He nodded toward it. “What do you think?”
“I’m wondering if you ever think of razing it, just to show mercy?”
“It’s sturdier than it looks. We just keep it this way for effect.”
“Maybe,” she said with a skeptical expression. “Either that, or you’ve never gotten around to fixing it.”
“What are you talking about? You should have seen it before the repairs.”
She smiled. He thought he was so funny. “Is that where you keep the horses?”
“Are you kidding? I wouldn’t put them in that death trap.”
This time, she laughed despite herself. “What do you use the barn for, then?”
“Storage, mostly. The mechanical bull is in there, too, and that’s where I practice, but other than that, it’s mainly filled with broken stuff. A couple of broken-down trucks, a tractor from the fifties, used well pumps, broken heat pumps, stripped engines. Most of it is junk, but like I said, my mom is funny about expenses. Sometimes I can find a part that I need to fix whatever needs fixing.”
“Does that happen a lot? That you find something?”
“Not too much. But I can’t order a part until after I check. It’s one of my mom’s rules.”
Beyond the barn stood a small stable, open on one side to a medium-size corral. Three big-chested horses studied them as they approached. Sophia watched as Luke opened the door to the stable and produced three apples from the sack he’d been carrying.
“Horse! Get over here!” he called out, and at his command a chestnut-colored horse ambled in his direction. The two darker horses followed. “Horse is mine,” he explained. “The others are Friendly and Demon.”
She hung back, knitting her brows in concern. “I think I should probably ride Friendly, huh?” she said.
“I wouldn’t,” he said. “He bites and he’ll try to throw you. He’s awful for anyone but my mom. Demon, on the other hand, is a sweetheart.”
She shook her head. “What is it with you and animal names?” By the time she turned toward the pasture again, Horse had sidled up close, dwarfing her. She stepped back quickly, though Horse – focused on Luke and the apples – didn’t appear to notice her.
“Can I pet him?”
“Of course,” he said, holding out the apple. “He likes his nose rubbed. And scratch him behind the ears.”
She wasn’t ready to touch his nose, but she ran her fingers gently behind the ears, watching as they tilted in pleasure, even as the horse continued to chomp on the apple.
Luke led Horse to a stall, and Sophia watched as he readied it for the ride: bridle, pad, and eventually the saddle, every movement practiced and unconscious. As he worked, his jeans pulling tight as he bent over, Sophia felt the heat rise in her cheeks. Luke was just about the sexiest thing she’d ever seen. She quickly turned away, pretending to study the rafters as he finished up and turned to saddle Demon.
“Okay,” he said, adjusting the stirrup lengths. “You ready?”
“Not really,” she admitted. “But I’ll try. You’re sure he’s a sweetheart?”
“He’s like a baby,” Luke assured her. “Just put your hand on the horn and put your left boot in the stirrup. Then just swing your leg over.”
She did as he told her, climbing onto the horse even as her heart began to race. As she tried to get comfortable, it occurred to her that the horse beneath her was like a giant muscle ready to flex.
“Umm… it’s higher than I thought it would be.”
“You’ll be fine,” he said, handing her the reins. Before she had time to protest, he was already on Horse, obviously at ease.
“Demon doesn’t need much,” he said. “Just touch the reins against his neck and he’ll turn for you, like this. And to make him go, just tap his sides with your heels. To make him stop, pull back.” He demonstrated a couple of times, making sure she understood.
“You do remember that this is my first time, right?” she asked.
“You told me.”
“And just so you know, I have no desire to do anything crazy. I don’t want to fall off. One of my sorority sisters broke her arm on one of these animals, and I don’t want to be stuck wearing a cast while I have to write papers.”
He scratched at his cheek, waiting. “Are you finished?” he asked.
“I’m just setting the ground rules.”
He sighed, shaking his head in amusement. “City girls,” he said, and with a flick of his wrist, Horse turned and began walking away. A moment later, Luke had leaned over and lifted the gate latch, allowing it to swing open. He made his way through it, the stall blocking her line of sight. “You’re supposed to follow me,” he called out.