Miss Lewis scrunched her nose. “Must I?”
I leaned over to whisper in her ear. “It’s part of your challenge.”
She groaned. “I should have guessed that this was not simply a stop on your tour.”
I shook my head. “This is the destination.”
She gave an apologetic grimace. “Horses and I don’t agree with each other.”
“You argue with horses?” I tsked my tongue.
She laughed and shook her head.
I drank in the melodic sound and the spark of happiness that lit across her face. “No? Was I wrong?”
“You know what I mean.” She grinned and playfully shoved my shoulder.
Her smile sent a rush of warmth through my veins, a fleeting but intoxicating reprieve. It felt so blasted good to shed some of the somberness that clung to my soul like a persistent shadow. “I do know what youmean, but I do not believe it is a permanent condition. If you complete my equestrian course—at a generous free price—you will be cured of all horse fears.”
“You’re a miracle worker then?”
“Oh, I like that title. If this works, will you call me that?”
“If this works, you may have the title of magician too. I assure you they do not like me as much as I do not like them.”
“Champion will like you.” I swung my arm around his neck. “Watch. Give me your hand.”
She lifted her hand with the speed of a much, much older woman.
“No gloves,” I said.
She scowled, retracted her hand, and pulled her glove off. Then once again, began a slow rise of her arm.
I reached over and slipped my fingers around her dainty palm. The rush this gentle touch gave me outshined any card game. “Let’s do it together.” My words came out a husky whisper. She nodded, and I gently set her hand on the long bridge of Champion’s nose. I directed her hand down his sleek fur, then lifted it to repeat the motion. The entire time, I watched Miss Lewis out of the corner of my eye. Her dark eyes, framed by even darker curls, were riveted on Champion, her breathing stilted.
Champion shifted his head, and Miss Lewis jerked her hand back, tucking it against my chest.
“He scared me.”
“They’re big animals. It’s understandable to be intimidated—and I would even say wise.”
Her forehead scrunched. “If you’re trying to flatter me to get me to ride that beast, you will have to try harder than that.”
I chuckled. “You heard what I said to Jerry. No riding today. My challenge to you is to simply become familiar with a horse or two—from the ground level.”
She sighed. “When you put it that way, it sounds so simple.”
“I don’t want to rush you, but since we are here, would you like to try again?” I offered my hand to hers. Eyeing me with a degree of warranted suspicion, she set her hand in mine. I grinned. “You are very brave, madam.”
“Because I can pet a horse?” she smirked.
I smiled back at her. “Because you’re so comfortable holding my hand.”
She tried to jerk it back, but I held strong. “I’m teasing.” I tugged her a little closer and set her hand on Champion before releasing it completely. “Take your time.”
I had not intended such overt flirtation, but her warm hand had made me forget myself. Focusing on the task before us proved difficult with our proximity. I should have stepped back, but my feet remain planted—the smell of lilacs keeping me rooted. She was right to prefer the scent. It was soft and sweet, with a quiet charm that lingered—much like she did—and dangerously alluring.
After a few minutes, Miss Lewis grew bolder and reached back to stroke Champion’s neck. This time when Champion jerked his head, she did not pull away in fear. I watched in awe at her quick progression. With bravery like that, she could certainly hold her own in this world. I had seen her in several vulnerable situations since her first day here, like falling after saving our cat. She had risen again after each one. What drove her to persist? Even with Augusta she’d showed no fear, only determination—and that determination was making a measurable differencein Augusta’s life.
