Olya's Outing: Whiskers pt1

Phoenix rode up to the cottage style home. The front yard contained well maintained flowerbeds and a stone wall fence. She pulled up her mount, Dragon’s Whiskers, outside and demounted. She gave the plum appaloosa stallion a pat before grabbing a reusable shopping bag from his saddle bag. Walking him to the elegant metal gate, she carefully looped the reins around a hitching post, set up just for the horse riding visitors.

“I’ll be back soon, boy. Just don’t get your nose into anything you shouldn’t,” she grinned and tapped his nose gently.

Dragon’s Whiskers snorted. He’d never.

The gate swung open with a squeak and she wandered down the stone path towards the house. She passed flowers of all kinds from dahlias to roses, peonies to zinnias, hydrangeas, pansy’s, marigolds, cosmos and lavender, lots of lavender. With so many kinds there was almost always something in bloom all year round. The bees in particular enjoyed the lavender at the moment. Phoenix could not only see them but she could hear their buzzing about today. She knew that the garden around the back was just as well cared for as the front, with an outdoor seating area perfect for a relaxing cup of coffee, but the woman doubted that it would be used today.

Stepping up to the door, she tapped the brass knocker, the final touch for the old cottage.

“It’s open!” a voice called out.

Phoenix stepped inside. She breathed in deeply, expecting the familiar smell of stew just about to boil to hit her nostrils. The elderly woman who lived there was constantly cooking something, doubly so when she knew that guests would be arriving. The air seemed stale without it, making the place feel a little empty. She missed it.

Continuing through the house, she passed photos on the wall of the woman’s children and grandchildren throughout their lives. “Olya?”

“I’m in the living room,” came the old lady’s call.

Rounding a corner, Phoenix entered the cottage’s living room. Olya was sitting in her lounge chair. Packages upon packages surrounded her where she sat.

“What’s all this?” Phoenix raised an eyebrow and gestured at the packages. “Looks like someone forgot to unpack.”

Olya grinned. “If you agree to help me, I’ll tell you all about it.”

Phoenix smirked. “Guess I don’t have a choice then. I’ll just put this away and you can tell me all about it.”

She put the meals in the fridge and returned to the lounge room. Once she was settled on the couch across from her, the elderly woman spoke. “As you know, I injured my hip in a fall. I’ll be right again soon, but for the moment, I can’t get around like I used to. That’s where you come in.”

“What can I help you with, Olya?” Phoenix grinned, leaning back on the couch.

“Now, I’m sure you’re wondering what these are?” The woman’s eyes sparkled mischievously as she gestured to the packages surrounding her.

“The thought had crossed my mind.”

“Some of them I started before my fall, but I’ve had some time sitting down recently that I needed to fill so I did a little knitting. There are scarves, socks, two bears and a baby blanket for my latest grandchild. I need to get these delivered but I can't do that myself. This is where you come in. I was hoping that you could take me around and we could drop them off.”

Phoenix grimaced. “Olya, you know I didn’t bring a car around to visit, right? It’s just me and Whiskers.”

The older woman wasn’t phased. “Oh that’s no problem. He’s harness trained, isn’t he?” We can just strap him up to my carriage.”

“I don’t know about this. Are you sure you want to come? If you just text me their addresses, I can take them around myself.”

“I’m sure, and I’ve got a plan.”

….

“I’m not sure about this…” Phoenix eyed the ‘ramp’ into the carriage suspiciously.

“It’ll be fine,” Olya waved a hand dismissively. “Just make sure you don’t let me fall. Once I’m settled you can gather all the packages and we can be on our way.”

Dragon’s Whiskers turned his head to look over his shoulder at them. He was hooked up to the carriage and they had laid down a plank of wood into the back to help Olya inside. The stallion snorted loudly, pawing at the ground.

“I don’t think he approves either,” Phoenix commented.

“Just tell him to keep still while I’m boarding,” the older woman scolded. “I don’t need another fall.”

Phoenix and Whisker shared a glance. “You heard the woman,” she muttered.

The stallion snorted again and shook his head, but remained in place.

Reluctantly, she supported the other woman while she hobbled up the makeshift ramp and into the back of the open air carriage. Helping her get seated, Phoenix tucked a light blanket over the woman’s legs.

“How’s that? Comfy?”

“I’m perfectly alright, dear. Just go get those presents for my family.”

Phoenix nodded and quickly hurried off to gather the packages that they needed to deliver.

Whiskers let out a small whinny. He thought that the injured lady was a little crazy to come out. He wouldn’t want to go anywhere if he was hurt.

Olya chuckled. “You’re a good boy, Whiskers. I’ll make sure you get a carrot when we get back.”

His ears perked at the sound of that. Perhaps this wouldn’t be all bad.

It took Phoenix several trips, but she soon finished loading up all the gifts in the back of the carriage along with Olya. “Right, let’s be on our way.”

She climbed into the driver's seat and gathered the reins. Clicking her tongue, she urged Whiskers onward. He obediently set out at a walk, keeping a close eye on his passengers and their cargo. With any luck they'd make it safely to their intended destinations and back well before nightfall. Or at least that was the hope, anyway.