Page 58 of Luna

“Will she be able to continue her training business after the baby arrives?” Luna asked, realizing it was probably considered a great breach of etiquette to speak of Dally’s condition even if it was to her brother.

Hunter shrugged. “I have my doubts, but Dally seems to think in a month’s time, she’ll be fit as a fiddle and back to work. I sure wish she’d stop being so stubborn and send for Mama. She’d be able to talk some sense into her when it comes to what to expect now that she’s … expecting.”

Luna smiled and followed Hunter as he walked into a big barn that housed multiple stalls. Wind was in one, and Breeze was in another.

“I left them in here earlier on the chance you might like to go for a ride.” Hunter gave her a studying look. “Are you up for a new adventure?”

Luna had always been somewhat afraid of horses after watching one trample a man in the street near their apartment. Now, though, after being in Pendleton, where so many people rode horses and even raced them just for fun, she decided she might like to try her hand at riding one.

“I will give it a try, but I make no promises.”

“None needed.” Hunter grinned at her, then set about saddling the two horses.

Once the task was complete, he led both animals outside the barn and gave her a lesson in how to properly mount and dismount, how to hold the reins, and how to make the horse go forward, turn, and stop.

Luna was sure she wouldn’t recall a single detail by the time he finished.

“Let’s go for a short ride and see how you feel,” he said, holding Breeze’s reins in his hands as Luna stared at the stirrup that seemed as high as her head, although it was closer to her waist. She gave Hunter a helpless look.

“Right. Sorry.” Hunter led Breeze over to an old stump that was smooth from years of being used as a mounting block and seat. “Climb up there, then step into the stirrup.”

Luna took his hand and stepped onto the stump, stuck her left foot into the stirrup, and swung onto the back of Breeze. The sensation of being on the animal coupled with sitting astride left her slightly discombobulated. She had no time to concern herself, though, because Hunter grabbed onto her leg and moved it out of the stirrup.

“These are a little too short for you. I’ll lengthen the stirrups.” He adjusted first one, then the other, then guided both of her feet back into the stirrups. As he handed her the reins, he looked up at her.

She could see admiration mingling with amusement in his eyes when their gazes connected. “Ready, Luna Moona?”

She nodded, although she was of half a mind to climb down, march back to the house, and request Nik drive her home.

However, Luna wasn’t given to cowardly behavior in her past, and she wasn’t starting now.

She adjusted her hold on the reins and watched as Hunter easily swung on Wind’s back, then glanced at her over his shoulder.

“Breeze will likely follow Wind without much direction on your part. All you need to do is stay on.”

Convinced he meant his words to be encouraging, Luna didn’t find them to be particularly so as Wind started to walk away from the barn and Breeze followed.

Luna tried to recall what Hunter had said about using her thighs to squeeze the horse and hang on. Truthfully, she’d blocked half of what he’d shared because it had seemed rather scandalous. Now, she wished she’d listened as her backside shifted uncomfortably from one side of the saddle to the other.

They’d gone about a hundred yards when Hunter stopped Wind, swung off his back, and walked over to her. He pulled back on the reins to make Breeze stop, then placed a hand on Luna’s thigh.

“You have to tighten the muscles here to balance in your seat, Luna. For now, you can hang onto the saddle horn, but as you learn to ride, you will need to let go of that and use your legs to stay in place.”

Both mortified and enthralled by the familiar way he’d touched her leg, Luna didn’t know whether to rebuke him or thank him.

She chose silence as he gave her knee an encouraging pat. “Balance is key to remaining on the saddle. Sit deep in the saddle. Keep your legs under your center of balance and in light contact with Breeze’s sides. Sit up straight and tall, maintaining good posture but relaxing your back. Hold the reins gently, and just enjoy the experience. Don’t be rigid or worried. Relax.”

Hunter walked back to his horse, took a bouncing step, and pulled himself into the saddle using only his muscles and his grip on the saddle horn.

Impressed, she decided perhaps he really could have joined the performers in Buffalo Bill’s Wild West exhibition.

As they rode around the ranch, Hunter pointed out the fields of wheat, ripe for harvest. The pastures where cattle nibbled at rich grass looked picturesque, as did the assortment of buildings all painted a matching shade of teal green with white trim. Hunter showed her where Rowdy and Cornelia lived, waved at a few cowboys who sat on the porch of the bunkhouse, and pointed out a little cabin where his grandparents had once lived.

By the time they returned to the house, Luna’s backside was sore, and the insides of her legs burned, but she’d had a grand time despite the pain.

“You did great for your first lesson, Luna. I hope you had fun,” Hunter gave her a cautious look as he helped her dismount.

“I did have fun. Thank you for allowing me to ride Breeze. May I help you put the horses away?”

---