For his part Paramonos was polite but shy; however he took every opportunity to watch Charis when he thought no one was looking. As Sapphire moved to say goodbye to her faithful mount, promising to return, Laurena decided to help her friend in an unconventional way. "Can you look after Meadowgrass for me?" Laurena inquired of Charis. "He has been a very good horse, and I would really feel better if I knew you were keeping an eye on him." "Certainly," Charis replied with a smile. "I would be happy to." "You do not need to spend much time with him," Laurena continued, thinking of a way to get Charis around Paramonos more often, "but he likes a woman's touch, preferably every day." Overhearing the conversation, David snorted in barely restrained mirth. That sounds like every male... ever,

