Page 27 of Trussed In Hope
“Then you get tested.” I kept my gaze on her, steady and measured. “Just like with Diesel. Apply pressure, then release. Show them who’s in charge without breaking them. They respect strength. They respect calmness.”
Her fingers brushed mine as she reached for the lead rope tied to Diesel’s halter. My chest tightened at the contact, and I let it linger, letting her feel the weight of me there without moving closer.
We moved toward the herd. The cows lifted their heads, ears flicking, watching us. I gestured for her to stay close, but let her take the lead. Emberlynn walked slowly, deliberately,her posture firm, yet her hand brushed nervously against the clipboard.
“Pressure,” I murmured, echoing the lesson. “Step closer. Use your voice. Then release. Don’t let them push past you.”
She squared her shoulders and took a measured step toward one of the larger cows, her voice low but confident. “Hey there, girl… move along.”
The cow hesitated, shifting slightly, then stepped aside. Emberlynn’s eyes met mine, wide with surprise and triumph.
“Good girl,” I said, letting a hint of praise slip in. “Control. Calm. Authority. You felt that, didn’t you?”
Her lips curved into a small, satisfied smile. “Yeah… it’s different from I thought. Harder, but… exciting.”
I stepped closer, letting my hand hover near hers again, not touching but close enough for her to sense it. “Lesson four isn’t just about cattle,” I said, voice low, “it’s about understanding power. How to hold it… and when to let it go.”
Her breath hitched slightly, and her eyes darkened with the recognition. “So… this is happening for a reason, isn’t it? All of this… lessons, the animals… you teaching me?”
I didn’t answer immediately. I let her feel the tension hanging between us, thick and unspoken. Diesel whickered softly at my side, as if he knew we’d moved from horses to cattle, from physical lessons to something far more personal.
I finally let a slow smile curve my lips. “Yeah. That’s exactly what’s happening.”
I gestured for her to circle around a few of the cattle with me, clipboard in hand. “Keep your distance. Let them see you, then approach slowly. Confidence matters more than size.”
She nodded, but I caught the quick twitch of her hand as she fidgeted with the clipboard. “Confidence,” she repeated, almost as if testing the word.
“Exactly,” I said. “Not cocky. Just firm.”
She moved forward, deliberately calm, and I followed, close enough to guide, far enough to let her feel the authority. A cow turned its head, sniffing the air, and she stepped in just a little too fast. The animal hesitated, shifting its weight, and I had to catch her elbow lightly to steady her.
“Easy,” I murmured, my hand brushing hers. She didn’t pull away, though I felt the tension spike between us. “Pressure, then release. Don’t rush it.”
Her lips curved into a teasing smirk. “So, what happens if Idon’tlisten?”
I raised an eyebrow, amused but firm. “Then you learn quickly. Animals respect strength… and they sense hesitation.”
She straightened, meeting my gaze directly. “I can handle it. Don’t think I’m afraid of a cow.”
“Good,” I said, voice low, letting the weight of it settle. “Then show me.”
She stepped closer to the massive black cow, speaking in a soft, firm voice. “Move along, girl. Easy.” The cow shifted, and she loosened the rope slightly, letting it slack. Diesel nudged her side, adding his presence to the lesson.
I watched, letting her feel the authority in herself while I maintained mine just behind the scenes. “See that? You didn’t push. You guided. That’s control. That’s trust.”
Her chest rose with a quick inhale, eyes glinting. “I like this. Hard… and challenging.”
“Lesson four isn’t easy. Not with the animals. Not with me.”
Her gaze dropped to the ground, then back up at me, bold and steady. “Good. Because I’m not looking for easy.”
The words hit like a spark in the barn, a low and steady fire that set the tension ablaze without breaking the flow of the lesson.
I let her continue circling the herd, guiding and correcting with small, precise gestures. Every time her hand brushed mine,every time her voice carried authority, the space between us crackled. She was testing me—teasing the edges of my control—but always with respect.
And I let her. Because the moment she felt she could challenge me and still be safe, we both knew the lesson had been learned.
I led Diesel back toward his stall, hands firm but careful on the lead rope. Emberlynn’s eyes followed every movement, curious, alert—like she was measuring me, testing how much control I’d let her see.
