Chapter Seven
James
J ames stood next to Conker in the arena, eyeing the chestnut-coloured giant all tacked up. How was he ever going to remember all this stuff? There were years of learning just to get all the tack on the horse, never mind actually riding him. Just stay calm. Animals could sense fear, right? His dad had always insisted businesspeople could too and had brought him up to project an aura of control and collectedness in the boardroom, whether he felt it or not. So far, he’d succeeded in business. Hopefully he could do the same with the horses.
‘Right.’ Dagmar frowned at him, and he raised his eyebrows, already sensing he’d done something wrong, but then he remembered how bizarre he must look in the riding hat. ‘First things first. Let’s get you up on him.’
‘Ok.’ James glanced at the saddle, recalling the countless movies where people just hopped on effortlessly. Surely if all these actors could do it, he could too.
Dagmar led Conker alongside the mounting block, climbed the step, and placed her foot in the stirrup. ‘Just put your foot in there, hold on to the saddle, and swing your other leg over.’
James took a deep breath, sure there was comedy value in what she’d just said, but he was no joker, and his mind was too caught up in trying to get himself on top of the beast before him.
She jumped down.
‘Ok.’ James climbed the step, took hold of the saddle, put his foot in the stirrup, and lifted his leg. He went to the gym and ran to keep fit, but Christ, this was awkward. Dagmar suppressed a smile as she steadied Conker.
He swung his leg over and landed on the saddle but felt like he was listing to one side. He attempted to adjust his position without actually moving too much. This elevated position didn’t feel at all safe, and rocking about seemed like a foolhardy move.
‘That’s fine.’ Dagmar adjusted the stirrups, moving his boot, so it was at a different angle. ‘Now, keep your heels down and sit up straight.’
James gripped the reins tightly. Conker shifted, and James’s heart jumped. ‘Holy shit, how do I stop him?’ He was used to having brakes.
Dagmar’s lips twitched. ‘Don’t worry. He’s not going anywhere yet, so open those hands a little, they’re too tight. To stop him, you close your fingers around the reins gently and say “whoa”. But for now, just try to relax. It’s best to sit centred, with as much weight on either side. Your shoulders should be lined up with your hips and ideally your heels, in what feels like a stable posture. It looks ok from here. How does it feel?’
‘Ok, I think.’ James took a deep breath. Conker’s muscles moved beneath him, and the power was evident. This was a living, breathing creature, not something mechanical that he could control. They would have to work together.
‘Let’s start with the basics. We’ll do a lunging lesson first. I’ll lunge Conker at a walk and trot and all you have to do is find your seat and keep your posture.’
‘Um, ok. What does that mean exactly?’
‘I’ll hold the rope in the middle and Conker will go around the arena. He’s well voice trained, and I’ll be here as backup. If anything goes wrong, just relax and let me handle it. Your job is to keep your posture centrally aligned.’ Dagmar looked up at him, and he sent up a silent prayer. Thank god she’s here. At least she knew what she was doing. ‘Now, to move forward, you gently squeeze with your legs and say, “walk on”. Try it.’
‘But what if he starts running?’
‘He won’t until you tell him to,’ she assured him. ‘Just stay calm. You’re doing fine.’
James squeezed his legs lightly. ‘Walk on.’
Conker began to walk. The motion was unfamiliar and bizarre. Dagmar stood in the middle, holding the rope as Conker and James went around the arena. ‘That’s it.’
Conker carried on steadily, and James started to feel a little more confident.
‘How does it feel?’ she asked.
‘Different.’ He adjusted his balance, trying to keep his weight even as she’d told him.
‘The more practice you have, the more you’ll get used to it. Conker’s very gentle, but it takes time to get to know about horses and to understand their triggers and cues. The only way to learn that is to keep doing it. Keeping calm is important, as is being clear with your signals. You might want to get some books and read up on horse care. I can tell you some good ones.’
James nodded. ‘Right, ok.’ Actually, it wasn’t too bad at all. The initial panic was giving way to something close to enjoyment. He might actually have found something he liked doing.
‘Do you feel like you’re able to go a little faster?’
‘Yeah, ok.’ He took a deep breath. ‘You just tell me how and I’ll do my best.’
He glanced at Dagmar; her face was calm and focused. She always had a serene expression, earnest and a little sad. At school, her features had seemed a little out of proportion, but not anymore. She’d grown into her face and was really very pretty with that cute little nose, her sweet pink lips and those piercing blue eyes.
Why was he even noticing stuff like this? This was what happened when he went through a dry spell. But he hated sleeping around. The thought of frequently changing partners made his skin crawl, but he wasn’t doing well in finding one who would last. A few years back, when he’d dated Genevieve Harrington, they’d done it more as an arrangement for them both rather than as a mutual attraction. It had helped get their parents off their backs, but he didn’t want that again. He was ready for the real thing. Hopefully Lady Victoria Bruce would be that person. Which meant he really should stop looking at Dagmar.
She explained how to trot, and James went for it, amazed at himself. Suddenly the balance he thought he had found was going, as Conker moved, and his muscles shifted. James tightened his legs to grip the saddle.
‘Relax,’ Dagmar said. ‘Don’t tighten your grip too much, just try to keep your balance.’
He wasn’t entirely sure how, but he tried not to grip anything too tightly.
Even though they were still in the arena and Dagmar was holding on to the rope, the feeling of freedom and power was incredible.
‘You can change the pace,’ Dagmar said. ‘Give it a try. Use the voice commands and the body gestures.’
James did as she said. ‘Easy,’ he told Conker, who slowed to a walk straight away. Dagmar was right, he was a good horse and was listening for his cues. Eventually, Dagmar stopped him and nodded. Her hair trailed down her back in her trademark long plait. Even when they’d been little kids at primary school, she’d had that. Occasionally two, one on either side. James had probably been the boy who pulled them. He couldn’t really remember, but it was more than likely.
‘I think that’s enough for today,’ she said. ‘Time is ticking on.’
‘Ok.’ James frowned slightly. Memories of their primary school days jumped into his mind. ‘Do you remember Mrs Taylor?’ His recollections threw up the image of a seriously grumpy teacher they’d had in primary five.
Dagmar huffed and nodded. ‘Yeah. The one who never got anyone’s name right?’
‘The very one,’ James laughed. ‘She always called us by our surnames, but not the actual name. Like she used to call me Charlottetown instead of Charlton. Drove me mad, and I think she did it on purpose.’
‘I’m sure she did.’ Dagmar smiled. ‘I’ve heard some weird pronunciations of Ingenfeld over the years, but she called me “Inkenstein” more times than I can count.’
‘Inkenstein?’ James grinned. ‘I remember that.’
‘I suppose she thought any foreign-sounding name would do.’
‘Where is the name from?’
‘It’s Danish. That’s where my mum comes from. Her family came here when she was fifteen and she stayed.’
He assumed she had a father, but she’d never mentioned him, and he didn’t recall ever seeing him, even as a child. It didn’t seem his place to ask.
‘She must have liked it here,’ he said.
‘I suppose.’ Dagmar glanced up at him and an almost sneaky smile crept over her face. ‘Well, Charlottetown, that’s your lesson over for the day.’
He pulled a face. ‘Very funny, Inkenstein.’
She smiled, and it lit up her face, sprinkling colour into her cheeks and making her eyes shine. The sight struck James in a way he didn’t expect. She was pretty before, but with that smile…
What had happened to his resolve not to notice her?
She gently led him towards the mounting block. ‘Did you enjoy that?’
‘Yeah.’ He adjusted his position in the saddle. ‘How do you turn him from up here?’
‘I can show you that before we stop for the day.’
He sat tall, trying to imagine how this would feel if she weren’t beside him.
‘So, to turn him, it’s all about looking where you want to go, then moving your shoulders, your hips, closing the outside leg – so to turn right you close the left leg – and finally opening one rein towards where you want to go if that’s not enough.’
‘Ok, that sounds complicated.’ James gripped the reins a bit tighter. First no brakes, now no steering wheel. Cars were a lot easier.
‘Don’t grip the reins.’ Dagmar edged closer. She placed her hand over his, guiding his grip. ‘Here, like you’re holding a little bird, or a rose with thorns on. You want to suggest and guide him, not hurt him.’
A shiver ran through him at the unexpected contact. Her hand was warm and steady, her presence suddenly close. ‘Like this?’ he asked.
‘Yes.’ Dagmar adjusted the reins slightly. ‘Now, if you want to turn right, look right, turn your shoulders that way, good; now your hips, good; now bring your left leg closer to him – as if you wanted to hug his ribcage. See him begin to turn? Now you can confirm it with your right hand. Move it in an arc out this way, like you’re opening the path for him.’
She demonstrated, her hand guiding his. Conker responded slowly, turning his head and body in the direction indicated.
‘I think I’ve got the idea.’ James’s voice was huskier than he intended. Her closeness was making it hard to concentrate, and that couldn’t be good.
‘Now try the other way.’
James followed her instructions, and Conker turned smoothly. ‘This is great,’ he said.
Dagmar’s eyes met his briefly. ‘Just take it slow and once he’s understood your idea, let him finish the move. Don’t carry him through it all. You might get it wrong a few times before getting it right consistently.’
‘I’ve got a good teacher.’ He gave her a wink.
Her cheeks coloured, but her lips quirked up like she was pleased. ‘Ok, try walking him across the arena and turning him to come back. I’ll wait here, but I can come over if you need me. Focus on asking, then letting him follow through… and enjoy.’
James did it. So far, so good. Conker seemed to respond to his cues without a fuss.
‘How’s this?’ He returned to Dagmar.
‘You’re doing really well.’
‘Thanks. That was a different start to my day. Guess I better get back to the boardroom now.’
Dagmar raised an eyebrow. ‘Guess you should, though you might want to get changed first.’
‘What time is it?’ he asked. ‘I need a shower too.’
She checked her phone. ‘Quarter to eight.’
‘Yeah. I better go.’
‘Ok. If you take your right leg out of the stirrup.’
His dismount was as ungraceful as his mounting. ‘Ouch.’ He turned away from Dagmar and adjusted his trousers. ‘That feels very strange.’
‘It takes a while to adapt. Once you’ve done it a few times, your muscles will get used to it too.’
‘I hope so.’ He unclipped the riding hat and took it off. ‘You’re a very patient horse.’ He gave Conker a brief nose rub.
‘He’s a good jumper too.’
‘I’m not sure I’m quite there yet. In fact, I don’t think I’ll ever be.’
‘It could take a long time to get to that stage.’
‘Well, thank you. I’ll be back tomorrow.’
‘Ok.’ She sucked on her bottom lip as she watched him. ‘Tomorrow you’ll be wishing you could spend the day in bed, and the day after that will be way worse.’
He snort-laughed. ‘Ha. Thanks for the warning. Should I help take the saddle off him or anything?’
‘I’ll do that after. If you could just hang up the hat in the tack room. I think I’ll give Conker a quick run before I turn him out.’
James left the arena with a brief glance over his shoulder. Dagmar was still next to Conker. James paused at the door, still watching as Dagmar mounted Conker with such ease she might just have gone up a step.
She took Conker out on a few spirals and circles at a walk, looking like the horse was doing everything of his own accord, except for his ears flicking to her now and then. Suddenly, they moved into a floating trot, and again she looked effortless, like an elegant passenger on the horse. He should be going, but he couldn’t take his eyes off the spectacle unfolding. When they moved into a canter, her body remained in perfect sync with Conker’s motions, and then they popped over a few jumps with ease and grace, landing with soft thuds after each one, Conker’s muscles rippling under his skin. Dagmar looked so serene and at ease on this athlete.
Wow. This was strangely hot.
Dagmar circled back, slowing Conker to a trot and then a walk. She scratched the horse’s neck, her face flushed with the exhilaration of the ride. James sensed a twitch in his groin. This was making him all kinds of turned on, which was completely bizarre. But Dagmar’s confidence was inspiring. So much for the shy and quiet woman he associated with her.
He closed the door and continued towards the tack room, glancing back to see Dagmar leading Conker towards the barn, probably to untack him. Hopefully Lady Victoria Bruce would have the same effect on him, but he had a sinking suspicion she wouldn’t.