Page 38 of Reviving Her Highland Spirit

They mounted quickly, with Maggie sitting in front of Callum as always. Maggie allowed herself a brief smile of satisfaction, comparing her quick, smooth climb up onto Stardust’s back to her terrified, awkward fumbling the first time she tried.

All thanks to Callum.

Stardust started to walk, a familiar rolling movement that Maggie was used to by now. It was almost relaxing.

Almost as relaxing as the firm, reliable warmth behind her. She knew that she could lean back against Callum’s broad, strong chest behind her, and he would support her. It felt… well, Maggie was struggling to put into words just how it felt. She felt strong, she felt safe, and she felt happy. And it wasn’t because she was finally riding Stardust again - it was because Callum was with her.

A happy, warm frisson washed through her, and Maggie smiled to herself. How her life had changed, and quickly, too.

“Are we going tae the waterfall again?” Callum spoke, his voice low and deep in her ear. Maggie shivered.

“Aye, if ye like. More swimming lessons?”

He winced. “I suppose so. I brought a change of clothes for us. A few old shirts and raggy breeches. I thought we could wear them while we swim, save our clothes from getting soaked.”

“Good thinking,” Maggie said, surprised. He’d really thought hard about going swimming, and made his plans accordingly. She was already looking forward to the silky smooth water of the pool on her skin, a pleasant refreshment after a sweaty ride.

And, of course, Callum would be there. Maggie’s mind immediately conjured up an image of Callum, soaking wet, his thin linen shirt sticking to his chest. She blushed and tried to quieten down the thought and the feelings it inspired. She was here to give him swimming lessons. She would be calm and serious, and not overstep his boundaries. After all, he’d never made her uncomfortable when he was teaching her to ride. The very least she could do was return the favor.

There would, of course, be the awkward moment when they changed into the swimming clothes Callum had brought, but there were trees and places to shelter beside the pool. It wasn’t as if they’d have to strip down in front of each other.

Maggie’s cheeks felt as though you could have fried eggs on them. She drew in a few deep breaths, willing the flush to recede from her face.

They were getting to the edge of the field now, with the little dark path through the forest just ahead.

“Do ye think ye would like tae take the reins?” Callum asked, his voice entirely mild and light. Maggie could say no if she liked.

She drew in a deep breath. “I suppose I should.”

Callum chuckled. “I didn’t ask ye if ye should. I asked ye if ye wanted to.”

“I’d like tae try. Ye will be there if something goes wrong, won’t ye?”

“Well, I’m sitting right behind ye, so I’d argue that we are in this together.”

Maggie had to smile at that. She reached out, taking the reins. The familiar worn, warm leather slipped between her fingers, her hands clutching at them automatically. For a split second, her hands were beside Callum’s larger, rougher ones. There was a slide of skin against skin, just enough to send prickles down Maggie’s spine before Callum withdrew his hands.

And then Maggie was the one steering Stardust. She was in control. She was no longer just a passenger, a hanger-on. A tug on the reins would send Stardust veering back the way they’d come, and a tap of her heels would send her galloping forward.

Trees flitting past, the grass a blur beneath thundering hooves. The slippery-smooth leather of a worn saddle beneath Maggie’s feet, then it was gone. She’d slipped, she’d made a mistake at last, and now she was flying through the air, a blur of blue above and green beneath, until she hit the ground with an impact that could have killed her if she’d landed differently. Hooves, pounding against the earth, coming closer and closer while she could do nothing but lie there, unable to breathe, knowing that her death was almost upon her…

Maggie swallowed hard and closed her eyes tight. “I can’t. I can’t, Callum.”

“That’s alright, I’m here.”

Just like that, Callum’s hands were beside Maggie’s on the reins. She let go, and Callum deftly steered Stardust into the narrow forest path. Maggie forced herself to breathe deeply - in and out, in and out. She was fine. She was safe. Callum was there, and Stardust was a trustworthy animal, an extension of Maggie herself.

“I’m sorry,” Maggie managed to say when she could breathe evenly again.

“Sorry? What are ye sorry for?”

She bit her lip. “I thought I would be able tae do it.”

She felt rather than saw Callum’s shrug. “Well, that’s not your fault. Ye tried, but it’s too soon. We’ll try again later. For now, we’ll keep on doing what we’re doing. Just ye and me, going for a ride together. I’m happy enough with this, and ye can try again next time - if ye want. If ye don’t, that’s fine too.”

Maggie smiled, feeling her breathing slow down to a reasonable level. Her heart stopped pounding so aggressively. She felt soothed by Callum’s calm, friendly words. She leaned back, feeling his firm chest against her back. She closed her eyes, enjoying the pale morning sunlight, dappled by the foliage, playing over her face.

There was a reason this was her favorite place.