Red gave a little snort. “I’m just here as the ramp engineer and chief architect. If it breaks and you go south, it’s on me.”
“You made this?” Elise asked. “That’s incredible.”
“We’ll see how incredible it is when you’re on it,” he replied.
“Are you seriously concerned?” Cameron asked, worry in his eyes. “Because if you think?—”
Red cocked his head and gave him a look. “Do you really think I’d let her get on it if I thought it was less than one hundred percent chair-worthy?”
Cameron lifted a shoulder. “Of course not. I trust you.”
“She’s a waif compared to the lady I built it for,” he said. “Plus, she’s so excited, I think she could fly up to that saddle. Let her roll, boy.”
Elise beamed at him. “I like you, Red!”
“Back atcha, kiddo.”
“All right,” Jack said. “Let’s do this.”
Working as a seamless team, they positioned the wheelchair at the base of the ramp. Elise’s hands gripped the armrests, determination shining in her eyes.
“Here we go,” Jack said, wheeling her carefully up the incline. Copper stood steady, calm and patient.
At the top, Nicole clipped the transfer sling beneath Elise’s hips, adjusting the straps for perfect balance. Cameron crouched beside her, murmuring reassurances.
“You’re doing great, E,” he said.
“I know,” Elise said, her voice trembling with emotion. “And this one ends with me on a horse. A handsome, amazing horse.” She patted Copper’s mane, and he stayed perfectly still, rising to the occasion.
On three, they lifted gently, pivoting Elise so Nicole could lift her right leg over Copper’s back. She was light as a feather, but the absolute deadness of the weight in her hand stunned Nicole.
She knew Elise was paralyzed from the hips down, but until she actually guided one of those non-functioning legs into position, the reality of that hadn’t really hit her.
This girl had half a working body, and more spirit than a lot of completely whole people. She could be a bit much, a big personality, even, but that just made Nicole love her more.
As Jack buckled the adaptive saddle straps and secured the safety harness snugly around her waist and thighs, Elise reached down and brushed a hair off Nicole’s face.
“Thank you,” she mouthed.
They shared a long, connected look and Nicole impulsively blew a kiss. “Have fun.”
Cameron’s hands lingered protectively on Elise’s sides. “Are you sure it’s tight enough? Double check the buckles.”
“It’s secure,” Jack assured him, giving each strap a firm tug.
“Boy,” Red said, shaking his head, “you’d bubble wrap her if you could.”
“Probably,” Cameron admitted with a self-deprecating snort.
Elise rolled her eyes affectionately. “Cam, I’m not falling off. Chill.”
Finally, Nicole took Copper’s lead rope while Jack positioned himself at Elise’s other side. Cameron hovered close, clearly battling the urge to hover even more.
“Easy walk, boy,” Nicole murmured to Copper, clicking softly.
The horse stepped forward, slow and steady. Elise’s breath caught, then broke into a wild, joyful laugh.
“Oh, my gosh, this feels so good!”
