AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Mathew glanced at her. “But I wanted Molasses.”
“I know you wanted Molasses. And that cowboy brought out the wrong horse. But do you think maybe he didn’t know all the rules? He was just trying to do his job. When you got upset instead of telling him what you wanted, you weren’t giving him the chance to fix things. Sometimes we get so caught up with what we think we’re going to lose that we don’t take a minute to calm down and come up with a solution.”
This seemed to capture Mathew’s attention. He glanced at his father, then back to Dianna.
“Do you think next time you would be willing to slow down and use some skills I can teach you?”
He nodded.
She smiled brightly at him just as the ranch hand reached them with Molasses being led by his rope. Mathew sniffled and got to his feet. Dianna accepted the lead rope and held it out but didn’t relinquish it to Mathew yet. “Before I teach you a skill, how about you teach me one.”
Mathew’s brows creased, pulling together with confusion. “What do you mean?”
“If I was upset about something that wasn’t going as I expected it to, what would you tell me to do?”
His eyes darted to the side and he stuck out the tip of his tongue. “Maybe count to five?”
She grinned. “That’s a very good one. But it’s hard to remember, isn’t it?”
Mathew nodded once more.
Dianna tilted her head slightly. “How about we come up with a code word that will help you remember to count?”
His eyes brightened. “Like a secret code word?”
“Exactly. It can be something only you, your dad, and your teachers know. What do you think?”
He grinned. “What’s it gonna be?”
“That’s totally up to you.” Dianna smiled and finally chanced a look in Tristan’s direction. Her heart leapt into her throat. His serious eyes delved into her as if they could see past all the walls she’d built around herself over the years. She wouldn’t be surprised if he pulled her aside and told her he knew all her secrets.
She swallowed hard and turned her focus back to Mathew. “Just make it a good one. Maybe one that will make you happy so when I have to say it or if your dad has to say it, then you can remember right away what you’re supposed to do.”
His cute little furrow deepened and he pressed his lips together into a tight line. The three of them stood like that for a few moments until Mathew’s head snapped up, a smile lighting his face. “I think it should be Molasses.”
She laughed. “I think that’s a wonderful idea. Molasses makes me smile too.” She held out the reins and nodded toward the arena that was a few yards away. “How about you lead Molasses today?”
If it was possible, Mathew’s smile grew even larger. He held the reins reverently as he started toward the building. Dianna let him get a few paces away before turning toward Tristan. “Now, I know what you’re going to say—”
“I don’t think you do.” His voice was gruff but not angry.
Dianna blinked and folded her arms. “Okay. Then tell me and I’ll let you know if I was right.”
He moved forward, closing the small gap that had been the buffer between them. She sucked in a soft breath, not expecting him to invade her personal space like that, but it was probably so Mathew didn’t hear what he was about to say. Tristan’s focus darted to where Mathew continued toward the arena and then back to her. “I don’t know how you do it.”
Her brows shot up. “Pardon me?”
“You came charging in here like a mama bear ready to pounce on that cowboy for doing the wrong thing, but you did it with a poise and assertiveness that few people possess. I half-expected you to put him in his place, but you didn’t. You were able to explain to him what was going on without being demeaning.”
“Well, he wouldn’t have learned anything if I made him feel small, now would he?” she quipped as she lifted her chin and fought the blush that threatened to make an unscheduled appearance.
“I don’t think you’re understanding where I’m coming from. I didn’t want you to put him in his place. He didn’t do anything wrong, not really. It was obvious he didn’t know what to do just as much as I didn’t. He brought a horse out like he was told to do, and it just happened that it wasn’t the one Mathew wanted.”
“Oh.”
He took a deep breath and exhaled; the warmth of it fanned against her cheeks and goosebumps rose on her arms beneath her coat. “Then just when I thought you couldn’t surprise me anymore, you go and do it again.”
As much as she wanted to, she couldn’t tear her eyes from him. He held her captivated with his discerning gaze, pinned against what she thought she knew and what he was now trying to help her understand.
