Chapter 5
After helping to tidy the kitchen from breakfast, despite Sandra’s objections that it was her job to do it, Annette and Gabrielle walked outside. The storm of the previous night had passed, leaving behind a landscape drowned in vibrant shades of green.
For a few moments they lingered on the veranda, breathing in the fresh mountain air that swirled across the hills and valleys as it made its way to them from the blue peaks in the distance. A sense of peace and renewal filled the air. Annette leaned on the rail. Puddles of water dotted the driveway, reflecting the early morning sunlight in a dazzling display, while droplets of rain still clung to the grass like scattered diamonds.
They basked in the quiet tranquility.
“Do you hear that?” Annette turned to question her sister.
Gabrielle frowned, straining to listen. “No,” she confirmed finally. “Hear what exactly?”
“Nothing. That’s the point. It’s so peaceful here. There aren’t any cars, horns, or sirens,” she said in wonder. “No people. I don’t think I’ve ever been anywhere so quiet.” Annette hadn’t thought she would like it, but she did. Growing up in a city of almost five hundred thousand, and then spending four years attending college in Paris, didn’t offer much opportunity for solitude. She lifted her face to the warmth of the sun and reveled in this unusual feeling of serenity.
The crunch of tires on gravel caught their attention. It was Jeff, returning in his enormous black truck. He spun past them, continuing along the driveway, past a low building that looked like a small house, until he parked in front of the hip-roofed barn. He jumped out and beckoned to them.
“Have you met him on other trips to Canada with Andrew?” Annette asked in a low voice as they descended the stairs and began to walk toward where their host slid open the big double doors of the building.
“No, although I’ve heard Andrew and Sophie talk about him as a friend and neighbour. Actually, I think Andrew went to school with him, but Jeff is a couple of years older.” She looked at Annette with a puzzled expression on her face. “You don’t like him, do you?”
Annette angled her head and thought for a moment. “There’s just something about him that irritates me,” she said. “His arrogance, for a start.”
“That’s strange. I don’t find him that way at all. He’s been more than kind to Sophie—and to us. How many neighbours would take in foreign visitors? Or give them riding lessons?”
“I didn’t ask for lessons,” Annette said bitterly. “If it wasn’t for you and your big mouth…”
“Shhh! He’ll hear you.” Gabrielle plastered a grin on her face and increased her pace. Jeff stood waiting for them in the doorway, a length of rope coiled in his hand.
Annette had to admit he looked the part of the enigmatic rancher she’d seen in movies. He wore a black cowboy hat, jeans that fit snugly across his narrow hips, and a faded canvas jacket that looked as though it had seen a few years of hard labour.
“Tomorrow’s lesson will involve saddling and bridling,” he said, in an authoritative tone. “But today we’ll focus on getting you used to mounting a horse and riding in a corral.”
He led the way inside where Annette’s eyes took a few seconds to adjust to the dim lighting. When she could focus again, she saw a wall of empty pens that looked like solid wooden boxes down either side. The sisters followed Jeff until he stopped in front of a pen that was partway down the aisle. He rested a hand on the handle.
“This is the horse I’ll use to teach you how to ride. Her name is Pearl,” he explained. Even in the gloom, Annette could see his eyes softening with love for the animal. He reached between the bars of the gate and rubbed the mare’s broad white face. “We bought her when she was only a yearling, my father trained her, and she belonged to my little sister for—well—until she didn’t need the horse anymore. Pearl has been part of our family for seventeen years.” He lifted the latch and swung the gate open. Annette and Gabrielle stepped forward to peer inside the stall.
A dapple-grey mare stood just inside the opening, watching them with dark inquisitive eyes. In the shafts of light that angled through the small window of the stall, Annette thought the horse’s coat reminded her of a snowy winter’s day. Parts of it were white turning to grey and all were flecked with areas of a darker colour. She was beautiful. Pearl’s mane and tail were a gleaming silver. Her feet were black and neatly shaped.
Jeff grasped a small plastic pail and scooped something from its depths. “Cup your hands and hold them out,” he instructed Annette.
She did as he told her, and he trickled a small measure of grain into her palms. Pearl seemed instinctively to know what was happening. She nickered low in her throat and stepped eagerly toward them.
“Now, extend your two hands to her. As she eats the oats, flatten your hands so she can get the treat. I don’t want you to get nibbled.”
As he spoke, Annette had been tentatively reaching out, but at his final words she snapped her hands back, spilling some of the oats into the sawdust at their feet.
“Quoi!” she demanded in French before she could correct herself. “Je ne veux pas être mordue!”
Jeff gave a long exasperated sigh. “You’re going to have to stop that,” he said, raising his eyebrows. “I don’t have a clue what you’re saying.”
“She’s afraid of being bitten,” Gabrielle explained, grasping her sister’s hands, and cupping them for Jeff to fill again. After he did so, she bent to look into Annette’s face. “Just stay like this until Pearl has had a mouthful of oats and then flatten your palms, so she can get the rest. She won’t bite you. I promise.”
With trepidation Annette looked from her sister to Jeff. It was the closest she’d ever been to an animal of this size and her knees quivered. Nevertheless, she stepped within reach of the mare and lifted her arms.
Pearl blew through her nostrils, her ears flicking back and forth as she stretched her neck to reach the oats. “I don’t know which of you is more suspicious,” Jeff said to Annette followed with a snort of derision. “You or the horse.”
Finally, Pearl’s twitching nose reached her hands, and a little shudder ran through Annette’s body. But the nose was soft and gentle, and Pearl was very much a lady. Carefully she nuzzled at the oats with wet lips until she had enough to chew, then lifted her head away, and stared at Annette with her dark eyes; her strong teeth grinding methodically.
Why…it was a wonderful experience. Annette took a step closer, flattening her palms as she’d been told. Pearl swallowed and came back for the remainder of the oats. The velvety nose nuzzled Annette again, and a little thrill went up her spine. The mare was sweet.
“Can I pet her?” she asked Jeff, who nodded with a half-smile on his face. He unwound the length of rope he’d coiled around his arm, and clipped it to the bright pink halter Pearl wore. Then he led the mare out of the box. Hesitantly, Annette stepped back. Only when Pearl came to a standstill did she move forward again, with far less fear.
She ran a hand down the horse’s neck, taking note of the silky hair, the warmth, and the scent that accompanied horses. It was pleasing and friendly. Eagerly Annette looked at the people beside her.
“I like Pearl,” she said with surprise. She wasn’t so sure about riding the animal, but this much contact was working out well. Pearl stood very still as Annette continued to stroke her. From somewhere inside the barn, another horse whinnied and Annette jumped.
“That’s just Panda,” Jeff said. He handed Annette the end of the rope, which she accepted without thinking, and turned to Gabrielle. “He’s the gelding I brought in for you to ride. I’ll show you where he is, and the tack room. Feel free to take him for a ride anytime you wish.” The two of them strode down the alleyway, talking.
Annette looked at the rope dangling from her fingertips like it was a cobra, and then at Pearl. Why would they leave her alone with this huge beast? Petting her was one thing, but being left in charge was quite another. What if Pearl became scared and ran? Or charged out the door and across the yard to find the others? Don’t be silly. You’d let go, of course. But what was she to do in the meantime? Again, she looked at the cord in horror and backed away, craning her neck to see where her sister had gone.
Unbelievably, Pearl followed her. Startled, Annette dropped the rope. Was the horse chasing her? Yet Pearl had stopped a reasonable distance away, and was flicking her ears back and forth, appearing bored. She realized the horse was just well-trained. The lead rope lay on the ground between them. Picking it up, she coiled the slack in her hand and walked toward the open doorway. The horse plodded willingly behind.
Wow.This is simple.
Together, they ambled into the bright sunshine, Pearl making an effort to avoid puddles as Annette walked slowly. Together they made a big loop around the gravelled area and strolled back into the barn. The mare was so close that her nose brushed Annette’s elbow.
By this time, Gabrielle and Jeff were waiting for her. She felt a bit giddy with her success, and grinned at their astonished faces. A big black horse, with large white splotches over his body and a wide strip of white down his face, fidgeted behind them. His colouring explained why his name was Panda.
“Well, look at you going for a little tour all on your own,” Jeff’s deep voice sounded impressed. “You handled that like a professional.”
Annette flushed with pleasure. She’d finally done something right.
He spoke to Gabrielle. “You said you wanted to go for a ride. So, if you’re comfortable with it, why don’t you saddle Panda and take him out for some exercise? Out the back way is a long pasture and a beautiful view. Meanwhile, I’ll give Annette a lesson.”
If he hadn’t just praised her, she’d almost feel threatened by his words. Give her a lesson. Great.
“I’d like that.” Gabrielle accepted Panda’s lead. After sending her sister an encouraging smile, she led the horse back down the darkened alley. Annette watched her go wistfully. She would much rather have Gabby teach her. Nonetheless, she realized it was Jeff’s horse and they were his guests, unfortunate as that was. She reminded herself to accept his help graciously and be as pleasant as possible.
“Now then, bring her this way,” Jeff said, rubbing his hands together with invisible soap. He set off for Pearl’s box stall. “We’ll tie her just outside the door where I have everything waiting. Then, I’ll show you how to bridle and saddle her. It’ll help you remember how to do it for tomorrow.”
The man looked positively gleeful. Her earlier feelings of triumph vanished. Why was it so important to Gabrielle that she ride? Wasn’t it enough that she liked the animal? Did she have to tour the countryside on its back? She’d never expressed any interest in learning. Irritation mixed with her unease.
Obediently, she trailed after Jeff with Pearl stepping daintily beside her. Turning, he motioned for the lead rope and Annette handed it over with an unmistakeable eagerness. Jeff narrowed his eyes, searching her face. “You’re nervous, hey?”
She nodded.
“I understand,” he said, tying the rope to a metal ring embedded in the wall of the enclosure. “It’s always hard to push yourself out of your comfort zone. Learning anything new is difficult. Especially if you are afraid.” He leaned back against Pearl and crossed his arms.
Clearly, he could read her expressions. She would have to work on that. Avoiding his eyes, she stared at a saddle that was slung over a wooden rack along with a leather contraption she could only guess was a bridle.
“If you don’t want to do this, you don’t have to…but think about it for a minute.” He shrugged and pushed himself upright, moving to rub at a thick layer of dust on the brown saddle. “I should have noticed it was so dirty.” He spoke reproachfully to himself, as though he were alone. “Everything you see here was Jessica’s. Her horse, her saddle, her bridle. She was the last one to use it and that’s been…” His voice was raw and pained, laden with memories. “It’s been eight years since she sat in it, I guess. No wonder it’s covered in dust.” Pulling a rag from within the depths of his coat pocket, he began to clean the leather.
“Jessica, she is your sister?” Annette asked before thinking again. It was none of her business, but she could hear something in his tone that made her curious.
“Was,” he said shortly. “She and my father were killed when she was only fifteen.” He bent his head over the saddle and scrubbed at a smudge of resistant grime.
Annette’s heart melted. “Oh la la. I am so sorry, Jeff. Forgive me for asking.”
He straightened his shoulders and turned to face her, unashamed of a tear that trickled down his cheek. “Thanks,” he said. “Sorry to burden you with the knowledge. I hadn’t considered how much it might affect me to get out her things.” He brushed the wetness away with his sleeve and took a deep steadying breath.
Annette reacted. Stepping closer, she reached out to lay a comforting hand on his arm. It brought her into close proximity with the man. When their eyes met, and locked together, she was unprepared for the rush of emotion that flooded her being. Being right next to him, she saw his irises change from brown to black in an instant, and her breath caught. Was she picking up on his hurt? No—it was more than that. Hastily, her face flushing, she moved away, babbling the first thing that came to mind.
“Je suis vraiment désolée.” With an aghast expression, she cupped her hands over her mouth. “Oh! I did it again! I always say something in French, and you don’t understand it.” Her voice was muffled. Dropping her hands away, she wrung them together. “This news you tell me is terrible. I am so sorry that ‘appened to you,” she repeated, beginning to feel foolish.
“It’s fine. Actually, your concern is touching,” he noted, the trace of a smile lifting one corner of his mouth. He sniffed. “So, do you want to learn how to ride, or not? It’s no problem either way.” He pulled a thick, red saddle pad from under the saddle and looked at her expectantly.
“I will,” she answered emphatically, surprising herself. “As long as you don’t mind me using Jessica’s things.”
“Good. And no, I don’t mind at all. I’m sure Jessica would want them to be put to use.” With slow, deliberate movements he placed the pad on Pearl’s back, explaining every move he made.
“This goes on first to cushion the horse’s back and protect the saddle from dirt and sweat.” He reached for the saddle and swung the straps on the far side, over the seat. “I did that, so when I place it on the horse’s back, the stirrup and the cinch don’t bang into the animal on the other side and startle it.” He threw the saddle onto Pearl. Her ears flicked, but otherwise she didn’t move a muscle.
“The saddle should sit just behind the horse’s shoulder and over the withers,” he rested a hand in each place to demonstrate. Walking around to the other side, he lowered the straps and then, ducking under Pearl’s neck, he returned to reach under her stomach for them. Moving to one side so Annette could see, he beckoned her closer.
“Watch how I fasten the cinch together and tighten it,” he said, pushing the stirrup from this side, out of his way. “If all goes well today, you can do this yourself tomorrow. Of course, I’ll be here to supervise.”
“Don’t you have better things to do?” she asked. Then, seeing him frown, and his nimble fingers stop as they slipped the leather straps into place, she hastened to explain. “I mean, you must be busy on a ranch this size. I feel as though I’m taking you away from your work.”
He swivelled to face her, crossing his arms across his chest in what she was beginning to realize was a classic move.
“Are you saying you’d rather I wasn’t here? Perhaps you’d like your sister to teach you instead?”
This was exactly what she’d like. Still, she hadn’t meant for him to know it and her mouth dropped open in surprise before she caught herself. He was only trying to show her kindness. “No.” She shook her head. “I just feel guilty that you’re spending so much time with me. You certainly didn’t plan on having house guests, and now you’re stuck with us.”
Jeff went back to tightening the straps. “I don’t mind. Sophie didn’t ask me to host you and Gabrielle here—I offered.” He pulled the stirrup into place and turned to Annette. “Now, we’ll spend about an hour outside and then you can be rid of me.” He finished and reached for the bridle, giving her further instructions on how to slip it over the horse’s head and gently slide the bit into its mouth.
“Done,” he said, handing her the reins. “Lead Pearl out of here.”
Her heart clenched with anxiety, but this time she hoped he couldn’t tell. Taking the supple straps from his outstretched hand, she wheeled around and headed for the open door, thankful he couldn’t see her face.
She blinked. The sun was rising high in the sky and the freshness of this green world after the heavy rain was blinding after the dim light of the barn. She took a few steps sideways to see if Jeff was following and set her foot into a puddle of muddy water. Gasping, she shook her foot, trying to banish the apprehension from her thoughts, but worried about her good leather boots, and wondering how she was supposed to stop Pearl. He could have at least told her that much before he sent her off.
“Over here,” Jeff called.
Annette lifted her wet foot and wiped it down the back of her jeans. She hoped it would get rid of the water and remembered her dismissive remark to Gabrielle back in Paris concerning rain boots. It was hard for her to admit, but they might have been a good idea. Hoping Pearl would follow her like last time, she made a loop and saw Jeff unfastening a gate to the left of the barn.
He swung it wide, and she walked into a round paddock with the mare trailing her. Underfoot was sand that appeared to have been smoothed by some machine, because it was completely flat. Jeff pulled the gate closed behind him and slid the bolt shut before walking to where she stood with Pearl, shading her eyes against the powerful sun. He was a handsome man, she had to admit. He reminded her of Andrew; strong and capable, someone who was a bulwark in the middle of a storm, with old-fashioned ideas of chivalry and courtesy to the point of putting himself out to help others.
Her most recent boyfriend, Philippe, was the complete opposite. They’d met in her third year of university. He’d been charming at first; taking her places, sharing long intimate discussions over dinners, and showing what she had thought was a genuine interest in her work and passions. But it was all a charade. After two months he began to show who he truly was and why he was attracted to her.
His attentiveness ceased abruptly, only to be replaced with arrogance, indifference, an excessive need for admiration, and a grandiose sense of his own importance. Annette had heard her friends talking about people they thought to be narcissists, but she was unprepared to believe that Philippe was one. But he was. Before she had broken up with him, he inadvertently revealed that he planned to exploit their relationship for all the money he could.
She dragged her thoughts back to the present. Jeff had gone to Pearl and rechecked the girth, tightening it a little. Removing his hat, he ran a hand through his curly black hair and shoved the hat down low over his eyes.
“So,” he began, attempting a smile that looked more like a grimace. “Lesson number one is how to mount a horse.”
“That makes sense.” She was a bit flippant, but honestly, did he take her for a fool? Of course, she had to get on Pearl before she could learn to ride. She moved to stand beside him.
His eyebrows drew together, but he merely continued as if she hadn’t spoken. “First, gather the reins in your left hand, like so, and take hold of the saddle horn.” He demonstrated. “Then, put your left foot into the stirrup, balance your weight, bounce lightly on the ground with your right foot, like this, and swing your right leg over the horse as you pull up with your arms.” In one fluid motion he was astride Pearl, his long legs hanging well below the stirrups.
Seeing she’d noticed this issue, he remarked on it. “We’ll adjust the stirrups to your leg length once you’re up here.” He swung himself back down to the ground and indicated that she take the reins. “Your turn.”
Well, this was the moment she’d been dreading. Her stomach did flips, but she was determined he wouldn’t see the fear in her face. She moved slowly, pausing to stroke Pearl’s neck and pull a twig from her mane. Then she took the reins and held them in her hand just like Jeff had shown her. She closed her eyes, willing herself to be calm. She knew dogs could sense fear in humans, could horses do that too?
Jeff held the stirrup for her and helped to guide her foot inside. Then, she hopped, made a wild grab for the horn, and threw herself into the air. For a moment she was airborne, a wild tangle of flailing arms and legs, and then she toppled backward into Jeff’s arms.
He caught her, with a loud OOF, and they both tumbled to the ground in a heap. Annette was too stunned to move. For a moment she lay sprawled on top of him, looking into the sky feeling breathless and thoroughly ridiculous. His muffled voice made itself heard from beneath her.
“Get. Off.”
Immediately, she rolled onto her stomach in the sand and hid her burning face from view. She heard him scramble to his feet and dust himself off. Oh, if only the earth could open up at this very moment and swallow her whole.
“We have a saying in Canada. Perhaps you have something similar in France,” he said dryly. Out of the corner of her eye she saw him stoop to pick up his hat and slap it against his thigh to remove the sand. “Here it is: ‘If you fall off your horse, get right back on.’ Of course, that doesn’t strictly apply here, since you were never actually on the animal. Still, I think it was close enough to count.”
Annette groaned. Coming up onto all fours, her head hanging in shame, she heard a strange noise. It sounded like someone choking. She leaped to her feet, trying to remember how to clear an obstruction from a person’s throat and wondering what he’d swallowed to cause it.
But he wasn’t choking. He was laughing. Bent over double, hat held to his stomach, he belly laughed. For one crazy moment she stared at him. Even surprising herself, she joined in. Throwing her head back she roared. Really, it was too bizarre not to have a giggle. She could imagine what the scene would have looked like to a casual observer. Her body had thrashed through the air like some wild woman, knocked this man to the ground, and then they lay motionless, two people caught up in the wet sand.
At length Jeff rammed his hat back on his head, wiped his eyes, and went to collect the fallen reins. Pearl was so well-trained that she still stood like a post, rooted to the spot as though this sort of thing was an everyday occurrence. Annette brushed herself off, tucked a strand of flyaway hair behind one ear, and prepared for another try.
“Glad to see you’re not giving up,” Jeff observed. Merriment still danced in his eyes, and she realized how infinitely more attractive he was with a genuine smile on his face.
“We French women do not give up easily,” she said stoutly. Reaching for the reins, she placed her foot into the stirrup again, but this time she made sure she was balanced before liftoff. She got a firm grip on the saddle horn, bounced on her right foot, and swung herself up.
“Lift your leg higher,” he cautioned. “Otherwise, you’ll kick her rump on the way through and that wouldn’t be a good idea.”
At the last moment, Annette had the presence of mind to raise her leg. To her surprise, she settled into the saddle like it had been made for her. Amazing. She looked around at the world from her elevated position, feeling as though she’d really accomplished something. Pearl’s long neck stretched in front of her with her ears perked and attentive. She could feel the horse breathing and the warmth of its body. So far it was lovely. Maybe Gabrielle was right, and she would enjoy riding.
Jeff looked up at her with a grin. “You did it.” He patted her leg as he walked around to the other side and helped slide her foot into the other stirrup. “Now. Put all your weight in the stirrups and stand up,” he directed. “I want to see if they need adjustments.”
She did as asked and he looked at her, assessing. “Nope, it’s perfect just as it is. Your legs are the same length as Jessica’s were.” A cloud crossed his face, but he shook it away with a smile for Annette. “Now the lesson begins.” He waggled a finger at her. “Pearl was taught to neck rein. This means that with gentle pressure from the reins, laid against her neck on the opposite side from where you want to go, she will turn. To stop, you will pull gently on the reins and sit farther back in your seat. Got it? Or should I prepare myself for another ambush?”
She giggled. “I’ll do my best to stay up here.” Then, as he moved away, she added, “But I’m not making any promises.”
“Oh, that I believe! What’s the word you’re always using to apologize? Dess-u-lay?”
“Oui.” She giggled all the more. “That’s not correct, but…it’s close enough to count.”
“Touche,” he quipped, his eyes, filled with laughter, gleamed up at her. “Okay,” he said, clearing his throat. “First we will get you used to the horse’s rhythm by walking around the corral.”
Annette listened carefully to Jeff’s instructions as they circled the pen and strove to implement everything he told her. Consequently, they spent the next forty minutes in an enjoyable camaraderie. Steadily, the sun rose in the sky and the day grew warm. Birds flitted back and forth, chirping at one another in a line of pine trees that screened the corral from the driveway and house. In the distance, cattle were bawling. While she wasn’t what you’d call relaxed, she did feel a strange sense of peace flood her soul as she took a moment to gaze out at the hazy blue mountains in the distance. Today, she was glad she’d come to this beautiful place.
At the end of their time together she was rising up and down in her stirrups as Pearl trotted, and struggling to grip the horse’s sides with her legs.
“You look great,” Gabrielle shouted. She’d climbed the pole fence and sat astride the top rail. Annette glanced at her sister and smiled. With one hand on the reins and the other on the saddle horn, she didn’t have anything available to wave.
“That’s enough for today,” Jeff called. He walked to the gate and waited for Annette to join him.
As she drew to a halt beside him, he grabbed the horse by the bridle and held Pearl. Looking up at Annette with mock fear, he said, “I find myself a little concerned as we reach the final lesson of the day—getting off.” A smile tugged at the corners of his mouth. “The key is to maintain your hold on both the reins and the saddle horn as you swing your right leg over and step down to the ground. Try to avoid flinging yourself into space, or flattening your instructor.” He tipped his hat back on his head, giving him a boyish look, and his white teeth flashed her a grin. “Shall we give it a go anyway?”
Annette answered with a peal of laughter. Glancing up, she was amused to see Gabrielle’s jaw drop and her eyes widen.
“Oui Monsieur,” she called. She climbed off Pearl without further incident, but her legs felt stiff and bowed out of shape. She stretched, then bunched the end of the reins in her hand and followed him.
“Muscles you didn’t know you had, will ache tomorrow,” Jeff promised, unfastening the gate. He pushed it open for them to pass through. “But you did well for your first time out.” He cast her a sideways glance. “Well, after you got on, that is.”
She aimed a playful swat at him with the end of the leather straps. Annette was amazed at herself for suddenly feeling so familiar with this enigmatic man who only an hour ago she had barely tolerated. Jeff went on ahead.
From the side of her mouth, Gabrielle hissed in French, “What is going on with you two? I leave you hating each other with an unbridled passion, and come back to best friends.” She lifted her hands in a gesture of disbelief.
“I don’t know. It’s weird. I think we bonded when I was laying on top of him,” Annette noted blithely.
“What!” Gabrielle came to a full, flabbergasted stop.
But Annette just chuckled and led Pearl through the wide opening into the barn. She heard her sister’s frustrated footsteps behind her. Jeff was waiting for her with brushes in his hands. For the moment she wouldn’t have to answer any questions until Gabby and she were alone.
“Do you want me to unsaddle her?” Jeff asked. He set the brushes on a shelf beside Pearl’s stall and reached for the reins.
“No. I’ll do it,” Annette said, chin in the air. “This day is all about learning new things, so why stop now?”
“Good answer,” he said in a satisfied tone. He showed her how to gently remove the bridle and slip on Pearl’s halter. Then he tied the mare to the steel ring on the wall.
Annette ignored her sister’s raised eyebrows and moved closer to see how the straps were fastened around Pearl’s belly. Jeff demonstrated, and then stepped back to allow her room to work.
“I don’t think I’m doing it right,” she said uncertainly, struggling to tug the tightened straps loose. Pearl swung around, almost knocking Annette off her feet. Jeff pushed her away.
“She’s getting restless,” he said.
Annette shot him a pleading look. “I think you will have to ‘elp me.”
“The strap is snug,” he agreed. Stepping in, Jeff’s practised fingers loosened the binding while she watched, so that she’d know for next time. However, she was unprepared for the sudden awareness of him that flooded her senses as Jeff’s arm moved against hers to release the knot. As if also becoming conscious of her touch, he swivelled his head, staring into her eyes. They were mere centimetres apart. His eyes dropped to her mouth and her breath caught in her throat.
“There…” he said with a slight catch in his voice. He coughed and stepped back, breaking the spell. “I’ve started it, now you finish it.”
Annette shook herself. “Oui. Bien s?r.” Right at this moment, she wished her long hair hung free, so that it might hide her flushed face. But no, it was tied at the nape of her neck. She couldn’t use it to screen her from Jeff’s scrutiny or her sister whose eyebrows had lifted even higher.
Her fingers faltered as she unthreaded the straps and finally tugged them apart. The metal ring on the end of the cinch dropped to the cement floor with a clang. She jumped.
“Do I pull the saddle off?”
“I’ll do it,” he said briskly. “And I’ll take it to the tack room while you brush Pearl down. I’m sure Gabrielle can show you how.” He dragged the saddle and bright red pad from Pearl’s back and disappeared. The horse gave an audible sigh of relief and shook herself.
Gabrielle was beside her sister in a flash to snatch up the two brushes Jeff had brought. She handed one to Annette. “This is called a curry comb,” she said loudly, maintaining English. It seemed only polite to speak this way when Jeff was with them. Then in a whisper, she added fiercely, “You are going to explain all this to me the second we are alone. Comprendre?”
Annette nodded mutely. It was funny to see her sister so intrigued, but she couldn’t quite muster up a smile. Jeff’s proximity had flustered her. She was grateful she didn’t have to explain what had happened over the last hour, quite yet, because she didn’t understand it herself.
“Brush Pearl with short firm strokes, avoiding too much pressure on bony areas. I’ll follow behind with the soft brush to remove dirt and hair.” Gabrielle issued orders like a drill sergeant, but Annette didn’t mind. Her sister had been riding many times over the last four years and knew what she was talking about.
“Did you have a nice ride on Panda?” Annette asked, raising a cloud of dust from Pearl’s beautiful grey coat. It shimmered in the beams of light that slanted through windows built into the eaves of the building.
“Yes. The pasture behind the barn is lovely. We’ll go there together. Maybe in a couple of days you’ll feel confident enough.”
“You really think we will ‘ave to be ‘ere that long?”
“Yes,” Jeff answered sharply. He appeared from behind Pearl with Panda clomping beside him. “Untie her and follow me. We’ll put them in with the other horses.” He waved a hand at Pearl and marched out the doors.
Annette closed her eyes and took a deep breath.
Zut!Honestly, the man always appeared at the wrong moment. Now she’d offended him again. At least his displeasure was something familiar to her. What she didn’t want to repeat were the intimate moments of the last hour. Those were unlike anything she’d experienced before. The situation was unnerving.