Free HORSES AND HEROIN (Romantic Mystery) by Bev Pettersen Page A

his friends. Fortunately the bay’s rider seemed to understand her predicament and he halted, watching her from beneath the brim of his cowboy hat.
    “Thanks,” she called. “My horse was rather lonely.”
    “Megan?”
    She swung around. Scott? The gray took advantage of her attention lapse and sidled toward the muscled bay, eager for company.
    She was too stunned to do anything but stare at the rider—and wow, it really was Scott, looking every bit as good on a horse as he did on the blacktop. He rode in a western saddle, and his big bay looked like he’d been chiseled from a Breyer Quarter Horse model.
    “Hello, Megan.” His deep smile made something kick deep in her chest. “I’m surprised to see you. Not making jewelry today?”
    “No…actually, I’m taking a riding program here. What about you?”
    “Teaching.”
    Her gray was already bored with the new horse and began to sidestep. She turned him in small circles, wishing he’d stand still so she could talk. Scott. Right here. This was too good to be true.
    “Teaching massage?” she asked.
    “No massage.” His voice rippled with wry amusement. “That phone ID was my assistant’s idea of a joke. I’m supposed to be taking it easy.”
    Ah, yes. She remembered the mark on his head, hidden now beneath his hat or maybe not. Darn. The gray wouldn’t stand still long enough for her to see, although Scott didn’t appear to have a similar problem. His horse stood on a loose rein, seemingly as relaxed as his rider.
    “But your name really is Scott?” she asked, still circling her horse.
    “Yeah. Scott Taylor.”
    The gray snapped out a sneaky buck. She pushed him forward, glad at least she had something to do and Scott wouldn’t see how flustered she was. She simply couldn’t believe he was here. Couldn’t believe how her heart hammered.
    “Your horse sure is herd bound,” Scott said. “I noticed him from the track and wondered if I could help.”
    “Thanks for coming.” Her voice was rather breathless and it wasn’t entirely from fighting with the gray. “I need to work on my two-pointing, but he’s too upset to listen.”
    “I’ll pony you,” he said, reaching over and slipping a loop over her bit. And suddenly they were trotting, the gray happy to be moving forward.
    “Stand up,” Scott said. “Keep all your weight in your heels. That’s it.” His voice was confident and encouraging, and he clearly had control of her horse. She bounced for a few strides, concentrating on her position, then suddenly nailed it.
    She was actually balancing in the stirrups, butt in the air, head up. It wasn’t hard at all. Now the horse’s impulsion, the very thing she’d hated earlier, worked to her advantage. She glanced over at Scott. “Thank you. I’ve been trying all week to get this.”
    “Often it’s harder for experienced riders.”
    She grinned with delight. The gray moved freely, head arched, while she balanced over his neck in perfect rhythm. It was a different sort of riding but definitely exhilarating. No wonder Joey had loved it.
    Scott moved his horse into a canter, and her gray stretched out gleefully. Lydia had never let her break from a trot. Her poor horse must have been so frustrated. And holy shit, Scott was leading her toward the track.
    She scanned the oval but Ramon and his class were at the far end, obviously finishing up. Besides, she was having too much fun to tell Scott she was only a field rider. And he seemed to know what he was doing.
    They slowed to a walk as they approached the gap. “We’ll do our fast work on the track,” he said. “The ground’s safer, unless your legs are tired. Want a rest?”
    “No, they’re good. But I can see why they want us fit.” Her breath came in short gasps. “My horse is in better shape than me.”
    His approving gaze slid over her, and she blushed, grateful she hadn’t indulged in too many chocolate bars. “You’ll still pony me…when we’re on the track?” Her