AllFreeNovel
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I swallow. I mean. I absolutely do. I always want to ride. And Mab could use the exercise. I have a trail ride this afternoon, but not for hours, with plenty of time to come back and prepare.
But Case Michaels and me? Alone? And not only alone but also on horseback?
Listen. I have been very comfortable with my horse girl status for at least a decade. I’m familiar with the stereotypes, and I’ve embraced them. Any real horse girl will tell you trail ride dates are, like, the epitome of romantic.
And while it’s perfectly acceptable to offer grace to Case Michaels, I’m not a total idiot.
I shake my head. “I can’t,” I lie. “I need to finish up here, and then I have chores for Camilla. But have fun.” I swear his face falls, as though he’s disappointed. But a blink later, it’s gone, and I’m not positive I didn’t imagine the whole thing.
I take my time finishing what I’m working on, stalling, while surreptitiously tracking Case’s progress in saddling his horse. Eventually, I can’t stand it anymore. I prop my fork against the door and walk up to him, gently nudging him out of my way.
“Been a while, huh?”
I watch as a flush of color creeps up the back of his neck. I’m not used to seeing him so flustered.
“I mostly remember the steps,” he admits, “but if memory serves, Moses won’t suffer no fools.”
I snort. “You’re absolutely right about that.” Moses is the kind of horse who likes to “accidentally” stand on your foot until you’re begging for mercy.
I finish in short order and make a show of double-checking Moses’s setup (for the benefit of his rider) before giving the handsome horse an affectionate nuzzle. I stage-whisper in hislong ear, “There’s an extra sugar cube for you if you toss him on his ass.”
Case chuckles low, his confident swagger slipping back into place. “No offense to Moses, but I think I can hold my seat.”
And after seeing him out of his element, I decide I might be hating this cocky side of him a little less.
TenWINNIE
That afternoon, I’m scheduled to lead two trail rides. The first, immediately after lunch, is a private ride. A wealthy local family with extended relatives visiting from Mexico.
“Looking to see the best of what Texas has to offer, Winnie, so don’t be shy about taking them the long way around.”
The “long way around” is Mr. Michaels’s way of communicating he wants me to take them down every rocky pass, across every babbling brook, and through several gently waving pastures until they’re saddle sore and looking to spend some time relaxing by the giant outdoor firepit with several bottles of our most expensive wine.
“You got it,” I agree with a smile. I check my phone to make sure I don’t have any messages and slip it in between my boot and my sock before climbing onto Mab’s back. With a click of my tongue, we approach the gathered group, already helped into their saddles by Camilla. A quick study reveals there’re at least ten of them, but a good portion seem capable enough on horseback. A familiar-looking dark-haired girl around my age isgiving her mom—older sister?—a hard time about her posture, but they’re laughing and the picture of ease, so I know I won’t have to worry about them.
I introduce myself and explain what to expect on our ride today. I offer a short lesson on basic steering and horse handling, but it’s not necessary. Our horses could do this trail on autopilot. Because the group is so large and I’m the only one leading, I ask for experienced volunteers to hit up the middle and the back of the pack, then give them a short rundown of our travels today.
And we’re off.
We’re near the halfway point, closing in on the creek that outlines the farthest borders of the Michaels ranch. I give the cue to slow so everyone can gather near the water’s edge and take in the view. This is my favorite spot on the property, and I tell everyone that, letting them know it’s a good place to take pictures, before dismounting and offering my assistance. The dark-haired girl who was teasing her mother earlier dismounts beside me. She’d been in the rear because she said she was the most familiar on horseback. And it’s clear she hadn’t lied. She’s a natural.
I give her my most professionally friendly smile, letting her speak first.
“You’re a fantastic rider. Is she yours?” she asks, gesturing to Mab.
“Thanks,” I say, then shake my head. “She’s on loan, but to be honest, I don’t think she’d say she belongs to anyone. More of a free agent, if you know what I mean.”
“Well, yours or not, you fit well together. I know it’s a trail ride, but I can tell.”
“Thank you,” I say again, more sincerely this time. “I think so, too. She was a rescue and hates pretty much everyone, butwe seem to understand each other. I’m training her to barrel race, actually.”
The girl’s brows raise. “You race?”
“Only in practice. You?” And before the words totally fall from my mouth, it clicks in my brain. “Holy shh-molyyou’re Maria Santos.” I smack my head. “I knew you looked familiar. I watched you in the high school nationals last year!”
“I am,” she says, seeming pleased to be recognized. “Were you there?”
“Just on TV. I’m a huge fan! Of you and Duchess both. She takes the barrels like a goddamn dream.”
