Page 8 of Don't Trust the Cowboy

I chuckle. “She loves to ride, and the exercise is good for her. Plus, she’ll let you know if she goes into labor. And you’re only going to ride her around the barn.” I say with a grunt, reaching for the mounting block. I pull it over and slide a saddle on Mazy’s back. “Here. I’ll help you up.”

“Are you sure?” She asks reluctantly.

“Sure, I'm sure.” I nod with a smile. “I wouldn’t put you or Mazy in harm’s way.”

“Okay.” She says. Then she looks up at Mazy. “Do you mind if I give it a try? I won’t hurt you.”

The horse makes a happy breathing noise, and I know that she really likes her, setting my mind at ease.

“Come on. Let’s get you up here before the sun is completely down.” I encourage.

Piper lifts her foot onto the mounting block, and I steady her by holding both hands on her waist, helping push her up onto Mazy’s back. With a soft grunt, she’s up easily, and she lets out another little squeal once she’s settled. “Gosh, this is so exciting! How old were you when you first rode a horse?”

I pull the mounting block away. “I think I was...three or four? That’s alone, mind you. My uncle had me up with him once I could walk.”

“Really? No wonder you know so much about them.”

“I was raised on a ranch. Not my own, mind you, but my uncle’s.” I tell her as I guide Mazy out of the barn. Her steps are slow and measured, not only because she’s very pregnant, but because she senses that Piper is new at this. Mazy is very apt at telling who’s seasoned and who’s not.

“How often do you ride?”

“Oh, every day, darlin’. I couldn’t imagine not riding. And Mazy here needs exercise, pregnant or not. It’s important to keep a horse in good shape.”

“So this is good for her.”

“It is. And she loves to ride, especially with people that she likes.”

“Is there anyone that she doesn’t like?”

“Ah, Mazy lets me know. But she’s a real lover. I can tell that she really likes you.” The smile on Piper’s face is contagious. As we walk around the barn, I imagine how wonderful it would be to show her how to ride, to gallop into the sunset. How freeing and beautiful it is. Nothing matches that feeling. And it’s something that only true horse lovers can witness. Something that Piper would adore, as I do. “How would you like to learn to ride? Call it part of your training.”

“I’d love to. This is...this is so wonderful. I mean, I know we’re not going fast, but just something about a horse, I don’t know. But...maybe you do, seeing as you’re a horse lover, too.”

“I know it well, Miss Charlton.”

“You know, you can call me Piper if you see it fit, Mr. Barnes. Nobody’s ever called me Miss Charlton before.”

“Well, then, in that case, you can call me Billy. Nobody’s ever called me Mr. Barnes, except if they didn’t like me.”

She snorts a laugh. “Well, any friend of Mazy’s is a friend of mine, sir.”

“You call me sir and I keep thinking my daddy’s around. Just call me Billy.”

“Okay, Billy. I always liked that name.”

“Oh yeah? How come? Where’d you hear it first?”

“It was in a movie, I think. Or was it Billy the Kid? I don’t know. Is your legal name William?”

“We don’t like to talk about that.” I tell her, clearing my throat, making like I’m angry, but my eyes are dancing.

She catches on and chuckles. “I suppose I should talk. With a name like Piper, I mean.”

“That’s a fine name. Better than something fluffy like Becky or something, or a snooty one like Elizabeth. No, Piper’s good. I like it.”

“Thanks.” She smiles. “Hey, Billy. You mind if I ask y’all something?”

“Sure.”

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