No One's Bride (Escape to the West Book 1) by Nerys Leigh

Author:Nerys Leigh [Leigh, Nerys]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Nerys Leigh
Published: 2016-08-29T04:00:00+00:00

Chapter 19

“Are you sure you don’t want me to do it?” George said, for the sixth time.

“Or me,” Adam added. “You could take Stride.”

“She’ll be calmer if it’s me,” Amy said, tightening the cinch on Clementine’s saddle. “I’m not handing her off to someone else after she’s trusted me this far, even you two.”

George puffed out a frustrated breath. “You’re too stubborn for your own good, girl.”

She moved forward to where Clem could see her. “I know you’re a little nervous, Clem,” she said softly, “and to be truthful, so am I. But you know I will never hurt you. We’re both going to have fun, you’ll see.”

Clementine nuzzled against her arm and Amy gave her a pat before moving back to her side.

“Now I’m sure, judging by the way she took to that saddle, that she’s been ridden before,” George said. “So she’ll know what to do. Just take it nice and gentle.”

“I only do nice and gentle,” Amy said. “Just ask Stride.”

At the sound of his name, Adam’s horse hooked his head over Clem’s back to look at her. Amy laughed and rubbed his nose.

“Come on, Stride,” Adam said, tugging him back. “Let’s show Clementine how it’s done.”

Standing Stride where Clem could see them, he used one of the livery’s mounting blocks to climb on, then guided him in close to the white horse in an attempt to keep her calm.

“Please be careful,” he said to Amy.

“Well, girl, if you’re determined to go through with this, now’s the time,” George said, holding tight onto Clementine’s bridle.

Amy stepped up onto her own block, gave Clem a quick rub on her neck, and carefully pulled herself into the saddle, praying all the time.

Clem immediately tensed and took a couple of steps back, jerking her head up and snorting. Stride nickered and looked around for danger.

“Calm down, girl,” George said, hanging onto the reins.

Amy wasn’t sure if he meant her or Clementine. Her heart thumped as the horse flinched beneath her. She leaned forward and pressed her hand onto the side of Clementine’s neck. “It’s all right, Clem,” she said, trying to keep her voice steady. “It’s just me. I’m not going to hurt you. You’re safe.”

Clementine twisted her neck to look back at her.

“It’s all right,” she repeated.

A few seconds passed while Clem stared at her, then she lowered her head and Amy felt her relax. Stride nudged the side of her face with his nose.

“Right,” George said, breathing out. “Good.”

Adam looked pale, but he gave her a tremulous smile. He appeared more shaken by the experience than she was.

Amy let out a long breath and sent up a silent ‘thank You’. “Do you think I could ride her around the corral a bit?” she said to George.

He scratched the side of Clementine’s jaw and she leaned into his touch. Once she’d realised she could trust Amy, she’d warmed to him too. “I’ll lead her first, but she don’t seem overly bothered by you being up there.”

They walked a couple of laps of the small area before George let go and allowed Amy to ride by herself.

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