Page 43 of Finding Home
When she’s done, she pushes the stool to the side and looks at me expectantly. I nod and slip into the stall with her, grabbing reins and getting them situated on Miley before guiding her out and towards where we keep the saddles. Lila is patient the entire time, studiously watching every move I make. Once the saddle is on, Lila and Everett follow me out to the field.
I get a helmet settled on Lila’s head as I ask Everett to grab the stool beside the barn and set it on the ground beside Miley.
“We’re going to start with mounting, okay? You’re going to put your left foot in this.” I grab the stirrup. “This is a stirrup. This is where you keep your feet when you ride.”
Lila nods.
“Can you show me which is your left foot?”
Lila picks up her left foot and gives it a shake.
“Very good. I’m going to hold the reins, and you’re going to put your left foot in the stirrup. Then you’re going to hold on to the top of the saddle and push up on your left foot and swing your right leg over Miley.”
Lila stares at me for a minute, and I hand the reins to Everett, moving to stand close to Lila.
“Put your left foot in the stirrup,” I say, and she easily follows that. I tap the edge of the top of the saddle. “Now your hand goes here.” When she’s done that, I touch her left foot. “Now push down here and use your hand to pull you up. You want to get your leg on the other side of Miley.”
She nods, and her tongue comes out between her lips as she focuses. She tries, but her leg doesn’t make it high enough to get over Miley.
“It’s okay. It takes practice, just like everything. We’re going to try again. This time, I want you to try jumping a little more.”
She tries again, just barely missing. She huffs.
“One more time. Third time’s the charm.”
She gets a determined look and does it again, this time making it over. She cheers, and I clap for her.
“Look, Daddy. I did it.”
“You did, Peanut. Good job.”
I take the reins back from Everett, and he grabs the stool as I stand in front of Miley.
“Make sure both your feet are in the stirrups,” I say. “Today, we’re going to start with me just leading Miley around while you sit back there. Get you comfortable being on her and her comfortable with you. Okay?”
Lila nods.
“Hold on to the same part of the saddle as before.” She does, and I start walking.
Miley has been ridden by several newbies, which is why I trust her with Lila. You can’t stick new riders on just any horse. They need to have the temperament for it. Some horses could take off running and leave a rider behind, and that’s unsafe for both rider andhorse.
After a few minutes, I ask, “How ya feeling, Liles?”
“This is so fun!” she says.
I smile at her over my shoulder and see Everett perched against the fence, one foot on a bottom rung and his arms on the top, watching us. He can’t hide his grin right now. It’s taken over his entire face. I bite my lip. The sight of Everett Lawson grinning like that is hot.
Lila and I spend about thirty minutes in the field before I lead us back to the barn. Everett meets us with the stool, and I walk Lila through dismounting. She looks apprehensive at first, but after a little reassurance, she gives it a shot and nails it.
“Can I lead Miley back into the barn?” she asks, and I nod, handing her the reins and staying close. Miley walks right behind Lila and into her stall when she’s led in. I take her saddle and reins off, and Lila is right back on her stool, brushing her. I lean against the gate to watch her as Everett joins me.
“Thank you,” he says, and I look at him.
“For?”
“For being patient with her. For taking the time to do this with her. For being there for her.”
He holds eye contact with me, and it feels like everything around us stills and Everett and I are the only two people here. He leans in, and I follow his lead. His eyes flick to my lips, and I lick them. His eyes track the movement, and I swear he’s going to kiss me, and I’d let him.
