Page 23 of Sweet Surprise

Dimly lit, the closer they drew to the stalls, the cooler the building felt. Slivers of sunlight cut through the gaps in the wooden planks. And there was her first horse. Boots was gigantic. Noting other horses popping their heads out over the stall doorways, she realized Boots wasn’t the only enormous equine—they were all frighteningly large. Mid step, she froze, her jaw struggling to move. “Oh my gosh, they’re huge.”

“You should see the Clydesdales. Now,thoseare huge animals.”

“Thanks, but no thanks.” She gestured helplessly at the nearest horse, a massive chestnut creature with a mane that shimmered under the dim stable lights. Boots turned her head to look at Jess. Dark eyes seemed unnervingly intelligent. She wasn’t sure who was sizing up who, but right now it seemed the horse was doing all the thinking.

“Good morning, Boots.” Carson gave the horse a friendly pat on the neck. “She’s one of the gentlest ones we’ve got. Come closer and say hello.”

Mason didn’t hesitate, walking straight up to where Carson had gestured. She, on the other hand, didn’t move. “I’m not sure Boots got the memo about ‘gentle.’ She looks like she could snap me like a toothpick if she wanted.”

Carson laughed outright, the deep, rich sound echoing through the stable. “Trust me, Boots is probably more scared of you than you are of her.”

Shaking her head, Jess was pretty sure that’s what everyone said about a rattlesnake before it struck.

Extending his hand, Carson motioned for her to come closer. “C’mon. Just take it slow. Horses can sense if you’re nervous.”

“Great,” she mumbled. “What you’re saying is that I’m more or less just a walking anxiety beacon.”

“She wouldn’t hurt a fly, Mom.” Mason failed to show even a modicum of concern.

“Remember what I told you before leaving the house.” The statement was directed at Mason.

“Yes. Stay away from the hind legs, and don’t approach straight in front because their eyes are to the side of their head and I could spook her.”

“That’s right. Now remember the carrots.”

Pulling a large carrot chunk from his pocket, Mason opened his palm, letting Boots nibble it out of his hand. The toothy grin that took over his face as the carrot disappeared had Jess grinning as well.

“She’s so soft.” Mason rubbed his hand gently down the side of the animal’s neck.

Jess dared to take a step closer, her shoes barely making a sound. She could do this. Maybe if she told herself that often enough, she’d actually believe it.

“Come on, Mom. She’s a sweetie.”

Carson put his hand to his mouth, doing a poor job of hiding his laughter at Mason’s repeating what had been said earlier about Boots.

She’d managed to muster the courage to take another step when Boots decided this would be a great time to wiggle her lips, bob her head down then up, and let out a snort that had Jess jumping back the two feet she’d suffered to gain.

“You’re doing fine,” Carson encouraged.

What she couldn’t decide was who was eyeing who more closely, her or the horse.

The horse sniffed in her direction, lowering its massive head slightly.

Why couldn’t Carson have been an accountant or engineer in some reasonably big city. It didn’t have to be bustling like New York or Chicago, but just a little less… horsy.

“Do what I did, Mom. Hold your hand out and give her a carrot. She likes that.”

Right, hold out her ordinary hand in front of a large toothed, lip smacking behemoth.

“Like this.” Carson opened his hand the same way Mason had moments ago, then taking her hand in his, pulled gently at her fingers until her hand was flat, palm up. Then he placed the large carrot piece on her hand. Not letting go, he eased her hand under the horse’s nose.

A slight tremble moved her hand. Boot’s warm breath puffed against her fingers. Letting out a sharp yelp, she jerked back and away.

Taking hold of her hand, Carson gave it a gentle squeeze. “She’s just saying hello. Try again. You’re doing fine.”

This time, Jess steeled herself, extended her hand again, and tried not to flinch as the horse’s velvety nose brushed against her palm.

“Oh wow,” she practically whispered. “She is soft.”

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