the light of the lantern on... nothing. The stall was empty except for the old blanket and wooden bucket. Galileo finally caught up with Saphrina and when he surveyed the stall, he cocked his head.

“What were you doing out here girl?” John chuckled, patting he head. “Figured I would’ve found something around here”

John went to head back to the house and that’s when the two dogs spotted the paw prints in the snow leading from the barn towards the woods. Saphrina stared, dazed. 

“I’m sorry Saph” Galileo said. “I don’t think there’s anything I can do to solve that”

     The next day, Saphrina carried on her herding duties as she normally would. Despite the previous night’s sorrow, she held herself together, even when Nimbin dropped by to see how she was doing. But even John could tell that something was off about his dog. The entire day, Saphrina moved like a robot, almost as if she was completely oblivious to everything. She had barely touched her breakfast and when it came time for dinner, she only took a few bites before sliding right back out the doggie door. Just as night came around and another silent snow storm sent little flakes floating down, Nimbin stopped by again to try to cheer her up. 

“You should be glad e’s gone!” Nimbin tried to reason. “He did far mo’e bad then good”

Saphrina didn’t answer. She just laid her head on her paws. 

“I don’ even know what you saw in him”

“I don’t know either” Saphrina sighed. “I guess I did’t know why I liked him so much anyway...”

They sat in silence for a bit, then realizing that nothing he said worked, the mutt got up and started home. Saphrina didn’t even say a goodbye. He’d probably be back later anyway with Ridge or Loki. His shape faded through the falling snow and when Saphrina realized how hard it had begun to snow, she decided to circle the herd just to make sure they were okay. In the distance, she could see a calf had wandered off. Heart sinking, she recognized it as the calf that had brought Solo and her together in the first place.

“You have to stop wandering away” Saphrina said quietly, checking the calf over. “Or else you’re actually going to get eaten one of these days.” Saphrina nudged the calf back toward the herd and with a little buck, the calf trotted back to the herd. Now that the calf was away, she could hear Nimbin returning but didn’t look forward to it. She just needed time to herself...

Saphrina pivoted around but the shape coming toward her wasn’t Nimbin... it was Solo? The wolf was carrying what looked like a squirrel in his mouth and besides his usual limp, he seemed fine. Saphrina froze, still a little stunned and Solo stopped a short length away.

“Brought you something” Solo grinned, dropping the squirrel. “For, uh, taking care of me”

Saphrina’s eyes flicked down to the unappetizing squirrel then returned back up to the wolf. The wolf followed her eyes and shrugged. “Well I thought that’s what dogs ate. I saw other ranch dogs chasing them before”

“I thought you went to-”

“No. I heard you and that other dog talking” Solo answered. “That thing you put me in was too hot, so I went out in the snow to cool off...  And I was hungry. My shoulder still hurts but I don’t feel sick anymore. So thanks”

Saphrina gave him a small smile and nodded in return, then got to her feet to return to watching the herd. 

“Well I was thinking maybe I’d stick around for a while” Solo mumbled, following after Saphrina. “Maybe for just a few days until I get better”

“Aren’t you already better?” Saphrina replied lightly, glancing over her shoulder.

“I thought I was better after you let me go the first time too”

Saphrina hesitated for a second, wanting to look back at him again, but shook off the feeling and kept walking.

“Is that a yes? Because if I stayed for a bit maybe we could beeeee...”

Saphrina stopped and turned to face him, waiting for him to finish. When he didn’t seem to be able to form any more words, Saphrina frowned. “I don’t want to be one of your girls that you hang around with for three days until you get bored” she replied whirling around and continuing on in the snow.

“I don’t want you to be either”

Saphrina raised her brows and Solo limped closer. “Then what were you thinking?”

“I was thinking maybe a few days would turn into a little longer... maybe like forever...”

Saphrina couldn’t stop herself from smiling and she tried to hide it.

“... and you’re different- but in a good way! And I don’t know-” Saphrina couldn’t stop herself any more and started to laugh. “Well laughing at me doesn’t really make this any easier on me” Solo shot frustratedly. “If you don’t like the idea, you could’ve just-”

Saphrina nuzzled under his chin and Solo’s voice trailed off. 

“You can stay as long as you don’t touch my herd” she grinned, stepping back.

“I’ve got a better offer” Solo grinned, plopping down in the snow. “Why don’t I make sure no wolves come around here. I’ve heard of a few that’ve been killing livestock, and I think I owe you for keeping me alive”

Saphrina grinned and plopped down too, leaning against him happily. “I think that could work”

Saphrina, Solo, Nimbin, Ridge, Loki, Galileo, Pilot, Trigg (and other unnamed ocs) (c) me

Kit (c) ZukotheCat

Jade and Clover (c) Skotta