Maddie tried, but Fancy shifted and she fell backward.
“Easy, Fancy.” Boone soothed. “Okay, try it again.” This time, he put both hands on her hips.
Maddie tried to block out the feel of his hands. Gritting her teeth, she forgot about calm and went for speed. Up she swung and landed in the saddle. The leather creaked, and Fancy shifted, dancing under her weight.
Too many sensations assaulted Maddie at once—worry about falling off, the sense of her legs spread wide across the horse’s broad back, her concern that Boone might be hurt. She gripped the saddle horn as though it meant salvation, tightening her legs around Fancy.
“Whoa, Fancy. Easy, girl. Grip her with your legs, but don’t jab your heels into her sides, Maddie. Settle down in the saddle.” One of his hands rested on her thigh while he held the bridle and spoke to the horse.
Maddie’s gaze shifted to his, the connection instant and electric.
After a long moment, Boone squeezed her leg once and removed his hand. “You’ll be fine. A horse will seldom stand still while being mounted, but it will get less scary. Just hold on, and I’m going to walk her around, so you can get used to the sensation.”
Maddie wasn’t sure which emotion held sway: relief that he’d quit touching her—or sorrow at that same thing. Boone’s touch both calmed and disturbed her. “Thanks,” she got out. Then she straightened and grabbed hold. “I’m ready.”
Boone grinned. “You won’t fall off, I promise. We’re just going around the pen and we’ll take it slow at first.”
“I know I can trust you.” And she did.
He held her gaze. “I don’t know about that, Maddie Rose,” he said softly. “But I won’t let you fall.”
The night before rose between them. Maddie wanted to say something, but she wasn’t sure what. Boone’s face held a strange vulnerability she wanted to ease, but she didn’t know how.
So instead, she smiled. “Okay. I’ve got some work to do to become the new Annie Oakley. We’d better get started.”
Boone laughed out loud, and Maddie’s heart swelled. He needed more reasons to laugh.
Then he settled his hat on his head and walked slightly ahead of Fancy.
And Maddie the Cowgirl began a new adventure.
The next evening, Boone walked in and saw Maddie hobbling across the kitchen floor. He’d forbidden her to ride today, warning her last night that the soreness would last a couple of days and not to push it. She hadn’t liked it, but he hoped now she understood why.
It was painful to watch her.
“Here,” he said, taking her place at the stove. “Let me do that.”
He should have known better. Her chin jutted and her eyes shot sparks. “I may be crippled but I’m not helpless.”
“Maddie, go take a long hot bath and let it soothe your muscles. I can eat a sandwich.”
“I already took two today.” Mutinous eyes dared him to poke fun.
“Wait right here.” He went into Vondell’s treasure trove of medicines and emerged with a yellow plastic container. He handed it to Maddie.
“What’s this?”
“It’s Vondell’s magic potion for sore muscles. I suspect it’s got horse liniment in it, but she figured out some way to not make it sting so bad or smell so rank.” Then he had second thoughts. “Your skin may be too tender to use it, though. Just try a little and see what happens.”
“Thank you.”
“Now tell me what I can do to help you with supper so you can go work on those muscles.”
“It’s almost finished. You can set the table if you want.”
When the meal was ready, Boone watched her lower herself gingerly into her chair. “You still think you want to ride again tomorrow?”
Maddie’s head lifted, grin rueful. “Yes and no.”
He couldn’t help grinning back. “You did fine for a beginner.”
“Really?”
Delight came so easily to her. She had no idea how seductive it was. He nodded. “You’ll be a good rider. You’re naturally graceful and you’ve got a good seat already.”
“It must be the yoga. I’m very limber.”
He had noticed. And tried not to think of all the ways those long legs could wrap around him. Before his thoughts could escape to his face, he concentrated on his plate.
Everything fell quiet, so it was easy to hear Maddie’s tiny whimper when she shifted in her chair.
Boone looked up to see her toying with her food. “Go on upstairs and take another hot bath and use the liniment. I’ll take care of the kitchen.”
“All right. Thank you.”
He watched her go, walking as if something might break any second, and he admired her pluck. Maddie was not a complainer. She would be a good rider, but she had work to do first. Only time would tell if she would stick with it. A day like this might have changed her mind.