Her little brow crunched but she dutifully said, “Peas.”
“Good job.” Hawk picked up the remote and clicked several buttons, navigating to the right screen and picking some show. A second later, catchy music filled the room and Aria started bouncing up and down like she was dancing along with the dogs on the screen.
At the same time, the front door opened and little running feet had me turning. A boy who had a backpack bigger than he was screeched to a stop. He glanced around once, then twice, and then put his hands on his hips.
“Hawk! Where’s Mimi?”
“Hey, Pay. Mimi and Papa had to go do something real quick. I’m sure your snack is ready though.”
Pay’s face fell. “But we were gonna make cookies.”
“Payton,” Mal chastised, entering the room. “I’m sure whatever Mimi had to go do was important. She wouldn’t skip cookies for no reason, right?”
Pay’s expression lightened. “Right, Daddy. I knew that. I’m gonna get my carrots.”
Mal helped his son out of his backpack, and as soon as the kid took off for the refrigerator, he shot a look at Hawk. “Everything okay?’
Hawk nodded. “It’s a whole thing.”
I took the opportunity to step toward the door, and my movement caught Hawk’s attention. He startled, as if he’d forgotten I was there. Which I totally didn’t blame him for. It had been sheer chaos since we walked in the door.
I cleared my throat. “I should go, yeah? There’s a lot going on and you don’t need me here.”
“Oh. Right. Yeah, that’s probably a good idea.” Hawk blinked, shook his head, and then that mask of neutrality fell back over his face. Something in my gut clenched. After seeing his freer attitude over the last however many minutes, the change was a gut punch. I didn’t like it one bit.
Mal glanced back and forth between us. After a moment or two, he said, “I’ll see you tomorrow, Carter. Twelve-thirty work?”
“Yes. I’ll be here.”
I waved at Hawk and made my escape. I was halfway across the drive, heading for where I’d parked the Jeep before I let myself breathe and think. Today had not turned out at all like I expected. I’d thought I’d get a riding lesson and not even see Hawk. Instead, I saw him in a new light that changed my perception of him, at least a little.
I needed a reset. Tomorrow was a new day and it would turn out exactly like I intended. Then I could put this whole crazy day behind me.
“Heels down, back straight. There you go.”
Mal’s voice was calm and soothing, and even though I kept forgetting to sit like I was supposed to, he never seemed to get mad. He just gently corrected me and praised me when I did it right.
I was on Niko again and the horse plodded along without much fuss. We were in the outdoor arena outside the training barn, the sun was warm enough, and even though I expected going in circles to make me dizzy, it didn’t. When Mal had me change directions, Niko did it almost without me using the reins and my leg. It was like the horse understood what Mal was saying. To be honest, I wasn’t entirely sure he didn’t.
“Let’s try a trot now,” Mal said, coming closer. “Squeeze your legs and shorten the reins a bit.”
I did, and Niko immediately picked up the pace. I felt like I was on a bucking bronco, I was bouncing so much. Mal hid his amusement as he jogged over.
“Whoa,” he murmured, and Niko came to a stop. Mal chuckled and reached out to scratch the horse's neck. “You’re too good at this, aren’t you, boy? You’re supposed to listen to your rider, not me.”
I peered down at the top of Mal’s head. “Well? How bad am I at this?”
Mal shook his head, looking up. “You’re not bad. You’re new. Try to relax your hips and tighten your core. You gotta go withthe motion instead of holding yourself stiff. And maybe next time we try a different horse. I have some ideas about that. But for now, get him walking again and when you’re ready, move into a trot.”
There was a part of me that wanted to throw in the towel. We’d been at this for almost an hour and I could barely do more than sit like a potato on the back of this horse as he walked in circles. But I wasn’t a quitter, and Mal was right. I was new. I needed to learn. So I took a deep breath and clicked my tongue. Niko started walking again.
After two full circuits, I focused on my lower half. Heels down, back straight, hips relaxed, core tight. It was a lot to think about. How did cowboys do this all day? I shook my head, chastising myself. Clearly it was second nature to seasoned riders. And if I didn’t practice, it would never be the same for me.
Okay, I could do this. I was ready for take two.
I choked up on the reins and had barely squeezed my legs when Niko picked up his legs and went faster. I was still bouncing in the saddle, but not nearly as much. I pressed my heels down a little further, and somehow that made my knees relax too. That was even better.
“Much better,” Mal called. “Keep it up.”
