Chapter 7
The kids had takento riding like fleas to a dog. A month after that first lesson and they were racing across thefields.
Today Megan had taken the afternoon off from the clinic—and relaxed her rules, just thisonce.
She was still working on trusting in the training, trusting the horses like Dan seemedto.
If she blinked for too long, she could still see the imagined images of Brady or Julianne falling from a galloping horse and suffering irreparableharm.
Today Dan had surprised them by bringing Miles and Scarlett Markson—Carrie Hale's daughter—who was Julianne's age. The two additions to the party had been saddled up and waiting for them for Brady and Julianne’s first long out-of-corralride.
Now the four children were outpacing Dan and her badly, but Dan seemed content to stay besideher.
She wouldn't say she'd made her peace with AC, but she wasn't as afraid of the animal as she hadbeen.
She liked the man much more than sheshould.
The surprise he'd planned for this afternoon ride was only one example of hisconsideration.
"That was real nice of you to visit Kelsey," hesaid.
Megan smiled. "I always like to meet new patients. Emmalei is adorable." Kelsey's delivery had been two weeks early, but mom and baby were healthy and back home on the ranch. Megan loved well-baby checkups, and since Kelsey and Matt were first-time parents, guessed she'd see them in the officefrequently.
"It won't be long until you're giving her ridinglessons."
Hesnorted.
"Did you visit in the hospital?" sheasked.
He shook his head. "Had to hold down the forthere."
She couldn't remember a time he'd mentioned leaving the ranch, going to town or anywhereelse.
Brady wheeled his horse away from the other three and started back towardthem.
Her pulse spiked. Was somethingwrong?
She must've goosed AC by accident, because the horse picked up speed, making her bounce in thesaddle.
"Whoa, there." The cowboy beside her didn't get ruffled at all but reached out with one long arm and snagged the horse's reins under its chin, drawing him back to awalk.
"AC wants to gallop," Dansaid.
"Let him." Her heart was racing from the terrifying jolt. "I can wait here. You can pick me up on your way home. Or I'llwalk."
He grinned, and her stomach flipped. "Then you'd miss the surprise." He patted onesaddlebag.
"Anotherone?"
He only kept that grin inresponse.
Brady circled around and joined them, comfortable on his horse like she could only dream of being. "Miles said he still needs a roping partner for the rodeo next month. D'you think you could teach me,Dan?"
Dan's glance slid to her. "That depends on youraunt."
She lifted her hand that wasn't holding the reins, then immediately snatched the leather strap again. She wasn’t quite ready for one-handed. "I'll think about it,okay?"
Brady's fist shot up into the air. "Yes!"
