“I knew you would love it,” he said. “And there isn’t a cloud in the sky.”
Cecily giggled.
“Well, then what are we waiting for?” he asked.
Val let Cecily help him lead Sunshine out of the stables. Then he picked her up by her waist as he did the last time, pausing this time to kiss her sweetly before putting her sidesaddle on the horse’s back. Sunshine was instantly thrilled, demanding that Cecily stroke her mane.
“I think she missed you,” he said.
Cecily leaned sideways to wrap her arms around the mare.
“I sure missed her,” she said.
For the next half hour, Val led Cecily around the grounds. Her giggles and squeals of delight as Sunshine changed her paces were music to Val’s soul. But that was not where his surprise ended. When the half hour came to an end, he led Cecily and Sunshine to the corral. He silently motioned for the stable boy, Tom, to take Angel and Daisy back to the stalls. Once they were gone, he led his wife and the mare inside.
“What is this?” she asked as she heard the gate to the corral close.
“Trust me,” he said again.
He led Sunshine to the far edge of the corral. He ensured that Cecily was positioned squarely in the center of the saddle. He adjusted the stirrup on the side down which her feet dangled so that she could put one of her feet in it for additional balance. Then, he stepped back, giving her a smile that she couldn’t see, but he was sure she could sense.
“Hold the reins tightly,” he said. “And hold onto the saddle horn.”
Cecily did as he instructed, but she looked at him inquisitively.
“Why?” she asked.
Val walked up to the mare’s face and issued a soft command. Immediately, the horse began to walk at a very slow pace. Even she seemed to understand that it was a delicate thing she was doing. Val smiled again. He knew he could trust Sunshine. That was why he was doing what he was doing then.
He looked up at Cecily’s face. Her expression quickly went from surprised confusion, to unbridled delight.
“Am I…” she trailed off.
Val grinned.“Riding on your own?” he finished. “Yes, my love, you certainly are.”
Cecily gasped, her cheeks flushing. She looked toward him and her eyes positively glowing.
“Oh, Val,” she said. “This is wonderful.”
Val nodded, even though she couldn’t see it.
“I will be right here, should you need me,” he said. “But you are free to ride on your own inside here, so long as you feel comfortable.”
Cecily grinned brightly and nodded.
“Thank you, darling,” she said. “This is a wonderful surprise, indeed.”
Val watched his wife take three slow laps around the corral. When she issued her own command to the mare, he held his breath.
“Trot, Sunshine,” she said. “Faster.”
Sunshine immediately complied, but she kept her increased pace controlled. Val’s heart filled with warmth when Cecily laughed with giddy pleasure. She held on tightly, but her face looked so free and happy. He fell even more in love with her as he watched her continue around the corral.
Another hour later, Cecily brought Sunshine to a stop.
“I’m fine, I’m fine,” she said, her cheeks still flushed with excitement. “But I think that Sunshine is getting tired and hungry.”
Val looked at the mare, who did look a little uncomfortable.
