Page 18 of A Rancher's Vow

Kelli chuckled softly, turning them into the arena through the tall open barn doors. “You just relaxed. Which means Path relaxed—good job.”

“She’s worried about me riding?”

“No, not in a bad way,” Kelli assured Charity. “Horses like Path are people pleasers. She wants people to like riding her, so if she senses something is wrong, she wants to fix it.”

“Great. Now I’m making horses develop neuroses.”

A bright laugh danced over the open air as Kelli turned Path again, tighter to the right this time. “You’re doing wonderfully. I’m going to speed her up a little and do some circles. Just hold onto me and pretend you’re dancing with a new partner.”

“Let Path lead? I can do that.”

“Exactly.” Kelli leaned forward slightly and clicked her tongue.

Path sped up.

Charity’s fingers instinctively went into a clutch for a few breaths until she figured out the new rhythm. “It’s not bad. I’m still a long way up, but this is mostly fun.”

“It’s one of the best things,” Kelli assured her. “Okay if we make the run to the house now? I won’t do anything fancy, but we will go a little faster.”

Charity checked her grip. “I’m good.”

Kelli brought Path beside the gate, reaching for the rope that held it closed.

“I can do the gate,” Charity offered, even though she wasn’t sure how she’d get back up again after crawling off Path’s back. Climb on the railings?

“No need. Path is being trained for Ultimate Cowboy competitions. Opening and closing gates is one of the tasks.”

Charity forgot to be nervous as Path waited patiently at the correct moments and moved obediently the next. Once the rope was free from the fence, Path backed up through the opening. A moment later, Kelli refastened the rope and the gate was once again firmly shut.

“That was amazing.”

“Sasha’s doing a great job training her.”

“Wow. She’s only fourteen.”

“Turned fifteen this past March. She’s a natural, though.” Kelli tilted her chin toward the left. “The hands have gotten a few of the trucks to leave, but there’s still a crowd. Let’s go before they spot us.”

Charity squeezed Kelli’s waist. “I’m ready.”

Kelli must have turned Path and hit the start button at the same moment because seconds later, they were skimming down the path between the barns and the main ranch house.

Movement swirled at the edge of the parking lot. People’s faces turned toward them.

“They see us.” Charity caught the glint of sunlight on glass. “Cameras.”

Ahead of her, Kelli tucked her chin to the right. “Look toward the lake,” she ordered.

“Got it.” Charity pressed her cheek to Kelli’s back and attempted to sway in time with the animal under her. The motion was still unnatural but growing less awkward.

It could end up being a thing she’d try again.

“Nearly there.” Kelli slowed Path, sitting straighter on the horse’s back. “There’s a shelter off the greenhouse side of the house where we can stable her for now.”

Charity glanced back over her shoulder. “Wow. The hands are out in full force. There’s a line of a half dozen vehicles headed back to the highway.”

“Good.” Kelli patted Charity’s leg. “You did well.”

“You’re a good teacher.”