All too soon, Jace pulled his horse back to a walk and Ben followed suit.
“How was it?” Jace asked his eyes bright.
“Fine,” Angie grinned. “I was frightened for a second then everything smoothed out. “Can we canter now?”
Jace nodded and went through the process again explaining what to expect and how best to stay centered on Ben’s back. “Ready?”
“Ready?” Angie grinned, excitement bubbling in her chest.
A moment later, she was flying over the prairie to a smooth rhythmical beat of hooves. It was exhilarating, freeing, and fantastic.
Jace drew his mount into a trot then back to a walk letting Angie pull up next to him. He hadn’t wanted to tire her out on this first run, but he could see by her bright smile and flushed face that she had enjoyed it.
“Have fun?” he chuckled as her hand reached for his.
“It was amazing!” Angie enthused as her hand found his. “I’ve never experienced anything quite like it.” She giggled softly. “Michelle Ballard’s pony rides might have come close, but nothing like that.”
Jace leaned in drawn to the pretty woman who now clutched his hand. She tilted her face toward him and in the blink of an eye, his lips met hers in a sweet tender kiss.
Jace’s brain kicked in and he pulled away from his face darkening with anger at his stupidity. “I’m sorry,” he said. “I shouldn’t have done that.”
Angie dropped her eyes. She knew that the excitement of the ride and the accomplishment she had achieved had fooled them into thinking there was something more between them. “It’s all right,” she said not meeting his eyes. “It’s been an exciting day.”
“We’d better head back, but we can trot and canter more if you’d like.”
“I’m sure the practice will be helpful.” Angie’s voice was flat, but she was still thinking about the kiss.
Together the riders turned back toward the ranch and soon they were trotting for a few strides then cantering. Angie’s heart began to soar again at each change of pace, and she discovered that as much as she desired to help others heal and recover from injury or health issues, this time on horseback had been healing for her as well. She had regained a confidence that had been faltering for far too long, and much of it was due to the cowboy riding ahead of her on the trail, his horse cantering smoothly over the grass.
“Jace!” Angie cried as they took a turn. The cowboy had turned his head for a split second to check on her and missed the low hanging branch by the side of the trail. His head connected with a resounding smack as he sailed over his horse’s side landing like a dropped ragdoll on the earth.
“Jace! Jace!” Angie screamed but he didn’t stir as his mount galloped on. “God help us!” Angie cried as hot tears spilled down her cheeks. “Jace, wake up, please wake up!”
Angie started to unbuckle the strap that held her upright in the saddle. She would get down and see if he were still alive, but even as her shaking fingers came in contact with the buckle, she knew she couldn’t do it. How would they get help if she let herself down? There was no way she could get back up or get Jace onto Ben’s back.
Closing her eyes, she whispered a prayer then turned away from the crumpled cowboy. “Ben, we have to get to the ranch as fast as we can,” she said checking her straps and stirrups then tying the reins over the horse’s neck as she grasped the two sturdy bars on the saddle. “Run,” she cried to the big horse, “Run.”
The big buckskin leapt forward slamming Angie back against the high back of her saddle but she held tight to the saddle bars leaning forward slightly as Jace had taught her. Her legs, secure in the stirrup straps twitched slightly as every useless muscle tried to aid in the ride as Ben skimmed over the earth.
Never before had Angie felt such speed and strength surge before her, but the old horse seemed to know what he was doing, and she never touched the reins she had secured. Instead, horse and rider seemed bent on one goal, get to the ranch, and get help.
***
“Whoa!” Chase Haven twisted his mount toward the running horse lining his horse out beside old Ben as a guest charged into the yard.
“Help!” Angie gulped air, heaving almost as hard as the old horse. “Help, Jace is hurt.”
“Where?” Chase asked reaching out and taking Ben’s reins. “Just point, I’ll get him,” he added pulling a phone from his pocket.
“Back that trail,” Angie sobbed pointing, she was shaking now from shock and fear, yet her mind was clear and panic didn’t threaten. Jace needed her to stay calm. Slowly she turned her heaving horse and pointed back down the trail she had just come from. “There’s a bend in the trail and he got hit by a tree branch.”
Chase barked orders into the phone then patted Angie’s hand. “Stay here, someone will be along to help you down.” In a second, his big dark bay horse was charging across the road and turning up the trail.
“Please God, let Jace be alright.”
“Miss,” a kind voice caught Angie’s ear and she looked down into the smiling face of a grizzled older man, his red and white beard bristled but his dark eyes were kind. “Let’s get you down and settled,” he said. “I’m Red and I know Jace has been helping you. Seem’s you’re a quick study too.”
A sense of peace washed over Angie as the older man took Ben’s reins and urged the tired horse
