“Mountandride.” She used the fence as a stepping-stool and was astride Duke in the space of a second. When the stallion responded by rearing up in a rampant pose, she laughed and patted his neck.
Duke returned his feet to the ground and nickered, as if it had all been part of the joke.
Eli swung his doubtful gaze to Mr. Edward.
Unlike Duke, Mr. Edward was of a more reasonable size. He looked ordinary. The kind of horse that pulled a sleigh up and down the same road for years without complaint. The kind of horse that gave rides to children. The kind of horse that stood still as a statue when chubby-cheeked toddlers demanded a turn on the saddle.
Eli wasn’t fooled for a moment.
“Come along,” Olive urged. “If you do this, I’ll give you a reward.”
“I don’t deserve the reward,” he muttered.
She laughed. “I don’t meanmarriage. I’m talking about kisses. Besides, I already told you: they mean nothing.”
To one of them, anyway.
“Very well,” he said. “On those terms.”
He had to.
Only four days to be with Olive remained. This was his last chance to create as many good memories with her as possible before it all came crashing down.
Even if it involved riding a horse.
He gazed dubiously across the fence.
“Mr. Edward is easier to mount when you’re both on the same side of the fence,” Olive suggested.
Eli liked the side he was on. It was safe and horse-free. He had performed the calculations, and the risk of being trampled was significantly lower on the side without any horses. Only a fool would cross that barrier.
Or a man in love.
He tightened his jaw and scaled the fence.
When his boots hit the hard ground on the other side, all of the horses turned to face him.
Duke advanced on him suddenly.
Eli pressed his back into the fence post.
“Stop that,” Olive scolded her stallion. “You’ve already got me. You don’t need him, too.”
Not now, not ever.
“Mr. Edward,” she called. “Be a dear and make things easier on our guest.”
Eli glared at her. The situation was embarrassing enough without the implication that her horse spoke English and would take charge of the matter.
With a loud sigh, Mr. Edward ambled over to Eli and stood stock still in front of him.
He looked at Olive in disbelief. “Your horse understands English?”
“I cheated,” she admitted. “Although all of the horses recognize my name, the only thing Mr. Edward knows how to do is give rides. I could recite the kings and queens of England and he would assume a brisk walk was in his future.”
“A slow walk,” Eli corrected. “Or we could stay here. This is a lovely spot. Gorgeous view of the stables.”
But he eased himself into the saddle.
