Page 30 of Tattered and Torn

“How can you tell?” I take a hesitant step forward, although I’m still at least ten feet away from the horse. “Hi, Odin.”

John smiles. “Have you ever been around a horse before?”

“No, never.”

“Okay. You can come closer,” he says. “Approach him slowly and talk gently. Let him get used to your scent and the sound of your voice. Let him know you’re a friend.”

“Hi, Odin.” I slowly move closer. “I’d like to be friends if that’s all right with you.”

“I don’t think he’ll mind.” Another grin from John. “Offer him your hand, palm side down, loose and relaxed. Let him smell you.”

I’m shaking but determined to go through with this. When my hand is within range, Odin nudges it gently with his muzzle. “His nose is so soft.”

“It is. Keep talking to him. After he gets a chance to learn your scent, you can slowly raise your hand and give him a little scratch on his forehead. He’ll like that.”

I do as instructed in spite of the butterflies in my belly. “You’re my first, Odin. Would you mind letting me ride you?”

John coughs, practically choking on a laugh. “I’m sure he’ll be happy to.”

Once Odin is saddled, John slips a bridle over his head and leads him outside, where he loops the reins over a pole.

“Now, you always mount a horse on his left side,” he says, guiding me to the correct spot. “Grab hold of the reins and horn with your left hand and grab the back of the saddle with your right. I’ll give you a lift up. Just swing your right leg over the horse and sit on the saddle. Ready?”

“As I’ll ever be,” I say.

I do as John instructed, and he effortlessly lifts me into the air and sits me down on the saddle.

“Put your feet in the stirrups,” he says. He adjusts them and positions my feet just so. “Keep your heels down. Now, hold the reins lightly in your fingers. Don’t tug. Don’t pull. Be gentle on the reins.”

I glance down at the ground, surprised by how far away it is. I didn’t expect that. “Odin sure is tall.”

“He’s sixteen hands. That’s pretty tall for a horse. But don’t worry. He’s a gentle giant. He’ll take good care of you as long as you take good care of him.” John takes the reins from me. “I’ll lead you around the paddock a few times so you can get used to the feel of him moving beneath you. Just hold onto the horn.” He points to the handle on the saddle. “Yeah, this thing here.”

John leads Odin around the paddock, and I hold onto the horn with a death grip. Heights make me dizzy.

“How’re you doin’?” he asks as we take another turn around the paddock.

My pulse is through the roof. “Okay.”

He chuckles. “That didn’t sound very convincing. Do you want to take the reins?”

I laugh nervously. “Do I have to?”

“No, you don’t,” he says, gazing up at me with an earnest expression. “I’d be happy to lead you around the paddock as long as you like.”

When our gazes lock, my chest tightens. I’m thinking, Why won’t you ask me out?

Odin whinnies softly.

“See?” John says. “Odin agrees. We are at your service.”

After a few more minutes, I decide to put my big girl panties on and take the reins. John walks a few feet ahead of us in a big circle around the enclosed area, and Odin follows him dutifully.

By now, I’m used to the rocking motion of the horse, used to sitting up so high off the ground. “This isn’t so bad.”

John glances up at me. “So, do you think you’ll be up to taking your first trail ride Tuesday? It’s a pretty easy trip—about three hours up to Pine Lake. We’ll do a little easy hiking around the lake and eat packed lunches. Then we’ll ride back down to the lodge. It’s sort of an all-day thing, but it shouldn’t be too taxing. What do you say?”

I hesitate, wanting to say yes, but not sure I’m up for such a long ride. “I’ll give it some thought.”

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