One to Take (One to Hold 8)

He looks up, brow lined. “What?”

“I saw you giving her treats the other day.”

“Oh,” he laughs. “We were just getting to know each other. I don’t give her treats when we’re training. Teaches her to bite.”

“Really?” I move so I can sit on the top of the fence. “Why?”

“Just does.” He shrugs and studies my position. “Come over here and let her see you.”

“Okay!” I climb down and take slow, careful steps toward them.

“Come on now. Walk to us in a normal pace—not like you’re afraid. You’ll make her afraid.”

“Okay,” I say with less enthusiasm, trying to figure out my pace.

“Don’t be timid. Be assertive, a leader.” His voice is urgent. “Show her you’re in charge. But gently.”

My head is swimming with all these orders, but I take a breath and straighten my shoulders, striding toward them with confident thoughts.

“You’re walking like a robot.” Now he’s laughing at me. “Relax. Move your arms.”

“You’re making me self-conscious!” I whisper-cry.

“Do you remember how to walk?”

Narrowing my eyes, I stand beside him. “I’m here, aren’t I?”

“Just move naturally.” He holds Jessie’s neck, and she only seems a little wary of my presence. I can’t wait to touch her out here in the open. “Slowly lift your hand and touch the side of her neck.”

“I thought you said not to move slowly.”

“When you’re reaching for her face, take it easy.” His voice is gentle, guiding. “You wouldn’t want someone jamming their hand in your face, would you?”

“No,” I say quietly, staring into her big black eyes. “She has such a pretty face.”

The black covering her nose is like a sheer veil with darker spots scattered across the bridge and between her eyes. The white spot in the center of her forehead reminds me of a little moon shining above it all.

“It’s almost as if her spot is casting a reflection down her face,” I say, and without thinking my hand moves from her neck to the white spot at the top of her head.

“Easy,” Stuart says softly, but she doesn’t pull away or even resist.

I place my palm flat over the white circle and look into her eyes. “Hello, girl,” I whisper. “You’re a beauty, did you know that?”

“I’ve never touched her there,” Stuart says in the same even tone. “She’s letting you do more with her than she lets me.”

“See?” My voice takes on a musical quality. “She’s my horse. I told you.”

Still, he stays beside me, not releasing her. “It’s good that she lets you touch her. She trusts you.”

“It’s because she knows I love her. I can’t wait to ride her.”

“We’re a ways out from riding. It’s possible we might not even make it that far before we have to leave.”

Pulling my hand back, I jerk my face to look at him. “What?”

The sudden change causes Jessie to pull back. She nods her head up and down, trying to lunge away from us, but Stuart holds her, stepping in front of me to block her with his body.

“Ho! Easy, girl.” He holds her nose making that clicking noise, and I feel terrible.