Buried Treasures by Mary Manners

Author:Mary Manners
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Pelican Ventures Book Group

Buried Treasures

10

“Place your foot in the stirrup like this.” Andie demonstrated the mounting technique. Then she slid from Brown Bear and hoisted Callie into the saddle. She helped Callie hook her foot neatly into the stirrup. “Good job. You look like a real cowgirl now.”

“It’s high up here!” Callie gripped the saddle horn with one hand while she adjusted her riding helmet with the other and glanced toward Caroline, who stood at the riding ring’s gate. “I can see our house, Mama.”

“Yes, it’s just across the pond.” Caroline nodded and smiled to hide her nervousness. The horse was so big…and Callie so small. What if he bucked, or took off running and dumped Callie onto the ground?

The sun warmed her back through her cotton T-shirt, and a breeze ruffled her ponytail as she watched Andie maneuver around the horse with confidence. It would be OK…Callie was having fun, and Andie was careful, just as Sue had promised she’d be. Caroline leaned against the gate and breathed in the scent of wild onions mixed with hay and damp earth. She savored the rich smell…so different from city smog.

“Let me show you what to do next.” Andie guided Callie through the paces of holding the reins correctly, then guided Brown Bear through a few careful steps.

“I’m ridin’, Mama.” Callie bounced slightly in the saddle as the horse stepped across the grass. “Look at me!”

“I see you, honey.” Caroline fought the urge to pull Callie from the horse and gather her into safe arms. Instead, she waved as Callie smiled into the sunshine. “You’re doing great.”

“Wow, that’s awesome.” Paul came to stand beside her. He propped one boot-clad foot onto the fence rail and pulled a ball cap low across his forehead. “It took me weeks to get up the nerve to do even that much.”

“Callie’s got no fear.” Caroline frowned a bit. “I’m not sure whether that’s a good thing or a bad thing.”

“Andie will keep her safe.” He crossed his arms and slouched against the fence. “She only beats up on unsuspecting city boys who have a serious fear of horses.”

“You’ve been thrown?”

“Not yet. But I’ve fallen off Brown Bear a few times, and I won’t get near Stormy.” He shrugged. “That horse has it in for me, but she loves Andie. They have a weird connection that I don’t even try to understand.” His gaze followed Andie as she led Brown Bear by the halter. “Andie’s a natural around horses. She started riding when she was two, and barrel racing when she turned seven. Her mom used to barrel race, too. It must be in their blood.”

“Maybe so.” Brown Bear picked up the pace a bit, her gait relaxed and steady, and Callie’s delighted squeals echoed across the pasture. “Do you really think Callie’s safe?”

“Besides having a seriously sore rear end from the bouncing, yes. Andie will guard the little munchkin with her life. She’s stubborn that way.”

Caroline noted the look in Paul’s eyes, deep blue as Matt’s. “You like Andie, don’t you?”

“You could say that.

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