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She goes on. “I mean, I know that you own this ranch, but what does a typical day look like for you? Are you out here doing stuff? Or do you just sit in your office and count your money like Mr. Scrooge?” She grins.
I laugh, “I guess it’s a little bit of both. Usually, I spend a good chunk of the morning in the office going over the books and paperwork and all that, but I hate it. I’d much rather be out on the ranch working with my hands and getting dirty.” I give her a wink.
“Oh, you are very good at both of those things.” Her eyebrows wiggle at me.
We both laugh for a moment before I continue. “Lately, it seems like I’ve been in so many meetings that I have less and less time to be on the ranch. Expanding is great, but I have to devote so much time to it that I just feel so stressed all the time. I’m wondering if it’s all worth it.”
She looks up at me with those beautiful brown eyes. “You know, if you ever need help with anything, I’d be happy to do what I can.”
“Really?”
Her shoulders shrug. “Yeah. I have a degree in Marketing, and I have a good amount of experience running an office. And you know I am unemployed and could use something to do.”
“I’d like that,” I say, and I genuinely mean it. It means the world to me that she wants to take an interest in this and help out.
We talk a bit more about the business on the way to the stables. I couldn’t have asked for a more gorgeous day to go riding. The closer we get to the stables, the more I can see Andi becoming a little more apprehensive. I take her small hand in mine, trying to ease her doubts.
Once we reach the building, I lead her inside.
“Which one are you going to ride?” She asks.
Walking toward one of the stalls, I answer, “This is Bambi. She used to be a show horse, but she eventually aged out. I brought her here to live out the rest of her days quietly.”
“She’s pretty,” she says while reaching out her hand to pet Bambi’s amber-colored nose.
“She is. And she’s one of the most well-tempered horses that’s ever come to us.”
“What about Oreo?” She asks, inquiring about her own ride for the day.
“Oreo is a bit more of a wild child.” I smile. “But for whatever reason, she seems to calm down around you. When she first came here, she had been abused. It took months before she would even let me touch her. Finally, I earned her trust, but she still rarely lets me ride her. I guess she’s had a pretty hard life.”
Andi walks over to Oreo’s stall and begins giving her the attention she was just giving Bambi. “Guess we have something in common, huh, girl?”
I can’t help but wonder if she’s talking about her growing up in foster care or her less-than-healthy marriage. Probably both.
I take my time getting Bambi all saddled up, being sure to show Andi everything I’m doing along the way. When it comes time to do Oreo, I let her do most of the work, only giving her help when she asks for it.
Once they are all ready to go, we walk them outside to the path that leads through the woods behind the ranch. Andi still looks hesitant, but she continues to stroke Oreo’s nose and says something in a tone that’s so quiet I can’t make it out.
“Ready, beautiful?” I ask when I’m confident she’s done.
She nods, and I walk over to help her get up onto the saddle. Sticking one foot in the stirrup, she swings the other leg over so effortlessly that it looks like she’s been doing this for years.
“Look at you. You’re a natural,” I say.
She looks at the ground around her. “Seems a little higher than I thought it would.”
“You’ll be just fine, baby.”
I follow suit and get on Bambi. I show her how to use her feet to press into Oreo’s sides to make her go.
“Doesn’t that hurt?” She asks.
“Well, not if you don’t kick her,” I laugh. “Just give her a gentle nudge, and she’ll get the message.”
Sure enough, she does what I say, and Oreo begins to move forward.
Andi lets out an astonished giggle. “She’s going!” She squeals.
