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“I never thought I’d see the day Kate Carver was scared of something.”
“I’m not scared!” Kate snapped. “Just- I’m nervous, that’s all. And I have good reason to be. That thing could crush me!”
“And he won’t if you don’t give him a reason to,” Kai said gently. “Just relax. I won’t let him hurt you.”
“Kai, with all due respect and love: you’re smaller than me. How are you gonna control that beast?”
“He’s a gentle beast,” Kai insisted. “And you do need to relax. He can sense your nerves and he’s going to react to them.”
“Oh, good! The horses can read minds! That’s way less nerve-wracking!”
Kai sighed. “You know, Hoyt is never going to let you hear the end of it if I don’t at least get you on the horse today.”
Kate scowled at him. “Fine,” she muttered. She took a deep breath and slowly approached the horse. “How do I….?”
“Here.” Kai took her hand and put a few sugar cubes in her palm. “Horses trust you more if you give them a treat.”
She carefully held out her hand near the horse’s face. “It’s not going to bite me, right?”
“Not unless you put your fingers in his mouth.”
She nodded and extended her arm further. She smiled when the horse leaned down to eat the cubes. “It tickles.”
Step one accomplished. Now, to actually get Kate on the horse.
Kai had a sidesaddle but Kate was having one of her trouser days so she got to learn to ride astride. “Just put your right foot in the stirrup and swing over.”
“Yeah. Easy. Just like that.” Kate did not move to get in the saddle. “It’s not gonna run as soon as I get up, right?”
“He’s well trained; he’ll only move when you’re ready,” Kai promised. When Kate still didn’t move, he prodded her gently. “It’s perfectly safe. And once we’re done with the lesson, I’ll treat you to the new special I haven’t put on the menu yet.”
Kate groaned. “That’s not fair. You know your cooking is my one weakness.”
“And my dresses.”
“Well, that goes without saying.” Kate chuckled. Then, she put her foot in the stirrup and swung herself onto the horse.
“Okay, now what?”
Kai took the reins. “Put your hands on the pommel and focus on your balance. I’ll guide the horse.”
Kate nodded and gripped the pommel of the saddle so hard her knuckles turned white. Kai slowly led the horse out of the stable. He led them through town and out toward the ranches before turning around and heading back to the stable.
Slowly, Kate started to relax. Her grip on the saddle loosened and it even seemed like she was enjoying herself at the end. Kai helped her off the horse and she rested on a bench while he took care of their new friend.
“When’s my next lesson?”
He smiled. “You sure you trust the beast not to kill you a second time?”
She shrugged. “He’s grown on me.”
“I knew he would.”