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“I suppose it is,” I agree.
“You suppose?” she laughs.
“Fine. It’s pretty,” I agree.
She rolls her eyes and shakes her head. “You, Adam Wellington, need to enjoy life more often.”
“Is that so?”
She nods. “Let’s race back to your house!” she says and then frowns as if trying to remember something. “How do I? What’s her name again?” She pats Cleo.
“That’s Cleo,” I say. “She’s older and sweeter than Apollo. You could probably get her to canter but I’m not sure she’ll gallop.”
Isa grins devilishly and I realize a second too late that she’s going to try. She nudges Cleo and then again and the two of them go sprinting ahead. Felipe barks and chases after them.
“Wait up! There’s a downed…tree.” I say the last word two seconds too late because Cleo leaps over the tree and Isa goes sailing. Fuck.
I bring Apollo to a screeching halt and jump off, running toward Isa, who’s planted face-first into the snow.
“Isa!” I yell as I reach her and roll her over, only to find she’s laughing.
“Isa?” I ask, my hands roaming over my body, looking for injury.
“I’m…fine,” she manages as she laughs.
“Here, let me help you up,” I say as I reach for her elbow to help her stand.
“Ouch,” she mutters once she gets on two feet.
“What? Where are you hurt?” I ask, my brows furrowing as I look over her body again for injuries.
“I think I twisted my ankle. I’ll survive,” she says. But before she even finishes the sentence, I swoop her into my arms and carry her over to Apollo. I help her to sit on his saddle and then I climb on behind her. I pull her back against me. It’s not ideal but it’ll do.
“Hold on,” I say as I wrap an arm around her waist, keeping her flush against me. Felipe nudges our feet with his nose and whines.
“I’m fine, buddy,” she assures him.
“We’ll take it slow from here,” I say into her ear.
She shivers against me.
“We’re almost back and we’ll get you all warmed up,” I say as Apollo trots toward the house.
“I’m fine, Adam. Really, it’s just a little ankle twist and my pride…mostly my pride,” she says, but I want to examine her ankle myself.
We make it back in a few minutes and Thomas greets us at the front door, holding Cleo’s lead.
“You kids alright?” he asks, frowning.
“Yes, we’re fine. Cleo just got overzealous and jumped a downed tree,” I explain as I stop Apollo and help Isa down.
“Cleo must have wanted to impress you. She normally doesn’t jump things anymore. She’s an old lady,” he says with a laugh as he pats Cleo’s side. Isa hobbles over to Cleo and Cleo pulls back a little.
“I’m alright, Cleo. It’s OK,” she says softly as she holds out a hand. I reach into my pocket and hand her two sugar cubes and she feeds them to Cleo who greedily eats them. I turn and give Apollo a few as well.
When I look back, Isa is stroking Cleo’s neck.
“You don’t have to impress me, Cleo. Us ladies have to stick together now, don’t we?” she says softly. Cleo lets out a little whinny. Thomas laughs.
