Page 127 of Here With Me

I exhale sharply. “Fine. Come at seven thirty.”

“I'll be there,” he confirms.

ChapterTwenty-Six

Fisher

Istop at The Lodge for two to-go coffees and arrive at the training center with five minutes to spare. From what I’ve witnessed, Noah doesn’t drink it often, but considering how late we stayed up scrapbooking, I figure she’ll need it this morning.

Even though she said she couldn’t stay too late, we finished eight pages in her fundraising scrapbook. Her parents and Gramma had long gone to bed by the time I left. As much as I hateonlybeing her friend, it was nice to sit together and just talk. She shared the designated album her mom and Gramma started after she was born. It’s filled with pictures from when she was a baby, to her early school days, and years of riding. The various competitions she participated in throughout middle and high school filled at least a dozen pages. Then she brought out just one of many boxes filled with ribbons and trophies. It’s no wonder horses feel comfortable and safe with her. Not only is she mostly self-taught, but she’s a prodigy at her age and level of expertise.

It was nice to finish the evening on a high note after the way dinner ended. I could tell she was surprised to see Jase and me, but he needed a chance to apologize to her and smooth things over with her brothers. Jase and I may have shit to work through, but they have too much history not to make things right.

“Mornin’,” I greet her inside the training center and hand her one of the coffees. “Thought you’d need a pick-me-up.”

She looks adorable in her riding boots and helmet. She has her hair in a long braid with a few strands around her face, and I wish I could lean in and tuck them behind her ear.

She takes a sip, then grins. “Thanks. Didn’t get much sleep, but it was worth it. I’m glad ya stayed last night.”

“Me too. The most fun I’ve had in a while.”

“I can’t wait to work on it some more. Maybe next Sunday?” she asks, and I notice the flicker of hope in her eyes. It’s a bad idea because the more I spend time with her, the harder it is to stay firm on my decision.

But I can’t say no to her.

“Yeah, I’d love that.”

Hanging out with someone I can’t be with is a special kind of torture I’ve never experienced before. It sucks, but I also can’t stay away. Seems she doesn’t want to either.

“Well, ya ready to see what Donut can do?” She takes a gulp of her coffee, then sets it down out of her way.

“Yep, tell me where ya need me.”

“Mostly just stay behind me so if I fall, you can grab me before I twist an ankle. Donut’s pretty good at stayin’ still, but he spooks easily. No matter how much I’ve worked on it with him, loud noises make him skittish. Probably thanks to my dumbass brother who used to ride his dirt bike ’round here.”

“Don’t ya think for somethin’ like this, you should work on a horse who isn’t?”

She strokes a soothing palm over his neck. “We have a close bond, and he trusts me. As long as there aren’t any sudden loud noises, he’ll be fine.”

I bite my tongue, concerned she’ll end up getting hurt if God forbid a car backfires nearby, but I support her nonetheless.

“Alright, I’m ready when you are.” I place my coffee next to hers so I have both hands free.

“First, I’m gonna warm up and do some simple moves to jog my memory.”

I don’t know much about the technical terms of trick riding, but I’ve seen them plenty of times at rodeos. There are usually a few of them, and they perform for the audience to get them amped up. They perform in sparkly outfits and deck out the horses in glitter and matching colors. Some even do Roman riding where they stand on a pair of horses with one foot on each and then jump over poles of fire. The horses run nearly full speed while the riders hang off one side or stand on top, and honestly, it’s quite dangerous. It’s basically doing gymnastics on horseback.

“I’ve never sat in that kind of saddle before,” I tell her when she swings her left leg up and around in a different way than normal. The pommel is long and straight and there are special handles on the back for various tricks. Donut also wears a collar around his neck and extra straps to secure the saddle in place with all the different movements.

“Found it last year when I decided to try this but didn’t get too far before I stopped. Delilah’s quite experienced already, so I’m just practicin’ to be more familiar with how the moves feel, not just what they look like.”

She lies across the saddle with her arms glued to her side and legs straight out, and I stand a couple of feet away so I don’t get in her way, but still close enough if needed.

“What’s this move?” I ask.

She turns her head and grins. “It’s just a plank. Keepin’ my weight distributed on both sides so he can feel the balance.”

“If Delilah’s already skilled at this, what does she need a trainer for?”