Page 21 of The Roper & the Author

“Walker,” she said, stopping him and still rubbing Tantrum’s coat.

“Yeah?” He turned back to her.

“Um …” She cleared her throat and looked at Tantrum. “I’ve never ridden a horse in my life.”

“Pardon me?” His blue eyes said he either didn’t believe her or thought she’d been raised by aliens. “Never?”

She shook her head.

“You’ve seemed very … at home here.”

“Ah, thank you.” She grinned. “Not like a fish out of water or Harry Potter just entering the wizarding world? That’s how I’ve felt. The second one. Surrounded by the most majestic, impressive, and magical beauty and wonders.” She meant him as much as his mountains, trees, and remote ranch and home.

He grinned.

“You’ll teach me how to ride and not get bucked off?”

“Yes.” He gave her a reassuring smile. “Sheila is real gentle, and we can start in the arena with me leading you before we take to exploring the ranch.”

“I’d like to learn,” she said, “But we don’t have a lot of time tonight.” She had an idea that would get them close. Something she’d used in a book before. Would he go for it? As heroic and masculine as he was, she thought the idea would appeal to him. If he wanted her close. “Can I ride with you until I get comfortable enough to go on my own?”

Walker’s eyes widened slightly and his jaw went slack. “You want to ride … double with me?”

“Si, senor,” she said, fluttering her eyelashes and hoping it looked attractive and not annoying or put on.

Walker swallowed hard and looked her over, then focused on Tantrum. “The saddle isn’t meant for two people, but we could make it work. We’ll have to get … really close.”

Perfect. She wanted to clap and shout, but she simply smiled. “I don’t mind.”

He moistened his lips, and her pulse took off at a gallop. “All right. Let me get Johnny Boy saddled. He’s the strongest and calmest gelding in the barn.”

“Not Tantrum?”

“He might spook, and I can’t risk hurting you.”

“Ah, you are the sweetest, you know that?”

“The sweetest?” he repeated. His brow furrowed and his jaw tightened. Maybe tough, enticing cowboys didn’t want to be called sweet. “Give me just a moment.”

Walker grabbed some long leather reins and a halter from a collection on the nearby wall. She was grateful she knew the terms and had retained them because of her copious time researching for western books. He went to a nearby stall and started getting the horse ready.

She moved in closer and asked questions and observed and learned. A few minutes later, Johnny Boy, a beautiful tan horse, was saddled. Marci walked next to Walker as he led the horse out of the barn.

Her stomach pitched with nerves, a little bit because this was her first horse ride, a lot because she was going to get to snuggle in close to Walker.Dále, she wanted to cheer.

“All right,” Walker said. “Let’s get you up on Johnny Boy.”

“What do I need to do?” Her pulse took off at a gallop and she worried about something else. Would Walker race this horse like he had Tantrum when she initially saw him yesterday?

“I’ve got you,” he said softly. He looped the reins around his forearm and then gently pivoted her to face away from him. A thrill went through her at his touch.

“Here we go.” He wrapped his hands around her waist and plucked her up off the ground as if she weighed no more than a small child.

“Whoa,” she cried out, and the horse shifted nervously.

“It’s okay,” Walker soothed, though she wasn’t sure if he was reassuring her or the horse. “Grab onto the horn and swing your right leg over the horse’s back.”

“Okay.” She followed his instructions, grabbing onto the smooth leather horn and lifting her leg over the saddle.

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