Olya's Outing: Whiskers pt3

Phoenix glanced over her shoulder to check on her passenger. “Is everything alright back there, Olya?”

The older Russian woman waved her off, “Of course it is. Don’t worry about me. Now pay attention, we’re nearing my son’s house.”

The trainer turned her attention back to the front and drove the carriage with a wry grin.

Dragon’s Whiskers nickered in amusement.

“Hey,” she flicked the reins, “I only take sass from my elders.”

He snorted in response, though whether in acquiescence or snobbery was to be determined.

They soon arrived at their destination, the home of Olya’s son. Pulling up out the front, Whiskers let out a whinny, while Phoenix hopped off the carriage and moved to grab the parcels to be delivered from the back.

“It’s these ones over here,” Olya pointed out the gifts for her son’s family.

The door opened and Olya’s daughter-in-law came out. “Olya,” she waved.

Two heads popped out from behind her, one on either side. “Grammy!”

The woman started out to greet them, the children running ahead of her to go up to Whiskers. They stopped in front of him, the older one, a girl, looking up at Phoenix with wide eyes. “May we pat him, please?”

She grinned. “You may. And thank you for asking, that was very polite of you. Not all horses liked to be pat, especially around their faces.”

“Thank you!” The child lit up with excitement barely managing to hold in a squeal. They both reached out to pat the stallion’s neck and head.

“What’s his name?” asked the younger boy.

Phoenix collected the parcels in her arms. “His name is Dragon’s Whiskers, but we usually just call him Whiskers.”

“That’s so cute!” said the girl as she patted the dragon fruit stallion’s muzzle. “Is it because of the white markings on his face?”

“It is. His previous owner thought that they looked a bit like whiskers and he’s a lovely shade of colour known as dragon fruit, so that’s what she named him.”

The daughter-in-law arrived at her side. “Thank you so much. It means a lot that you’re doing this.”

“It’s no problem,” Phoenix assured her. “I’m happy to help.”

“No, you’re going out of your way to help dear Olya. We’re so grateful. You will stay for stew.”

“Oh, I couldn’t, I wouldn’t want to intrude.”

“No intruding at all. I insist that you stay and eat.”

Olya interrupted before she could protest again. “We will be staying for stew. You have done me a wonderful service, you will let my family feed you. No arguments.”

The smell wafting through the door and carried on the daughter-in-law’s clothes reached Phoenix. The smell was warm and inviting and made her stomach growl softly. “Well, I guess I can’t say no to that.”

“Excellent, you will come inside and eat.” She turned to her children. “The horse will be staying for a while, would you like to get him some hay to eat while he waits?”

“Yes!” the children cheered and ran off to collect some hay.

“I’ll take those off your hands while you take care of your horse,” the daughter-in-law gestured to the parcels. “I’ll send my husband out to help with Olya.”

“Sure, thanks,” Phoenix handed over the parcels. “Is it okay to leave the carriage in your driveway?”

“Of course, that’s perfectly fine. Feel free to even let Whiskers graze on the front lawn.”

She left with the gifts and Phoenix took Whiskers by the bridle and gently guided him into the family’s driveway. She left him as the anchor to help Olya out of the carriage, her son also arriving to offer his assistance. Together they helped Olya down safely and the children returned with hay for Whiskers. Phoenix released the stallion from the carriage, clipping a lead on and tying him to the fence loose enough for him to reach the hay and grass for a much deserved rest. With him settled in, she headed inside with the family.

“Anything I can do to help?” she asked after washing up.

“Nothing at all,” Olya’s son said. “Go sit down, you’re our guest.”

“Come sit by me,” Olya called out, already seated at the dining table.

“Sit here!” the little girl excitedly waved her over to the seat between her and her grandmother.

Smiling, Phoenix obliged and joined them at the table.

The little girl immediately startled chatting excitedly about horses, Phoenix giving the appropriate responses when necessary. She was thrilled to have Whiskers outside and wanted to pat him some more before he left, which the woman assured her she would be able to do.

It wasn’t long before Olya’s son came in with a basket of bread, setting it at the table. “My wife will be in, in just a moment with the stew.”

“Stew! Stew!” the children cheered.

“Alright, calm yourselves,” his wife arrived with a smile, the pot of stew in her oven mitted hands. “The stew is here.”

The lid came off the stew and Phoenix took a deep breath of the wonderful smell. If she had to guess, she’d say that it was probably one of Olya’s recipes. The stew was dished out to everyone and the bread was passed around. After that everyone dug into the hearty warm meal. Conversation flowed easily between the family members, being sure to include Phoenix in as well. She felt welcomed by the family and grateful for their hospitality. She could even see Whiskers outside enjoying his hay under the shade of a tree. It made her miss the days when she was a child surrounded by her own family, but times were different now, and sometimes family was the friends you came to love like family and the moments you shared with those who cared.

After finishing the meal, Olya’s relatives sent them off with filled bellies and warm hearts, and maybe a few containers of extra stew stashed in the carriage. They waved goodbye and headed off. Whiskers even gave a thankful whinny as they left. He seemed as reluctant to leave the children as they had been to see him go.

“I’m sure we can come again to visit,” she promised the stallion. Somehow she didn’t believe the family would mind.