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So I did what he told me, and in moments, I was high up above the ground sitting atop a horse.
“Now what do I do?”
“I already put the reins over for you. But once you’re ready to mount by yourself, you’re going to want to remember to put those over the horn before you get on because those guys? They’re how you keep your control.”
“Okay.”
I grabbed the reins, and after a little instructing on what I needed to do, I had the basics well in hand.
“Looking good, Jameson,” Sera called from where she’d stopped and leaned up against the arena fence.
She was beaming, and her husband, Sutton, was standing right next to her. She watched me like she knew something I didn’t.
“Kill, you’re a natural teacher,” Sutton said.
“Don’t get any ideas,” Killian grumbled. “If he’s going to be on a ranch, he needs to know how to ride.”
“I’m not arguing with you.”
Killian held on to the lead rope, then looked at me and said, “Keep your heels down and squeeze your thighs together, then tell Dusty to walk.”
Dusty didn’t budge until I did as I was instructed. And then the big, sweet horse took pity on me and began a slow walk led by Killian. I felt like a kid getting a donkey ride on the beach. If I’d been a weaker man, I would’ve been embarrassed.
“You’re doing real good, Jamie,” Killian said. “Do you remember the emergency stop I taught you?”
“Yes,” I said. “Pretty important piece of information, that.”
A soft chuckle rumbled from deep in Killian’s chest. “True. All right. I’m gonna unclip the lead, and I want you to take the reins and keep him going at a walk.”
“What if he decides to go faster?”
“Then you pull back on those reins. You’re in charge. He’s listening to you. Don’t let him run you around, okay? Remember, whichever way the reins go, that’s the way he’s gonna go. You’re leading his head. It’s just like steering a car.”
“A car. Right.”
We went around a few times, and then Killian told me to stop, so I pulled back on the reins, pushed my heels down, and said, “Whoa.”
“Really good,” Killian said as he mounted his horse.
He’d opened the gate without me realizing it, and he gave me a once-over.
“How are you feeling?”
“All right.”
“Good, let’s head out into the pasture for a nice easy ride.”
“Are you sure?”
“Why, are you nervous?”
“A little. What if he freaks out?”
“Dusty doesn’t freak out. But also, we’re not going anywhere new to him. The ground is flat, the weather’s been quiet. It’s the best time to go out. If something bugs him, you keep your seat, and you use that emergency stop.”
“Okay, let’s do it. It’s a good job I trust you.”
Something sparked in him at that last statement, and he sat up a little straighter. Bringing the horse right up next to mine, he gave me a cocky wink.
