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“No, you’re not. You’re perfect. You just need to lift your leg higher.” Drew smiled as Maisie tried again, this time slipping her foot into the stirrup. “See? You got it. Now all you need to do is stand up straight onto that left leg and swing your other leg over.”
“Sure.” Maisie remained rooted in place, her body swiveled, and her expression looking like she’d gotten halfway through a game of Twister that she deeply regretted. “After that, maybe I’ll fly.”
“Come on, Maisie. You can do this.”
“I don’t know.” Maisie was visibly trembling, and Drew couldn’t risk letting her give up or wear herself out and not have the strength left to finish what she’d started.
“I’m going to help you this once, okay?” As Maisie began to wobble, Drew rushed in, putting one hand on Maisie’s left side and the other along her right hip. The next thing she knew, Drew was cupping Maisie’s buttocks as she gave her a push onto the saddle. It was a natural way to help someone onto a horse, and Drew had done it hundreds of times, but the sudden dampness between her legs was something new.
Oh, God help me.
For whatever reason, Drew’s attraction to Maisie was off the charts today, and she wasn’t sure what to do about it. She’d gotten used to having Maisie around, or so she’d thought, and had assumed this type of thing was well under control. Apparently, she’d been mistaken. Drew pulled her hands away and prayed no signs of what she was feeling showed on her face. Luckily for her, Maisie was too busy getting adjusted to sitting in the saddle to notice.
Hopping up onto her horse, Drew said, “Let’s ride.”
“How do I get him to move?”
“Squeeze your knees, and give him a little kick with your heels.”
Maisie grew indignant. “I’ve never kicked an animal in my life.”
Drew tried to restrain an eye roll, figuring an explanation about how this fell into the same category as grabbing a mane would be lost on the woman. Instead, Drew took hold of the lead rope and guided Tarzan without Maisie having to do a thing. Soon, they rode side by side out of the barn and into the pasture.
“This is it?” Maisie asked after a few minutes.
“What’d you expect?”
“Tarzan bolting, me holding on for dear life, and you having to rescue me.”
“We’re going for a relaxing ride,” Drew said with a laugh. “Not trying to get out of Dodge. Though from what I’ve seen, you don’t need a lot of rescuing.”
“I’m not so sure about that.”
Drew frowned at the self-deprecating tone that crept in as Maisie spoke. It was a familiar occurrence, and Drew couldn’t understand it. “From what I’ve seen since you got here, you don’t shirk from any challenge. A lot of women would have bailed well before now, but you’ve played an integral role during calving season, which was hard on all of us. Wilbur might not have survived if it hadn’t been for you.”
“I just did what Hannah told me to,” Maisie argued.
“Hannah provided direction, but you did the hard work.” Drew cast a glance her way to make sure her words were getting through. “You might not have been born into ranching, but you’ve been researching the hell out of it. I wish I had your ability to learn new things that fast.”
Maisie was quiet for a long second, making Drew think her pep talk hadn’t accomplished what she’d wanted. It drove Drew mad how Maisie lacked confidence in herself. How could she not see her own talent the way Drew did?
“Can I ask you a question?” Maisie shifted her weight in the saddle, the leather creaking.
“Go ahead.” Drew looked at her, turning away just as quickly as their eyes met. It was dangerous to peer into those eyes. A person could get lost in them and never find her way out again.
“Your job is hard. I don’t mean simply physically taxing, but you deal with life and death situations daily. You don’t quit. What is it that keeps you going?” Maisie held up a hand. “Don’t tell me ranching is in your blood. There’s more to it, and I want to know.”
Drew chewed on her bottom lip, needing time to process the question and gather her thoughts. Maisie didn’t pressure her but waited patiently.
“I enjoy the connection I have to the land and the animals. Not everyone understands how much working with animals brings out the best in you. I work hard because they deserve that. I want to do a job that brings out the best in me.” Drew took a breath, adding, “Also, I like being my own boss. Especially now, when I’m really running things. Not that I ever wanted my dad to have to quit, but I’d be lying if I said it didn’t suit me to be in charge.”
“It does suit you,” Maisie agreed, the warmth in her voice wrapping around Drew like a warm blanket. “I think I’d like that, too. I just don’t know if I’ll find it.”
“Now you listen to me, Maisie Sullivan. I won’t sit here and let you bash yourself yet again. You have no idea how amazing you are. Not just for the reasons I’ve already listed but for your excitement when faced with a challenge. I admire that, and truth be told, I’m kinda jealous of it.”
Drew found herself out of breath when she got to the end, and she wondered when the last time was that she’d talked so much to anyone. Maybe to Cord when she was a preschooler, but even as a kid, she was known for not speaking so much.
“What are you talking about?” Maisie truly sounded shocked. “I wish I had half your courage and know-how.”
