Page 100 of Wildest Dreams

He is talking a different language.

“I was never a horsey girl, I was a singer Riggs. I learned to play the guitar, not how to ride a horse,”

“Well Dixie Walker, it's never too late to learn a new hobby.”

“Okay, I'll make a deal with you right here, right now Riggs Rivera.”

“Go on.”

“I learn to ride.”

“Well from what I heard...”

“A horse Riggs, I learn to ride a horse,nota cowboy,” I roll my eyes and he chuckles beside me, “then you learn to play the guitar.” He inhales heavily, turning to face me and I watch as the smirk pulls at the corner of his lips.

“Deal,” he holds his hand out for me to shake and I do, gladly. “Now, fix your stirrups and get onto your horse.”

Shaking my head, I measure out my stirrups like he said and they look too long but I trust him. Footing the stirrup, I hold onto the horn as he gives me a leg up, swinging my spare leg over Betsy's back and sit in the saddle.

“How does that feel?” he asks as I wiggle my boot in the stirrup and push my heel down.

“Feels pretty good.”

“Stand in the stirrups,” he asks and I blink a few times. “It's exactly as it sounds, stand in the stirrup, heels down.”

I do as he says, holding onto the saddle as I do.

“Perfect,” he smiles as he passes me the reins. “Now stay there whilst I get onto Travis.” As soon as he walks away, Betsy starts moving.

“Er, Riggs,” I call out and Riggs rolls his eyes, pushing Betsy back into the stall.

“You know the metal bit you put in her mouth?” I nod. “It's connected to the reins. Hold onto her, pull back slightly, but not too much or she'll start walking backwards,” he shakes his headfrom side to side and I tighten my grip around the reins and hold her still.

I watch as Riggs mounts Travis with such ease and I am a little jealous. He clicks the tongue at the roof of his mouth as he kicks Travis on and only then do I release the reins and Betsy just follows.

“Riggs.”

“Yes,” and I can tell he is so over my shit already.

“Do I need to kick Betsy on like you just did?”

“Only when you want her to trot or move on.”

“Right.”

“But I’ll tell you when to kick on, and try with all you have to keep your ass in the saddle.”

“How far have we got to go?”

“A little up the highlands.”

“That's quite a ride,” I say softly as I take in the sights in front of me, and even though I have seen the same view, the same rolling green fields and the same trees that dance in the wind, it all looks a little more beautiful on the back of a horse.

“Then you better get ready to ride Dixie.”

Riggs kicks Travis into a faster pace and I do the same, kicking Betsy on as her legs move beneath us, carrying me behind Riggs and I bounce in the saddle.

“Ass in the saddle Dixie, heels dug deep,” he shouts out and I focus on doing as he said, ass in saddle, heels dug deep, and alright, I am no horse rider, but I managed not to fall off.

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