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“Okay,” she muttered with a sigh.
As she slipped her feet from the stirrups, swung her leg around and dropped to the ground, Noah shook his head.
“Are you sure you’ve never been on a horse?”
“I think I’d remember,” she replied with a laugh. “Why?”
“You did that like you’ve done it a thousand times.”
“It’s not that difficult.”
“Like I said, you’re a natural. I’ll get on Rosey then I’ll give you a lesson.”
“You will? That would be fantastic. Thank you.”
“Hey, it’s my pleasure,” he murmured, abruptly moving his arm around her waist and pulling her against him. “Stick around and I’ll teach you all kinds of things.”
“I’m not going anywhere,” she said breathlessly. “I’ve already learned a lot.”
“Oh, yeah, like what?”
“For one thing, I know why Stallion is your nickname.”
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
Noah frowned and narrowed his eyes. Unable to read the meaning behind his expression, Ellie felt her face flush, but to her great relief he suddenly broke into a grin.
“I assume you mean because of Stetson,” he replied. “He is a handsome horse.”
“Of course, what else?” she quipped, tilting her head to the side.
“I think I’d better fetch Rosey before I do something you’ll regret.”
“Like…?”
“Keep me here talkin’ and you’ll find out,” he replied, then turned on his heel and marched into the barn.
She stood for a moment, watching him stride away.
Everything about him turned her on.
His wide shoulders, the devilish glint in his eye, his long-stride, and he oozed a subtle but unmistakable self-assurance. Taking a breath, she turned her attention back to the sweet mare standing quietly beside her.
“You are such a love bug,” she crooned, stroking the mare’s neck. “Noah was right. Candy is the perfect name for you.” The horse nudged her, then lowered her head. “I wish I’d explored riding before now. Better late than never I guess.”
“Yep.”
Noah had only been gone a moment or two, and his quick reappearance caught her by surprise.
“That was fast,” she exclaimed as he led a dark bay horse out of the barn.
“All I had to do was slip a halter on,” he replied, then suddenly jumped up, swung his leg over the horse’s back and sat up.
“How did you do that?” she asked, gazing up at him in astonishment.
“I’ve been gettin’ on horses bareback for years, darlin’,” he said with a grin. “Go on over to the mounting block.”
Resisting the urge to make a smart comment about wishing he’d climb over her naked body, Ellie led the docile mare into position and slipped into the saddle.
