Read Online WM02 - Texas Princess by Jodi Thomas - Free Book Online Page A

said simply, “I didn’t bother with the damp rags. Not that it’s any of your concern, but I was tired.” She brushed her hand over his handiwork. “Thank you.”
    “You’re welcome.” He wondered when he’d ever talked to a stranger so much.
    He shoved on his gloves and motioned her toward the horses.
    She didn’t move. She simply stared at the animals. “I can’t,” she whispered. “They’re so big.”
    He thought of grabbing her and lifting her up on the horse’s back just to show her there was nothing to fear, but he wouldn’t know how to handle the hysterical female she might turn into. She would frighten Sunny if she yel ed and, if the animal bolted, he’d never get her near a horse again.
    “Al right.” He tried to assure her that he knew what he was doing. “We’l take this one step at a time.” Maybe now would be a good time to tel her he’d never taught anyone to ride. They’d carried Sage with them from the time she could walk, and as soon as she could reach stirrups his little sister outrode them al .
    He put the horses back into their stal s and closed the gates so only their heads hung over. “How about we say hel o rst?”
    To his surprise, she took a step forward. Knowing that the horse could not get any closer seemed to calm her.
    “Hold the reins rm with one hand. That way he won’t shake his head and frighten you.”
    She took the reins.
    “Now, stroke his head, nice and gentle.” Tobin moved behind her, circling his arms around her, showing her. “Talk to him, Miss Mayeld. I’l be right here if you need me.
    And if he nudges you, that’s just his way of saying hel o, so don’t be frightened.”
    “Hel o, boy,” she said, her voice shaking slightly. “I’m not going to be afraid of you.”
    Sunny snorted, making her jump. Tobin steadied her and whispered, “Easy now. It’s al right. You’re doing ne.”
    She looked at him. “Are you talking to me or the horse?”
    Tobin shrugged. “Does it matter?”
    She huffed. “I guess not.”
    Twenty minutes later she’d fed the horse an apple and relaxed a fraction. Sunny’s head movements and snorts no longer made her jump.
    Tobin opened the gate and taught her how to walk the horse out. He explained where to stand and how to circle close behind the animal. She touched Sunny the way he did, listening to every word he said. “Now walk him outside,” he nal y said as he handed her the reins.
    After a few steps, she turned back to him and said, “Stay close.”
    “I’m your shadow,” he answered.
    Her step steadied and he guessed she believed him. He stayed within easy reach of her as they walked the beautiful horse into the cool morning light.
    her as they walked the beautiful horse into the cool morning light.
    Sunny liked the attention and was on his best behavior.
    Absently, as he’d done hundreds of times for his sister, Tobin lifted Liberty’s hat and put it on her head. “I’l tel you a secret about horses, Miss Mayeld. Most like to please. Problem is, sometimes they don’t know what you want from them. You let Sunny know you’l take care of him and he’l run his heart out for you.”
    She patted the horse’s neck.
    “Why don’t you give him a drink while I get my mount?”
    Liberty nodded, but she didn’t look too happy about him leaving if only for a minute.
    Tobin col ected his horse and a lead rope to tie onto Sunny. He wanted Liberty to ride, but if she got into trouble, he’d control her horse for her.
    As he stepped behind her, he asked, “You ready to get up now?”
    She shook her head. Her hat hid her face, but he stood so close he could sense her fear.
    His hands circled her waist. “I’m going to sit you up in the saddle nice and easy, miss.
    There’s nothing to worry about. I’m right here.”
    She shook her head again. “I can’t.” She twisted in his hold. “You don’t understand. I saw my mother fal from a horse when I was four. Her head hit a rock and she