8

Georgia

It’s one day. I can make it through one day with Boone and some sweet horses. He said to wear clothes I can ride in, so I wore jeans that are good to ride in, but also make my ass look fantastic. A basic white T-shirt is probably not the smartest idea, but it looks so good that I said to hell with it and wore it anyway. I’m like cowgirl barbie. My signature blue hat is on top of my head and I’m ready for whatever Boone has planned.

I show up at the ranch at seven a.m. and find I’m not the first one there. There are several cars lined up and I see families walking around or eating at picnic tables.

As I get out of my car, Boone saunters over. “Good morning, wildflower. Are you ready for our day?”

“Yes, what’s going on?”

“Oh, this?” he asks as if it’s completely normal for these people to be walking around the ranch. “We are hosting some local families this morning for breakfast and a little bit of time with the horses. Of course, only with the horses that are good with children. I thought you and I could help with the kids.”

He’s playing dirty. I’ve always been interested in equine therapy for kids with developmental and physical delays. That’s why he wanted to do it this Saturday. He knew this was planned. This is low, but also very sweet.

I walk away from Boone, then look over my shoulder to see him staring at my ass. He laughs at being caught but doesn’t stop looking. I knew these jeans were a good idea. I make my way through the breakfast line to where Elly and Cole are standing. Time to eat some crow.

“Elly, I need to apologize. I’ve acted like an idiot for the last week or so. There was no reason for me to fight coming to Cowboy Day so much. I just…well, you know.”

“You don’t need to apologize. I might have been the same way in your place. Men are…men. I’m glad you suggested this though. I’ve wanted to do something like this, but just hadn’t gotten around to it.”

“Oh, this wasn’t me.”

“But, Boone, said this was your idea. That you were interested in equine therapy.” Elly looks confused.

“I am, but I had nothing to do with this. This is all Boone.”

The man himself walks up and wraps an arm around my waist. Normally I would be obligated to say something snarky, but right now I’m just going to enjoy the way his fingers feel above my jeans and against my skin. “I did make some calls, but I only had the idea because Georgia used to tell me all about the different things horses could help with.”

“When we were in high school.”

“I remember,” he says without breaking eye contact. “There’s nothing I’ve forgotten.”

Cole coughs and breaks the moment. “Should we get this started before it becomes less family-friendly?”

The four of us head to where the families have gathered. Boone introduces everyone and explains the different stations and which horses are available for the activities.

I’ve been assigned Daisy, an older horse who is very docile. She’s been set up to walk with smaller kids with me walking beside them. The first two kids have no issues. We make it around the circle, the kids happy and laughing.

The next kid in line is a little boy who is very nervous about riding a horse. So nervous, I explain to his parents that it might be a good idea to just skip it for today, but they assure me and the little boy that as soon as he’s on the horse he’ll be fine. He’s done this before and it’s always like this.

I don’t want to second guess a parent and I can’t seem to get the attention of Boone, Elly, or Cole. I just decide that since the parents seem so confident in their kid then I will too. Daisy picks up on this stuff, so being worried isn’t helpful. I help him into the saddle, and he does seem to calm down.

“We okay up there, bud?” I ask.

He nods, still looking a little iffy, but a lot better than he did in line.

I give Daisy a treat and rub her face. “You are such a good girl. Let’s go nice and slow for this little man, okay.”

Daisy starts and we make it halfway around the circle when all hell breaks loose. The boy starts screaming and his dad rushes toward Daisy, who had an owner who mistreated her and is still distrustful of men she doesn’t know. Daisy bucks the boy off and I catch him, but I also catch Daisy’s foot to my leg. It takes me down and then everything goes black.