Page 29 of Cougar Chronicles

“Right between the ribs and the hip,” Jack said. “Just be careful. You won’t kick her.”

“From your mouth to God’s ears,” Holly mumbled. Just what she needed, an angry horse who couldn’t breathe while she was completely helpless, one leg lodged in a stirrup. She inhaled sharply and swung her leg over Ladybelle’s body.

Her bottom hit the hard saddle with a plunk.

“There you go,” Jack said. “Now gather the reins and slide your other foot into the stirrup. Are you comfortable? Are the stirrups the right length? I can adjust them for you.”

“How the heck should I know? They feel okay.”

Jack gazed down at her feet. “Yeah, they look okay. You should be able to slide into them simply by lifting your feet a few inches. Now you wait while Sam and I get on our mounts, and we’ll start out.”

“Uh, Jack?”

“Yeah?”

“She’s not going to…take off or anything, is she?”

He laughed. “No, sugar. Just sit tight. We’ll be with you in a minute.”

Jack helped Sam onto a spotted gray horse and then mounted his sleek brown horse with smooth grace. Damn, the man was beautiful.

“Okay, sugar. We’re going to start with a slow walk. Just squeeze your calves together, and Ladybelle’ll know what to do.”

“Don’t I just say ‘giddyup’ or something?”

Sam burst into giggles.

“No, Holly,” Jack said. “Just squeeze your calves. Don’t kick, or she’ll get numb.”

“I’d never kick any animal, Jack Sherwood.”

“I know you wouldn’t. I’m just sayin’ don’t squeeze too hard. Sam, come on.” Jack’s horse walked.

Holly stared at Jack’s finely shaped calves and tried to see exactly what he was doing. Underneath his jeans, those muscular legs were no doubt taut and sinewy with their squeezing movements. Unfortunately, she couldn’t see through the fabric, so she had to guess how much tension to put in her own legs.

Sam followed his father, and Holly took a deep breath. It’s now or never, she said to herself, and squeezed her calves together.

To her astonishment, Ladybelle walked. The horse followed Jack and Sam. Holly’s bottom bounced a little in the saddle. Jack and Sam seemed to be sitting comfortably. What was she doing wrong?

“Pull back the reins now,” Jack said. “We need to stop and check the girth.”

“My girth is just fine, thank you.”

“Oh, sugar, your girth is lovely. But we’re checking Ladybelle’s girth.”

Holly pulled on the reins and Ladybelle jerked to a stop.

“A little lighter pull next time,” Jack said. “Now watch me.” Jack slid his fingers beneath the band that went under the horse and held the saddle in place.

At least that’s what it looked like it was doing. Holly didn’t have a clue.

“If you can get more than two fingers under the girth, you need to tighten it.”

Her hands shaking, Holly replicated Jack’s actions. Barely one finger fit between the girth and the horse. “Good to go, I guess,” she said.

“Excellent. Let’s try a slow walk again. You know what to do.”

“Jack, I—” She stopped. How exactly could she say her ass was bumping in the saddle? Not very sexy. “Never mind.”

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