Page 18 of Fool's Gold

Sarah and Mandy walked up to the corral where Rafe was waiting for them. His dark eyes carried a soft but enigmatic expression. Even after all these days together, she still didn't have a handle on what he was thinking.

"So, what's the big surprise?"

He smiled and pointed to a speckled horse munching on hay. "I'm going to give you your first riding lesson."

Mandy giggled. "Uncle Rafe, that won't be any fun. Bay Rum is as sleepy as my old rocking horse."

He tipped back his head and laughed. "Well, honey, we want to start slow. Remember, Sarah isn’t used to horses."

Sarah scowled at his mirthful expression and backed away. How dare he pull this on her! She'd made it plain that she wasn't getting on a horse. "We're not going to start at all."

Mandy looked up sharply. "But, Aunt Sarah, I thought you said it was good to try new things."

She looked into the child's bewildered gaze and got tongue-tied. How could she explain there were separate rules for adults and kids? "I did, but this is different."

The girl frowned. "How?"

Rafe's snug smile made Sarah want to kick him. He knew she was trapped, the rat.

"Come on, Sarah, you'll be safe as a baby in a cradle on old Bay Rum."

From Rafe's challenging grin to Mandy's questioning expression, Sarah knew she had lost. There was no way out. How could she refuse without destroying her credibility with Mandy?

She sidled up to Rafe while keeping a wary eye on the speckled horse. "I'll get you for this Halliday, if it's the last thing I do," she whispered.

He leaned close to her ear. "Now, is that any way for my sweet little wife to talk?"

She crossed her arms over her chest, pulling away from him. "Sweet little wife, my Aunt Fanny."

He smiled. "What was that honey?" he said loud enough for Mandy to hear.

Sarah gritted her teeth, well-aware little ears were listening. "How do I get started?"

He stepped behind her and put his hands on her waist. Sarah's skin burned from the contact, and she had to fight herself not to pull away. He nuzzled the nape of her neck with his warm lips, his breath stirring the tendrils. It tickled like hell, but she wouldn't give him the satisfaction of admitting it.

"First, you place your foot in the stirrup and your hand on the pommel. Then on the count of three, you're going to pull yourself up and swing your other leg over."

She shivered and pulled her head away from the distracting contact. "Are you sure this is a good idea?"

He tightened his grip on her waist. "Don't worry, honey, you're in good hands."

She snorted. She gave him a repressive glare over her shoulder. "Just keep your mind on the riding lesson, okay?"

He nodded, his smile widening. "Your wish is my command, wife. One, two—"

Sarah shrieked when he swung her up and plopped her behind hard on the saddle. "Hey, what about three?"

He shrugged. "Sorry, I got mixed up."

She glared down at the big, macho cowboy. "Sure, you did."

Mandy giggled and shot an embarrassed look Sarah’s way.

Bay Rum shifted, and Sarah uttered a startled shriek, clutching the pommel as if it were a lifeline. Bay Rum blinked her eyes at the noise and then seemed to go into a daze.

Mandy laughed and pointed. "Look, Uncle Rafe, Bay Rum's falling asleep."

He patted the horse on the head, and he nuzzled Rafe’s hand, makingwufflingnoises.

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