Chapter 71

ASHER

My folks persuaded me to stick around, but I haven’t yet broken the news to the girls that we’re spending the night here. Callum is hesitant to let me go home, especially given the state of my face, and I can’t argue that being here—under lock and key with extra security—might be the best thing for all of us.

It’s Saturday, so my parents have the day off tomorrow. I find myself drawn to the stables once again.

It doesn’t surprise me when I walk in and see Maddison and Ebony chatting with Black in his stall.

Black’s ears flick back and forth as Maddison speaks to him, and I can see the immediate bond. She’s clearly at ease around horses, having grown up with them, and he seems just as comfortable with her.

He’s getting older now, but he still enjoys a good ride. I suggest as much as I quietly approach them.

My voice shatters the peaceful quiet.

“Fancy a ride?” I ask.

Ebony jumps, her body stiffening with fear at the sound of my voice, but Maddison remains unfazed, her hand resting on Black.

“Sure,” she replies, a spark in her eye.

“His stall leads out to his own pasture; there’s a gate at the end that opens into the open pastures. Let me find you some gear and his saddle,” I offer.

But to my surprise, she climbs the gate, greeting him gently as he turns to his side. It’s a silent invitation from him for her to mount.

And she does. I watch, taken aback, as she sits bareback with no protection. He has no reins, no saddle, and she has no riding gear.

“Well, Black, you sure are a big boy.” She pats his neck and nudges him with her feet to walk out into his pasture.

Ebony watches them leave, fear in her eyes, and I share her concern. Black is a big boy, and Maddison’s wearing nothing.

“Will she be safe?” she asks me.

“I’d have preferred her to at least wear a helmet. Come, let’s get Boux ready,” I suggest.

Boux’s stall is right next door, and he’s been observing our interaction the whole time, snorting with anticipation when he sees his saddle that I pull from the cupboards.

I gather three helmets, some of Ella’s gear for Ebony that I encourage her to put on while I saddle Boux.

“Have you ever ridden before?” I ask.

“No…” she mumbles as she struggles to pull on the leggings. “We’ve never had much money, especially not enough for animals.”

“That’s okay. You’ll ride with me anyway. You’ll need to relax, let the horse’s movements flow through your body. Don’t squeeze your legs on him or tap your feet on his sides. I’ll take charge of guiding him.”

Now dressed in black gear that’ll protect her from friction burns if she were to fall, I highly doubt an accident will happen. I step out of the stall to fit her with Tal’s helmet, keeping Ella’s for Maddison, and then I put my own on.

“You’ll have to use these steps to climb up, but I’ll help you.”

“I’m scared,” she whispers.

“Don’t be, he’s a big softy, and I’ll be right behind you.”

I mount Boux, sitting toward the back of the saddle to leave space for Ebony in front of me, and then I extend my hand for Ebony to climb up.

She ascends the steps, reaching to hold the saddle as I did, and then swings her leg over. I pull her the rest of the way, seating her in front of me, and she immediately tenses up.

Boux shifts from one foot to the other as her legs squeeze him, and I have to soothe him.

“Whoa, boy. It’s okay,” I say, pulling on the reins to stop him from walking off.

I get us situated, whisper for Ebony to relax, and then we’re off. I guide Boux and us out into his pasture, heading for the gate that’s already open to the open pasture.

Maddison’s waiting for us at the open gate, Black standing tall as he waits for us patiently.

“Helmet.” I thrust it toward her. “Put it on,” I insist.

She complies, taking the helmet as we pass through and closing the gate behind us.

“Remember, relax. Allow me to guide Boux,” I remind Ebony as we start a brisk walk through the grass.

Maddison, on the other hand, leans forward until her chest is flush with Black, gripping his mane in two places before they break into a canter.

I can’t help but marvel at her natural ability to ride bareback as I steer Boux toward them.

She’s clearly at ease with horses, which isn’t out of the ordinary in these parts.

We’ve all been on horseback for more years than I can remember, but she still manages to astonish me.

“Ready to trot?” I ask Ebony.

“What’s that?” she inquires.

I can’t help but laugh, shifting us both back in the saddle. I lean us forward, my body forming a protective cage around her.

I grip the reins a bit tighter and give Boux a few gentle taps with my feet.

Boux responds instantly, picking up speed. Ebony clings to his neck, holding on for dear life as we break into a canter, heading toward Black and Maddison.

~Damn, I’d forgotten how liberating it feels to be up here on a horse.~

The wind whips past my face, my body moving fluidly with Boux’s rhythm.

The sensation is even more exhilarating with Ebony pressed against me, her warmth seeping into me.

At first, she’s tense, gripping Boux tightly. But as we continue to move with him, she begins to relax.

Her grip loosens, her back pressing into me as she sits up a bit higher.

Then, her hands stretch out on either side.

She’s soaring, her laughter filled with pure joy.

It’s infectious, making me grin.

I’m experiencing her first horse ride vicariously, the rush of endorphins shared between us as the landscape blurs into a mix of trees, grass, and dirt.

Then, I do something unexpected.

I lean down and kiss the back of her neck, just to see what it feels like.

The impulse comes out of nowhere, fooling my brain into taking something I don’t deserve or have any right to.

But she doesn’t react, doesn’t utter a word of discomfort or anger.

It leaves me puzzled, unsure if she liked it or not.

If she was okay with it or not.

A wave of uncertainty washes over me, and I look for Maddison, feeling as if I’ve betrayed her.

The immediate regret confirms that I definitely don’t want Ebony.

~Then why do I feel this overpowering urge to protect her?~

“I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have done that,” I confess, but all I get in return is silence.