Jace chuckled as he lifted his eyes to hers. “You sound all right,” he teased, and instantly Angie felt the tension ease.
“It’s just so strange,” she mused. “It reminds me of when my dad would give me piggyback rides, but different too.”
“Old Ben isn’t the smoothest horse either,” Jace admitted. “He’s steady though. Would you like to hold the reins? I’ll show you what to do.”
“I’ll try but stay close.”
Jace nodded. “Whoa Ben,” he called softly and the horse stopped turning its head to sniff at Angie’s boot. “Take the reins in one hand.” Jace began, placing the reins through her fingers. Her hands were warm but her fingers were calloused.
This young woman, despite being in a wheelchair, despite struggling to overcome her fear of riding a horse, was tough. “Got it?” he asked, his eyes meeting hers.
“Yes,” Angie held the reins in trembling fingers letting Jace’s warm grip steady her. “What do I do next?”
Slowly Jace walked her through how to lay the reins on his buckskin’s neck to make him turn away from the pressure. The horse was responsive and didn’t hesitate to obey. When she was ready, Jace laid his hand on Ben’s withers just in front of the saddle and nodded. “Go on, show him what you want. I’m not going anywhere.”
Angie felt her heart jump at the cowboy’s words. She knew he only meant he wouldn’t leave her side while she guided the horse toward the ranch, but for a moment, she wished he could be there always. She loved her parents and appreciated everything they had ever done for her, but she wondered what it would be like to have a partner in life who was there just for you.
“Like this?” she asked turning Ben in a wide circle.
“Just like that,” Jace smiled. “If I didn’t know better I’d think you’d done this before.”
Angie smiled still concentrating on getting the horse to do what she wanted. In only a few minutes, they were moving together as one and the final doubts and fears seemed to be swept away on the wind that ruffled the growing wheat across the prairie. The gentle back and forth rhythm of the horse's walk was somehow soothing and invigorating at the same time and Angie’s heart soared. She could do this. She could reach for her dreams and have them.
Together Jace and Angie took a loop around the edge of the field then came back to where her chair sat.
“How are you feeling?” Jace asked. “Still scared?”
Angie looked around her at the ranch but didn’t speak for several seconds. The pinch of panic no longer held her heart, but she still had doubts. The act of actually riding a horse had been accomplished, but could she truly become a person who would be able to help others?
“Not afraid.” Her voice was flat as she thought of the words she wanted to say. “Maybe a little worried yet. Perhaps as well as accomplishing this feat, I need to reevaluate how I’ll manage to work as a therapist.”
“You’re here for a while yet,” Jace said gesturing around him. “How about we take a little ride each day. You can bounce ideas off me and see how they sound.”
“I don’t want to take all of your time.”
Jace shook his head. “Some of my time is just that, mine. We’ll set it up for when I’m not working. I like your company anyway.”
Angie smiled nodding down at the cowboy. “If you’re sure, I think I’d like that.” She lifted her arms toward him and he stepped up close to the horse settling her hands on his shoulders as he unbuckled the straps that held her upright.
“Deal.”
Angie giggled moving one hand from his shoulder and grasping the cuff of her pant leg to swing her leg over. A moment later, she was wrapped in Jace’s strong arms as he turned placing her into the confines of her wheelchair. As he lowered her, she held to his neck for just one second more until he tipped his head meeting her eyes. An understanding seemed to zing through her.
There was a connection she couldn’t quite comprehend between her and the cowboy. Some recognition of the uncertainty of their futures. It was something she could comprehend and appreciate. They were alike in so many ways and yet so different.
“Ready,” Jace said releasing her and letting her adjust her seat.
“Ready,” Angie agreed. “Thank you again.”
“It was my pleasure ma’am,” Jace drawled with a wicked grin that propelled them to the barn.
Chapter 9
Angie lounged in her tiny cabin that evening reading a good book and thinking about the day’s events. She had dined in the main dining room that evening but hadn’t seen Jace anywhere.
She blushed lightly thinking about it. She had no right to look for the kindhearted cowboy yet she had. It was easy being with Jace, comfortable like your favorite pair of jeans.
Shifting on the sofa, Angie’s mind wandered back to the cowboy. Was the fact that he didn’t feel he knew his place in the world one of the reasons they got along so well? He seemed so confident and able, yet he had doubts too.
Angie had always thought that her faith in God would keep the fear away and shame tweaked her heart as she considered it. Was her faith not enough? Where had she lost her confidence? Shaking her head to dispel the dark thoughts she closed her eyes.
“God, I know I’m not perfect,” she began. “I’m worrying about things that in the end might come to nothing, but the worry is still there either way. I don’t know if it is my lack of faith that is making me feel this way, or if it is something else. All I know is that I have a desire to help others and to succeed in this area of my life.” She stopped the words floating in her mind
