Page 7 of The Rancher’s Ecstasy

Timmy nodded. “Yes, Mommy. I can do it.” Carmen reached out and patted her son’s leg.

“Okay, honey.” She turned to Neil. “We want to try, but I would feel better if someone else had control of our horses.”

Neil smiled. “Absolutely. I’ll put Timmy on lead with my horse, and I’ll have Roy be your partner.”

Carmen smiled and took a relieved breath. “That’s great.”

“Thank you for all your help.” Neil latched onto the reins of the horse Timmy sat on. He patted the other horse Emily had a hold of. “This is Spiker. He’s an excellent ride with just the right amount of spunk. Watching you the last few minutes makes me think you could handle him just fine.”

Emily smiled and combed her fingers through Spiker's forelock. The horse was medium-sized, black with white and tan circles over his coat. The gelding nudged her with his nose, making Emily laugh. “I think we’ll do just fine. Won’t we, big guy?”

Neil patted her on the shoulder and walked off to help another guest.

Emily ran her hand down the horse’s neck. “You ready?” She ran her fingertips over the horse’s satiny skin between his nostrils and breathed in the beautiful aroma of the horse. There were very few things in her life that felt or smelled as beautiful as these magnificent animals.

She grabbed onto the horn and put her foot in the stirrup and pulled herself up before throwing her other leg over the horse until her butt landed on the saddle. Emily made sure her feet felt comfortable in the stirrups before nudging the horse forward. A sense of peace settled over her instantly. Until then, she hadn’t realized how much she needed this.

Her eyes closed, and she breathed in the crisp country air.

Neil frowned in concern at the look on Emily’s face.

“You okay, Emily?”

Emily opened her eyes and smiled down at Neil.

“I’m perfect. How can you not feel peace when you’re on a horse?”

Neil laughed. “I know exactly how you feel.” He patted Spiker's neck. “Why don’t you get in line? We’re pretty close to heading out.”

Emily smiled, turned her horse, and walked him toward the row of horses ready to head out. She looked around for Cole, on the one hand, hoping he was coming with them, and on the other hand dreading it. As much as she wanted to be in his presence, she knew it would end up badly for her. She could see herself having feelings for him very easily, and there was no way he would ever feel the same about her.

She couldn’t understand and was surprised at the piercing disappointment she felt when she didn’t see him. She’d just met him the night before. She needed to get a grip and just enjoy this experience.

The group started off, and Emily soon became enthralled with the countryside. The views were picture-perfect and something she’d never get used to or forget the rest of her life.

Chapter Five

They had been on the trail for not quite a half an hour, and Emily was genuinely relaxed for the first time in ages.

“How are you doing, Emily?”

Emily’s head jerked around. “Where did you come from?”

Cole chuckled. “My mother.”

Emily snorted. “That’s not what I meant.”

Cole’s eyes scanned her in the saddle.

“I was about a mile away. You have a good seat. Have you been riding for a long time?”

“I have been around horses in one capacity or another my whole life. But I’ve not been on one for many years.”

“Why?”

Emily shrugged. “I was raising children and taking care of my husband.”

“Where’s your husband?”