Page 48 of Quiver

Fletcher’s expression softened, and a hint of pink rose in her cheeks as she took a few calming breaths. “Gabrielle needs more practice.”

“I don’t know, she seems well-practiced to me. You two are glorious together.”

She shook her head. “Maybe when it’s only us, but when other people come into our space and throw off our routine, she acts defensive.”

“Sounds vaguely familiar.” Kylie allowed her gaze to travel slowly up Fletcher’s legs to her seat in the saddle, and then languidly over her torso and neck before meeting her dark eyes.

Fletcher looked away and then steered the horse farther into the arena. “We don’t have time for therapy or anything. She needs to work through her issues in the next few days, because it won’t be the two of us much longer.”

“Oh?” She tried to sound neutral but wasn’t sure she managed to pull it off. “And by ‘the two of us,’ you mean you and me, or you and the horse?”

“Either. Both.” Fletcher rode over to the targets as if wanting to inspect them more closely even though all three shots clearly hit the center. “I have a beginners’ group starting this weekend, mostly locals, ranging from a seven-year-old to a retiree, and while Gabrielle is fantastic with kids one-on-one, she’s still skittish in crowds.”

“Why not use Winston during the classes?”

Fletcher retrieved an arrow and sheathed it in her thigh quiver. “First, Gabrielle needs the practice before the summer competition season, and two, you’ll be riding Winston.”

She smiled so broadly the stretch of her cheeks felt a little foreign to her. “I get to help with the class?”

“While you might not be instructor material, you certainly have more skills and knowledge than any of the kids in the group.”

It wasn’t exactly a compliment, but she appreciated even the slightest vote of confidence. “I’d like that. It’ll be good practice for me and Gabrielle.”

Fletcher shrugged. “At least I don’t have to worry about you holding your own in a crowd. You’ve commanded the attention of every pack you’ve ever been a part of.”

This time she did take the praise, and lifting her chin, she affected a more regal tone before saying, “I’ll be sure to put my best foot forward so as not to disappoint you or your legion of followers.”

Fletcher patted Gabrielle’s neck. “No need to go overboard. I only meant I wasn’t concerned about you getting jumpy when someone unexpectedly breaks the routine or does something you can’t fully see, like this one does.”

“Do you think maybe she gets that from her mom?”

“Shield?” She shook her head. “No, she was Steady Eddie.”

Kylie bit her lip to keep from grinning. “I didn’t mean her horse mom.”

Fletcher’s brow furrowed, then rose almost comically. “Me? I’m not her mom.”

At the sound of Fletcher saying “mom,” Bear hopped up and trotted over.

Kylie laughed. “Why not? You’re his mom. Are you playing favorites among your fur babies?”

“No, I mean, yeah, I’m not a … you know what?” she finally spit out, flustered.

“What?” Kylie laughed.

“You’re just messing with me openly now.”

Kylie smiled up at her, and Fletcher managed to scowl for only a few more seconds before cracking and returning the expression. When she smiled, a million silly clichés rained down over Kylie. The clouds parted, the sun broke through, heavens opened, all within the curl of Fletcher’s lips.

“You are. You’re messing with me, and you’re enjoying it,” Fletcher said again.

Kylie had no inclination to argue. “Yes, I do enjoy this very much.”

“This doesn’t feel natural.”

Fletcher inspected Kylie’s form as she stood with her feet pointed in the direction she’d be facing if she were riding a horse down the firing line and had just passed the third target. Her neck strained, and Fletcher lifted a hand to tilt it more upright, then caught herself inches before grazing her fingers against an unruly tangle of auburn locks twisted into a loose clip. “It’s not natural. This is why we work on this angle last. You’re technically shooting behind yourself by the final shot.”

“I’ve seen you do it a thousand times, but I don’t know how I can strike this pose on a moving horse.”