“I noticed the jousting lances, but I don’t think we’ll work on that today. Maybe later in the week,” I suggest, and his eyes widen slightly, looking worried, before nodding his head.
“Yeah, okay, sounds good.” I almost snort out loud at his obvious concern. Luke doesn’t usually work the horses through their stunts; he’s strictly exercise work, but I may as well use him while he’s here. Plus, Chuck’s been trying to give him a better range of skills, so this will be good practice for him.
I unclip Hercules and walk him out of the stable block through the tunnel that leads to the indoor arena on the other side of the stable. The smell of sawdust meets my nose as I walk into the large covered grounds and look around, a whistle escaping my mouth. Wow, I thought Chuck's was fancy, but this isamazing. It’s at least the size of two dressage arenas, and on one side there’s tiered stadium-style seating for viewing purposes. On the opposite side to the seating, the wall is covered with mirrors, making it easier for the rider to see what their horse is doing. Over near the stands I can see a bluetooth docking station.
Smiling, I pull my phone out of my pocket and pick out one of my favorite playlists before heading over and putting it into the dock. Immediately, my warmup playlist comes through the speakers, and Hercules' ears prick up, the horse throwing his head and snorting. He knows it’s work time and is ready to go. I’m just about to head over to him when a hand on my back has me jumping almost a mile high. Turning around, Luke is right there in my face.
“Holy shit, Luke! I didn't even hear you come in,” I tell him, my breathing a little fast with the adrenaline now flowing through my system. He laughs but removes his hand from my back.
“I just thought I’d give you a leg up since you hurt your knee before you left,” he answers, holding out his hands.
“Oh yeah, good thinking. I was wondering if I was going to be able to get up there. He’s so freaking tall.” My knee has been feeling pretty good, especially after lying around and wallowing in my misery with Alex, but every now and then I get a twinge that reminds me I shouldn’t over strain it. Luke's offer is very thoughtful even if the thought of him having his hands on me grosses me out.
I gather up the reins in my hand and step onto Luke’s waiting cupped hands. With a boost, up I go, throwing my leg over the saddle and slipping my feet into the stirrups.
“Thank you, that was much easier than doing it on my own.” I smile at him, and he beams back. For once, the moment between us isn’t weird.
“I’ll just go and get Zeus and Samson ready,” he suggests.
“Sounds like a plan! I really appreciate the extra help. You’re saving me so much time.”
He leaves, and I nudge Hercules with my heels so he starts walking around the indoor arena. In my head, I’m already planning what I’m going to do today. Hercules has been trained to do a number of moves on command, but instead of practicing those, I’ll just work him through a walk, trot, and canter dressage routine with some lateral movements. After that, maybe a few flying changes, all used to keep up his fitness and flexibility for when he's doing big chase scenes, joust scenes, or even if he’ll be required to die for the cameras. It can be quite taxing on a big animal, so we keep them as fit as possible.
As Hercules walks around the arena, I drop the reins and use my legs to guide him, not that he really needs it. Stretching out, I warm my body up too. Windmilling my arms and twisting my torso, I take some deep breaths in and out, my body going with the flow of the animal. I haven't ridden since I came off Samson awkwardly, and I don't want to be stiff. After a couple of rounds, I gather up the reins, and when a faster-paced song comes on, I nudge him into a trot.
A feeling of freedom and relaxation flows through me, and a huge smile crosses my face. Ever since I arrived in California, I’ve felt off balance and like I'm two steps behind, scrambling to keep up. But right now, with this powerful creature between my legs, doing what I love... Right now, everything seems to have centered itself. I feel in control and steadier, and it feelsgood. Like taking a breath of air after being underwater for too long. The ache in my chest has gone, and my mind is clear and focused. I really hadn’t realized how bad it had gotten until right now. And right now, while everything is crystal clear, I promise myself to take better care of myself.
I’ve been so focused on revenge and the anger that Jacinta inspired in me that I really hadn’t acknowledged that it was fucking with my soul, not just my feelings. That’s not really the type of person I am, and as much as they hurt me, they really aren't my priority. Brad and Nana and Poppy are. They’re who I'm here for. Yeah, it would have been nice to gel with his other kids, but it really isn't important, and if I start a war with them, then I’m no better than them. I mean, if I get an opportunity to get a little bit of payback, I’ll probably take it, but I think the ridiculous things that Alex and I came up with under the influence were going a little too far. Using sex as a weapon? Manipulating their feelings? No. I’m not my mother, and I never want to be like her. I close my eyes for as long as I dare, taking a deep breath to refocus myself in the freedom of the moment. Shane was right trying to rein us in. I’m just glad I didn't put any in to action just yet.
Now that we’re both warmed up, I put Hercules through his paces, moving from trot to canter then back to trot and walk. First making large circles and smaller circles then moving to half pass movements across the arena and figure eights with flying change in the middle. We follow that by doing sliding stops, finishing by moving from a standstill directly into a canter. Hercules does it all with ease. Once he’s done, I put Delilah and Zeus through the same kind of routine, and by the time Luke returns with Samson, I’ve been working with them for three hours and need a break.
Sliding down off of Zeus, my knees threaten to buckle once I’m on solid ground, but I manage to stay standing.8/10 for dismount.Once Luke and I exchange reins, me taking Samson’s and Luke taking Zeus’, I take a minute to check out the spectators that have gathered throughout the morning.
Somehow, Dad, Nana, Poppy, and all of the Summers siblings have made themselves comfortable in the stands. They must’ve drifted in at their own pace because I might get a bit oblivious to the world while I ride, but they’re a large crew. I definitely would’ve noticed if they’d come in en masse.
“Dad, could you come and hold Samson while I get a drink?” I call up to him, and a wide grin covers his handsome face as he stands up and comes down the stairs toward us. He reaches out for the reins and Samson snorts, throwing his head, but he quickly brings it back down so Dad can stroke his velvety soft nose.
Following him down, Nana hands me a bottle of water before stepping closer to inspect Samson.
“Thanks so much, I was just going to stick my head under the tap in the bathroom. I didn't think to bring anything out,” I gasp in between guzzling the entire bottle.
“There’s a stocked fridge in the stables if you need something, as well as one at the top of the stands,” Nana literally points out.
As my eyes scan the stands, Poppy smiles and waves, Kai doing the same, but none of the others make an effort. I can see Jacinta and Jaxon whispering furiously to one another, and Declan has his phone in his hand and appears to be reading something. He and Holden seem to be chatting about something. Both Oliver and Thomas are staring at me, the former’s eyes sparkling with heat as well as a touch of annoyance. I can see he's sitting on a cushion, and I can’t help snickering quietly in amusement. Thomas, on the other hand, has a look of contemplation on his face, like he’s considering something he never has before.
The absence of hostility being directed at me like a heat-seeking missile is both refreshing and perturbing at the same time. Maybe they’re biding their time? I’d be a fool to think that one slap on the wrist from Dad would be enough to calm their thirst for blood.
When I turn back around, Dad is looking carefully at the saddle. “What’s this thing for?”
When I look at where he’s pointing, I notice that Luke has saddled him with his trick riding saddle. It’s similar to a western saddle, but it has a long pole sitting where the horn would be. “Oh, that’s the trick saddle. I didn't realize he was putting that one on though. I'll get him to change it.”
Both Nana and Dad's faces light up with excitement. “Do you think you could give us a demonstration?” Dad asks, looking like a little kid on Christmas.
Nana adds her own eager pleas, seeing the immediate hesitation on my face. “Oh, please, Harlow! That would be so exciting.”
"He’s all warmed up for you, Harlow. I had him on the lunge outside while you were finishing with Zeus,” Luke calls from the entrance to the arena. He’s holding the long whip in one hand and has obviously returned Zeus to where he belongs. Crap, my knee is a little achy now, but as I scan the stands again, I can see them all watching me, Jacinta with a smug look on her face. If I say no, they’re going to think I’m intimidated by them.
“All right,” I reluctantly agree, taking the reins back from Dad as Luke enters the arena, carrying the whip.
