Country Roads(105)

“What about his bridle?” Julia asked, remembering their previous difficulties.

“I’ll take care of it.”

Now she was glad Sharon had the foresight to give her uncle only the briefest glimpse of her mount before she got on him. As they passed through the barn, several stable hands greeted Julia. “Back for another joyride on Darth Horse?” one asked.

“I like to push my luck,” she said.

Carlos turned to her with a question in his eyes. Julia shrugged. “Stable humor.”

Their feet sank into the deep, cushiony mixture of sand and sawdust as they walked through the big open door of the indoor riding ring. Shafts of sunshine speared from high windows onto the ring’s dark surface, motes of dust dancing in them. Julia blinked a few times as her eyes adjusted to the change in light level. Then she saw Darkside standing on the other side of the ring, Sharon holding his head.

He looked…unhappy. That was the only word for it. His back was bunched up under the saddle, and he kept shifting from one hoof to another as though he couldn’t get comfortable. She forgot all about her uncle as she jogged across the ring to soothe him.

“What is it, buddy?” she said while she ran her hand down his neck. It felt tense too.

She looked at Sharon.

“We had a little disagreement about the bridle,” Sharon said. “So he’s grumpy. You might want to rethink your timing.”

Carlos walked up, his face like a thundercloud. “This is the horse you are learning to ride on?”

Darkside threw up his head at the angry tone. Sharon staggered slightly as she hung onto the bridle.

“Easy, boy,” Julia said, taking the reins from the other woman and leaning her forehead against Darkside’s. “I’m here. We’re going to have a ride together.”

“You cannot ride this horse,” Carlos said, planting his feet apart. “He is a stallion.”

“He’s my whisper horse,” Julia said, keeping her voice neutral and soothing. “We understand each other.”

“What are you talking about?” Carlos hovered, clearly wanting to separate her from the horse but afraid to set off the big creature with Julia so near him.

“Julia and Darkside have a special bond,” Sharon said. “They help each other out. That’s what a whisper horse is about.”

Carlos spun to face Sharon. Julia watched in astonishment as her usually imperturbable uncle flushed and took a step back from the tall horsewoman. “My apologies,” he said as he held out his hand. “I am Carlos Castillo.”

“Sharon Sydenstricker,” she said easily, giving his hand a firm shake.

“You are the owner here,” he said, gesturing around the building. “It is very impressive.”

“It’s right nice of you to say so.”

“You are also an accomplished horsewoman. My niece is honored to be instructed by you.”

Darkside nudged Julia in the shoulder. “Maybe I should get started with my lesson.”

“I reckon so,” Sharon said, taking the reins from Julia to slip them over Darkside’s head. “Grab that helmet from the post. We’ll use the mounting block over there.”

Julia fitted the helmet on her head as she followed Sharon to the wooden platform. Her uncle stood frozen where he was.

Even with the added height of the mounting block, Julia had to hurl herself upward to get onto Darkside’s back. As she settled herself into the saddle, the tense arch of Darkside’s back seemed to relax underneath her. She told herself she was imagining things, but then Sharon said, “He’s feeling better already, just having you on him.”

“Are you sure?”

“Hon, I might lie to you about whether your jeans make you look fat, but I’d never lie about a horse.”

A surge of confidence swept through Julia as she fitted her feet into the stirrups and positioned her hands on the reins. Sharon checked the girth and stepped back. “Take him around clockwise.”

Julia’s confidence ebbed as she looked around the huge echoing space. “What about the lead line?”

“You want your uncle to see you on a lead line?” Sharon gave her knee a pat. “You’ll be fine in here. No rabbits.”

Julia straightened her back and sucked in a deep breath before she clucked to Darkside. The big horse moved out instantly, heading for the track worn along the perimeter of the ring. Julia’s heart sang as she felt her body meld with her whisper horse’s. This was the joy Papi had tried to give her with that first riding lesson. Until the epilepsy had ruined it.

She felt panic touch her throat with cold fingers. Her body tensed, and Darkside’s ears swiveled back as his pace increased. “It’s okay, buddy, take it easy. My past just tried to grab me, but you’re going to help me outrun it. Except not literally, so slow down.”