“It isn’t that,” Jace said looking out across the fields. “It’s more of a feeling. I’ve never really felt that anywhere was home. It seems I’ve spent my life shifting from place to place and the only consistency has been this old horse and my grandpa.”
Angie looked up at the cowboy. He was tall, lean, and strong. She’d felt the strength of his arms each time he had lifted her toward the horse using the sling, but at the same time, he was so vulnerable. Impulsively she reached out taking his hand then smiled when he turned to her in surprise.
“I think we all feel that way at least sometimes.” Angie’s brown eyes were warm with understanding. It seemed that even with the best parents in the world and good friends all around her she had struggled to find her place on this earth. Even now, she was questioning her decisions and choices, but her heart softened toward the handsome cowboy who stood, staring out across the land next to her.
“Sometimes I’m afraid I’ll never be able to settle down. I worry that I’ll be wandering forever.”
“That’s not so bad if it makes you happy.”
“I’m not sure I know what makes me happy.” Jace turned to look down at her. “I like the work I do here but…” he paused looking her up and down. “ I like being with you. I like the idea of helping.”
Angie smiled at her heart swelling. Jace was only being honest but something in his words filled her with joy. “I’m sorry I haven’t been able to get on Ben yet,” she blushed. “I promise to keep trying though.”
Jace turned, his blue eyes shining. “How about we try now? I know it’s different, but you aren’t any bigger’ than a minute. I’ll just lift you.”
Angie gaped, could she trust herself to his strong arms? He looked so earnest, so positive it would work that she hated to say no. Licking her lips she nodded as the icy fingers of fear began to wrap around her heart. She had always been so independent even with her handicap. At school, she had allowed a friend to help carry her books, but she had always insisted on getting herself to classes, or loaded into her parents specially equipped SUV. Agreeing to this attempt meant that she would be completely in Jace’s hands.
“Put your arms around my neck,” Jace spoke softly. He had dropped the reins he had been holding only moments ago, and his blue eyes held Angie’s brown ones as he leaned toward her. His warm breath caressed her cheek and something soft seemed to wash through her.
Angie lifted her arms, draping them around his neck and breathing in the smell of horse, hay, and something musky that was all Jace. She felt his right arm slip under her legs as his left slipped around her back, and in one smooth motion, she was nestled against his chest. The position was intimate, cozy, warm, but it felt so safe. Angie let her head drop to Jace’s shoulder as he stood, turning to walk toward Ben who was delicately clipping fresh seeds from a wheat stalk.
“How are you doing?” Jace asked as his eyes left hers and he made his way to the far side of the horse. Habit made him move to Ben’s left, though the old horse wouldn’t have cared what side Angie mounted on.
“I’m good,” Angie admitted realizing that the fear she had been experiencing each time she tried to mount was absent.
Jace glanced down at her matching her smile. She felt warm and soft in his arms. She wasn’t a tiny woman, but she felt like nothing in his arms as he twisted finding the right position to shift her upward onto the saddle.
“Are you sure I’m not too heavy?” Angie asked with a cute blush.
“You feel just right to me,” Jace teased lifting her with only the strength of his arms until her backside rested sidesaddle on the seat. “Take a hold of the saddle swells,” Jace instructed and Angie turned to grab the bars protruding from where the saddle horn should have been. “I’ll swing your other leg over and then get you buckled in.”
Angie nodded her hands clamping around the saddle. Jace’s warm hand grasped her ankle and slid her leg gently over the saddle while she pulled herself into an astride position.
“How’s that?” Jace looked up meeting her eyes.
“Fine,” Angie whispered, amazed that she was sitting on top of a horse in the middle of a field. She wasn’t frightened. “Thank you.” Her throat closed with a rush of emotion and Jace reached up to pat her hand.
“You did great,” he smiled. “Now just sit there and get used to the feel of it. When you’re ready, we’ll get Ben to walk out with you. I’ll be right here at your side.”
A wave of emotion washed over Angie and fresh tears spilled from her eyes. This cowboy had taken the time to help her overcome her fear. He had given her a chance to test herself in a way she never had before. In his arms, she had felt safe, protected, and cared for. If only that could last, but she would be leaving in a few days. What would she do then?
“Hey, are you okay?” Jace’s warm voice pushed the dark thoughts away and Angie nodded.
“I’m good. I think I’m ready to try to move.”
Jace patted her knee then stepped around and lifted Ben’s reins before moving back to her side. “Walk on Ben,” he commanded and the horse lifted his head and took a step.
Angie’s hands curled around the bars built into the front of the saddle and she squealed as the horse moved, making her sway slightly. “I’m all right, I’m all right,” she called down as the horse took another step. It was a strange sensation moving like this. Feeling each
