19. Wooden Horse Whisperer
Wooden Horse Whisperer
Quinn
I straightened the last granola bar in the basket, stepping back to admire my handiwork. The snack station was a work of art now that I’d gotten ahold of it. Before, the prepackaged snacks had been thrown in a basket haphazardly, but now they were arranged artfully in a fanned pattern.
The communal lodge was quiet this morning, with most of the guests out riding, hiking, or spending the day at the beach.
I wasn’t technically supposed to be working, but apparently my body clock had adjusted to ranch life, and I’d woken up at dawn.
I’d decided to make myself useful rather than overthink my complicated situation with three incredibly attractive men.
We still hadn’t discussed what we were doing exactly. It was a conversation we all needed to sit down and have together, but with a packed schedule and full cabins for the weekend, dinner together had proven to be impossible the night before.
The lodge door swung open, letting in a burst of air and the sound of excited chatter. A family of four walked in with a little boy and girl who were about seven. Energy radiated from both of them like they’d had candy for breakfast.
The little girl stopped dead in her tracks, yanking on one of her father’s sleeves. “It’s the hobby horse lady!”
I froze, a bag of trail mix suspended midair. Me? The hobby horse lady? There really had to be a better name for me than that.
What about an alternative like “Equestrian Stick Enthusiast” or “Wooden Horse Whisperer”? Maybe “Thunderbolt’s Champion” had a better ring? Or perhaps “Viral Sensation Who Made Drunken Choices After a Breakup and Now Lives With Three Hot Cowboys”? That was a bit lengthy for business cards, though.
The boy rushed forward, practically vibrating with excitement.
“Can we meet Thunderbolt and can you show us how to do the jumping thing? The one where you went really high and then did that trick with your legs.” He demonstrated by leaping awkwardly and kicking his legs out, his arms flailing so wildly that he nearly toppled a display of bottled drinks.
“Whoa there, buddy.” One of the dads put his hand on the boy’s shoulder. “Sorry about that. They’ve been talking about meeting you since we got here yesterday.”
I blinked several times, trying to process what was happening. “They wanted to meet me?”
The other dad stepped forward, offering his hand. “I’m Marcus, this is my husband Paul, and these little tornadoes are Everly and Liam. They’ve watched your videos about fifty times. You’re basically a celebrity in our house.”
“They have?” The words came out as a squeak.
Everly nodded enthusiastically. “The one where you were jumping over the barrels with Thunderbolt was so cool! I told my dads that I want a stick horse like yours!”
Liam pushed forward. “And the one where you fell and then got back up! That was my favorite ‘cause you didn’t cry!”
My cheeks heated as I remembered Kellan filming my stick horse adventures over the past week. I’d known he was posting them but didn’t know children were now looking at me like I was some sort of Disney princess.
“Well, um, thank you.” I set down the trail mix. “Are you enjoying your stay at La Cuesta?”
Paul nodded. “The ranch is beautiful, and the horseback riding yesterday was fantastic. Kellan was our guide, and he’s quite the entertainer.”
“The only thing is,” Marcus said, glancing at the kids who were now circling me like tiny sharks, “we wish there were more structured kid-friendly activities. The horseback riding was great, but it was one hour, and then...”
“Then they’re bouncing off the walls of our cabin.” Paul laughed. “We were wondering if there might be any of those stick horse classes or something similar? The kids haven’t stopped talking about it.”
I nearly choked. “Classes? For hobby horsing?”
Everly clapped her hands together. “Could we make our own? With glitter and ribbons and everything?”
Liam jumped in place. “And then you could show us how to do the tricks!”
“I... um...” My brain struggled to catch up. People wanted to learn hobby horsing? From me? The woman who’d only picked up a stick horse a month ago after a bad breakup and too much liquor?
This was the second time someone had brought up a workshop or training. But what would that even look like?
“We’d be happy to pay extra,” Marcus added. “I’m sure other families would be interested too. There are at least three other kids around their age staying here this weekend.”
I nodded before my brain had fully thought things through. “You know, that could be fun. We could decorate the horses, practice, and then have a little show afterward.”
The kids erupted in cheers, and their excitement was contagious, even if the idea of teaching hobby horsing felt utterly ridiculous. But so did having a Leprechaun break into my classroom every March, but I still always did it anyway.
“When?” Everly was jumping up and down. “Can we do it today?”
“Please, please, please?” Liam joined in, both of them giving me puppy dog eyes that would make Walter jealous.
I glanced at my watch. It was only nine.
“I’d need to check with management, but I can call or text you?
There aren’t any supplies here either.” My teacher brain was already kicking in, mentally listing craft materials we’d need.
I could print out some certificates so that they could name their horses too.
As the family headed out, I stood in the suddenly quiet lodge, wondering what I’d signed myself up for.
I stuffed the hastily written list into the back pocket of my jeans as Reid and Enzo rode up outside the stables. They’d finished doing whatever it was they’d been doing; I had honestly lost track of everything they did on a daily basis. I wondered which one would be the harder sell on my idea.
They both dismounted and led their horses inside the stables, completely unaware of the sparkly chaos I was about to unleash.
I stopped a safe distance away. “Do you guys have a minute? Some guests would like me to do something with hobby horsing, and I wanted to discuss it.”
Reid looked over his shoulder as he came to a stop with his horse. “Like a class? When?”
I tried not to look as sheepish as I felt. “Well, I was thinking... today? Maybe this afternoon?”
“Today?” Enzo’s voice was skeptical. “As in, a few hours from now?”
“Or tomorrow morning.” Checkout time for the cabins was eleven, but that should be enough time if I had to do it then. “The kids were so excited, and there are a few other kids who might be interested as well.”
Reid rubbed the back of his neck. “That’s pretty short notice for organizing something.”
“I know, but it’s not like we need to rent a venue or hire caterers. Just some craft supplies and a little space in the indoor arena. I could even do it in the lodge, but glitter will be involved.”
“Glitter?” Enzo began removing his horse’s saddle. “I’m not saying no, but adequate planning prevents poor performance.”
I rolled my eyes. “Did you print that on a motivational poster for your office?”
Reid snorted, earning a glare from Enzo. The corner of Reid’s mouth twitched upward, and Enzo’s eyebrows drew together even further, his jawline tensing. I watched the silent exchange between them, fascinated by how much they could communicate without words.
I stepped closer now that the two horses were aware I was there.
It was crazy that a few short weeks ago I had been scared of them, and now I was stepping between two powerful animals like we were besties.
“I’ve run enough art projects to handle this.
All I need is a quick trip to the store for supplies and some help setting up a table or two in the arena. ”
Enzo sighed, his resistance visibly crumbling. “Fine. But what if some kid gets glitter in their eye or stabs someone with scissors?”
What kind of art projects had he experienced as a child? “I’ll be supervising, so those things shouldn’t happen.” I couldn’t promise it though since I didn’t know the kids who would be coming.
Enzo fought a smile, and I narrowed my eyes at him, not quite believing what I was seeing. He was actually making a joke about stabby children. All along I thought his sense of humor had been surgically removed at birth in exchange for his impressive ability to frown disapprovingly.
Reid gave his horse a treat after removing the bit. “I think it’s a good idea.”
“Really?” I couldn’t hide my surprise.
Enzo checked his watch. “I’ve got to meet with the farrier in half an hour, but I can help set up when I’m done.”
Reid wiped his hands on a rag. “I can take you to get supplies. My afternoon’s clear since Kellan took over all the trail rides today.”
I couldn’t believe how easily both men had agreed.
I’d been prepared for a battle, armed with at least three more persuasive arguments and possibly some begging if necessary.
Instead, they’d practically rolled out the welcome mat for my half-baked plan.
Somehow, my hobby horse idea was happening, and I was both thrilled and terrified at once.
What if no one showed up? Or worse, what if everyone showed up and the whole thing was a spectacular disaster involving glitter emergencies and disappointed children?
I walked backward toward the door. “Meet you by my car in ten minutes? I need to grab my purse.”
The prospect of spending time alone with Reid made my cheeks warm, though I told myself it was from the excitement of the project coming together.
By the time we made it to the store thirty minutes later, my nerves had turned into full-blown giddy chaos.
Reid was pushing a cart, watching me with amusement as I nearly squealed when I spotted the display of stick horses. “These are perfect!”
Reid examined one critically. “These are nowhere near as high quality as Thunderbolt.”
“Thunderbolt is a professional competition hobby horse with a very professional price tag. These are starter models for beginners, also known as kids’ toys.”
When April had sent me links to stick horses for hobby horsing, I’d nearly had a heart attack at the price tag. They’d ranged in price from thirty to over three hundred dollars. Of course, I had to fall in love with the one that cost nearly two hundred.
“How could I not know the difference?” He tossed six into our cart.
We hit up the craft supplies section next, and I stopped in front of the wide selection of glitter. “Now, before I begin, I have a very important question.”
“And that is?” Reid grabbed a tube of glow-in-the-dark sparkles, turning it in his hand like it was some alien artifact.
“What’s my budget? Keep in mind that these supplies can also be used for the kids’ camps.” I gestured at the shelves on both sides of the aisle stocked with a rainbow of art supplies.
“Get whatever you think you’ll need.” Reid put the glitter he was holding in the cart. He seemed entirely unconcerned about the potential cost, which was refreshing after my ex-fiancé’s constant commentary on my classroom supply spending.
I ran my fingers along a display of bagged pom-poms, feeling a rush of creative possibility.
“Are you sure? Because when you give me free rein in the craft aisle, I tend to go a little overboard. Last summer, I ended up with enough pipe cleaners to create a life-sized replica of the Eiffel Tower.” I wasn’t entirely joking.
He didn’t even look surprised. “You deserve it after bringing us so much new business.”
I threw my arms around him. “Thank you! This is the best day ever.” I pulled back quickly when I realized how childish I probably sounded.
Reid chuckled. “So craft supplies are the way to a woman’s heart?”
“It’s one of many ways.” I turned my attention to the ribbons and immediately grabbed a variety spool that had all the colors of the rainbow. “When I was little, I used to think craft stores were more magical than toy stores. All this potential was sitting on shelves, waiting to become something.”
Reid watched me, his expression soft. “I can see that about you. The way you look at things and see what they could be, not just what they are.” He stepped closer. “It’s one of the many things I like about you.”
His gaze lingered, and heat flickered beneath my skin. “Are you flirting with me right now, Reid Dawson?”
“Is it working?” His voice dropped, low and teasing, making my body light up.
“Maybe.” I grabbed a second spool of ribbon and placed both in the cart. “I have a few more things on my list, then we’re good to go.”
Reid followed me dutifully down the aisle, adding a few things here and there. “So, I’ve been thinking… the four of us should go on a date.”
I stopped at the sudden comment, and he nearly hit me with the cart. I turned to look at him, my hand still clutching a pack of multi-colored felt squares, sure I’d misheard him. “Like, all together at one time?” I struggled to visualize what that would even look like.
He rubbed his jaw, seeming uncertain. “Is that weird?”
“Not weird. Surprising.” I laughed nervously, looking around like someone was going to jump out and tell me I can’t be with three men at once. “What did you have in mind? Do we all squeeze into one side of a booth at a restaurant while the server judges us silently?”
Reid’s fingers brushed against mine as we both reached for the same package of scissors, sending a tiny jolt through my system. “I hadn’t thought that far ahead.”
“You know, I never expected any of this.” I gestured vaguely between us. “When I came here, I was trying to escape my life for a bit, not... whatever this is becoming.”
Reid stepped closer, his voice dropping to a rumble. “And what is it becoming, Quinn?”
An energy swirled in my chest that was somewhere between nervous excitement and free-falling that I hadn’t felt since... well, ever. “I don’t know yet. But I like it.”
“That’s good enough for now.” His voice held a note of patience that said whatever I was feeling was perfectly fine and acceptable. No pressure or timeline, just acceptance of whatever this undefined thing was becoming.
I quickly turned back to the shelves, grabbing whatever my hand landed on. This man could undo me with one look, and somehow I was supposed to handle three of them? This wasn’t safe, or smart, but it felt right anyway.