Maybe we could stop later or I’d just take some selfies.
‘It’s okay, let’s carry on,’ I said.
As we continued riding, Halle’s shoulders loosened.I was glad to see that she was more relaxed.
‘I can’t believe I’m actually riding a horse!’ She cautiously turned her head towards me before swiftly moving it back to look straight ahead.
‘You better believe it!’ I said, trying to ignore the way my chest had expanded when I saw her smile again.‘And you’re doing great.’
‘Thanks.For listening.And for encouraging me to try again.’
‘My pleasure,’ I said.Knowing that I’d helped her in some small way to conquer her fear made me feel ten feet tall.
When Halle spotted a great view of the Hollywood sign her face lit up again.
‘Now you’vegottalet me take a photo of y’all here.’ Aidan turned back and headed towards us.‘This view’s too good to miss.Give me your cell.’ He held his hand out.
He was right.It was a great view.But I didn’t want to make Halle uncomfortable.
‘Aidan’s right,’ Halle said before I even had a chance to ask her if it was okay.
‘I can just take a selfie, so you don’t have to be in it,’ I said and her face fell.Shit.I’d upset her.‘Unless you want to be,’ I added quickly.‘It’d be cool if you were, but I know you don’t like to take photos – that’s the only reason I said you don’t have to be in it.’
‘Oh.Okay.I thought that… well, okay.But I don’t remember how to stop.’
‘Let me help you,’ I said.Once I’d guided her through the steps to bring Champ to a gentle halt, I handed my cell to Aidan.
‘Come on, you guys!You can do better than that!’ Aidan shook his head.‘Jake, bring Firecracker closer to Champ.You two are a beautiful couple, no need to look like strangers.’
‘We’re not…’ Halle and I chorused our denial, turning to face each other before laughing.
‘He’s right,’ I whispered.‘The photo would look less awkward, but if you’re not comfortable…’
‘It’s fine,’ she said.‘You can move.’
‘Off the cliff?’ I smirked.
‘That sounds like a very tempting offer, but if you go over the edge, then who’ll save me if my horse goes feral?’ The corner of her mouth twitched and I was glad that she was relaxed enough about the situation to crack a joke.Especially considering her past experience.
‘I reckon Aidan will step in to help.’
‘He’d do his best, but with your beefy arms, you’d probably do a better job.’
‘So you think my arms are beefy?’ I cocked my head.‘How beefy we talkin’?Like a regular hamburger or prime ribeye or T-bone?’
‘Well, I was thinking more about the minced beef you find in cheap hamburgers or the stuff they put in dog food…’ She grinned.
‘Unbelievable,’ I snorted, fighting the urge to laugh.
‘What?I’m sure the dogs love their tinned food just fine.’
‘Gee, thanks for the compliment.’
‘You two lovebirds finished whispering sweet nothings yet?’ Aidan raised an unimpressed eyebrow.
‘Sorry, we, er, got distracted,’ she said.
‘Yep.Halle was just admiring mybeefyarms.’ I flashed a mischievous grin.
