Breaking eye contact and looking down, she asks, “Are you sure?”
“Of course,” I say as I turn her around to the barn and guide her forward. “The only problem will be how sore you’ll be tomorrow,” I add with a small laugh.
“That I can handle,” she says, her confidence coming back. I know Levi said her ex-husband was a piece of work, but just how much of an asshole was he to make this gorgeous girl, with a quick wit, believe she could ever waste someone’s time? Before I can stop myself I say, “You could never waste my time, by the way.”
Blushing, she turns around to walk into the barn with more confidence in her step.
A few minutes later, I show her how to saddle both horses—Stella for myself and Lily for Hannah.
“One more thing before we walk these ladies out.” Turning around, I jog toward the office located at the end of the hall. Getting back to Hannah, I plop one of my old cowboy hats on top of her head. I never understood why men in movies lost it over a woman wearing their cowboy hat. But damn, I get it now. My breath actually catches as she settles it properly on her head and pulls her blonde braid over one of her shoulders. It makes her look like she’s mine.
“Can’t ride a horse without the proper headwear. Now you’re ready to ride,” I finish as I unclip Lily from the wall and pass her reins along to Hannah.
“All right. Ready?” I ask one last time before we start leading the horses out.
“Yeah, she seems like a very calm horse.”
“Very. She’s the horse my mom always introduced to new students first. Now, just start walking and she’ll follow along,”I add as I start moving forward with Stella obediently following along.
Once we’ve led the horses outside to the practice ring, I help Hannah hop onto Lily, trying not to let myself get distracted by the feel of her hips in my hands or the smell of vanilla that flows off of her.
“How does that feel?” She looks like a natural sitting up there.
“Good. Really good, actually!” she answers, a big smile gracing her face.
“Good.” Returning her smile I propose, “How about I lead her around the ring a few times, before letting you do it on your own. Then, when or if you’re comfortable we take them out?”
Unable to wipe the smile off her face, she gives me an enthusiastic nod, making my own smile stretch.
Grabbing the reins, I slowly start walking Lily around the ring. Turning back every few steps, I see that Hannah is lost in her own joy, like a kid actually getting a pony for Christmas; it’s infectious really. I now understand why Mom quit her job to give riding lessons her full attention.
“Ready to try a round on your own?” I ask Hannah once I’ve led Lily around a couple of times. Not missing a beat, she says “yes” and I explain how to get Lily to respond to her and what cues to give.
To my surprise, she takes to it like a natural. I tell her just that as she comes to a standstill in front of me having led Lily around the ring a few times on her own, making her blush.
“I’m ready,” she says, with a bright smile that reaches her eyes and a confidence I have yet to see her wear.
With a smile to rival Hannah’s, I get on Stella and start guiding her towards the creek. “I thought we’d ride to the creek that runs along the east side of the property, it’s about a forty-five to sixty minute ride.”
“That sounds perfect!” she says radiating with happiness. With the way she’s barely containing her excitement and constantly looking around, taking in all her surroundings, I don’t think I’m going to get much conversation out of her. As we keep traveling towards the creek, it’s impossible not to steal glances at her, the smile hasn’t left her face. It’s the most relaxed I’ve seen her.
Every once in a while I hear her let out a soft sigh or giggle as if she can’t believe she’s actually riding a horse. I’ve heard her call Lily a good girl and murmur sweet nothings to her more than once as she runs her fingers through her mane, which brings a smile to my face everytime. She’s a natural. I didn’t realize how important it was to find a girl who loves this and who takes to this part of my life so easily. She makes everything seem so effortless, taking everything as it comes. Hell, she even makes me feel more comfortable than I’ve ever felt with another person. She has a way about her that makes me want to spill all my deepest secrets.
Letting Lily take the lead from Stella, I grab my phone to take a quick photo of Hannah. She paints the perfect view; with her long blonde braid flowing down her back from under one of my old cowboy hats, the Canadian Rockies in the background. My entire being just settles. I can feel how easily this could become a regular outing—Hannah and I spending a day at the ranch.
Giving myself a small shake, I take the picture and set it as my home screen before I can question my sanity.
As Lily leads the way, I stay a few paces back, deciding to enjoy the view of my dream girl living her best life. Taking her in again, my gaze snags on her ass in her painted-on, light wash jeans. Mesmerized, I don’t realize we’ve made it to the creek until Stella comes to a stop right behind Lily. Swinging my leg over, I get off Stella and make my way to Hannah's side to help her get off, but before I can offer she looks down at me and says, “I think I can do it on my own.”
Not wanting to cramp her style and somewhat turned on by her independence—yet disappointed that I won’t get to feel her body against mine—I take a few steps back to let her get off on her own.
Levi described her as a little wall flower with no confidence, but all I’ve gotten from this girl so far is sass and confidence. Sure she’s a little shy and sometimes needs a little push to not feel as though she’s burdening me with her interests, but I think that’s more of a survival behavior due to her ex more than anything. I don’t think she’s changed much from the teenager Levi knew, I think she just adapted to her reality. I don’t think Levi gives her enough credit; I can already see the change in her confidence from when she first moved here just a short few weeks ago.
Stealing me from my thoughts, Hannah says, “This place is gorgeous!” As she opens her arms wide, tilting her face to the sky, spinning around slowly with a giggle, she pulls a laugh out of me as well.
Pulling the small cooler bag and blanket from Stella’s saddle bag, I bring the lunch I packed closer to the creek and set out the blanket, sandwiches, veggies, and fruits before taking a seat. Finally noticing where I’m sitting, she joins me on the blanket, taking a seat beside me as she keeps admiring the view of the Rockies and the rolling fields.
“You packed a picnic?” she asks with a little awe in her voice.
