Page 9 of The Rancher's Code

“Let’s get you saddled up!” Amber nearly jumped for joy as she ran off to grab a saddle on the other side of the barn.

I nervously watchedas Cole prepared the saddle.

Amber was standing in front of Ursula, cooing and petting her, like she was her favorite. I couldn’t help but smile as I watched them together, wondering if Amber’s tendency to commit to the most outrageous option applied to the way she loved Ursula as well. I imagined that Ursula was the most spoiled horse of the 21stcentury, eating imported food and wearing designer horseshoes.

Definitely the happiest horse in the world.

“Here we go.” Cole finished setting up the saddle on Ursula’s back. “Come on over, Dylan.”

I tried and failed to push down my anxiety, my arms trembling a little bit as I walked up to the saddle. “So, what do I do? Just hop right up?”

“I can help you, since it’s your first time,” Cole replied. “It can be a little tricky getting up there if you haven’t done it before.”

“Isn’t this the part where you make fun of me?”

“What?”

“The city boy who’s literally shaking before getting on a horse?” I laughed but it came out flat. “I don’t even know why I’m so nervous. Ursula seems perfectly lovely?—”

“It’s okay to be scared. You’re trying something new.” Cole smiled. “It’s enough that you’re even willing to try it. Most city boys would’ve run the other way.”

“And there it is?—”

“But you’re not like most city boys, I think,” he continued. “Which is something I… respect about you.”

“You respect me now?”

“Don’t push it.” Cole smirked. “Now, do you want my help getting on the horse or not?”

“Honestly? I’ll take all the help I can get.”

Cole nodded before he casually placed his hands on my waist. “Put your foot in the stirrup. Push up.”

I did as I was told, stepping up into the stirrup. Cole’s grip on my waist only got tighter, keeping me safe until I was in place on top of Ursula. When I was settled on the horse, I looked back down at Cole at my side, his gaze piercing as it locked onto mine. As we looked into each other’s eyes, it was like everything fell away for a moment, no barn, no ranch, just us…

Breathe.

I need to breathe.

I suddenly forced down a mouthful of air, having forgotten about oxygen for a full minute.

What the hell?

What was wrong with me? Cole didn’t evenlikeme. Just because he was nice to meonceI forgot how to breathe?

The stress of planning this wedding was definitely getting to me.

“Let’s go, girl! Come on.” Amber led Ursula out of the barn and onto the ranch, directing her slow and steady. I held on for dear life, every so often making sure Cole was still by my side. If I was going to somehow fall off the horse, I wanted him?—

I wanted someone?—

There to catch me.

“You’re doing so good, Dylan!” Amber shouted up at me. “How does it feel? Good, right?”

“Actually, yeah…” I smiled as I spoke. “This is… really nice. Comforting. Ursula is quite the lady.”

“That’s why she’s my favorite.” Amber smiled too.

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