Three days later, Codie stood in the stable yard, staring at the gentle mare Iris had selected with obvious terror in his eyes. The boy had recovered completely from his illness, his color back and his energy restored, but now, faced with the reality of his first riding lesson, he looked ready to bolt.
“I daenae want to.”
“Ye promised ye’d try,” Iris said gently, crouching down to his eye level. “Remember? We made a deal.”
“But she’s so big.” Codie’s voice was small. “What if I fall off?”
“Then ye’ll get back on. That’s what riders do.” Elijah’s voice came from behind them, and Iris turned to see her husband approaching with a saddle over his shoulder. He’d kept his promise to be here, despite the obvious discomfort on his face.
“But what if I get hurt?”
“Ye might get a few bruises, but ye’re tough enough to handle it.” Elijah set the saddle down. “I’ve seen ye take worse tumbles in the garden.”
“That’s different. The ground was closer in the garden.”
Despite the situation, Iris had to bite back a smile. “He has a point.”
“He does, but he still needs to learn.” Elijah moved closer to Codie, and Iris saw the boy straighten slightly, trying to be brave in front of his da. “Every Highland warrior kens how to ride, lad. It’s part of who we are.”
“But I’m nae a warrior yet. I’m just a boy.”
“Aye, but ye’ll be a warrior someday. And warriors start as boys who have to do things that frighten them.” Elijah’s voice was surprisingly gentle.
“I’m still scared,” Codie said quietly.
“That’s all right. Bein’ scared doesnae mean ye cannae do somethin’.” Iris stood, holding out her hand. “Tell ye what. If ye’re brave and do what I tell ye, I’ll show ye somethin’ amazin’ afterward. Deal?”
“What kind of somethin’ amazin’?”
“Ye’ll have to wait and see, but I promise it’ll be worth it.”
Codie looked between her and Elijah, clearly weighing his fear against his curiosity. Finally, he nodded. “All right. But if I die, I’m goin’ to haunt both of ye.”
“Fair enough,” Elijah said, and Iris could have sworn she saw the corner of his mouth twitch.
The lesson started slowly. Iris showed Codie how to approach the mare, a docile creature named Buttercup who’d been chosen specifically for her patience with beginners. The boy was hesitant at first, reaching out to touch her nose with trembling fingers.
“That’s it,” Iris encouraged. “See? She’s friendly. She wants to be yer friend.”
“She’s softer than I expected.” Some of the fear left Codie’s face as he stroked Buttercup’s nose. “And warm.”
“Horses are lovely creatures once ye get to ken them.” Elijah moved to stand beside his son. “Now, let me show ye how to check her hooves. It’s important to make sure there are nay stones or injuries before ye ride.”
Iris watched as Elijah patiently demonstrated, his large hands gentle as he lifted each of Buttercup’s hooves and showed Codie what to look for. The boy listened intently, asking questions that Elijah answered with surprising patience.
He’s tryin’. He’s really tryin’.
After thirty minutes of groundwork—learning about tack, how to brush properly, how to lead a horse—it was finally time tomount. Iris could see Codie’s fear returning as Elijah lifted him into the saddle.
“I’m too high up,” the boy said, his voice shaking. “I want to get down.”
“Ye’re doin’ fine.” Iris kept her hand on his leg, steadying him. “Just sit there for a moment. Get used to how it feels.”
“But what if she moves?”
“She willnae move until I tell her to. And when she does, it’ll be slow. I promise.” Iris adjusted his posture, showing him how to sit properly. “There. See? Ye’re a natural.”
“I daenae feel like a natural. I feel like I’m about to fall.”
