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“Yeah, it was, but like I said, it made sense for dad to have a place here, though he has to go back to New York quite a bit, just like he did today.”
“If you don’t like living here, why do you stick around?”
“But I do like it. I love Elk Valley. I just don’t like living with her. To be honest, I’ve been speaking to a local realtor.”
“Ah…the plot thickens.”
“But, Noah, I’m sure that witch is up to something, and I don’t want to leave my father alone in that house.”
CHAPTER NINETEEN
When the ride came to an end and the mares had been groomed and put away, Noah brought Stetson back out and saddled him up. As he put the stallion through his paces, Ellie sat in the viewing area holding her sketch pad. With his reddish-gold coat shimmering in the sun, and his honey-colored mane and tail floating around him, she found the horse mesmerizing.
But Noah was even more impressive.
He barely moved in the saddle, yet somehow communicated his commands, and the muscled horse performed the fancy footwork flawlessly.
“How did you do that?” she asked when Noah stopped in front of her.
“Do what?”
“Tell him what you wanted. You barely moved.”
“I have a very talented horse.”
“I think the horse has a very talented rider,” she retorted.
“Perhaps it’s a bit of both,” he said modestly, climbing from the saddle. “Not every horse is able to perform the moves Stetson can. He’s a special boy.”
“I can’t thank you enough,” she said earnestly. “Watching you was incredible, and sitting on Candy was fantastic. I loved it all so much.”
“Hey, this has been a great afternoon for me too.”
“Noah, can I take Stetson for you?” Cody asked, interrupting their conversation as he hurried towards them from the barn.
“Sure. It’s a bit late in the day to hose him down. Let him have a roll, wipe him off and put his cooler on.”
“Sure thing, boss.”
“What’s a cooler?” Ellie asked as Cody led the stallion into the barn.
“It’s a cover that allows a horse to cool down without gettin’ chilled.”
“There’s so much to learn,” she said with a sigh.
“And the more you know, the more you know you don’t know.”
“What?”
“Horses are an endless learnin’ curve,” he replied with a grin.
“I hate to see this day end, and I still can’t believe I actually sat in the saddle and walked around the ring,” she said happily, slipping her sketch pad into her bag. “When you said riding is addictive, you weren’t kidding. Can you tell me where I can find the closest Kincaid Western Wear store? I’m going there right now.”
“There’s a outlet in the Dayville County Mall. They have stock from previous seasons so it’s less expensive, but it’s a drive.”
“Is there somewhere closer to home.”
“Yep, his place here in Elk Valley. It’s a few doors down from Matilda’s Munchies.”
