by A. D. Ryan
“Okay, let’s try the low combination to get Max warmed up for the course. I’ll just set up a few cross rails, and then we’ll raise them bit by bit.” I raised the poles into the cups before addressing her again. “How high have you jumped with Jill?”
“Um, two and a half feet, I think?” she said as Max trotted past me.
I nodded, brushing the dirt from my hands onto my jeans. “And how did that feel? Were you comfortable with it?”
She nodded. “Yeah. But I’d like to try three.”
“Well,” I said with a light laugh, loving her enthusiasm. “Let’s see how you do with two and a half first, okay?”
As I expected, April and Max were amazing over the low rails. They went through the combination a couple times before I raised the poles, and after I felt they were ready, I instructed them on the course. I had set up a brush jump, a couple of oxers and a combination. Max handled it like a pro. He and April were perfectly matched.
After completing the course at two and a half feet, and seeing Max clear the rails by at least a foot each, I figured we could raise it another half a foot. I wasn’t wrong; April handled Max very well, and he finished the course again with ease before our time was up.
“All right, you can cool him down. You both did so well today!” I praised her. “What did you think of Max?”
April loosened the reins so Max could stretch his neck as she removed her feet from the stirrups and raised the leathers to criss-cross them over Max’s withers. “He’s amazing! I’ve ridden quite a few horses while here, and I loved them all, but he’s different. Better. Smoother.”
The smile on my face widened as I watched her lean forward to pet his neck affectionately. He snorted happily and shook his head, enjoying the attention. They made a couple laps around the arena while I cleaned up the course, returning the standards and poles back to the far corner. I was just putting the last jump standard in place when I caught a mess of brown hair walking toward the new barn. Raising my hand, I waved at Jensen and fought to contain a girlish giggle when he winked in return.
April dismounted, and I walked with her back to the barn. She had just tethered Max to groom him when her mother approached. “Hi, sweetheart! I saw a little bit of your riding, you were spectacular.”
“Thanks, Mom!” April squealed. “This is Max. Isn’t he awesome? I love him.”
I smiled, running my hand down the front of Max’s face before turning to April’s mom. “I knew he’d be right for her. You know, Mrs. Peters, I trained Max myself. He’s a great horse, and I feel he’s perfectly suited to April.” I nodded my head toward my father’s office while April fed Max a few carrots and removed his saddle.
I opened the office door and gestured for her to enter first. Once inside, I raved about how well April did during her lesson and how much potential she had to go far in the industry. Mrs. Peters didn’t seem too surprised as she sat in the chair across from me.
“As I mentioned last week, I think April could go far in this business. It’s a lot of hard work, but she’s open to suggestions to better herself and she’s amazing. It’s not just riding. There’s certification to get her into the pro circuits, and she’d need a permanent mount. One she feels comfortable on.”
“And you think Max is that horse?” she deduced.
I nodded once. “Even after just one session, I do.”
“How much are we talking?”
It didn’t take much to sell her on Max’s pedigree and worth, and soon she was handing over a check and signing the paperwork. April had herself a new mount.
Before leaving the office, we spent a few more minutes discussing the cost of board and her additional lessons. With everything in order, I walked Mrs. Peters out of the office to tell April the good news. She let out a squeal that pulled Max’s focus, and then hugged her mom and me.
“So, you’re free to come out to the barn whenever to ride him, but you still have to follow the rules set for everyone. You must be respectful of lesson times and stay close to the grounds should you go for a trail ride. There are marked trails for the riders here, and we need you to make sure you stay on them. It’s a safety and liability issue.” April nodded, her eyes still wide with disbelief as I rattled off things she already knew. “I want to see you twice a week, once for a riding session and the other will be for textbook work. If you’re serious about this, there are a lot of things that need to be learned in order to certify you.”
“I am! I swear I am!”
I smiled. “I know you are. You still have a couple years, but I think in that time, we can get you into a few of the local competitions—in fact, Mr. Davis had made a suggestion to my dad about us hosting a few a year. They would be excellent practice for an aspiring young rider.”
“Yes! All of it! Yes!” Her eagerness reminded me of my own enthusiasm when my grandfather told me everything I was telling her.
We set up her bi-weekly sessions before I left the two of them with their new gelding. I offered to take him back outside for them when they were ready to head home, and after releasing Max back out to his paddock, it was time for lunch. I was excited to tell everyone about Max’s new owner and our newest prodigy.
Chapter 14. Close Call
When I arrived at Dad’s for lunch, everyone congratulated me on selling Max and securing April’s extra training. It only took one question from my dad to bring me down from my high.
“How much did you get for Max?” His expression was static as he stared intently at his poker hand while Tom placed his bet.
I stood next to Jensen at the counter where he was cutting vegetables. While I knew for a fact that Dad often offered deals on some of the horses we sold to our current clientele, I wasn’t sure how he would feel about the discount I gave Mrs. Peters—especially considering how much this renovation was costing us. I only hoped he would see the light at the end of the tunnel when it came to the additional funds in board and extra training we would be getting for taking April on a little more.
Jensen’s eyes were on me as he waited with Dad for me to respond, and I grimaced slightly before mumbling, “Fifteen.”
Dad’s eyes slowly rose from the cards in his hands before he turned his head to me. “Madison, you do realize that Max’s pedigree alone appraises him at fifteen thousand, don’t you? The years of training that went into him easily raise his value.”
“Yeah, I know. But think about it. We’re taking April on once more each week … plus the money we’ll get for his board now. It’s just, he’s ten. He’s never competed. Sure, he may have champion bloodlines, but he’s not a champion yet. And he won’t be unless we get him someone who wants to make him one.” I shrugged. “And April does.”
Jensen smiled at me before returning his attention to the vegetables he was slicing on the cutting board. I reached across and swiped a sliver of red pepper from the pile and popped it in my mouth. “I’m sorry I didn’t consult you on it beforehand.”
With a sigh, Dad conceded. “Nah, that’s okay. I guess I see your point.” He returned to his poker game just in time for Jeff to lay his cards down on the table.
“Royal flush!” he announced before sweeping the pile of loose coins and bills toward him. Tom and Dad groaned simultaneously, throwing their cards down on the table like children.
“Okay,” Jensen announced. “Lunch is almost ready.” He turned his attention to me. “You hungry?” There seemed to be some kind of hidden connotation in his voice, but I knew it really wasn’t the time to act upon it. Of course, my mind was pretty much one-tracked lately, so it was likely just me hearing inflections where there were none.
“Famished. What’s for lunch?” I inquired, peering over his arm to see what he was making.
Jensen smiled. “For you and me, roasted bell pepper and feta wraps. And I cooked up a little of your dad’s left over chicken from last night for theirs.” He nodded toward the stove where he had two skillets going. In one was a combination of red pepper, mushrooms and purple
onion strips sautéing, and in the other was the same, but with slivers of chicken cooking along with it.
“You’re kind of amazing in the kitchen,” I admitted happily.
When his lips twisted up into a smirk, I knew I should have thought before speaking—as usual. He lowered his head until he was right by my ear and whispered, “Only ‘kind of’?”
My cheeks instantly warmed, remembering our kitchen interlude a little over a week ago, and I pulled back with a tiny gasp. “You’re terrible,” I whispered, poking his abdomen with my pointer finger before washing up for lunch.
“Maybe,” he snickered. “But you love it.”
“I don’t know why …” I teased before another sharp pain radiated in my abdomen. Up until now they had been relatively dull—almost non-existent—which could only mean the beginning of that bitch, Aunt Flow, was imminent. Whore.
I put my hand on my hip and put pressure on the cramping area, drawing Jensen’s concerned eyes to me. “You okay?”
The cramp passed, and I smiled at him, hopefully assuring him. “Yeah. Fine, thanks. Do you need any help?”
Shaking his head, Jensen lifted the skillet with chicken and used the tongs to place equal portions onto a small bed of spinach in the center of each wrap. Then, he topped them all with some feta cheese and wrapped them tightly. “Would you take these to the guys?” he asked, picking up the plates and handing them to me until I had both hands full and was balancing the third on my forearm.
“So, Madison,” Dad spoke up as we all ate. “Your birthday’s coming up in just under two weeks.”
“Yeah. So it is.”
Jensen looked up from what he was doing. “It is?”
“September twenty-second,” I replied.
“Well, what did you want to do?” Dad continued. He was always holding out hope that I’d want to do anything to celebrate, but I liked my low-key traditions.
After swallowing my last bite, I wiped my hands on my napkin. “Um, absolutely nothing—like every year. Save for our tradition.”
“Tradition?” Jensen inquired.
“Yeah, ever since I learned how to ride, Dad would always bring me out here and we’d go for a long trail ride on my birthday. Every year. We’ve never missed one.”
I looked up at my dad, who was looking a little embarrassed due to my outing his softer side. “It’s my favorite part of the day,” I added softly.
“Mine too, kiddo.”
“So that’s all you do? No party? No cake?”
I shook my head. “Nah, not since I was in middle school. I was never big on parties.”
“Well, what do you want for your birthday?” Jensen prodded, nudging my knee with his beneath the table.
Dad choked a little on his food as he fought back a laugh. “Oh, Madi doesn’t do gifts.”
“That’s ridiculous,” Jensen said, shaking his head like such a thing was impossible.
I shook my head. “No, really.” I told him. “I have everything I need. Everything.” His eyes locked on mine, hopefully picking up my meaning. “It’s ridiculous to spend money on frivolous things. No gifts. Please.” The look in Jensen’s eyes told me he wasn’t ready to comply.
“So,” Jensen said, trying to understand. “No party. No cake. And no gifts?”
“Right. Easy peasy.” I stood up and started to clear the empty plates away before putting them in the dishwasher. I turned back to everyone and smiled, trying to get the discussion off my birthday. “Can we train outside today? It’s gorgeous out,” I asked Tom as we put our shoes on.
He nodded. “Yeah, I think that would be fine. Why don’t you go and catch Starla, and we’ll get started in about thirty.”
Jensen stayed at my side as I grabbed Starla’s halter and lead. “Mind if I tag along? Your dad doesn’t need me for a bit, and I’ve missed you terribly.”
How could I argue with that? I couldn’t, plain and simple. “Sure. I’d love that.”
I laced my fingers between his, and we walked happily out to the far paddock, thoroughly enjoying each other’s company. “So,” Jensen began. “Do you want to go for a trail ride tonight? Maybe before dinner.”
“Sounds great,” I said as we entered the paddock together. Starla stood near the center, ears flicking as I clicked my tongue, and she wandered over, making my job easier.
“So, I’ll get Halley and Ransom ready for six then?” Jensen said on our way back to the barn so I could tether and groom Starla.
I smiled wide. “Perfect.” Jensen leaned down and placed a sweet kiss on my lips before backing away.
After getting Starla tacked up, I led her to the outdoor arena. Tom was hard at work setting up a few jumps, and I grew nervous for my ass when I saw him take the rainbow planks out. Starla had only ever jumped a basic rail, so it was likely she would refuse this one—I just hoped I could stay seated. Phantom pains ripped through my ribcage as I predicted the outcome.
During our warm up, Starla’s ears perked forward as we walked past the awaiting rainbow jump, but she didn’t shy away from it or seem skittish. I grew hopeful. Once she was warmed up, we moved into a trot. For such a young horse, she was incredibly docile. Her transitions between gaits were almost always seamless, and she was such a smooth ride. We actually got pretty lucky with her, because her parents were a bitch to train; we actually retired her dam as a permanent brood mare because she was so feisty. We hoped her foals wouldn’t inherit that trait. Starla was her first filly and was proving to be a delight.
“Lookin’ good, Madi,” Tom praised. “Why don’t you move her into a steady lope for a few laps, and then we’ll take her over a few low cross rails.”
“Sure.” All it took was a gentle nudge for Starla to transition into a canter. We circled the arena a couple of times before I moved her down the center and over the one foot cross rails that Tom had just set up. As expected, Starla took them with ease, and I was ecstatic.
“Good, Madi!”
Patting Starla’s neck, I circled around to take the short jumps again when I caught sight of Jensen, Dad, and Jeff taking a break to observe my session. Jensen’s eyes were trained on me, a smile spread wide across his face while Jeff and Dad spoke amongst themselves, casually glancing over once in a while. After two more times over the rails, Tom set the rainbow planks to the same height and instructed me to give them a try.
Confidence filled me knowing how well Starla was doing today, and I turned her in the jump’s direction. When we were a stride away, I started to shift forward in my saddle in preparation for her to leap forward. My conviction was short-lived, and my heart leapt into my throat when she refused, shooting me forward. Thankfully, I was able to tighten my legs and grip onto her mane before flying over her head … but just barely.
I heard Jensen curse, and I cringed. Here I had just gotten myself healed—barely over a week ago—and I was already close to being on my way back to the ER.
“Damn it,” I muttered, irritated with myself for not seeing it coming. With my panicked heart pounding, I righted myself in the saddle and backed Starla up a few strides to turn her around and try again. “You can do this.” I wasn’t just talking to Starla.
This time, I paid attention to Starla’s body language as we approached. Her ears perked forward and her neck tensed, pulling her head back a little; she was scared—which was to be expected of anything unfamiliar. She refused again, but this time I wasn’t nearly as close to falling off as before. Of course, that didn’t stop Jensen from hopping the fence and rushing toward me.
“I’m fine,” I said through clenched teeth, my frustration clear in my tone as I turned Starla sharply. I didn’t back her away like before, thinking that maybe by doing that the first time I confused her and made her think she was done with it. She needed to be exposed to it.
“Madison,” Tom interjected just as Jensen opened his mouth to speak. “Why don’t you take her over the cross rails again?”
I shook my head adamantly, steering Starla back onto th
e track so we could circle around and try the rainbow again. “No,” I stated firmly. “She’s going to do this.”
As we approached the jump again, Starla still seemed nervous, but not nearly as much. Her ears were still straight forward, but she didn’t throw her head up this time. Her final stride spread out, and I sucked in a breath while leaning forward, paying close attention to the cues she was giving me, and we sailed over the low multi-colored planks.
It wasn’t until she landed that I expelled the breath I had taken, allowing myself to relax. She did it, and I managed to stay on through it all. Starla maintained her lope as we circled around to do it again. When I looked toward the center of the ring, I saw Jensen had joined Tom. While Tom looked pleased that I had stuck with it and made her go over it, Jensen looked bot relieved and terrified. I couldn’t blame him, not after what happened his first few days here.
“I’m taking her again,” I announced. “She needs to do it more than once.” No one disagreed with me, but Jensen looked like he was about to pass out. He really shouldn’t have been so stressed about it; Starla took the jump without even second guessing it now that she knew it wasn’t going to bite her.
I had her take the rail twice more before Tom spoke up again. “Great job, Madi. You can cool her down now. She did really well.”
I slowed Starla to a walk and gave her a little more rein so she could relax her neck. I leaned forward and patted her neck, being sure to drag my hand up and scratch her shoulder as I sat upright again.
“You scared the shit out of me,” Jensen said, appearing beside me as I walked Starla around the arena.
I looked down at him as he reached out and rubbed Starla’s neck. “Sorry. I couldn’t make her not take it though. It would have sent the wrong message.”
“No, I get that. But you just got better. It’s likely all it would have taken was one fall to fracture your ribs again.” Jensen sighed, reaching back and gripping the back of his neck. He was way too tense.
“Right. But it’s a risk one takes when riding. You know that,” I countered, letting him know that his falling off was just as likely as mine. Okay, maybe not just as likely, given recent events. But he could fall off—if he wasn’t perfect.