Page 39 of Cowboy's Sinful Bargain

Outside, we waved goodbye to Ken and then I led Miko over to the barn. Wade was waiting for us with Sally and Bucky already saddled and ready to be ridden.

As I went over the horse riding rules with Miko once again, I saw a smile start to spread across his lips. I hadn't realized until that moment how much I missed seeing it.

It was amazing to me how so much could change in just a few short hours. A week ago, I didn't even know Miko was alive. Now, I was saddened that I didn't get to see him smile more.

That was weird, right?

"I'm going to take you around on Bucky a little bit, get you used to being on a horse." I swung myself up onto Bucky and then held out my hand. "Come on up."

Miko seemed to swallow hard before grabbing my hand. It was easy to pull him up in front of me. He probably weighed less than a newborn colt.

"You ready?"

Miko nodded enthusiastically.

I gave Bucky a little nudge and then guided him out of the barn to the corral. I had to keep my arms firmly wrapped around Miko so he wouldn't fall off, but that seemed like a plus to me, not a negative.

"Hold the reins," I directed. Once Miko grabbed them I covered his hands with my own and gave them a little flick. "Have you ever driven a car?"

"No."

Yeah, I didn't think so.

"Okay, think of standing in one spot with your arms spread out like an airplane. If you veer to the left, the airplane goes left. If you veer to the right, the airplane goes right. With me so far?"

"Hai."

"Riding a horse is just like that." I tugged the reins to the left and Bucky expertly turned to the left. When I tugged them to the right, he went right.

Bucky was a well trained horse.

"See what I mean?"

"Hai," Miko answered again, but his tone was more animated.

"Okay, you do it," I said as I released the reins and settled my hands on his hips. "Take him on a couple of turns, but make it easy and slow. If you jerk the reins, he's going to jerk."

I could feel Miko's excitement as he steered Bucky around the corral. The man was practically vibrating in his skin.

"Want to go a little faster?" I asked after several rounds around the corral.

There was a wide grin on Miko's face as he glanced at me over his shoulder. "Can we?"

I smiled back as I tightened my grip on him. "Flick the reins a little harder," I directed. As soon as Miko flicked the reins, Bucky started moving faster, going into trot.

"Faster please?"

I chuckled. "You want to go faster?"

"Hai!"

I grabbed the reins with one hand, keeping the other firmly wrapped around Miko's waist and then flicked the reins, making a clicking sound with my teeth and tongue.

I chuckled when Miko stretched his arms out to his sides as I had described before. Some emotion I had never felt before ignited in my chest as I watched the delight on his face as he tilted it up to the sun.

Miko's infectious laughter echoed through the air around us when he veered his arms to the left and I made Bucky turn left. When he veered to the right, I made Bucky go right.

Wanting to hear more of Miko's laughter, I urged Bucky into a full gallop. Miko let out a scream and scrambled to grab the saddle pummel. For a moment, I thought I needed to stop, but then I heard his laughter again.

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