Page 11 of Healing Her Cowboys (Silver Creek Ranch #6)

Chapter Eleven

“ S he's so adorable. I can’t believe we helped deliver her.” Reese and Atlas watched as the new filly suckled milk from her mother.

“That’s one of the great things about running a ranch,” Atlas said. “You get to experience life in new ways.”

Reese leaned closer to Atlas as the small filly sniffed around, exploring her small world with the confidence of a much larger horse.

“I’ve always wondered what it was like to be a mom,” she murmured, her voice soft with admiration. “There’s something so pure about watching a baby learn about the world.”

“Do you want to have kids?” he asked her.

She smiled. “When I was little, I wanted a dozen of them. When I got older and realized all the effort that was involved, I lowered it to two. Believe it or not, I haven’t really thought about having a family, not with the time I’ve been traveling.”

“What do you think about them now?”

She smiled as she watched him move his fingers over the stall door nervously. “Atlas Collins, are you asking if I want to have kids with you?”

“No! I mean, maybe. I’m just curious.”

Reese chuckled. “Why don’t you ask me again in a few months?”

He smiled back at her. “That I can do.”

Lori made her way towards them.

“Hi there,” Reese said.

Lori nudged Reese's hand with her muzzle. She looked over at Atlas.

“She likes you,” he said. “That’s her way of asking you to scratch behind her ears. It’s her favorite spot.”

Reese lifted her hand and scratched behind Lori’s ears as the horse nodded her head in approval. “You like being a new mama?” she asked.

As if on command, Lori nodded her head.

“I’ll take that as a yes,” Reese said. “I never thought I could like animals so much, especially horses.”

“Why not? You seem like you’d make a great pet owner.”

“The thought of caring for them just scared me a bit. I already saw some of my patients die after looking after them, and that was hard. I can’t imagine loving and caring for an animal just watch it leave you.

” She didn’t add that it felt like it would have been too hard after losing her parents.

Reese never wanted to experience a loss like that again if she could help it.

Atlas pulled her in close. “One thing being on this ranch has taught me is that life is all about cycles. Life and death are both part of those cycles, no matter how hard we try to run from them. I love watching these animals and seeing them come into their own. I cherish it every day because I know how precious life is and how quickly it can get snatched away. That doesn’t mean you have to fear it. ”

She peered up at him. “You’re full of profound wisdom today, aren’t you?”

“Is it helping?” he asked, kissing the top of her head.

“I guess it is.”

“Then I’ve done my duty.”

“You would make an amazing father, Atlas,” she said and snuggled into him.

For a moment, they stood there in silence, his warm embrace reassuring her, as they watched Lori and her new baby. It was as if the rest of the world had faded away, leaving just the two of them in the quiet, simple beauty of the stable.

“That reminds me,” Reese said. “What are you going to name her?’

Atlas smiled. “I asked Brik about that, and we both agreed. Since you helped bring her into this world, we thought it only fitting that you name her.”

“Me?” she asked, taken aback. “I don’t know about naming horses.”

“Consider it naming your first animal. It’s just like naming anything precious to you. Think about it. There’s no rush.”

The filly let out a small whinny, breaking the moment, and they both laughed, a bit flustered, but still sharing a warm smile.

***

“You want me to what?” There was no way Reese had heard them right. “I don’t know how to ride a horse.”

“You had no problem riding us,” Brik said with a smirk. “Just consider it the same thing, only slightly bigger.”

“That’s not funny, Brik,” she said. “What if I fall off?”

“One of us is going to ride it with you until you feel comfortable riding alone,” Atlas said. “Don’t worry. We would never make you do anything dangerous.”

That made her relax some, but it didn’t completely erase her nerves. “When exactly do you want me to do this?”

“No time like the present,” Brik said.

He and Atlas led her out to the area where they exercised the horses in the corral.

Harry was there, leading a horse by a bridle. Reese was at least learning her ranch terminology by being with them.

He had a saddled brown mare all ready to go, just waiting for her. They weren’t kidding when they said they wanted her to ride right away.

Nervousness came back in full force. Of course, she knew Brik and Atlas wouldn’t let anything happen to her. That didn’t mean she was going to ride with full confidence.

Brik took the reins and led the horse out of the corral. “Are you ready, baby?”

Hell, no. She wasn’t ready, but she wasn’t about to let fear stop her, either.

Brik hoisted himself up with ease. Even with his prosthetic leg, he looked like a natural on a horse. Reese doubted she would look that good at riding.

Atlas was behind her, hoisting her up towards Brik before other doubts could appear.

Brik pulled her close so that her butt pushed right against the front of him.

“First thing to remember, always hold the pommel here in front when you mount. It’ll give you support as you pull yourself up in case the saddle slides.” Brik handed her the reins.

“What am I supposed to do with those?” Reese asked.

“It’s your job to lead it. I’ll be with you every step of the way. This is the best way to learn, so don’t get scared.” Brik covered her hands so they both held onto the reins. “When you’re ready, gently squeeze your legs together to let him know you’re ready to go.”

She followed his instructions, and before she knew it, they were moving. Brik told her how to hold the reins properly, and she was surprised at how comfortable it felt to ride the horse with him behind her.

“I’m doing it!” she exclaimed. “I’m riding a horse!”

“Damn straight you are,” Brik said. “Look at you go.”

She felt more confident with his muscular arms wrapped around her. Riding a horse made it seem like she could do anything if she had Brik beside her.

She got so comfortable that her mind wandered off. What would it be like to live with Atlas and Brik? If this was a taste of what she could expect, and it sounded like a little piece of heaven she never thought she could hope for.

“Ready to try it on your own?” Brik asked.

“On my own? Where are you going?”

He chuckled. “You’re so cute. I’m not going anywhere. I’m just handing the reins over to you.”

His hands released hers, but his arms then wrapped around her waist, giving her reassurance.

“Keep your grip firm and your thighs steady on his back.”

She held on tightly to the reins and followed his direction again.

“See? You’re a natural, Reese,” Brik said. “We knew you would be.”

She realized this was as calm as she had ever seen Brik, and she could get used to a side that was reserved for her.

The ride was over before she knew it, and she realized she was a little disappointed that it ended.

“How did it feel?” Atlas asked as they came up to him.

“When I got used to it, it was exhilarating. I think I like horse riding more than I thought I would.”

Brik surprised her when he hopped off and Atlas took his place.

“What’s going on?” she asked.

“Do you trust us now?” Atlas asked.

“Of course I trust you.”

He kissed the side of her face. “Then I think it’s time to show our cowgirl how we really ride around here. Hold on.”

Reese barely had time to grip the reins tighter before Atlas dug his legs into the horse’s sides. They took off at lightning speed, and the wind nearly knocked out of her.

“Atlas!” she screamed, closing her eyes.

“Remember, we’ve got you.”

His words made her slowly open her eyes again. With his arms tight around her, she knew he wouldn’t let her fall.

The ranch flew by them, and her body seemed to go at hyper-speed. She never experienced something so exhilarating and scary at the same time. They didn’t ride for that long, but it felt like it could last forever.

When they returned this time, they steered the horse back into the corral.

Atlas hopped down first and reached for her next.

After he got her down, it felt odd not having the horse underneath her anymore.

The lack of its presence was weird, to say the least, and her thighs were sore and shaky from all the tight squeezing.

“What’s his name?” she asked, patting the horse’s side. It felt disrespectful not knowing the name of the horse that had given her the first ride.

“His name is Billy.”

“Thank you, Billy. Until next time.”

“Already planning your next ride with him?” Brik asked her.

“It’s both your faults, and now you must deal with the consequences.” She walked away from them and swayed her hips with determination, pretending to be upset.

It didn’t take long for both men to follow her into the main house.