Chapter 9

CHAPTER 9

F inished spreading fresh straw in the stalls, Jake stepped out of the barn just in time to see Evie come out of the house. She spoke a few words to Jenny, who sat on the patio with Savannah and Miguel, teaching them their morning lessons. He heard her laughter, and his heart took notice. Indeed, his entire body took notice, and he ached to take her in his arms and kiss her sweet mouth once again.

She strode across the lawn with purpose, the hem of her split skirt swirling around the tops of her black boots, her hat, apparently her favorite, shading her eyes. He watched her come closer, admiring her figure and the way she moved as she cut through the space between rose bushes, then finally came to stand before him. "Good morning, Jake."

"Good morning, Miss Evie." He smiled at her. She really was the most extraordinary woman. Out of all the women he'd known throughout his life, he'd never met anyone quite like her. She was sweet and kind, yet she could be tough when she had to be. And she loved. Hard. He saw it with her nephews, their wives and their children, and every member of her extended family. "You heading out to the summer pasture? Can I saddle Spitfire for you?"

"Not today. No, today, we're going to do something different." She smiled at him and once again, his heart seemed to stop, then start beating again—almost painfully.

"And what would that be?"

She tilted her head as she looked at him. He loved it when she did that. "I think it's time."

Jake leaned his shovel against the side of the barn and pushed his hat back so he could wipe the sweat from his brow. Why was she being so mysterious? "For what, Miss Evie?"

"Your first riding lesson."

His stomach clenched. He'd been avoiding this. Yes, he was coming to know the horses, and he had to admit he'd become attached to them, but the thought of climbing into the saddle filled him with dread. Guess he couldn't put it off any longer. "If you say so."

She gestured toward the shovel. "Unless, of course, you'd rather shovel manure."

He laughed. "No, ma'am."

"I thought you'd say that. If you'll saddle Clementine and bring her to the ring, we'll get started."

"Yes, ma'am." He watched her walk toward the riding ring, the subtle sway of her backside mesmerizing. He turned away, grabbed the shovel, strode down the center aisle of the barn, and entered the tack room in the back.

At least the horse she chose for him was a good one. Clementine was gentle, and if horses could have a sense of humor, she had one. She liked to steal his hat off the top of his head if he wandered too close to the paddock fence. And then she'd run with it, as if daring him to chase her. Out of all the horses he took care of, she was his favorite.

He leaned the rake against the wall, then retrieved a blanket and saddle, reins and bridle, and wandered toward the paddock. Clementine raced to the fence, he assumed for an opportunity to steal his hat once again, but he took a step back just in time. He laid the equipment over the fence then opened the gate and stepped inside. Clementine gave him a big horsy smile and tried to grab his hat. "Not today, sweet girl. Today, I'm going to ride you. Are you all right with that?"

She gave a slight nod and chuffed, as if answering his question. Leading Clementine by her leather halter, he brought her outside the gate, and closed it.

"I'm a little nervous, Clem," he admitted, as he spread the blanket over her back. Clementine blew air from her nostrils and gazed at him with her big soulful eyes. "The last time I was on a horse, it didn't end well for me."

The horse stood silently and didn't move as he put the saddle on her and made sure it was secure.

"I suppose that was my fault. I had no business trying to ride Redeemer. Father O'Malley made it very clear no one was to ride him, but one of the older boys dared me." He laughed as he adjusted the cinch, then moved in front of her to fit her with the bridle. "Even at five, I couldn't resist a dare."

He rubbed his hand over her nose before slipping the bridle into place, making sure it, too, was fitted properly as Antonio had shown him.

He glanced toward the riding ring, where Evie waited, her arms resting on the top slat of the fence, but her head was turned in his direction. He looked at the horse. "All right, Clementine, I'm ready. How about you?"

Of course, the horse couldn't answer, but she did dip her head just a bit. He grabbed the reins and led her to the riding ring.

Evie opened the gate and escorted them through, stopping them at a wooden step she had pulled into the ring. "Don't be nervous, Jake. It'll be fine. Clementine will take excellent care of you. She's very patient and forgiving. Both Savannah and Miguel learned to ride on her. I did as well." She gave him an assuring smile. Too bad he didn't feel assured. "Do you know how to mount a horse properly?"

"Not really. But I've watched all of you" He glanced at the step by his feet. "There was no step when I tried to ride Redeemer all those years ago. There wasn't a saddle either. I climbed to the top plank of the stall like the older boys at the home told me to and jumped on his back."

"And Redeemer bucked you off immediately, didn't he?"

"Yes, ma'am." He tipped his hat back and laughed, though the remembered pain wasn't funny at all.

"Well, it's no wonder. If I was Redeemer, I'd have thrown you off, too." Her smile widened. "That's not going to happen here. We'll start from the beginning. We will be using this step today, but eventually, you'll be able to do this without one." She nudged Clementine into the proper position. "One of the most important things is that you never want to hurt your horse by being clumsy or inconsiderate. Your horse is your friend, your companion. He or she has feelings and emotions, just like we do. They feel love and jealousy, happiness and sadness. They can feel pain, too, just like us. Treat them well—always—because out here, your horse can be the difference between life and death."

"I've never looked at it that way."

"I'll demonstrate proper mounting while I explain the steps." She glanced up at him, her beautiful blue-gray eyes a little bluer than normal, her smile firmly in place before she reached for the reins in his hands and climbed the wooden steps. "Start with the reins. You want to hold them just so." She slid the reins between her fingers until they were at the proper length, close to the horse's mane. "You'll be holding the reins in such a way that you can also rest your hand on Clementine's mane." Her movements matched her words. "Place your right hand in the middle of the saddle." She performed the action then lifted her left foot into the stirrup. "Always point your toe toward her nose. Raise yourself up and swing your leg over. It should be a smooth motion." The leather creaked as she settled herself in the saddle then looked at him. "That's it. Do you want me to show you again? Or do you think you're ready to try?"

She made it look so easy, but he had doubts. Besides, it was such a pleasure to watch her. He could do that all day long. He pressed his lips together so he wouldn't smile. "Show me again."

"All right." She dismounted, her actions the direct opposite, and showed him again…then once more. "Now you try."

He did exactly as she showed him. Clementine, bless her, didn't move, but she did look at him, her big eyes round. He could swear she was smiling at him. She probably was.

Once he was settled in the saddle she continued, "Sit up straight and keep your back relaxed."

How could he sit up straight and be relaxed at the same time?

"This should be enjoyable for both of you. You can't be as stiff as a fireplace poker. Relax your arms. Rest the reins gently in your hands."

Her instructions seemed to be such a contradiction. He tried, though. He wasn't comfortable at all. He was waiting for Clementine to buck him off. But it didn't happen. Clementine didn't move.

"To get Clementine to move forward, nudge her a little by squeezing your knees against her sides. It shouldn't take much. To get her to stop, pull the reins toward yourself. It doesn't have to be hard. Actually, I prefer that it not be hard. If your horse is well trained, you don't have to use much force. I've seen how others do it and I can't say I agree with it. There should be no reason to pull that hard." She rubbed her hand against the horse's side, and he wished that she was touching him that way. "Are you comfortable?"

"No," he admitted.

She laughed. "You'll be fine. Why don't you take a couple turns around the ring? See how it feels."

He waited until she moved toward the fence, taking the step with her. She climbed up to the top plank of the fence and made herself comfortable, her focus on him. Now, if that didn't make him more nervous, he didn't know what would. He looked down at the horse, and whispered a silent prayer he wouldn't make a complete and utter fool of himself. He nudged Clementine like he'd been told.

Clementine didn't move. Instead, she turned her head and just looked at him. After a moment, she showed her big yellow teeth. A thought came to him. "Are you laughing at me?"

The horse blew air from her nostrils, giving a little grunt at the same time.

"Well, stop it. You're embarrassing me in front of Miss Evie."

The horse continued to stare at him, then turned her head and looked toward Evie sitting on the fence. He tried again, squeezing his legs against Clementine's sides. And still, she didn't move.

"Don't do this to me." He tried one more time. Either he wasn't doing it right or the horse just didn't want to obey his signal. He assumed it was the latter. Clementine did have a sense of humor. Perhaps, she thought this was amusing. "Please."

She took one step then stopped, once more turning her head to look at him. Yes, she was doing this on purpose. He glanced toward the fence to see Evie jump down from her perch and approach him.

"What's the matter?" She peered up at him beneath the shade of her hat, curiosity making her brows dip a little.

Jake let out a sigh of frustration. "She doesn't seem to want to move. I've squeezed my knees against her sides, like you said, but she only takes a step then stops."

"I have an idea. Give me the reins."

He did as he was told, silently handing her the reins, his face flushing with embarrassment. Indeed, his entire body felt as if it was on fire. He hated the thought that he'd failed, especially in front of her.

She clicked her tongue and tugged lightly on the reins, leading Clementine toward the step she'd placed by the fence.

"Scoot forward in the saddle a little."

He did, then stared at her, puzzled. "What are you going to do?"

"This is how I taught Savannah and Miguel." She climbed the step then mounted Clementine behind him, settling herself in the saddle, her body pressed against his, so close, he could feel the warmth of her through her clothing and his. She wrapped her arms around him then placed her hands over his on the reins gently.

Jake stiffened. The act of reaching around him pushed her body more firmly against his back. He imagined he could even feel the buttons of her blouse pressing into his flesh.

Evie chuckled. "Relax, Jake."

Now how am I supposed to relax with you pressed up against me like this? Or concentrate on what I'm doing?

"You ready?"

"As I'll ever be." His voice came out more like a groan, even to his own ears, which embarrassed him a little more.

She squeezed the muscles of her legs while at the same time, pulled the reins gently toward the right. "Can you feel that?" she asked, as the horse started to move.

How could he not feel that? He stiffened as his body reacted. Blood surged through him, pounding in his ears, rushing to places it should, but not right now, making it almost uncomfortable to sit. "Yes."

They went around the ring a few times, slowly at first, then a little faster, her thighs and knees communicating her wishes to the horse and Jake felt every slight squeeze, every release. He'd have dreams of this…even when he was awake.

"I'll admit, this was much easier with the children. At least, I can see where I'm going over their heads. Are you comfortable taking the reins by yourself?"

No. He wasn't. He rather liked having her hands over his, but that wouldn't help him in the long run. "I think so."

She let go of the reins and just wrapped her arms around his waist, which was somehow worse. Now he could feel her breasts pressed against his back—tight. And if he wasn't mistaken, she turned her head to the side and rested her cheek against him. He paused for a moment then squeezed Clementine's sides, and guided her around the ring several times, though it was more difficult than he would have thought possible. Not the riding part. That he was beginning to get the hang of. No, it was Evie, and the way the heat of her body seemed to sear him from the outside in.

And suddenly, she moved her head and sat up straight, her grip around his waist lessening. "I think that's enough for today. Bring Clementine toward the step."

Was it his imagination or did her voice seem a little strained? And was she a little stiff, too, not so relaxed anymore? Did sitting so close to him, her body pressed against his, make her feel and think things she didn't think she should? It certainly had for him.

He led the horse to the step. She dismounted, then took the reins from his hands so he could do the same. "You did well, Jake." Her voice was still tight, and if he wasn't mistaken, her cheeks seemed a little redder than usual. It was her eyes though that told the whole story. No longer more blue, now they were the color of storm-filled clouds, and in their depths, he saw…what did he see? Longing? Desire?

He forced his attention away from the silent message in her eyes—mostly so he wouldn't pull her into his arms and kiss her until she couldn't breathe…until they both couldn't breathe. It's what he wanted to do. He smoothed his hand over Clementine's shoulder instead, oddly pleased by her compliment.

"We'll do it again tomorrow. And the day after that. Before long, you'll ride as well as I do…and every other person on this ranch."

"Yes, ma'am."

"Now, brush her down and give her some extra oats. She worked hard today." With those instructions given, she left the riding ring.

He watched her walk away, admiring the graceful way she moved. His focus shifted to her legs. The split skirt she wore didn't show a hint of muscle, but he'd certainly felt them when she squeezed Clementine's sides, and he couldn't help wondering what that would feel like wrapped around his hips.

He shook himself from his thoughts, improper as they were, and turned his attention to the horse. He rubbed her nose, then reached up and scratched between her ears. "You're a smart horse."

She showed her teeth and flapped her lips, as if agreeing with him.

Evie let out a sigh as she crossed the lawn. She could feel his eyes on her and turned her head toward the riding ring. Jake hadn't moved. Not one inch. He still stood by the fence, Clementine's reins in his hands, the directness of his stare making her feel a little warm…no, not a little, but a lot.

Sitting behind him, pressed against him as she'd been, she'd felt every muscle, every sinew of his body.

When Antonio reminded her earlier this morning of the promise she'd made to teach Jake how to ride, she knew it was a mistake. How could she do that when all she wanted was to be in his arms?

Now, she wouldn't be able to forget how it felt to be sitting so close to him, her body pressed against his. It left her wanting more—so much more. She took a deep breath to still her rampaging thoughts, and let it out in a huff when another idea popped in her head. Had Antonio tricked her into working closely with Jake?

Jenny sat at the small table on the patio, gathering up the materials Savannah and Miguel had used while she taught them their lessons. She looked up at Evie and simply grinned—a big, Cheshire-cat grin. She didn't say a word though, as Evie passed her and entered the kitchen.

And there they were—Antonio, Hilde, Charley, and Felicity. Lucy's conspirators. It was obvious to her that they'd been watching from the window and had only just scrambled to their seats. Bright spots of color painted Hilde's cheeks, and the playing cards in Felicity's hand were backward, the colorful face cards in clear view. Evie saw the queen of hearts and the ace of spades. So could everyone else around the table.

"How'd he do?" Antonio asked, his face full of innocence, though his mustache twitched as if he tried not to smile.

"He did well, as if you didn't know."

He shook his head. "I don't know what you're talking about."

"Hmm, I don't believe that for a moment. I know you were watching. You all were."

"How can you say that?" Antonio asked. "We've been sitting here playing cards."

Evie cocked an eyebrow and looked directly at Felicity. Unable to bear the direct stare, Felicity lowered her head, though her face glowed pink.

"It would probably be easier to play if Aunt Felicity could actually see the cards in her hand."

Felicity turned a brighter shade of pink as she quickly flipped the cards so she could see them. A master of intrigue Felicity was not. She wore her emotions on her face for the world to see. She raised her eyes then shrugged her shoulders, her lips moving into a shy smile. "Are you angry, dear?"

"No, I'm not angry." And that was the truth. She found it to be amusing that her trusted friends had fallen so easily into Lucy's plan, were so willing to help it along. "I'm surprised you actually stayed inside. Just think how much easier it would have been to watch us if you were outside." And with those words, she pushed through the swinging kitchen door, smothering the chuckle that built in her chest, and rushed up to her room to splash some cold water on her face.