“Listen to you two. Aren’t you funny?” Joaquinsaid.
Nate handed Mia the reins. “Sit up relaxed and straight in the saddle so that your shoulder, hip and foot are aligned. Hold the reins loosely in your hands. Now make a little cluck and squeeze lightly with yourheels.”
Mia did as Nate told her and felt a thrill when Buckwheat began to walk, more than a thousand pounds of animal moving beneath her. She went around the barn three or four times, aware she must be smiling like anidiot.
“You’re doing great,” Nate called to her. “Now bring him to a trot. Squeeze with yourlegs.”
Mia did what Nate said and felt Buckwheat’s gait change and pick up speed. But now she was bouncing up and down in the saddle. “This is …painful.”
“Try to let your hips and behind absorb the motion. That’sbetter.”
Mia made a couple of trips around the barn. “Can I make himrun?”
“How about a canter?” Nate talked her through that, Buckwheat instantly responding to the messages she sent with herbody.
When she’d done that for a few minutes, Nate talked her through bringing Buckwheat to a gallop. And then Mia was flying. She heard herself laugh, felt the powerful animal shifting beneath her, a sense of freedom coming overher.
All too soon, it wasover.
Nate had her bring the gelding to a walk and then caught Buckwheat’s bridle. “Am I really supposed to believe you’ve never had ridinglessons?”
Mia couldn’t stop smiling. “I don’t think it’s me. I think it’sBuckwheat.”
Joaquin appeared near the mounting block, camera hanging from a thick strap around his neck, a big grin on his face. “You did great. How wasthat?”
“It was amazing.” She climbed off the horse’s back, walked around to kiss his muzzle. “I love you,Buckwheat.”
She didn’t see the glance Joaquin shared withNate.
“Okay, caballero.” Nate handed the reins to Joaquin. “It’s yourturn.”
Joaquin handed Mia his camera. “Can you take this forme?”
“Show me how toshoot.”
He adjusted some settings and took off the lens cap. “It’s on automatic now. You point the lens and push thisbutton.”
“Got it.” She adjusted her grip and steppedback.
Joaquin mounted Buckwheat and urged him to a walk and then to a canter, riding with the ease of someone born in thesaddle.
“I didn’t know he could ridehorses.”
Nate chuckled. “His grandparents had a farm near San Luis, so he’s been riding horses since he waslittle.”
It struck Mia as she watched and snapped photos that there were probably lots of things she still didn’t know aboutJoaquin.
* * *
Joaquin stood backwhile Mia brushed Buckwheat down, relieved to see her smiling again after last night. He’d felt so helpless, watching nightmares shred her sleep and savage her emotions. He hadn’t been able to do anything but hold her, talk to her, comfort her. It hadn’t seemed likeenough.
Nate came to stand beside him, speaking quietly so as not to be overheard. “I’ve seen horses work miracles with people. She’s welcome to ride every day while she’s here. If there’s anything else we cando…”
“Just pray they catch thisbastard.”
“You gotit.”
* * *