Page 76 of Spencer and the Younger Girl
Winding his hands through Harbinger’s mane, he nudged him forward to do a lap around the pen.
“Riding bareback is the ultimate exercise in trust,” his dad said. “You have to know he won’t injure you, and he must believe the same.”
Spencer leaned forward, patting Harbinger’s neck. “What do you say we pick up the speed a bit, boy?”
He squeezed his legs together, using them to keep his balance in the absence of a saddle. He had to anticipate Harbinger’s every turn, letting the horse determine their direction.
They trotted a few laps before speeding up. The entire time, Spencer felt one move would send him soaring into the dirt.
And he loved it.
A grin stretched his lips, and for the first time, he felt like he was exactly where he needed to be. Both he and Harbinger had faced a lot of hurt, but together they could break through the pain.
He’d been so focused on staying atop Harbinger, he hadn’t noticed the crowd gathering. Damien, Gabe, and Hadley had come out of the barn and now stood behind his dad. In the distance, his mom watched from the front porch.
“Whoa, boy.” Harbinger slowed, and Spencer slid down in front of his dad. “That was amazing.”
His dad smiled. “Harbinger already trusts you. That was never the problem. But the two of you needed to get back in sync. He still has a ways to go, but this was a start.”
“Thanks for the help.”
His dad nodded and turned to the others.
“Dad,” Spencer called.
His dad turned back.
“What about everyone else? Is that trust still there?”
His dad considered him for a moment. “We still have a ways to go too.” He shrugged. “But if you want to start, come with me. I believe your mom has cold cuts ready for lunch. I saw some salami in the fridge.”
Salami. To most people that wouldn’t mean anything, but Spencer had always been the only person in his family who loved that particular lunch meat. He didn’t know what it meant that his mom was buying groceries with him in mind, but he’d take any lifeline he could get.
His dad ushered Damien and Gabe toward the house for lunch as Spencer picked up the saddle and headed back to the barn with Harbinger. Hadley fell into step beside him.
“You were freaking amazing out there.” She graced him with one of her dazzling smiles.
“Nah, that was all Harbi.” He patted Harbinger’s side, impressed the horse followed them without a lead.
He hung the saddle on a hook outside Harbinger’s stall and led the horse inside to enjoy his fresh feed and hay.
After sliding the door shut, he turned to Hadley, not quite sure what to say to her. Their kiss from the day before had played on repeat through his mind since then, but he didn’t know where to go from there.
He started walking from the barn. “How was your birthday?”
She shrugged. “I had goat cake.”
He choked on his own tongue. “Explain. Please.”
A laugh rumbled low in her throat. “My gramps thought it would be funny to get me a cake with goats on it.”
“Did you… celebrate with friends?” What he really wanted to know was if there was a guy who got to celebrate with her. He knew so little of Hadley’s life outside this ranch, but a girl like her must have a million friends and boys vying for her attention.
She smiled, obviously fond of whoever she’d been with. “Yeah. My best friends. Charlotte has been my girl for years. When she started dating Jesse Carrigan it brought Jesse, Cassie, and Roman into our lives.”
“Roman… the guy who helped with the prank? The one who lives with you?”
She nodded. “He’s the best. They’re all enjoying their spring break sleeping in and playing hockey while I’m working callouses into my fingers.” She held up her hands in disgust.
