Free Betrayal by Gillian Shields Page B

sighed. I really didn’t want her watching my first efforts with the riding instructor. And although Sarah might be delighted to see Josh, I wasn’t that keen on his seeing me making a fool of myself with my beginner’s efforts. Why had I ever agreed to these lessons?
    Sarah turned and waved to me. “Hey, Evie, are you all ready?”
    “I guess so. Where’s this Mrs. Parker, or whatever her name is?” I grumbled. “She’s supposed to be here right now.”
    Josh straightened up. “I’m Mrs. Parker,” he said with a grin. “At least, I am for the moment.”
    I must have looked confused, as he explained, “Judith Parker is my mom. She gives the horse riding lessons here at Wyldcliffe, but she sprained her wrist a couple of days ago. So you’ll have to put up with me.”
    “I’m not sure—”
    “Don’t worry; I’ve got my basic teaching certificates. I won’t let you break your neck.”
    “Oh, okay then,” I said ungraciously. I led Bonny into the practice ring and scrambled up onto her back.
    “No, not like that. Let’s start right from the beginning.” Very patiently, he showed me how to mount properly, how to sit up straight but relaxed, and how to grip the pony’s sides with my knees.
    The hour flew by. Josh was a good teacher, and when he got up onto his gray horse to demonstrate something, I couldn’t help noticing the grace and confidence of his supple body. At one point he had to correct my posture and I felt his hand, warm and strong in the small of my back. And all the time I sensed Sarah watching Josh with her steady gaze, and Harriet watching all of us like a starving child….
    I was glad when the lesson ended.
    “You’ve done well,” said Josh. “I think we’ll make a horsewoman of you eventually.”
    “I just want to stay on and not make a complete idiot of myself.”
    “Oh, I think you can do better than that.” He smiled as I dismounted. “Much better.”
    “Josh! Where have you been?” An angry voice cut across the damp, cold air. “I’ve been waiting for you to saddle Sapphire for me forever!”
    Celeste was staring at us indignantly from the path that led to the stables.
    “You could try saddling her yourself, you know,” snapped Sarah. “It wouldn’t kill you.”
    “My father pays full livery fees,” Celeste fumed, “and I expect—”
    “It’s okay; I’ll come and do it,” Josh said. “Evie’s lesson ran over a bit, that’s all.” He turned to me and said, “Same time next week?”
    “Mmm, yes, I mean, if your mom’s arm isn’t better.”
    He gave me an amused look, a gleam of admiration in his eyes. “Oh, I think she might have to rest it for quite a while.” Then he began to stride away after Celeste, throwing a quick glance over his shoulder to Sarah. “See you around, Sarah.”
    For a fraction of a second Sarah looked disappointed by his casual manner, but she hid it almost instantly with a cheerful smile. “Yeah, see you.”
    We set off for Uppercliffe Farm, both lost in our thoughts. I trotted cautiously on Bonny, while Sarah rode confidently on her other pony, Starlight.
    “So have you known Josh long?” I asked, as we left the school gates behind and began to climb a narrow path that wound over the moors.
    “Three or four years, since I started at Wyldcliffe. Josh was always hanging around the stables, doing jobs for the old groom who used to be here. He still thinks of me as a pony-mad kid.” She flashed me an odd look. “I’m not the kind of girl guys notice. I’m not like you.”
    I felt uncomfortable, as though I had trespassed on something private. I tried to think of something to say. “He seems a really good rider.”
    “One of the best,” Sarah replied, her face lighting up again. “He’s done tons of shows and competitions, but you need money to take it seriously. So he helps his mom with her riding school and works at Wyldcliffe. I think if he can’t do riding professionally he wants to study to be a veterinarian.