Dwayne went to the pasture on Saturday morning, a rope in his hand just like he had the previous day. Payday came over to him without Dwayne having to speak a word. The horse nosed his palm, and Dwayne said, “Good morning to you too.” He smiled and kept the coiled rope at his side. “Jinx is comin’ in with me. Back up.”
He pushed open the gate and gestured for the dog to go in. The border collie seemed bored, but he loved to be with Dwayne. He walked nearly at his heels as Dwayne started along the length of the fence. “C’mon, Payday.”
The sky was a light shade of blue this early in the morning, and Dwayne took in a lungful of fresh air. His parents had returned from their fishing trip last night, and his mother hadn’t wasted any time insisting that he come to the homestead for breakfast.
