Page 23 of Captivated
Nate didn’t smile back, but he didn’t pull away either. And for now, Zeeb figured that was a start.
“Can I go outside?” Nate asked.
“Sure. I’ll show you the paddock. We might even see Paul out there. There ain’t nothing that man can’t do with a horse.” Zeeb’s eyes twinkled. “Except maybe teach it to tango. And I’m not even sure about that.”
Hot damn, that was almost a smile.
Zeeb had found a crack in Nate’s armor, and he was going to do his best to widen it a little.
Nate heard the sound of hooves long before he saw them, steady, rhythmic, like a heartbeat in the distance. As he approached the paddock, he saw a figure, tall and slim, silhouetted against the morning sun. Nate had no idea of his age, but he wore his long black hair tied back in a loose ponytail. He was leading a large, chestnut-colored horse with a calm, steady gait, walking in circles along the paddock’s perimeter. The horse’s coat gleamed in the morning light, and Nate felt a strange pull toward it.
“Ah, you must be Nate,” the man called out, his voice low and steady, like the sound of the wind through tall grass. “I’m Paul Stormcloud. Welcome to the ranch.”
Nate gave a stiff nod, unsure of what to say. He glanced at the horse again, his throat tightening as a vague, unfamiliar feeling settled in his chest. The animal was massive, its muscles rippling under its sleek coat, and yet it moved with a grace and gentleness that belied its size.
“This here’s Sorrel,” Paul continued, giving the horse a gentle pat on the neck. The horse’s dark eyes regarded Nate with an almost knowing expression, as if sizing him up.
Nate hesitated. He wasn’t sure if he was more wary of the horse or Paul.
Zeeb strolled over to join him. “I see you two have met.” He glanced at Nate. “Everything okay?”
Nate knew Zeeb was checking to see if Nate was comfortable having Paul around.
He did a quick assessment. Paul exuded calm. It rolled off him in a gentle wave, and Nate could almost feel it settling on his shoulders like a soft blanket.
“Yeah,” he said with a smile. “Everything’s fine.”
Well, almost.
“Would you like to lead Sorrel around the paddock?” Zeeb asked.
Paul gave him an inquiring glance.
Nate’s heart pounded.
“Is it okay if I just watch?”
Paul’s smile was warm. “Of course. Take your time. You’re in no rush here.”
Nate lingered by the fence, keeping a safe distance. He felt exposed, surrounded by nothing but open air and the feeling of being so painfully out of place. He loved the way Paul moved, so sure, so at ease with the horse and the land. It made Nate uncomfortable, and he couldn’t pinpoint why.
Is it because I’ve never felt that at ease my whole life?
Paul let the horse walk, leading it in slow, deliberate circles. The rhythm of the hooves against the ground was soothing, a sound that settled into the back of Nate’s mind and made him forget, for a moment, the constant hum of anxiety and the tightness in his chest.
Beside him, Zeeb didn’t utter a sound, and Nate was grateful for the quiet.
After a few minutes, Paul brought Sorrel to stand a few feet away. He stroked the horse’s mane. “Horses are special animals. They’re sensitive. They can pick up on your emotions—your fear, your anger, your uncertainty. But they can also sense kindness. And when you show them respect, they’ll give you that same respect back.” He paused, his gaze focused on Nate. “It’s all about trust.”
Nate’s brow furrowed. That last word felt foreign in his mouth, like a language he’d forgotten how to speak.I used to trust people. But then he reached the age of nine, and his world had shattered.
And right then, he wanted to trust Sorrel.
“How do I…?” Nate’s voice trailed off. He didn’t know what to ask, didn’t know where to start.
Paul nodded, as though he’d understood the unfinished question. “I’ll show you how to approach them. But remember, it’s not about forcing anything. It’s about being present, being calm. Horses don’t respond well to tension or aggression. They respond to softness, to consistency.”
Nate watched as Paul led Sorrel to a small wooden post at the edge of the paddock. He gestured for Nate to come closer, the invitation clear but gentle.
