Something in the Way (Something in the Way 1)

“We’re paired with them today?” I asked Hannah.

“Looks like it.”

Now, hanging back at the stable was even worse. I’d not only be missing out on quality time with the girls, but with Manning as well.

“Want me to stay behind with you?” Hannah asked. “I’m sure Manning and the instructors can handle it.”

I turned and squinted at the stables. The horses were beautiful . . . and enormous. If possible, they seemed even bigger than the year before. A small part of me wanted to be brave just so I wouldn’t miss this time with Manning.

“It’s okay,” I told Hannah. “The girls will want you there.”

One of the handlers came out of the stable in cowboy boots. He waved at the girls. “Who wants to ride a horse?” They screamed and took off running toward him. For a moment, he looked terrified, but quickly recovered. “Okay, okay. Slow down. You don’t want to spook the poor things.”

“You or the horses?” Hannah teased.

Manning looked up at the commotion. Once he’d secured his camper, he came over to us. “I’ve never ridden a horse. Believe that?”

That he’d never climbed on the back of a wild animal and expected it do what he said? Yes, I believed that. What sane person would? I bit my thumbnail. “Me, neither.”

“It’ll be a first for us both, then. Come on.”

Hannah followed, but I stayed where I was. Horses on the ground didn’t frighten me—it was the thought of getting on and letting go. What stopped the horse from doing whatever the hell it wanted? What if it suddenly had some kind of psychotic break? I’d never broken a bone, and I didn’t want to start today.

The handler came out with a shiny, black horse, scanned the crowd, and started toward me. “You’re going to ride Betsy Junior,” he said.

I looked around to make sure he wasn’t talking to someone else. “Me?”

“She’s a little on the wild side, but she’s not as bad as her mom. Better if a counselor takes her.”

I tried to back away, but my feet were suddenly made of lead. Betsy had black eyes and didn’t blink, as if she were trying to send me a message—touch me and I’ll buck you into a tree. Betsy Junior neighed, a sinister laugh. “I can’t,” I said. I was too young to die. I’d never even been kissed or learned how to drive. “I’m going to sit this one out.”

“What’s wrong?” Manning asked from behind me, and I jumped. Where had he come from?

“I can’t do it.”

“Why not?”

“She’s scared,” the handler said. “I see it in her eyes. Betsy gets the same look when I bring her around all these kids.”

I gulped. “I’ll stay here and wait for you guys.”

“You sure?” the instructor asked. “You could ride with me.”

I’d only just met the guy. He might do this for a living, but what did that even mean? He could’ve been hired yesterday. Maybe he’d been an insurance salesman who’d gotten laid off and had decided owning a pair of cowboy boots qualified him for this job. “I’m sure.”

“Suit yourself. Looks like Betsy Junior’s safe another day.” He led Betsy back to the stable.

I turned and found Manning looking at me as if he were waiting for something. “What?” I asked.

“You know what.”

“No I don’t.”

“You got out of the Ferris wheel, but not this one. I’m going to make you get on a horse.”

“But—”

“Ride with me.”

My breath caught in my throat. But that would mean being pressed up against him for an hour. An entire hour. I’d probably faint—and fall off the horse. And get trampled. “But you just said you’ve never done it.”

“That guy gave me a quick lesson. I’m a natural sportsman.” He smiled crookedly. “I’ve got this, Lake.”

“It’s okay. I really don’t even want to.”

With the sun high in the sky, his dark eyes were nearly black. “You told me you weren’t afraid to get dirty.”

“It’s not that. What if the horse goes crazy and bucks me off?”

“Then you’ll fall, and we’ll get you up and dust you off.”

“What if I break something?”

“What if? You tell me.”

I opened my mouth. I’d expected him to tell me that wouldn’t happen. That he’d protect me. If I fell off, I might hurt myself and have to go to the infirmary, maybe even the hospital. But that was true for all the girls and boys around me. Which meant now, it wasn’t just about riding a horse. It was about proving what I could handle. How much hurt I could take and keep going. “Okay,” I said without an ounce of confidence. “I’ll ride with you.”

“Today,” he said. “And next time, you’ll do it yourself.”

I didn’t believe I could, but he didn’t need to know that. I nodded. “Which horse?”

“Betsy Senior. Come on.”

My knees nearly gave out. Of course Manning’s first time on a horse would be on the wildest one. I supposed if I was going to ride a Betsy at all, it might as well be with Manning. I followed him.