***
Fitful sleep and nonsensical dreams made Kristin feel like she was in Wonderland the next day. Everything seemed surreal as she stepped out in the bright early morning sun, dressed in sturdy jeans, a rugged T-shirt, and her faithful old snakeskin boots. She’d had them for more than five years, had them resoled once, and they were in excellent condition. It was already hot, promising a scorcher, and she tucked her mass of hair into a ponytail and then clipped it atop her head to leave her neck bare. She squinted, reminding herself to dig out her sunglasses later today, as well as her sunblock. She now followed a very zombie-like LeAnn back to the mess hall.
If dinner had been delicious, breakfast was divine, with bacon Kristin knew had been cured right here on the farm, eggs fresh from the chicken coops, and raw cream for the coffee. She refrained from giving the details of freshness to LeAnn, who perked up as she shoved the ‘fat pig and cow’ into her mouth, knowing she’d likely freak out that none of it was processed, labeled, and purchased from a supermarket.
As the group finished up, Dale appeared from what she assumed was the kitchen, wearing a dark green T-shirt that made his eyes look supernatural. Kristin’s breath caught in her throat, and she heard LeAnn’s low whistle of approval just before he clapped his hands to get everyone’s attention. Kristin forced herself not to look away as his eyes landed on her. Dale turned away, ready to address the group, but she had the sensation he was still looking at her from the corner of his eye.
“Okay, folks, today’s adventure begins with a little education. We’re going to head to the stables in a few minutes. You’re going to learn how to properly saddle and bridle a horse, and then we’re gonna get you all on a horse. Can I get a show of hands for anyone who’s never been on horseback?” Kristin looked around the room and groaned inwardly as several hands shot up and several more came up slowly, as if the admission embarrassed them. LeAnn was one of those.
Kristin blinked at her and leaned over to whisper, “You’ve never been on a horse?”
LeAnn’s eyes glittered with excitement. “No, and I can’t wait!”
“Excellent,” Dale continued, stifling the quiet muttering. “Half and half is perfect. We’ll split into two groups after we saddle up. One group will go with Bobby and learn the basics of riding a horse, using the reins, and sitting comfortably before you head down the trail. The other half will come with me, and we’ll take the experienced trail.” Was it Kristin’s imagination, or did he look straight at her as he said that?
It brought back an unbidden memory of being with him on her parents’ ranch, taking Maximus and Primus, two of her Appaloosas, for a ride out into the woods. While there, they’d stopped and had what had perhaps been the most epic make out session of her life. Something low in her belly heated, and she had to swallow a sudden twinge of longing. She hadn’t felt that kind of desire in so long it was foreign, and it frightened her.
“When we get back from our rides,” Dale continued, cutting into her thoughts, “we’ll go through how to clean and brush a horse, how to clean the tack, and how it’s stored. By that time, you’re all going to be pretty hungry. With the horses in their stalls, Wesley will have the barbecue ready to go in the large corral, and we’ll get our grub on and talk about the evening.”
Kristin could almost feel the protest that went around the room. While she didn’t necessarily think the majority of the guests were lazy, she knew for a fact they didn’t understand just how much work went into running a ranch. They were ready to complain about a couple of lessons in caring for a single horse, when in actuality, there were usually no more than two trainers and anywhere from five to twenty horses in their charge. Personally, this assignment was a blessing, and Kristin welcomed the task. Horses had been her passion and her main charge on her parents’ ranch, and it was the one thing she missed in New York. She would never complain about working with horses and only hoped Dale kept an Appaloosa or two in his stables, those being her biggest weakness.