Right Move (Clean Slate Ranch #6) - A.M. Arthur Page 0,43

steps out on the trails if you get off your horse, so it’s best to give it a try at least once.”

A soft murmur went through the guests. Two more cowboys, Hugo and the older guy from the guesthouse, came out of the barn leading horses of their own.

“Now, this beauty to my right is Attitude, or Tude for short,” Reyes continued. “Hugo over there has Valentine and Ernie’s with Hot Coffee.”

“Tude is Mack’s horse,” Levi whispered. “And Hot Coffee is Reyes’s.”

Huh. Seemed odd to use personal horses for ranch demonstrations, but maybe that was part of keeping them in the barn? George had no idea how the ranch worked behind the scenes, and he was glad Levi knew a few of the details. It kind of gave them an advantage over the other guests.

“We’ve also got another experienced horseman in the group this week,” Reyes said. “Mr. Levi Peletier over there works up at the ghost town during the on season, doing trick riding and demos. Maybe we can persuade him to do a little demo for us later in the week.”

“Yes!” Faith piped up. “Let’s see that.”

Levi chuckled, then braced one foot on the bottom of the corral fencing and raised himself up off the ground. “I can be persuaded with a six-pack of Grand’s Cream Soda,” he joked before stepping back down.

“You work cheap,” Reyes replied.

“Eh, I’m on vacation.”

The easy banter relaxed George even more as they watched Reyes demonstrate the right way to brace their left foot in the stirrup, grab the pommel, and push off with the right leg. He made it look so damned easy, but the guy also had years of practice under his belt. Reyes talked about adjusting the stirrups to the correct height for each rider, followed by an admonishment not to ride too long the first time.

“Sitting astride a saddle stretches your thigh muscles a lot, and the longer you stay in the saddle, the more uncomfortable you’ll be once you dismount.”

Levi’s lips twitched, as if finding a joke in the phrasing but George didn’t get it.

Hugo mounted Valentine and showed them how to make the horse start walking by nudging her flank with his heels, leading with the bit, and gently pulling the horse to a stop. Seemed like basic things George had seen time and again in movies and on TV, but he’d never done any of it himself.

Hell, this was the closest he’d ever been to a live horse in his life.

Reyes did a demo of dismounting, and by that time, George noticed a new, familiar face had joined them at the corral: Miles Arlington. Reyes’s husband and head chef at the ghost town’s saloon. He was out of work, same as Levi, and from what gossip George remembered the pair lived in a cabin here at the ranch. Probably watched the tourists for something to do.

“Now,” Reyes said, “we’re going to separate you all into three groups and give you each more hands-on time with the horses.”

Hugo ended up with the older quartet, while Ernie took the family unit. George let out a breath, grateful to be working with Reyes and Levi his first time mounting a horse. Everyone was let inside the corral and their groups broke apart. Miles remained outside the corral but followed them to where Reyes led them.

“Have you ever ridden a horse before, Miss?” Reyes asked Faith.

“Only a little pony, but Dad says I’m big enough to ride a big horse on my own if I want,” Faith replied in a soft, earnest voice. “Am I big enough?”

“I’d say so but how about I walk beside you the whole time.” To Rey, he said, “We do have safety helmets if you prefer she wears one.”

Rey cast a look at Samuel, who shrugged with his eyebrows. He’d only known the men for a few hours, but Rey definitely seemed like the nervous parent in the pair. “I’d prefer a helmet, yeah. Sorry, sprout, but at least this first time.”

She frowned but didn’t question him.

Reyes shouted at someone to bring a junior helmet and the steps. “You’re old enough to ride, but definitely not tall enough yet to mount without help.”

“Okay, sir. I’ve never ridden a horse before but I really want to.”

“And you will in just a few minutes, Miss.”

“Faith.”

“Miss Faith.”

The entire exchange was both touching and adorable. George leaned against the corral with Levi nearby, watching while Reyes helped Faith adjust the strap on her helmet. He led her to the