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PART III

THE CHOICE

31. PUT YOUR ASS INTO IT

CHLOE

“Really put your ass into it!”

I followed directions, pushing my weight deep into my sit bones and sitting back in the most exaggerated way I could muster. I’d seen reiners do it at shows. This was no different, right? Below me, a little red mare slammed on her breaks, tucking her hocks beneath her and sliding forward across our big arena in Florida. Her flowy red mane fluttered and I grinned big.

Dodge Hannah hooted, “That’s a beauty!”

Dodge was a reining trainer stabling in Florida for the winter—a sexy short Aussie king of someone’s dreams. His style was hand-picked by my publicist. And while his horses were fun, I sort of wished I was loping Doobie through a western riding pattern instead of his mare, Zoe. No, Dodge wasn’t Cole, but that was the point.

I dropped the reins on the mare’s neck.

“Well, what did you think?” He approached, hitting his marks.

I patted her neck he leaned on her shoulder, perhaps a bit too close.

“Well, I think she did lovely.”

“But?” He sighed.

“But, you still need to hold up your part of the bargain, Dodge. And then, we gotta let Jerry decide who did it best.”

Jerry followed us with the camera as I slipped off the mare and Dodge looked on longingly, giving the appearance that another cowboy had thrown his hat in the ring. As we broke for a moment for Riley to bring in Zee, I adjusted my now-tight pair of bedazzled bootcut jeans.

Every day, I felt more pregnant. I praised the stretch of breeches and the godsend that was low-rise jeans coming back into style. Mid-rise fought my bump and made me feel like I’d lose my lunch. As my stomach became more prominent, I stuck to a wardrobe of oversized fleeces from my sponsors. Had I worn a tighter polo, I’d have already started some rumors. I was twelve weeks and barely holding onto this ruse by a thread.

The camera rolled again, Dodge once more adding some levity to the thing.

“I don’t need a mounting block,” he said, arms crossed.

“Oh… really?” I asked as Riley walked the horse into frame.

Dodge pretended to look up in concern, shrugging. “Maybe I could use one just this once.”

He climbed onto the horse and rode off, happy as a clam until I gave him directions.

“I hate to tell you but you, too, will have to put your ass into it,” I giggled. “Sit the trot.”

He followed suit, obeying their guidance.

“Better,” I encouraged. “Now, haunches in like we did earlier.”

He obeyed, moving Zee over slightly. Zee responsively moved his body, then corrected back to the rail and picked up steam.

“Is he supposed to move out like that?”

“Yes,” I said. “He’s doing what you asked. Haunches in and then back on the rail moving forward.”

We practiced this on the ground and then a little at the warmup. I knew Dodge was a good rider and could produce what he needed, but we hadn’t given him a whip yet and it would help.

“Pull him in. I want to give you an aid and show you how to refine your cues.” I lifted my whip from the indoor floor. “Here.”

Dodge snickered. “Oh, have I been a bad boy, Chloe?”