Page 72 of Minus

For the next half-hour or so, Jase showed me how to brush Hank and how to clean his feet (Jase called it picking his hooves, which kind of grossed me out, to be honest, but I went with it). To his credit, Hank stood perfectly still. He didn’t do anything to frighten me, almost as though he knew I needed him to be gentle.

Jase took pity on me and saddled both the horses. Even watching him closely, I still had no clue what he did exactly, or how to replicate it.

“Take the reins, Cricket,” Jase directed, and handed me two straps of leather.

“Doesn’t he need a leash?”

He smiled, shaking his head. “The reins will act as his lead.”

I wrinkled my nose. “Not a leash, then.”

“No. If he was haltered, he’d have a lead, not a leash.”

“To lead him around. I get it.”

He chuckled. “Exactly. Keep to his left side, right by his head, and follow me and Boston into the arena. Do you think you can handle that?”

“I don’t know.” Hank was huge. His back about an inch over my nose. If he took off, I don’t know that I’d be able to hold him.

Jase smiled. “Trust him, he’ll follow you.”

“What if he bolts?”

“He won’t bolt.”

“What if he does?” I challenged.

“Stay calm and I’ll come help you.”

“What if he goes up on his hind legs and threatens to trample me?”

“Christina, he’s not going to do anything like that.”

“What if he does?”

“Then, get the fuck away from him.”

I nodded. “That was kind of my plan.”

I rolled my eyes and stood with the horse while Jase did his thing.

Cricket

Boston whinnied hisimpatience, so Jase slid his stall door open and walked toward the exit. Boston followed like a puppy and I held Hank’s reins tight as I followed them. Walking into the arena, Jase closed the gate and left Boston standing in the middle. Boston was having none of it. He followed, going so far as to settle his head on Jase’s shoulder. “Buddy, I know you missed me, but I gotta help Cricket. Do I have to tie you?”

Boston blew air out and threw his head up and down. I watched in fascination as the two seemed to have a conversation. “Stay,” Jase said.

After making sure Boston stayed where he was, Jase made his way to me, adjusted the strap around Hank’s waist,then faced me. “You ready?”

“Not in the least.”

“You want to try and mount your horse?”

“Not in the least,” I repeated.

Jase grinned and wrapped an arm around my waist, leaning down to kiss me gently. “You’re gonna do great. Face the saddle, left hand on the horn and lift your left leg.”

I did as he instructed, my body shaking with fear.

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