Page 37 of The Accidental Wife

Cole

“Shayla.Will you please come over here?” I ask for the umpteenth time and watch as she stubbornly shakes her head, arms crossed over her chest. “There is nothing to be afraid of, I promise,” I assure her, but she still shakes her head, eyeing Casper— my all-white stallion sceptically.

“No. I can’t. I’m scared.” She mutters with a shrug.

“Honey, it's just for a photoshoot. I’ll be right there with you.” I assure, walking over to her. She lifts her gaze to mine and scowls. “People are looking. Come on,” I urge quietly, and she rolls her eyes.

“Why do we have to do this photoshoot anyway?” She huffs, brushing away a strand of loose hair that fell into her face with her fingers.

“Because people are curious and want to know who I married. If we don’t put something out there, they will just keep digging and chasing us around. Is that what you want? To be hounded by the paparazzi all the damn time?” Shayla looks at me and shakes her head.

“No,” She sighs. “But this is a bit extreme, isn’t it?” She claims, glancing down at herself. She looks gorgeous dressed in a simple white flowy dress, her brown hair curled and styled in half-up, half-down fashion with a braid around her head like a band. She looks like an absolute Goddess.

“Not at all. You look like an angel. We just need to pose for a couple of pictures looking all happy and loved up.” I explain, brushing that same strand of her hair away with my fingers. She bites her lip and nods.

“Okay, fine.” She agrees and walks toward the horse but jumps back, startled when Casper makes a sudden movement. I chuckle and go over to her.

“Come here.” I place my hands at her waist and move her toward him. “Horses can pick up on your nerves. I promise you he’s not going to hurt you. Here, give me your hand.” I say, moving behind her. I lift her hand and move closer to Casper. “Just relax,” I whisper in her ear as I lift her hand, guiding her fingers over Casper’s soft fur. “There you go, nice and easy. The last thing you want to do is spook him. If he doesn’t feel connected with you or doesn’t trust you, he will refuse to let you on, and you’ll get hurt. Casper likes to be petted on the head or his face.” I tell her, and when I feel her relax, I let go of her hand, and she strokes his face gently. “Hey buddy, there you go.”

“He’s so beautiful.” Shayla smiles as she confidently strokes his shoulder, and Casper groans and turns his face against hers. She grins, touching his face.

“He likes you,” I whisper in her ear, and she smiles, brushing her fingers through his hair.

“Please don’t kill me,” She pleads sweetly, and I step back and let her interact with him on her own for a couple of minutes while I watch.

“Are you ready to mount him?” I ask after a while, and she looks back at me and nods. I step forward and place my hands at her waist. “I’m going to lift you, and you’ll need to put your foot in the stirrup, throw your leg over and sit on the saddle, okay?” She nods, and I easily lift her off the ground. She follows my instructions and mounts him like a pro. “Good job. Okay, now, hold the reins, but don’t pull it and don’t make any sudden movements. I’m going to climb up behind you.”

Shayla looks down at me and nods. “Tristan, can we get a photo of you just as you are. If you can, just look up at Shayla. The sun is catching you both perfectly right now. Shayla, reach over and place your hand on Tristan’s cheek gazing down at him.

“Uh, okay.” I look up at Shayla, and she gazes down at me placing her hand on my cheek. We stare at each other while they take the shots, and I can see the corners of her lips twitch ever so slightly as she tries to fight the urge to smile.

“Excellent. That’s just stunning.” The photographer says, looking at the image on her camera. “Okay, Tristan, you can climb up on the horse now.” I nod and mount Casper placing myself behind Shayla. I reach around and take the reins from her.

“You okay?” I ask, leaning into her ear, and she nods. “Squeeze your thighs and hold onto the reins with me.

“What? Why?” She questions.

“We’re going to go for a ride,” I whisper in her ear. She turns to look back at me.

“Right now?” I nod and click my tongue, and Casper starts moving forward.

“Do you trust me?” I ask. She presses her back against my chest and nods.

“Yes.” When I whistle, Casper moves at a canter. Shayla shrieks and closes her eyes. “Oh my gosh!”

I laugh as we canter through the trail, and Shayla keeps her eyes squeezed shut the whole time. “Open your eyes.” She shakes her head.

“No. I feel like we’re going to crash into something. Oh my God, he’s so fast!” She squeals, and I smile, biting my lip.

“This isn’t him at full speed. You should see him gallop. Open your eyes, sweetheart.” She peels her eyes open and gasps, her fingers tightening around the reins so tight her knuckles go white. I pull the reins, and Casper slows a little. “Trust him. I’m going to let go of the reins, and you’re going to be in control.”

“Cole no—”

“You got this.” I let go of the reins and wrap my arms around her waist. “Pull the reins back gently, and he will slow down,” I instruct, she does as I tell her, and Casper slows to a trot. I feel Shayla relax in my arms when he slows down, and she sighs. I brush her hair over to the other side and rest my chin on her shoulder.

“My heart is racing. That was insane.” I chuckle, nuzzling her ear gently.

“You did great.” She smiles and shakes her head before she cranes her neck and looks back at me.

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