Jim isn't particularly surprised to hear footsteps or the sound of Jessica's voice. Eventually they were going to see each other, whether here or in the main house. Glad it's to be here, where they are at least on equal footing, Jim looks at her over his shoulder with both eyebrows raised.

"He's a handsome thing," says Jim. Mildly affronted on the colt's behalf, he feels it necessary to set the record straight. "And knows it."

His eyes, bright blue in his tanned face, study Jessica's features for longer than is strictly polite. He nods, turning back to the happily eating colt.

"There's not a mean bone in his body."

As if to prove a point, the colt pulls another mouthful of hay from Jim's arms and lightly butts the young man's shoulder.