Xandry

XANDRY

This place was surprisingly incredible. I didn’t even know that a barn and horse stable would ever get my interest, not until tonight.

Bob and his family bred, trained, and sell horses. They hired workers and experts to maintain their horses’ health, including diet, grooming, and performance.

The damn horse stable was bigger than my apartment. From the bottom of each stall hinged door was made of wood with bars attached in elegantly U-shaped allowing the head of the horse to move freely. It had windows and fans for ventilation and didn’t even smell disgusting at all. There were saddles, stirrups, headgear, halters, and bridles hung on its corner.

“That’s Applejack, Bianca’s horse.” Bob pointed to the horse with a tall and slim figure. He said it was a thoroughbred and one of the most expensive horses that originated from England.

Then he went to the next stall with a little darker than Applejack’s chestnut, but with finely chiseled bone structure and arched neck. “That’s Blaine’s—”

“That’s Mommy’s Queen,” said the boy named Ben.

“Mommy?”

“Yes. That’s mommy’s,” Ben repeated.

Wait, Blaine is a mother? And this boy is her son? I thought—shit! Yeah, he called Bob Dada. So, why am I so surprised? Maybe because Blaine was younger than Bianca to have a four or five-year-old boy.

“Arabian horse. I bought that from Dubai four years ago. Queen already bred.”

“How long does it takes to have a baby horse?”

“A foal, Xandry. Eleven months,” Bob chuckled.

I knew a lot of cars but not a damn horse, old man. I chuckled inwardly.

“Thandry, Mommy’s beautiful, right?” Ben pulled my finger, making me look down at him.

“Your mom?” I discreetly smirked.

“No, the horse.” He jumped pointing his tiny finger at the horse.

“Yeah, she’s gorgeous.”

“No, it’s a he, Thandry,” he eagerly corrected me.

Bob and I laughed at how he called my name. “Yes, he’s gorgeous. Wanna touch him?”

“No, but I rode with him before.”

“Are you even allowed to ride alone, little guy?” I ruffled his dark blond hair.

“Blaine took him with her. She was an equestrienne before she got pregnant with Ben.” Bob’s voice suddenly dropped, and I wondered how did she look like riding a horse.

“Why did she stop?”

of me. Come and touch

by kids, but this little guy already grew

murmured as I ran my hand over the horse face. It was

he does not know you, Thandry,”

my hand, making him bark

got me there, little guy.” I squinted my

wide as he walked backward cautiously. In one swift move, he was already in my arms. I lifted him up like he weighed nothing, and it made me easier to swing him over

walked out of the door. “Hold on tight,

“Yes, sir.”

and a woman whispering made me slow my pace.

“Why did you leave him with a stranger?” Judging by her voice, the woman was

had hands already propped on her

could be—”

serial killer?”

eyes widened--the most beautiful and rarest teal blue eyes I’ve ever seen. Holy

but her nose was smaller than her sister. Her champagne blonde hair was curled in a luxurious foamed cascading on her shoulders. Her pink tongue

Fuck me! Those lips. Damnit, she’s Ben’s mom for the

the thought out of my head and

my shoulders. “Ben, get down. What do you think you’re you doing up there? I told you not to talk to a stranger, Ben. You’re not gonna have Mom’s cookies tonight!” She tried to pull Ben down, but I was too tall for her five three or four

is Thandry.”

“Just get down, Benoyce Arthur. I mean it,

I tried to bend

her son then pressed her lips into an angry line.

it,” I dared her.

what?”

I may be an asshole, but I never cuss in front of children.

let him

I bent my knees to squat and place Ben to the ground. “I’m not a stranger, Blaine. I’m

got down silently. I admired him on how he quickly obeyed his mom’s words.

hand to her son, but Ben didn’t grab

our hands. Her hand was warm, soft, and very feminine. My heartbeat instantly quickened just the feeling of her delicate skin on mine.

Blaine pulled her hand back forcibly, shooting me a glare.

not now, or maybe not ever

Nice to meet you, Blaine.” I

the stare, looked down at her son, and calmly said, “Come here,

Alexander Henry.”

said I don’t care!”

He’s a good kid.” I gave her

me about how I should discipline my child, and I know he’s a good and smart kid.”

hands and walked out of the stable.

doing so, I let go of Ben’s hand and closed the door

direction, to your house, right? So I’m coming with you. I might get lost on my way.” Which was impossible. I looked

eyes filled

a chance, Ben,” his mom

intently. “Will you

narrowed. “Of course, what stup—id question is that?”

me carry your kid.”

get close to you then you’ll be gone in two days,” Blaine whispered.

make him happy while I’m here,” I