Page 41 of Marking Micah

Less than an hourlater they were at the barn, where two horses were already saddled and waiting inside a gated corral. One was a huge, heavily built black horse that she hoped wasn’t meant for her.

Arrow took her arm and led her toward the horses. “This little Appaloosa mare is for you. Her name’s Clementine, and she’s a sweet, gentle girl.”

Micah let her breath out. “Thank god.”

“Did you think I was gonna put you up on Magic?”

She looked up at him. “You did agree a little while ago that you’re a sadist.”

“So I did. And so I am. But this is a matter of safety, and you know I don’t take that lightly. Now come on and let’s get you in the saddle.”

“Oh, I….um, shouldn’t I say hi to her first? Like I did with China?”

“Yep, definitely. And good job remembering how to approach a new horse.”

Why did that simple compliment make her light up inside like it was New Year’s Eve?

He stayed by her side as he led her to Clementine’s head. “Just stroke her head and neck like you did with China.”

That part felt easy enough. She took a step forward and slowly stroked the horse’s brown-and-white spotted neck.

“Hi, Clementine. Good girl. We’re going to be friends, aren’t we?”

Clementine snorted and she drew her hand back.

“It’s okay,” Arrow was quick to assure her. “Try it again. She’s a good little horse; she won’t hurt you.”

Following his instructions, she petted Clementine’s neck, then her face, then her soft muzzle.

“You feeling a little more comfortable?”

She nodded. “Yeah, I do.”

“Great. Time to get you in the saddle.”

Her pulse sped up, but she knew there was no arguing with him. She took a deep breath and did as he told her, stepping into his braced hands with his fingers woven together and swinging her leg over the saddle, then he showed her how to get her feet in the stirrups with her heels down, and told her the correct way to sit and to hold the reins in her left hand. Clementine waited quietly, and she was relieved the horse was so patient and gentle.

He continued to instruct her, mounting Magic to show her how to use the reins, how to kick her to get her going, how to stop. And somehow her nerves began to fade just from the familiar sound of his voice.

They walked around the corral a few times until she felt like she had her balance and sort of knew what to do, then he opened a gate and led her out to a trail leading up a gently sloped hill.

They chatted quietly as they rode, as the late morning sun came out and warmed them. She breathed in the scents of earth and trees, enjoying the sun on her skin and the gorgeous surroundings. They rode for maybe an hour, and by the time they returned to the stables, she felt oddly relaxed. Arrow dismounted Magic, then came to help her off Clementine just as a man came out of the stables and waved to them.

“Hey, Travis. Thanks so much,” Arrow said. “This is Micah.”

“Nice to meet you,” the man said, moving to take both horses’ reins. “Hope you had a good ride?”

“I did. It was… magical,” she admitted. “And it’s nice to meet you, too.”

The man smiled, turned to send a wink to Arrow, then led the horses into the barn.

Arrow took her hand and pulled her in to face him. “Magical, huh?”

“Yes, magical. I didn’t expect it at all, but Clementine was so sweet with me, and this place is so beautiful, and… I don’t know. I just feel so good. So much more comfortable with the world than I have in a long time. Thank you for bringing me here.”

“I thought the Ranch would be a good place for you. There is something kinda magical about the place. So many people come here and discover who they are, work through their issues. It’s just a feel-good kind of place.”

“Other than the Dungeon,” she said, remembering how sore she was going to be later.

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