Chapter 12 Nicole
The stable smelled of fresh hay and leather mixed with the earthy tang from Copper’s stall. Chilly December air snuck in through the wide sliding doors, so Nicole tugged her gloves tighter.
She stood beside her father, watching him test the buckles on a sturdy leather saddle they’d pulled from storage that morning.
Beside it, neatly stacked on a wooden bench, sat the rest of the specialized gear they’d need—an adaptive mounting ramp, a body support harness, and a side-walker belt Nicole had borrowed from a therapeutic riding center a few towns over.
Nothing was going to happen to sweet Elise today—except a dreamy ride with Copper.
As if he knew he was part of something special, the big guy snorted and whinnied, his ears flicking in anticipation.
“Does it all look okay to you, Dad?” she asked, crouching to check the ramp one more time. The wood was solid, sanded smooth, with a gradual incline wide enough to accommodate Elise’s wheelchair.
“Okay?”
They turned at the sight of Red meandering into the stable with a grin on his face. “I built that beauty for a lady who came here with her husband every spring for a decade or so.”
“I remember her,” Jack said, straightening. “They came from Minnesota, as I recall.”
Red nodded. “That lady, Gayle was her name, loved Whistler, but lived in a chair. Her husband told me about this ramp and harness they had made and I fashioned one for her visit the next year.”
“That was sweet of you,” Nicole said, coming closer to her grandfather. “Was it easy to get her up and down?”
“I did it with her husband’s help, and yours, Jack.”
Her father nodded. “We got her saddled and back down again without a single problem.”
“Whistler was a little bit more mellow,” Red noted, walking over to give Copper’s head a stroke. “But I think you’re up for the task, big fella.”
Nicole smiled, gratitude spreading through her chest. “I know. I just want it to be perfect for Elise. She’s so excited.”
Jack reached out, brushing a stray piece of hay from her shoulder. “I’m proud of you, sweetheart.”
“Thanks, Dad. That means everything.”
“So this Cameron guy…” His tone shifted, teasing but laced with protective undertones. “You must really like him.”
Nicole laughed, half groan, half giggle. “You don’t waste any time, do you?”
“He’s your father,” Red said. “If he didn’t ask, I’d worry. And then I’d ask.”
She leaned against the ramp, exhaling slowly, looking from one man to the other.
“I like him a lot. It’s crazy how fast it’s all happened, but it feels…
like it could get real.” She looked down, tracing a line in the sawdust with her boot.
“He’s kind, Dad. The way he takes care of Elise blows me away.
He’s not just a protective big brother—though he definitely is that,” she added with a laugh.
“He’s nurturing, like he actually gets joy from making her life better. ”
Jack’s brow furrowed thoughtfully. “And when he’s not doing that he’s a firefighter in the off-season, and ski patrol in winter.”
“And taking paramedic training.”
“Careful that halo doesn’t slip,” Red cracked, making them laugh.
“He sounds like a good man,” her father said.
“He is.” She met her dad’s eyes, her heart swelling. “I really want you to get to know him better today. More than that quick handshake on the bunny slope.”
“Looking forward to it,” Jack said sincerely.
As if on cue, the low rumble of an engine approached. Nicole and Jack moved toward the wide barn doors just as the handicap-accessible van pulled up on the drive to the stable.
After he parked, Cameron hopped out, bundled in a dark parka, his breath puffing in the cold air.
“Morning!” he called, giving Nicole a smile that definitely took away the cold.
She jogged toward him, excited that he’d agreed to do this. “Morning! Perfect day for a ride.”
Jack followed, extending his hand. “Good to see you again, Cameron.”
“Mr. Kessler,” Cameron said, shaking firmly. “Thanks for letting us do this.”
“Call me Jack. And it’s our pleasure.”
While they exchanged greetings, Nicole rounded to the passenger side as the van’s hydraulic lift whirred. Elise appeared, radiant and glowing, her hair braided beneath a knit beanie. Her grin was wide and uncontainable.
“You ready for this?” Nicole asked.
“I haven’t slept all night,” Elise admitted with a laugh, practically vibrating with excitement. “Let me at that horse!”
Nicole hugged her tightly, the metal of the wheelchair frame pressing against her coat. “You’re going to love Copper.”
As Cameron maneuvered the chair down the ramp, his movements careful and precise, Nicole caught the flash of tension in his jaw. He was excited for Elise, but his concern radiated like heat.
Jack seemed to notice, too. “Don’t worry,” he said in his calm, steady way. “We’ve done this before. Safety’s our top priority.”
Cameron nodded, though his knuckles were white on the handles. “I know. It’s just…” His gaze softened as he looked at Elise. “She’s my little sister.”
“And your biggest pain in the butt,” Elise teased, rolling her eyes. “Relax, Cam. I’m not made of glass.”
“Let’s meet Copper,” Nicole said, her voice bubbling with excitement as she took over the wheelchair. She guided Elise into the stable, where Red was standing in front of the horse, the ramp, and the rig.
“This is my grandfather, Red Starling,” Nicole said. “And my baby, Copper. This is Elise, our rider.”
Elise gasped, her hands flying to her mouth as she met Copper’s big gaze. “Oh. My. Gosh. Nicole, he’s…he’s beautiful.”
“I get that a lot,” Red joked.
Elise pointed at him, not missing a beat. “I can see why.”
Red chuckled and stroked Copper’s big head. “Copper’s a fine boy. Smarter than some folks I know.” His weathered face creased into a grin.
Cameron came in with Jack, and Nicole introduced him to Red, all of them talking and laughing about the big day.
Cameron crouched beside Elise’s wheelchair, his voice soft. “You ready, E?”
“Ready doesn’t begin to cover it,” Elise said, her hazel eyes bright with excitement. “How are we going to do this?”
Jack joined them, looking serious. “Okay, here’s the plan.
We’ll roll Elise up the ramp until she’s level with the saddle.
Then, using the transfer sling and side-walker belt, we’ll help her pivot and swing her leg over.
I’ll stabilize her upper body while I secure the harness.
Cameron, you can support her torso until she’s fully seated. ”
Cameron’s throat bobbed as he swallowed. “Got it.”
Red gave a little snort. “I’m just here as the ramp engineer and chief architect. If it breaks and you go south, it’s on me.”
“You made this?” Elise asked. “That’s incredible.”
“We’ll see how incredible it is when you’re on it,” he replied.
“Are you seriously concerned?” Cameron asked, worry in his eyes. “Because if you think—”
Red cocked his head and gave him a look. “Do you really think I’d let her get on it if I thought it was less than one hundred percent chair-worthy?”
Cameron lifted a shoulder. “Of course not. I trust you.”
“She’s a waif compared to the lady I built it for,” he said. “Plus, she’s so excited, I think she could fly up to that saddle. Let her roll, boy.”
Elise beamed at him. “I like you, Red!”
“Back atcha, kiddo.”
“All right,” Jack said. “Let’s do this.”
Working as a seamless team, they positioned the wheelchair at the base of the ramp. Elise’s hands gripped the armrests, determination shining in her eyes.
“Here we go,” Jack said, wheeling her carefully up the incline. Copper stood steady, calm and patient.
At the top, Nicole clipped the transfer sling beneath Elise’s hips, adjusting the straps for perfect balance. Cameron crouched beside her, murmuring reassurances.
“You’re doing great, E,” he said.
“I know,” Elise said, her voice trembling with emotion. “And this one ends with me on a horse. A handsome, amazing horse.” She patted Copper’s mane, and he stayed perfectly still, rising to the occasion.
On three, they lifted gently, pivoting Elise so Nicole could lift her right leg over Copper’s back. She was light as a feather, but the absolute deadness of the weight in her hand stunned Nicole.
She knew Elise was paralyzed from the hips down, but until she actually guided one of those non-functioning legs into position, the reality of that hadn’t really hit her.
This girl had half a working body, and more spirit than a lot of completely whole people. She could be a bit much, a big personality, even, but that just made Nicole love her more.
As Jack buckled the adaptive saddle straps and secured the safety harness snugly around her waist and thighs, Elise reached down and brushed a hair off Nicole’s face.
“Thank you,” she mouthed.
They shared a long, connected look and Nicole impulsively blew a kiss. “Have fun.”
Cameron’s hands lingered protectively on Elise’s sides. “Are you sure it’s tight enough? Double check the buckles.”
“It’s secure,” Jack assured him, giving each strap a firm tug.
“Boy,” Red said, shaking his head, “you’d bubble wrap her if you could.”
“Probably,” Cameron admitted with a self-deprecating snort.
Elise rolled her eyes affectionately. “Cam, I’m not falling off. Chill.”
Finally, Nicole took Copper’s lead rope while Jack positioned himself at Elise’s other side. Cameron hovered close, clearly battling the urge to hover even more.
“Easy walk, boy,” Nicole murmured to Copper, clicking softly.
The horse stepped forward, slow and steady. Elise’s breath caught, then broke into a wild, joyful laugh.
“Oh, my gosh, this feels so good!”
Nicole’s vision blurred with tears as she and her father guided Copper out to the paddock and strolled on his favorite circuit, while Cameron and Red leaned against the rail, watching.