She watched now with a critical eye, noting little things they’d work on.
“I feel I could do it forever, and jump twice as high.”
“One bar at a time,” Iona told her.
“Did you see, Ma! Did you see me?”
“I did. You were beautiful. Go on now, see to your horse, and we’ll go home and tell your da. Could I have a word?” she said to Iona.
“Sure. I’ll be right in, Sarah. And tell Mooney Winnie earned an apple.”
“I nearly made you stop,” Mrs. Hannigan told her. “I nearly called out to you, no, not yet. All I could see in my mind’s eye was Sarah flying off, lying on the ground with something broken.”
“It’s hard to let her push new boundaries.”
“Oh, it is indeed, and you’ll know yourself one day when you’ve children. But I knew, under it, you wouldn’t let her do something she wasn’t ready for. She’s doing so well with you, is so happy with you. I wanted you to know that.”
“She’s a joy to teach.”
“I think it shows in both of you. I took a picture with my phone when she did the jump.” She pulled the phone out, turned the screen to Iona. “My hand shook, I’m afraid, so it’s a bit blurry, but I knew I’d want to have that moment.”
Iona studied the screen, the flight—the young girl on the back of the sturdy horse, and the bar and air under them. She gave the slightest push, then turned the screen back.
“It’s a wonderful shot, and it’s clear and sharp. You can see the joy and the concentration on her face.”
Lips pursed, Mrs. Hannigan studied the photo again, then those lips curved. “Oh, it is good. It must’ve been my eyes blurry when I first looked at it.”
“You stay for every lesson.” Her mother hadn’t, Iona remembered. “I think it makes her strive to do better, knowing you’re here for her, that you support her.”
“Well of course I do. I’m her ma. I’m going to call her father right now, and tell him to pick up some strawberry ice cream. It’s her favorite. We’ll have a little celebration after dinner. I won’t keep you, but I wanted to thank you for building her confidence, and my own. They’re lucky to have you here.”
Iona wasn’t sure her boots touched the ground all the way into the stables. She stopped when her eyes adjusted to the change of light and she spotted Boyle.
“I didn’t know you were here.”
“Only just, and I’ve gotten an earful from Sarah. She’s floating three feet off the ground.”
“We both are. I wish you could’ve seen her. I should make sure she’s tending Winnie.”
“She is, and well, as she’s now fully in love. And Mooney’s keeping an eye. I thought you might want to take Alastar out. I’m going to give Darling a try, just see how she goes. He’d be good company for her. And you for me,” he added after a moment.
“I’d love it, but I’ve still got about a half hour on the clock.”
“You’ll be helping exercise the horses, so you can consider it a job if it eases your conscience.”
“Works for me.”
In fact she couldn’t think of a better way to end her workday than with a ride with the man who made her heart flutter.
She watched Darling as Boyle mounted, caught the quiver along her flanks, the expression in her eyes.
“She’s nervous.”
“I can feel that for myself.” To soothe, he bent over, murmuring and stroking.
“Do you know why?”
“She’s more weight on her than she’s used to, and hasn’t had a rider on her back in weeks.”
