Page 6 of Reining Her In

C H A P T E R T H R E E

Reed

“You see that?” Bennet Webster’s voice echoes behind me as my student Nancy takes the last jump in her perfect round. I’m so fucking proud of her I feel like a father watching his own daughter.

That’s how this works for me; I’m an all or nothing person. Anyone I train, I give them my all and I get more satisfaction from watching them fight back and win than I would if I were the one out there.

“Yep. I see,” I answer.

Bennet’s a friend from years back. He was my personal, full time groom once upon a time, in my glory years. He’s a funny guy. Stands about to my chin loves his job and is loyal to a fault. Wouldn’t even take on new clients when it was obvious to everyone I could never ride again. At least not as a competitor.

He also loves Star Wars. And I guarantee, under his team polo he’s wearing a Darth Vader T-shirt and black boxers.

“You’re a miracle worker.” He crosses his arms and watches Nancy give Grand Teton a huge pat on his neck as she comes through the last gate, beaming with pride on a flawless round.

“Naw. No miracles. I just see the potential. I understand the fear.”

“Yeah, you also know she’s a piece of hot tail herself.” Bennett chuckles, shifting on his feet with a bob of his eyebrows.

He’s quirky, and a friend, but he’s got his flaws.

“I don’t see it that way.” A growing agitation tightens inside me.

“Yeah? You could have a stable full of split tails ready and waiting for your personal enjoyment. I already got myself taken care of in the back of Molly MacMillion’s horse trailer. You know, these shows are as good as a house full of drunk sorority girls. All you need to do is snap your fingers, and you’d have them on their knees, all frothing for a piece of you.”

“You know what?” My voice sharpens as I snap my head around to glare at him. “You should show more respect. I don’t need to hear that sophomoric, locker room bullshit, and you shouldn’t be saying it. Be a man. Boys brag men don’t need to.”

I usually ignore this side of him, or roll my eyes and stay silent when he recounts his conquests, but for some reason today my fuse is shorter than usual. I’ve never been one to enjoy that kind of low brow male bravado anyway, but right now my tolerance is zero.

Don’t get me wrong, in the past, my mind has been filthy with thoughts of all the things I want to do someday. With the right woman. I’d imagine all the ways I would cherish and worship her.

Make love to her and fuck her until her legs gave out and the only word she knew would be my name. But, I would never date a student, and after what had happened before, all those years ago, I don’t think I could ever fully trust a woman again. And over the years with what I see going on in this Peyton Place of a sport? Until today, my dick hasn’t even gotten hard at the sight of a woman. Around these shows, it’s always who’s cheating on who, who’s swapping boyfriends and girlfriends, and that shit just isn’t for me.

Maybe it’s that same gentleman in me that still carries a handkerchief, but my idea of love and relationships don’t fit with today’s hook-ups and casual encounters. I believe in a one and only. Complete devotion, loyalty, honesty and commitment. I must be living in the dark ages, though because I have yet to see those traits exhibited by any of the couples I know.

Bennet’s laugh interrupts my thoughts. He shakes his head, staring me up and down before continuing. “It’s a waste, man. If only I had your looks, your whatever it is, I’d be knee deep in— “

“I have to go,” I cut him off, stepping away.

I know the next words out of his mouth may cause me to say something that I might regret later, and Nancy is coming around her closing circle and will be out of the ring momentarily. I always greet my students when they come off the course. Win or lose, every ride is a success in my book. A learning experience, ribbon or no ribbon.

There is always this small rush that comes with the completion of every ride, and I feel it right along with my students. I’m in motion toward Nancy. My leg aches as I grip the top of my cane, urging myself forward through the constant pain, hoping Nancy can see the pride in my eyes.

She comes around to the exit gate, Grand Teton prancing through. Horses know when they’ve done well, and they both have an unmistakable glimmer in their eyes. Nancy is patting the gelding’s neck and speaking calmly, telling him what a good job he’s done as I limp my way closer.

I open my mouth to give her some well-deserved praise, when behind my left shoulder I hear a woman’s yelp, then gasps from the crowd. Before I turn my head, sounds of voices raised in excitement and the bang of something big hitting the aluminum barn wall.

Nancy maneuvers toward me on Grand Teton as I flip my head around toward the scuttle and noise from behind.

I see the back of a mounted rider, their helmet obscuring any identifiable features, but whoever it is, it doesn’t take more than a second for me to surmise they are losing control of their horse.

Adrenaline immediately rockets through my veins. These magnificent animals can be as dangerous as any weapon. The huge horse spins, other riders on the ground are grasping for the reins, but the horse turns and kicks out, the mounted rider doing her best to calm the anxious horse, but it’s not working.

“Wasn’t that amazing?” Nancy’s excited voice comes from my right and I turn to look up at her. She hasn’t noticed the commotion, her eyes twinkling, still lost in her excitement.

“Yes, a perfect ride,” I manage to say as my eyes dart back to see the horse and rider moving toward the barn again and for a moment I think they have managed to get things under control.

I dart my eyes back to see Nancy’s face fill with a broad smile. She drops her reins, and Grand Teton stands in place, breathing heavily from the effort he’s put forth. Nancy is leaning down to grasp the enormous animal around the neck with both arms in a congratulatory hug. Just then, a terrified scream shakes me from my left, the pounding sound of hooves and the crowd’s gasps turn to the shrieks of panic.

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