Page 7 of Eden's Dom

Cain patted her thigh before turning to the group. “What side did she mount?”

The group looked confused.

“Always get on and off a horse from the left side.”

“Why?” one of the guys asked.

“That’s the way they were trained, but it’s also easier for people to swing their right legs over the saddle, even if you’re left-handed.”

He looked at Eden. “I can tell you’re experienced. Do you think about how to mount a horse anymore?”

She shook her head. “No, it’s kind of ingrained in me now.”

Cain nodded. “That’s right.”

“What happens if we mess up and get on the right side?” one of the women asked.

“I would say most of the horses I use for the classes are so tame and used to people that it doesn’t affect them. But others will be startled.”

He looked at Eden. “Can we try getting on the other side?”

“Sure.” Eden slipped off the horse and walked around to the other side. Cain looked down at her. “Raider is a bit picky, so he might get frisky.”

Eden grinned. “Bring it on.”

Cain chuckled and lifted her onto the horse. Her first move was to get her feet into the stirrups before controlling the horse. Raider immediately started moving, prancing, and even backing up.

Cain stood close to help if needed but let her deal with the horse.

She rubbed his neck and talked to him, which settled Raider down.

“I would have peed my pants,” one of the guys said.

The rest of the people smiled.

“You’ll get used to it,” Cain said. He turned to Eden. “Do you feel comfortable demonstrating walking, trotting, andcantering?”

“Sure.” She guided the horse to the side of the barn and started walking.

“Go ahead and trot when you’re ready,” Cain called out.

Eden kicked the horse’s sides and clicked her tongue. Raider immediately moved faster. Fortunately, she was used to it, so she knew how to move with the horse instead of bouncing uncomfortably.

She could hear Cain talking but not the words.

He turned to her and nodded. She clicked her tongue, making the horse lunge into a canter. She couldn’t keep the smile off her face.

She kept looking at Cain to see what he wanted her to do, but he kept his back to her and talked to the rest of the group. When she finally heard a whistle, she slowed the horse and headed for Cain, stopping abruptly next to him.

“You’re having way too much fun, little girl.”

She smiled. “I can’t help it. I’m in my happy place.”

Cain laughed. “I hear you. Am I going to have a problem getting you off Raider?”

Eden frowned dramatically. “No, I guess not.”

He just laughed.

---