“You’re good, Em. You’ve got this,” I repeated. She did. I had faith in her. She was going to get control of the horse, I knew she was, even if my heart was beating so hard it felt like it might slam through the wall of my chest. How many games had we played growing up where we’d encouraged each other? Faster! Run! That way! And she’d always come through, the mighty little thing with the skinny legs and will of iron. She’d pushed and pushed, surprising everyone because she was so full of heart that her size didn’t matter.

Emily gave a nod, right before she flung herself forward, landing awkwardly in the driver’s seat, the horse shaking its head in response to the sudden jolt and speeding up again. Shit, shit, shit.

Two hundred feet…

Emily sat up, holding the reins and looking ahead. “Gently, Em,” I said, pulling slightly on my own reins. “Take control. That’s it. They’re tired. They want to stop.”

I pulled harder, but not too hard, and both of our horses went from a gallop to a canter. I glanced over at her and met her eyes, both of us leaning back slightly as we pulled harder.

A hundred feet…

The horses slowed, going from a canter to a trot and I heard Emily let out a sound of relief as the horses bounced to a stop, the trees a mere twenty feet in front of us. For a moment I sat there in stunned shock, blinking at the reins held so tightly in my hands my knuckles were white. Then my head pivoted, and I looked over at Emily, who was already looking at me, her face bright red, eyes shimmering with shock and fear and victory as one emotion after another shifted over her expression.

I propelled my body forward, leaping off the driver’s bench and racing over to her. She was already standing, and I reached up as she practically flew into my arms and I lifted her down, her back against the side of the carriage.

My palms were slick, blood pumping furiously. Heart skittering and slamming as my breath came in rapid pants. I ran my hands over her hair, her face, smoothing her tears away and tracing the tremulous smile on her lips. “You were fucking amazing. God, Em. You did so good. Holy fuck. Come here.” I pulled her to me, and she wrapped her arms around me as well, holding me tight and then running her hands up and down my back as she let out a small sob.