matter if he was two years her senior, she felt the same way about horses and cows and whatever else might have crossed her path. She was simply a caring and loving creature. Hearing a soft squeal, she looked over to the side and grinned. Bark was hopping around in the grass, rearing up and bucking every now and then, playing with the fluffy raccoon. Cute. Turning back to the male, she got closer and then slid down off of Duke, ignoring Wayne’s warning growl.

Don’t mind him, he’s just a grumpy boy ‘cause he ain’t done nothin’ but drive that wagon for the last few hours. She smiled and waved a dismissive hand back in Wayne’s direction, getting closer still to the darker male until she could reach out and touch him if she wanted. Hun you look positively worn out. Walkin’ with that cane must be hard after a while…why don’t we give you a ride? She was having such a hard time keeping herself from reaching out and pulling him into a hug. He was a lot taller than her, of course, as everyone was, but she would have attempted to carry him if she thought she could. Without waiting for a reply, she turned and motioned to Wayne to bring the wagon closer, smiling sweetly at the stranger. I’m Dixie-May, the grumpy pup is Wayne. My horse here is Duke, the one pullin’ the wagon is Fern and that’s her baby, Bark. She grinned and reached a hand out for him to shake…or whatever. It was something that she’d picked up after reading through a few human books. Whatever he decided to do, she hoped that they’d be able to be friends. Dixie just loved making new friends.