Page 28 of Bronx

"No, it's just not used to having two people on board." I pulled the quilt at the end of the bed up over us. We had no choice except to stay sandwiched tightly together. "You know this tiny bed might not be too bad," I said and held her even closer. I brushed my fingers along her side and her hip and thigh. "I think when I was a teenager, I dreamt about having someone just like you nestled next to me on this bed."

"Oh really. She looked just like me?" she asked dryly.

"Well, no, she looked just like Selena Gomez but then I hadn't met you yet. Now I'd just have to tell Selena her spot is taken."

Layla wriggled closer. "Damn right." She peered up at me. "I would stay the rest of the day pressed tightly against you, but I'm dying to see the horses. Could we pick this up again later? Like right here from this position?"

I pulled her closer and kissed her forehead. "I think we could arrange that."

22

Once again, I was in the middle of one of those perfect moments in time, a moment that was going to be etched clear as day in my mind until they buried me. And once again, Layla was in the moment, a prominent part of it, in fact. Archer, one of Vick's best horses, loped smoothly around the arena. As always it was fucking awesome being back in the saddle. Riding a horse gave you wings. It connected you with the animal and nature and everything that was right with the world. And the woman standing at the side of the arena, her arms resting on the top rail of the fence, her dark gold hair blowing lightly in the wind and her smile lighting up the entire ranch was everything that was right in my world.

I slowed Archer to a trot and took him around a few more times. He hadn't been ridden for a week, so he was full of energy. The goal was to tire the spunk out of him, so Layla could sit in the saddle. Her experience on horses was limited to a few pony rides at the fair.

"Is he ready?" she asked hopefully.

I slowed him to a walk. "Yep, I think he's good to go." I dismounted and motioned for her to come into the arena. She climbed over the fence and hopped down into the soft sand. She stopped first to have a talk with Archer.

She patted his forehead and neck. The horse snorted appreciatively in return. "I promise not to be clumsy or kick you if you promise not to throw me into the air. And I apologize for the extra weight. We had a big breakfast at Moonpie's Diner."

"Not sure if a plate of eggs and one pancake is going to break his back. Vick was two fifty at his top weight, and Archer could carry him over that pasture out there like he was a winged horse. He's also a big horse, so I better give you a leg up. Hold the reins and grab the pommel. Foot here." I crossed my fingers and made a step. "Just don't pull yourself too hard, or you might just go over the saddle and land on the other side."

"I could actually see myself doing that." She chuckled as she pulled herself gracefully into the saddle. She smiled down at me. "What next, my personal, dreamy riding instructor?"

"Hmm, kind of like that title." I pushed her feet into the stirrups and showed her how to hold the reins. "Remember to keep your heels down and this adorable ass leaning back in the saddle. Sit on your pockets is what Vick used to say to me when he was teaching me to ride."

She smiled down at me. "Giddy up or tally ho or whatever they say in the horse world."

"We usually just cluck our tongues."

"Really? Well, that's sort of anticlimactic." She clucked her tongue, and Archer took a plodding step forward. I stood in the center as Archer walked slowly around the arena. He was one of those awesome horses that seemed to know when the person riding wasn't exactly solid in the saddle. It was why I chose Archer for the lesson.

"How do I look?" she called. "I still think I should have worn my cowboy hat out here."

"It's good for the sun, but the last thing you want is to be fussing with a wide brimmed hat when you're just learning to ride. How are you feeling up there cuz I've got to tell you, you look hot as hell." I pulled out my phone and took a picture. As I put my phone back into my pocket, it dawned on me that I wouldn't be able to share the photo with anyone.

"Can we go a little faster?" she asked. "Any slower and I think we'll be going backwards."

"Archer senses you're a little off balance."

"Does he? What a good boy." She leaned down to pat his neck and slipped a little farther to the side.

"Whoa there, Annie Oakley, get that cute butt centered again, and remember, sit on your pockets. Heels down. Then maybe we can pick up to a trot."

Layla wriggled her bottom, readjusted and sat back. "Better?" she asked.

"Yes. Ready?"

"Yup. Go ahead, Archer. You can trot."

I chuckled. "He's smart but he might need a few cues. Cluck your tongue again and squeeze your legs against him."

I added in my own tongue cluck, and Archer picked up to a heavy-footed trot. Layla laughed, nervously, at first, then she seemed to get the hang of it.

"This is more bouncy than fast," she noted, correctly.

"Yes, the lope is the faster gait and it's smoother, but you're not ready for that."

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