Kiss Me (Fool's Gold #17)(33)
Phoebe wrinkled her nose. “I don’t want to hurt you.”
Chase winked. “Not possible, even if you are a goddess.”
“Oh, right. What is it with you cowboy types? You and Cookie should get together and write a book of pickup lines.”
“We’re talkin’ about it.” He touched the side of her leg with his finger. “Come on, Phoebe. Show everyone how it’s done. Put your left foot on my hands. We’ll count to three, and you’ll spring on up to the saddle.”
She wasn’t too confident about the whole “springing” part. Rocky’s saddle looked really high up. There was also the worry of springing too far and finding herself sliding off the other side, which wasn’t how she wanted to start her morning.
But if she planned to go on the cattle drive, she had to get her butt onto a horse...literally. Sucking in a breath for courage, she grabbed the front of the saddle with both hands, placed her booted foot onto the man-made step Chase offered, then counted to three.
As she pushed off the ground with her right foot, Chase lifted her high into the air. She swung her leg over in an almost graceful move and found herself plopping down on a very hard, very small saddle.
Until that moment, Phoebe had always thought Western-style saddles were huge. But now that she was in one—and about forty feet from the ground—she felt as if she were perched on something the size of a saucer. Rocky shifted, which made her grab for the saddle horn.
“Do I have to be up this high?” she asked.
Chase chuckled. “You’ll get used to it.”
She had her doubts.
Chase fiddled with some buckles on the saddle and adjusted the stirrup so that she could rest her foot in it. As he worked, he put a hand on her calf.
“The best part,” he said with a wink.
Of course Zane was close enough to hear, and he scowled at his brother. “Keep your mind on your work.”
Chase responded by rolling his eyes.
Eddie and Gladys got on their horses with an ease Phoebe envied. Kind of embarrassing, being shown up by two septuagenarian cowgirls. Maya was also at home several stories in the air. After Chase adjusted Maya’s stirrups, she rode over to Phoebe and reined in her horse.
“How are you doing?” she asked.
Phoebe shrugged. “I’m trying not to look at the ground.”
Maya laughed. “You’ll get used to it. Remember, the trick is to move with your horse. Try to relax into his stride so you’re not bouncing. If you don’t, you’ll be sore for days.”
Phoebe had a feeling she was going to be sore for the rest of her life, but she was determined to tough it out. She hadn’t been on a vacation in years, and with her future looking doubtful, she had a feeling she wouldn’t be on one again for a long time. So she’d better enjoy this one.
The two children were given scaled-down versions of real horses. They both looked as apprehensive as Phoebe felt. C.J. watched as Chase checked their stirrups.
“Are you two all right?” she asked. “We can still change our minds about this.”
The question was reasonable enough, but Phoebe couldn’t shake the feeling that C.J. wanted the children to say they didn’t want to go, which made her feel badly. Lucy and Tommy looked at each other and grinned.
“We’re going,” the little girl said.
“Listen up,” Zane said. He eased into his saddle as if he’d been born to it.
Well, duh, Phoebe thought with a smile. He had.
“We’re heading out,” he continued. “We’re going to take things slow, letting the cattle set the pace. You’ll each be assigned a place alongside the herd. Don’t try to direct your horse, because he has a better idea of where we’re going than you do. If you get into trouble, give a shout.”
“We’ll be fine,” Gladys said.
* * *
FAMOUS LAST WORDS, Zane thought, wishing he could believe them. All the novices looked as if they could be blown off their mounts by a stiff wind. He didn’t usually allow for second-guessing, but he was about to make an exception. Deciding to go forward with the cattle drive had been about the stupidest idea he’d ever had.
“Ready to go, boss?” Frank asked as he rode up.
Zane let his gaze settle on the two kids, then he shook his head. “No, but we’re leaving anyway.”
Frank grinned. “Me and the boys are taking bets on who falls off their horse first. You’re gonna have to let us know who it is and when it happens for the pool.”
Zane pulled his hat down low. For the first time in years, he wanted to be somewhere other than the ranch. Greenhorns. The whole lot of them. Frank and the boys were right. Someone would be tumbling from a horse, and if Zane was lucky, that would be the least of his troubles.
“Have fun,” Frank said with an expression that announced “better you than me.”
Zane nodded. “I know you’re not much for praying, but you might want to put in a good word with the Almighty.”
“Sure thing, boss. You’re going to need all the help you can get.”
Zane nodded. “You’ll be able to reach me on my cell phone. We’ll be staying within range of the towers.”
“I’ll be here.”
Zane wished he would be, as well.
A sharp whistle warned him that his life was about to stampede out of control. Seconds later a dust-colored steer with a half bit-off ear appeared, followed by rows of cattle.