Gritting her teeth, she stuck her hand out again. With sheer determination, she stiffened and let the mare nuzzle her palm.

When she pulled her hand away a second time, Chase handed her the rope and made her walk the horse slowly around the paddock.

He was a methodical teacher, leaving nothing to chance. Everything was about safety and care of the horse. Only after he was convinced she knew the basic commands did he allow her to mount.

Emily lifted her foot, but no sooner had she slid her high-button shoe into the stirrup than she lost her nerve. Pulling her foot back, she shook her head. “I-I can’t do this. Maybe…maybe tomorrow.”

“It’s not gonna be any easier tomorrow.”

That was what she was afraid of.

When his stern commands failed to convince her to mount, he changed tactics. “Come on, now,” he coaxed. “You can do it. Just push off and swing your leg over the saddle.”

Surprised by the thawing in his voice, Emily worked her foot into the stirrup a second time. Biting her lower lip, she pushed off but couldn’t get enough momentum to clear the saddle with her leg.

After the third attempt, she was about to give up when he placed a hand on her behind and pushed her up.

The feel of his strong hand covering her buttocks was a shock that lasted for only as long as it took her to sit astride the saddle. Fear taking precedent over propriety, she squeezed the reins tight.

“I-It’s so high,” she stammered.

“What are you talkin’ about, high? Like I said, the hoss is only fourteen and a half hands.”

Heart pounding, she closed her eyes.

Seeming oblivious to the fact that she was frozen with fear, Chase led the horse slowly around the paddock. Eventually, Emily pried one eye open and then the other, forcing herself to breathe. Her death grip remained.

It took several turns around the paddock before her body relaxed of its own accord and began moving in rhythm with the mare. It was a pleasant feeling, making it seem like she was one with the horse.

Unfortunately, the feeling lasted but a short time.

Showing her how to use her hands and body to control the horse, Chase made her stop and start so many times that she wanted to scream. She was hot and thirsty, but that was only half of it. Her rump hurt, her thighs ached, a pain shot up her back, and her head felt ready to explode.

It did no good to complain, for it only gave him more reason to point out what she was doing wrong.

“You’re grippin’ the reins too tightly. That’s why your hands are numb,” he’d say. Or “You need to hold your back straight!”

Emily tried her best to do what he said, hoping he would end the lesson. But nothing she did passed muster, and Chase continued to find fault. “Point your toes up. Heels down.” On and on he went, issuing orders like a wartime commander.