Chapter 8
Aspen
“You’re sure this is a good idea?” I ask Harper.
I crack my knuckles again out of nervousness.
She’s walking me to the stables for my first riding lesson with Beck.
I’ve got my boots and belt buckle on per Jazz’s instructions.
I’ve even braided my curls back and added a Moonlight Ranch baseball hat.
I look the part. But my stomach is in knots.
What if I fall off?
What if the horses don’t like me?
What if I can’t do it, and then everyone is disappointed in me, and I get fired?
Ok, even I can admit that last one is a bit extreme, but I’m still worried.
“Yes, it’s a good idea. You’re going to have a blast. Trust me. And Beck is a really good teacher.”
“That’s what I’ve heard,” I say quietly.
“Then believe it. Come on. If a five-year-old can do this, you can do it.”
Well, when she puts it that way… “Yeah, I guess so.”
As we get closer to the stables, Harper yells, “Beck, your next victim is here!”
Oh, great. That’s reassuring.
Beck doesn’t come to the lodge often, but every time he has, he’s been very friendly.
Today, his face lights up with a smile when he sees me.
He’s in his standard jeans, cut-off T-shirt, and a worn-in baseball hat.
I swear there’s something in the water here at the ranch that makes men extra attractive.
“Hey, Aspen. You ready?” he asks me, taking in my pretend cowgirl outfit.
“Uh. . .”
“She is,” Harper answers for me as she shoves me forward a little.
“That was rude,” I mumble, and the two of them chuckle. “Yes, I’m ready.”
“I’ll see you in a bit! Have fun.” Harper waves before she turns and heads back to the lodge.
“You look a little nervous,” Beck states the obvious.
“Well, yeah. These horses are pretty big, and the more I’ve thought about it, the more I’ve realized how scary that is.”
He laughs and motions for me to follow behind him. “I get it. Horses can be dangerous. They are animals after all. That’s why I’ll go over safety with you before you even touch a horse. But trust me, if my five-year-old daughter can ride a horse, you can too.”
“So I’ve been told.”
“And remember, the horses can tell when you’re nervous, so you need to try to relax a little before you get up there.”
I swallow against my dry throat and nod. That’s not very reassuring.
Beck gives me a tour of the stable. He shows me where they keep the saddles, the saddle blankets, and the bridles. Then he takes me to the horses. He says each of their names as we pass them, but I know there’s no way I’m going to remember them.
“And this is Sparkly Tutu a.k.a Sparkles.”
I raise an eyebrow. “That’s an interesting name for a horse.”
He laughs. “Yeah, Brooks let my daughter, Jade, name her when we got her. She was three at the time, so Sparkly Tutu was obviously the only option.”
“Obviously.”
“But Sparkles is very tame. I’ve been using her with my beginners for the past year. She’s easy and will give you a smooth ride.”
“Alright. I’ll take your word for it.”
He shows me how to hold my hand up to Sparkles so she can smell me. She nudges my hand, allowing me to pet her.
“Good girl,” Beck says as he opens her stall, taking the equipment we grabbed earlier in with him.
He gets her all tacked up and ready for me.
He goes over a few other safety points as he walks us out to the fenced-in circle just outside the stable.
Sparkles trots along next to us, and her calm demeanor definitely reduces my nervousness.
“Alright, I’m gonna hand you this, and you’re just gonna lead her around the circle a few times.”
I nod and take the bridle in my sweaty hands. Sparkles seems to already know the drill because she starts walking. I do my best to stay a few feet ahead of her, and she seems pretty content to follow me.
After three laps around, Beck stops us. “Ready to mount?”
“Uh, sure.” He gives me a look. “No, yes, I’m ready. Definitely.”
“That’s better.”
He brings over a little step stool and puts it down next to Sparkles. “Alright, up you go.”
He shows me where to put my hand and how to hoist myself up into the saddle. It’s a little rocky getting up there, but I manage.
Beck leads me around the circle, letting me get used to how it feels to be on a horse, and honestly, it’s not too bad. I relax into the saddle quicker than I thought I would. After a few circles, he hands me the reins and lets me trot on my own.
I’m feeling pretty good when I suddenly hear clapping and look up to realize Brooks is leaning against the fence. He smiles as he watches me.
“Look at you!” he calls out. “Looks like you’ve been ridin’ for years.”
I laugh. “I wouldn’t go that far.”
Beck tells me how to get Sparkles to stop. I slide off her and hand the reins back to Beck.
“Havin’ fun?” Brooks asks.
I wipe my sweaty palms on my jeans as I walk toward him. “Yeah, actually. I was a little nervous, but it was easier than I thought it would be.”
He nods. “You’re gonna be out on the trails in no time.”
“Schedule another time with me,” Beck instructs. “And we’ll work on going a little faster than a trot. Then Brooks here can take you out on the trails.”
“I’ll do that. Thanks, Beck.” Although I’m not sure that Brooks would want to spend his free time on a trail ride with his assistant slash son’s girlfriend. He’s too nice to say no right now, though.
“I just came out here to see how you were gettin’ on, but if you’re done, we can walk back to the lodge together.”
I look over at Beck to confirm if we’re done. “Yep, all done here. I gotta go grab Jade from her mama’s house real quick.”
I nod and thank him again for the lesson before I start the walk back to the lodge with Brooks.
Brooks nudges me with his shoulder. “So be honest, what’d you think?”
“Honestly, I loved it. I see the appeal. I mean, Sparkles was definitely in control, but I felt powerful.”
I look over to see him smiling at me. “That’s what it’s all about. I swear, being on a horse and out in the fields is one of my favorite things. Especially at sunrise or sunset. It’s a feelin’ you can’t describe.”
“That sounds pretty awesome, actually,” I say, trying to picture it. The ranch is very picturesque. When Zach first told me he was from north Georgia, I didn’t picture a place with mountains and lakes and trees for miles. This is one of those places you just have to see to believe.
“It is. The boots and the belt look good, by the way.”
“Oh. Thanks.” I’m not sure why heat creeps up my neck from his compliment. “Yeah, I guess Jazz was right. It does feel good to look the part.”
He chuckles. “Don’t tell her that, she’ll get an even bigger head.”
“Don’t worry, I won’t,” I say, smiling. “She’s awesome, though. I really like her. I didn’t have many friends back in Atlanta, so it’s nice to have someone besides Zach to hang out with since he’s been so busy.”
“I’m glad she’s making you comfortable. We’re all here for you if you ever need anything. We’re a family at the ranch.”
I nod. “Yeah, I’m starting to see that. I’m glad to be a part of it.”
And I mean it. Coming to work every day doesn’t even feel like work. I don’t dread it. Granted, I know I’m still new, but this place is different. It truly does feel like a family. Maybe I’m naive to feel that way, but it is what it is. I’m going to enjoy my time here.
“Thanks again for letting me take the lesson,” I tell him as we stop by the door of the lodge.
“No need to thank me. Make sure you schedule your next lesson. We’ll be out on the trails in no time.”
I smile as he walks into his office, and then I realize that he said we’ll. As in we. Like him and me? I know it doesn’t mean anything, but for some reason, the thought of being on the trails alone with Brooks makes my stomach do a little excited flip.
Which makes me feel absolutely terrible.
What kind of girlfriend gets excited to hang out alone with her boyfriend’s dad? Gross.