Free A Father In The Making by Carolyne Aarsen Page A

Nate’s side.
    â€œSo let’s see how we can stop that from happening again,” Nate was saying to Josh. “First off, you have to make sure you don’t lean to one side or the other. And see these?” Nate held up one of the stirrups, shortened to as far as it could go. “You have to keep your feet in these and the best way to do that is to keep your heels down. Not too hard or the horse will think you want him to go. Just enough that your toe isn’t pointed down. That way your foot won’t slip through the stirrup.”
    Nate gave Josh a few more pointers, his voice low, quiet, reassuring.
    The horse Josh rode whinnied, shifted his feet and Josh wobbled again in the saddle.
    Mia’s heart jumped up her throat as Josh started sliding.
    She was about to call the whole thing off, when she saw Josh grab the saddle horn, right himself and then, to her surprise, heard him laugh out loud.
    Mia released her grip on the rail of the corral and let her own shoulders relax. Her son looked so small astride that huge animal. But Josh didn’t seem as afraid as Mia knew she would be. Horses gave her the willies.
    For the first half hour of the lesson Nate had introduced the boys to the horses and let Nico and Josh lead them around with a halter rope. He helped them with tight turns, wide turns, stopping and going. The horses were amazingly compliant, but it had been difficult for Mia to watch her boys being followed by animals ten times their size and weight.
    After that Nate had shown the boys the tack and what each piece did. Then he saddled and bridled the horses and got the boys to lead them around again.
    Only then did he put them up on the animals.
    Mia had watched the first part of the proceedings from her spot beside the girls sleeping in the stroller. But then Jennifer woke up and Mia had taken her out just when Nate put the boys on the horses. And all she could do was watch.
    â€œSo just sit right there and I’ll get Nico on his horse,” Nate said, “and then I can lead you guys around the corral, okay, cowboy?” Josh nodded. “You’re doing great. Nola will stay where she is because she knows you’re on top of her, okay? Remember how you led her around with the bridle? How you were the boss? You still have the reins and you are still the boss.” Josh nodded and slowly his fearful look was replaced by a faint smile.
    â€œAll right, Nico. Let’s get you settled on Bella.” Nico’s horse was smaller and had a much smaller saddle. Nate introduced Nico to the horse, Bella, let him pet her on the face, then asked if he was ready. Nico nodded. As Nate put Nico’s feet in the stirrups and told him the same thing he had just told his older brother, Mia saw Nico listen intently, hanging on every word Nate said.
    â€œGreat. You make a good cowboy,” Nate said, squeezing Nico’s shoulder lightly. “Now I’m going to lead your horse toward Nola and Josh. Make sure you pet her once in a while so she knows she’s doing a good job.”
    Nate caught the reins of Nola, Josh’s horse, clucked to the animals and then led them slowly around the corral. The ensuing silence was broken only by the rhythmic footfalls of the horses and Nate’s low, reassuring voice.
    And in spite of her own misgivings, an unforeseen peace fell over Mia’s soul. They made a turn in the corral and Mia’s heart expanded when she saw the wide smiles on both boys’ faces and the excitement in their eyes. Nico was nodding in time to the gentle rhythm of the horse’s hooves, his eyes flicking from his horse to Nate. A couple of times he patted Bella’s shoulder, still grinning.
    This was the most animated Mia had seen Nico since before the fire. And in that moment she felt the first tremble of hope.
    â€œHow are you boys doing?” Nate asked, walking toward Mia, looking back at them.
    â€œThis is so fun,” Josh called out.