But Tyler spanned the distance quickly. As he reached her, he took hold of the bridle and then ran his hands across the creature’s muzzle. From the surety of Tyler’s hold and his ease with the horse, no doubt he’d grown up spending his days in the corral and going to horsemanship camps too.
He rubbed the horse for a moment before glancing up at her. “Ready?” His eyes were a lighter brown than usual. Or maybe they just seemed that way in the late-afternoon sunshine.
“If you are.”
He nodded at her stirrup. “Most horses are trained to have their riders dismount on the left, so you’ll want to lift your right foot out of the stirrup first.”
She took her foot out.
“Swing it over the horse.”
She shifted in the saddle but started to slip.
His hand closed around her leg and braced her. “It helps to grab on to the mane.”
The horse’s loose hair rustled in the wind. “Won’t it hurt her?”
“Not at all. She’s used to it.”
Kinsey wrapped her fingers through the mane and then raised her leg again. This time the hold helped to balance her.
“Lean forward.” Tyler’s instructions were gentle, almost kind. He was obviously a good teacher and used to being in the role.
She did as he said.
“Now swing your right leg up and over the horse’s hindquarters.”
As she lifted her leg, the horse took a small step forward. With her body halfway out of the saddle, she froze.
“Make sure your left foot stays put.” Tyler’s hand shifted to her waist, and he lightly gripped her to keep her from falling. “If you push it too much forward, Reba will think you’re urging her to walk.”
“Oh.” Kinsey tried to move her left foot back, but the position was too awkward. She guessed she looked a little bit like a giant uncoordinated monkey trying to climb down a tree.
“Keep going.” Tyler’s voice was more encouraging than she’d expected. “I’ve got you.”
She shifted her right leg again, and this time she managed to keep the horse from moving. As she brought her leg down, she clung to the saddle and the mane.
Through it all, Tyler’s hand remained at her waist. Even though his hold was light, his fingertips seemed to sear through her shirt, making her skin suddenly hot.
As she planted her foot on the ground, he didn’t let go. He was directly behind her, close enough that she could feel the power of his body.
“Now grab on to the pommel and slide your other foot out of the stirrup,” he was saying.
She needed to focus on what she was doing so she didn’t end up making a fool of herself. But as he settled his other hand onto her waist, she drew in a sharp breath at the contact. His hands were big and radiated strength. They were probably the kind of hands that could wrangle a steer or rope a bull. Tough. Just like him.
In the moment, however, he was handling her like a fine piece of crystal, as if she were delicate and breakable and something of value. Except that he didn’t really value her. Yes, as a nurse. But beyond that, he didn’t care about her.
As she tugged her left foot from its stirrup, she somehow managed to drop it to the ground without falling backward. A tiny misstep would cause her to collide with him, and she certainly didn’t want that to happen. Didn’t want him to think she was initiating something.
He’d already accused her once of trying to weasel her way into his family through Wyatt. So it was for the best if she didn’t give him any other reasons to believe she was interested in him.
Even though she’d teased him about not finding a woman for a long while, there had been a few female staff members who’dcome up to the house for one thing or another and had flirted with him. Today she’d seen him from time to time and noticed the way the female guests fawned over him. Then, of course, there was Nettie, the single mom that Tyler had apparently decided to pursue.
She wasn’t right for him. That was obvious after just a few times of watching them interact when Nettie came to pick Wyatt up or drop him off. Nettie seemed nice enough, even pretty. But she was too docile, too accommodating, too simple for a man as forceful as Tyler McQuaid. He’d walk all over her, and she would probably just let him.
However, the whole family was talking about the date he had with Nettie tomorrow night. They were so excited about it that she wouldn’t be surprised if they were already planning the wedding. Even Wyatt had brought up that if his dad married Nettie, then Levi would become his brother.
Whatever the case, everyone thought it was past time for Tyler to start dating again, and they were glad he was making an effort, especially T.W.
