Page 48 of The Taste of Deceit

“Most horses are,” I say with a smile.

Daddy clips Jasper into the cross ties across from Buck while I drape Daisy’s saddle pad over her back. Daddy works in practiced silence beside me, settling Buck’s pad into place before lifting the saddle onto his back. I cinch Daisy’s girth while he moves on to Jasper, checking the saddle pad twice before swinging the saddle into position.

Luca doesn’t interrupt. He watches every buckle, every strap, every adjustment Daddy makes, his attention moving from one horse to the next.

Daddy explains what we’re doing as we go, pointing out the parts of the saddle and bridle and the reason behind each step. By the time we’re finished, Luca has a basic understanding of how everything fits together, even if he isn’t ready to do it himself yet.

Once all three horses are tacked up, Daddy leads them out into the yard. He hands me Daisy’s reins before turning his attention to Luca.

Daddy gives Luca a quick rundown of the basics while the three horses stand quietly beside us. He points out the reins, the stirrups, the horn, and explains how to hold the reins without pulling on the horse’s mouth. Luca listens closely, asking a few questions while Daddy answers each one before moving on to the next.

When he’s satisfied, Daddy steps over to Jasper and lays a hand against his neck.

“All right,” he says. “Your turn.”

Luca moves to Jasper’s left side, gathering the reins the way Daddy showed him.

“Left foot first,” Daddy reminds him.

Luca slides his boot into the stirrup and reaches for the horn. He pushes himself up, swings his right leg over Jasper’s back, and settles carefully into the saddle.

Jasper doesn’t move. Daddy reaches up and adjusts Luca’s left stirrup another notch before checking the right.

“How’s that feel?”

Luca shifts his legs experimentally.

“Better.”

Daddy gives the cinch one last tug, then steps back.

“Good. Sit up straight. Let your legs hang. You don’t need to squeeze him.”

I swing into Daisy’s saddle beside them while Daddy mounts Buck in one practiced motion. Daddy looks between the two of us before nodding toward the pasture.

“Let’s go.”

Daddy clicks his tongue, and Buck steps forward without hesitation. Daisy follows a second later, leaving Luca’s gelding to bring up the rear.

For the first few yards, Luca’s entire focus stays on the horse beneath him. His hands are steady on the reins, but I can see the concentration written across his face as he adjusts to the movement.

“Don’t overthink it,” Daddy says, glancing back over his shoulder. “Let him walk.”

Luca loosens his grip.

“That’s it,” Daddy says. “He knows what he’s doing.”

We leave the barn behind, following the worn path that cuts through the pasture. Cattle graze in the distance, barely acknowledging us as we pass. The only sounds are the steady rhythm of hooves against the ground and the occasional swish of a tail.

“How’s it feel?” I ask.

Luca looks over at me.

“I’ve been in faster cars.”

I laugh.

“I’d hope so.”