"Thank God that's over with"

Lexi Dubois glanced down at the dogs swarming around her booted feet and grinned "I thought I was going to bite her head off." An elderly, tri-colored female, Lacey, sneezed, while her nephew Benji yawned expansively. "Quite right," the young woman muttered, taking a step forward through the sea of dogs. The 45 minute car ride with her insufferable mother tried her patients daily, and made her thankful for the sanctuary of the barn and her pack of dogs.

Giving a shrill whistle taught to her by her grandmother, Lexi strolled down the drive leading to the barn, the dogs bounding after her with little yaps of excitement or scolding, depending on their natures. It was quite the beautiful place, Fox Hollow, and a horse's haven. It had been apparent the day before, when Alexia had stopped to check, that her horse Temp was settling in quite happily here. Now, though, it was time for the pack she was training for hunting to see the place.

The curly haired woman caught sight of someone, another female it looked like, in the snowy pastures near by. She appeared to be watching two horses, a mare and her foal, both very handsome and, Lex assumed owned by the observer. The foal was enjoying herself tossing a ball around and the dogs, instantly alert at the sight of the toy, surged around Lexi's ankles, heading for the pasture to greet the unknowns.

A short command brought the pack up short and Lex raised her brows, speaking and signaling the "sit" command before turning her back to the dozen dogs. Walking up to the fence, snow crunching beneath her feet, Lex leaned on the fence, observing horses and owner. The woman was probably her age, give or take, and pretty, with blond hair and light olive skin.

There was a quiet bark, making Lexi look behind her at the pack, still seated where she had told them to do so, then down at her feet. The one dog who had disobeyed was, of course, Lacey. The dog knew that she was favored by her mistress and that disobedience from her would be quickly forgiven as a long time companion.

WORD COUNT 376
MUSIC the Grateful Dead
CHARACTERS Alexia Dubois & and her pack of dogs
NOTES Hope you don't mind [=

Alexia smiled somewhat shyly as the other girl turned and waved, coming toward her with her hands in her pockets. "Hey. I haven't met you before. I'm Katharine but call me Kay." Lex nodded, watching the horses for a moment before responding "I'm Alexia, Lex really. I'm kinda new here I guess." she shrugged, not particularly wanting to go into the details of her mother and the big move from England.

Lacey, being head dog, trotted beneath the face to sniff at the woman's shoes and pant cuffs. She gave a satisfied snort, then stood to brace her front feet on Kay's thigh, looking for attention. Alex frowned and snapped her fingers. "Lacey, down. Ignore her; she thinks that now she's old and grouchy she can get away with anything. I've had her since I was little and she seems to think she owns me, not the other way round." smiling slightly, the woman glanced back over her shoulder, checking the dogs once again.

They still sat obediently, the younger dog Clancy, still in training, included. Seeing her attention to them, six tails wagged simultaneously and Stride yipped, giving her a foolish grin. "So, are those two yours?" she wondered nodding to the mare, who now rested her head on Katharine's arm, and foal, still prancing in the pasture. Lacey, who had ignored Alex's command, was examining the flea-bitten gray with interest, one beady eye fixed on her.

"Lace." Lex hissed. The dog's head turned, ears perking. "Heel, now" putting a little iron into her voice, the woman tapped her thigh, calling the dog to her. Reluctantly, she came, and the woman picked her up to prevent further rudeness. The dog licked her cold cheek as Lex settled her under one arm, adding to the layer of curly fur all over her fleece vest.

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WORD COUNT 316
MUSIC Love Story ^by Taylor Swift
CHARACTERS Alexia Dubois & and her pack of dogs
NOTES nada