Page 25 of Ride With Me
“He likes you. I don’t think I’ve seen him take to anyone like this,” Logan said. He’d appeared in the hallway between the stalls.
I smiled at Henry. “I like him, too.”
“It doesn’t look like Lena’s going to go into labor any time soon. If you didn’t have other plans for the afternoon, any chance that you want to ride?” Logan nodded at Henry. “I haven’t been on a horse in years, but I remember a thing or two.”
I stiffened involuntarily. He was going to think I was crazy, and then he’d leave, and—
“Savannah, love? What is it?”
“I—I don’t ride.” There. That was enough of an explanation.
Logan raised an eyebrow. It was not, apparently, enough of an explanation for the Dom. Dammit. “And why is that, doll?”
I twisted a lock of hair around my finger. “I just… don’t. I haven’t, in a few years.”
He was silent, studying my face. “Since Ace?”
I couldn’t meet his eyes as I nodded.
Logan joined me in Henry’s stall, closing the door behind me. He tipped my face up to his. “I think it’s time, love. Time to get back on the horse, literally in this case. There are several horses here that you could ride, but I think he’s the one for you.” He nodded toward Henry.
I pulled in a shuddering breath. “I’m scared,” I admitted.
“I know, love. That’s why it’s time to face that fear.” He looked me in the eye. “You will fall again. I’m sure of it, if you ride enough times. You may get hurt. That’s part of riding. But it’s never going to be like it was after your accident with Ace. I’m not leaving. I promise.”
Could he be right? I knew it had been too long. I thought back, remembering all the wonderful times I’d had on the back of a horse. I was scared of getting hurt, but honestly, I was more scared of everything that had come after. The abandonment. Feeling alone.
And Logan had promised that he wasn’t leaving.
Henry nuzzled at my hand, pulling me out of my thoughts. I looked up at him and smiled.
“You want to ride, boy?”
Henry gave me another nudge. He’d decided, at least. Maybe I could do this.
I looked back at Logan, setting my jaw. “Ok. I’ll try, for Henry. And for you. But not too far, okay? Maybe just around the ranch. I want to stay close in case anything happens with Lena.”
Logan grinned. “Good girl. I’m proud of you. Let me grab a saddle.”
20 minutes later, I’d brushed and tacked up Henry, and Logan had gotten Storm ready. Logan and I strapped on our helmets and led the horses out of the barn.
I looked up at Henry. “What do you think, boy? You good for a nice ride? Nice and slow, right?” I put my foot in the stirrup. A rush of emotions tore through me. I pulled my foot out and placed it back on the ground.
Henry looked back at me. He hadn’t moved at all, just waiting patiently. I took a deep breath. I put my foot back in the stirrup, holding tight to his saddle, then swung my leg up and over, muscle memory taking over.
Henry remained a true gentleman, holding still as stone until I tapped his side to tell him to move.
We walked the horses around the trail that circled the pasture, staying in sight of the barn. The western saddle was wider than the one I’d used for years doing dressage and jumping, but as I settled in, it gave me a feeling of more security. It took two loops of the pastures, but I finally started to settle into the rhythm and relaxed.
We made the turn to face the barn and I nudged Henry into a trot, picking up a tiny bit of speed. A grin spread over my face as the familiar feeling came back. Freedom. Exhilaration. God, I’d missed this.
I looked over my shoulder to Logan. “One more loop?”
As I turned in the saddle, I felt Henry jerk, spooking at something. I turned forward just in time to see a person next to the barn, a camera in front of their face. The flash went off several times in a row. Henry took a step back, then lifted his front legs, bucking in fear.
I was unbalanced from turning in the saddle. I didn’t have time to react before I was sliding to one side, then falling in slow motion.
I hit the ground butt first and rolled to the side, instinct taking over as I moved away from Henry’s feet.
