Maddie nodded. “Yes, sir.”
“I need to get you to sign the liability waiver and go over our safety regulations.”
“No problem.” She took the pen and clipboard he offered her and scrawled her autograph before handing them back.” He took the signed form into the barn. If memory served, Davis had a small reception area with a bulletin board and a place to file paperwork in there. Abram wasn’t gone long before he came strolling out carrying a pink helmet.
She raised an eyebrow. “What’s that?”
“Davis said you had to wear it and I wasn’t to take any back sass on the subject.” He looked down at his boots as he delivered the line.
Her jaw dropped and she shook her head. “Did he now?”
He removed his tan cowboy hat and ran a hand through his short brown hair. “He said a bunch of other stuff too—about spankings or something.”
She placed a hand on her hip and shifted her weight. “He said you should spank my rear if I refused?”
His cheeks turned red and he nodded. “I wouldn’t do that.”
She laughed. “Too bad. I might like it.”
His eyes widened and his lips parted. “Huh?”
She snickered while twirling a piece of her hair around her finger. “That Davis, he’s been telling me my dad didn’t beat my butt enough ever since we became close friends. He thinks he’s funny.”
Abram looked off to the side and scratched his head. “Geez, he talks to you just like he does Melly.”
She scowled. “Don’t compare me with that little brat. She’s a pain. I always hated it when Davis would say we were alike.”
“You’re a lot better looking.” His face turned crimson and he smacked his hand over his mouth.
She did a double take. “Say what?”
“I’m not looking at my cousin in any crazy way or anything. That is…What I mean to say…the two of you don’t strike me as particularly similar.” He caught her gaze for a second before looking away again.
She smiled. Wow, you are too adorable. Maybe I’ll make a cat lover out of you after all.
“So I’ll put my stupid, riding helmet on and we’ll be ready to go?”
“Wait.” He reached into a saddlebag and then pulled out a small bottle of hand sanitizer. “Davis says you’re supposed to use this before you touch the horses. Don’t be offended though. He’s super anal ‘bout making everyone do it.”
“I get it. He wants to keep the animals healthy.” She held out her hand, and he squirted a nickel-sized dollop in the middle of her palm. She rubbed her hands together, back and front and even between her fingers. “All clean. Time to go?”
“Pert near. There’s one more thing I gotta get. It’s locked up in the storeroom.” He turned and then booked it back into the barn. Maddie took the opportunity to mount Thunder while she waited for him. A few minutes later, Abram returned with a pistol strapped to his hip.
She raised an eyebrow. “A gun?”
“When the weather’s warm, the sidewinders come out. If I see one, I’m not taking any chances on it biting one of the steeds.” He stepped into a stirrup and climbed up on Clyde before settling into the saddle. “Giddy up.”
Abram’s stallion began trotting along at a steady pace. Maddie prompted Thunder with a couple of taps of her boots and then she followed his lead. The smell of fresh grass, hay, and musky horses hung in the air as they galloped along a familiar, well-worn path. They passed by the paddock and then around the outdoor riding arena until the turf they tread gave way to the less manicured landscape of the trails.
Wildflowers and tall trees abounded. She took a deep breath, enjoying the fresh air as she admired some blossoming dogwoods near a huge oak. A slight breeze kicked up, fluttering the leaves of the Quaking Aspens, and birds chirped over the sound of acorns crunching under the horse’s hooves.
No matter how many times she traveled these trails, she always found something new to hold her in the awe. She glanced at Abram. “Have you had a chance to explore much of the Banks family lands yet?”
Abram turned his head her way and nodded, the brim of his hat casting a shadow over his face. “I’ve done my best to see most of it. I love being outside. I guess that’s why I studied garden design and turfgrass management, but I only managed to get my associates before mama got sick.”
She pursed her lips into a grim line. Davis had mentioned his cousin only moved to Horse Mountain at their grandmother’s insistence after the death of his mother. “I’m sorry for your loss.”
“Which one?” He uttered the comment absently, but the meaning of his words shook her to her core. She didn’t know what she would do if anything happened to her mom or dad. He glanced at her face. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to be a downer.”
“No, no, I’m at fault for bringing…” A lump formed in her throat and she couldn’t speak.
“How ‘bout we forget the heavy or depressing stuff? I want to talk about you. How did you get into cybersecurity?”
“Hmm, seems like forever ago when I made the decision to study computer science. I did some research—the pay’s good and demand is high. Plus, I
