Page 67 of Killian

“Because he’s mine.”

“They’re all yours.”

Killian turned to face her. “He’s the one I ride. Pick another one.”

“Oh, my God. This is worse than the way you are with your truck.”

“Celine…”

“I’m teasing you. I’ll take the Paint with theblue eyes.”

“Good choice.”

“Sure, it’s a good choice because I didn’t choose the chocolate palomino.”

“Are you trying to start a fight?”

“Well, we could make up if I were.”

He shook his head, entered a room and came back out carrying a saddle and blanket. He placed them over a rail, then went back into the room again, and brought out another saddle and blanket.

“Which saddle is yours? I don’t want to overstep.” She bit her lip when he sighed and hung his head, then he raised it and looked at her.

“They’re both mine, but I use the darker one the most.”

Celine shrugged. “Okay.”

He opened the gate on the stall the Paint was in, then he led the horse close to the rail. He put the blanket on the horse’s back, then the saddle. He looked at Celine and motioned for her to come to the horse.

“Do you need a leg up?” he asked.

“I might. The stirrups look a little far down.”

“Because they’re adjusted for me. I’ll help you on then adjust them for you.”

“Thank you.”

He helped her mount the horse, then adjusted the stirrups for her. He looked up at her and touched her knee.

“Okay?”

“Yes.”

He saddled his horse, vaulted onto the saddle, and nudged the horse with his knees.

“Just nudge her with your knees, she should follow behind just fine.”

“Okay. Lead the way.”

Killian nodded, then they rode the horses out of the barn and through the field beside the house. The dogs ran in front of them.

“What’s this beauty’s name?” Celine asked.

“Sierra.”

“Hello, Sierra. You are a beautiful girl.” Celine rubbed the horse’s neck. “What’s the palomino’s name?”

“Mocha.”

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