Free Keira Kendrik by Jasmine's Escape Page B

brother's grin and said, "I can see how proud you are of yourself .  How about backing off and letting me take her for a stroll after dinner."
    Gabe held up his hands .  "Hey, fine with me.  I need to run off this pent up energy since I wasn't able to work it off the way I wanted."
    Phoenix laughed .  "Fine.  I will probably take her out to the barn to see the new foal.  Make sure to keep to the south end."
    Gabe nodded and they went their separate ways until dinner . 
    * ***
    It was later at dinner, when they were sitting at the table , Phoenix noted Sophia seemed tense and kept silent for most of the meal.  She only spoke when someone spoke directly to her.  It was puzzling and he saw that Jasmine noticed, too.  He enjoyed for a moment the look that passed between them as if they were a married couple silently communicating.  Jackson and Cade didn't seem too happy either and he made a mental note to speak to them about it later.
    After dinner, Sophie jumped up and practically ran to her room after saying a quick good night .  Jackson and Cade excused themselves to go out on patrol while Gabe said good night to Jasmine, telling her he had to be on patrol as well.  Jasmine surprised Phoenix by asking him to go on a walk with her.  He quickly agreed and then led her out the back door as they said good night to Lucy.
    They walked side by side across the backyard when Phoenix said, "How about going to the barn with me ?  I have something I would like to check up on.”  He held out his hand.
    She shrugged and took his hand .  "Sure."
    They walked to the barn in comfortable silence .  When they entered, Phoenix turned on the lights and led her over to the back stalls where their newest member was located.  He watched as Jasmine's eye lit up as they landed on the foal.
    "Oh, how adorable !  Is it a he or she?" she exclaimed.
    "Well, that is a filly ," he said, then at her confused look, "It's a girl."
    "She is beautiful .  How old is she?" Jasmine asked as she watched the foal walk over to edge of the stall and sniff at her.
    "She's a week old .  Her mother, Firecracker, is obviously there with her and her father, or sire, is Thunder.  Marty's horse, I'll show him to you on the way out.  He's in the front stalls.  These stalls back here are for birthing only," he explained.
    "Look how she is so curious about us .  That little face is so cute.”  Jasmine began to kneel down to the foal's level.  "You are cute, aren't ya? So sweet.  Come closer, baby.”  She kept her voice low and soft, enticing the foal closer.  Just when the foal got to where Jasmine thought she could reach out and pet her, she bolted off to the other side of the stall by her mother, stumbling along the way.
    J asmine laughed out loud at the foal's antics.  Then she stood and looked at Phoenix.  "Thank you for showing me the foal.  What are you going to name her?"
    He thought about that for a moment .  "I don't know.  Why don't you name her for me?"
    A surprised look came over Jasmine's face .  "Me?  Why me?"
    "Why not you?" he shot back.
    "Well, it's such a big responsibility ," she said.
    He nodded his head solemnly .  "Yes, it is.  I think you can handle it though."
    Jasmine thought for a moment .  "Can I have some time to think about it?"
    "Sure, take all the time you need ," he said.
    "Wow, thank you .  It's such an honor.”  Jasmine smiled at him, then surprised him by leaning up and kissing him on the cheek.
    He took her hand and squeezed it as he led her out, introducing her to Thunder along the way .  As they walked past the barn, he explained to her the other long building was where the hands lived.  He also pointed out the small house was where Lucy and Marty lived.  They continued to walk, making a large loop around the immediate property as they talked about ranch life and the animals there.
    When they arrived back at the house, they sat on the back porch on the swing there .  Jasmine settled back into