Page 49 of Cowboy Elite 2: Mike

As Heather and Charlotte headed out to continue their morning training session, Liv felt something unfamiliar settling in her chest. Purpose. Belonging. The kind of deep satisfaction that came from being needed, not just for her skills, but for herself.

By late morning, the kitchen finally emptied out. Guests headed off for trail rides, Arletta took her boys home for the afternoon, and even Pudge abandoned his post by the treat jar for the sun-warmed porch. Liv was sketching designs for the bake sale display when Mike appeared in the doorway, holding up a battered straw hat like an offering.

He smiled, and her stomach did that ridiculous flip again. "I promised you a real Bear Valley moment, and today feels just right. Got time for a walk on the wild side?"

“How wild?”

“Just an easy trail ride.”

“By myself? On a horse?”

“I’ll be right next to you.”

She hesitated, setting down her pencil. "Mike, you know how I feel about encountering animals larger than golden retrievers, right?"

During her time here, she'd managed to avoid most direct contact with the ranch's four-legged residents. Oh, she'd admired them from a safe distance. The horses were beautiful, the cows oddly peaceful, and sure she’d ridden behind Mike on his horse, but he’d been in control.

"Ol' Sally the mare won't judge your riding skills, I swear. I'll be beside you the whole time." His smile was pure encouragement. "Call it exposure therapy with a view."

Something about his expression, hopeful and patient and completely without pressure, relaxed her shoulders. He wanted to show her his world. And darn it, she was determined to find some gumption. "If I fall off I’m going to be mad at you.”

He took her hand, his fingers warm and callused from years of ranch work. "You won’t fall off. I promise. C'mon."

The barn buzzed with energy, horses stamping softly in their stalls, fresh hay bales stacked near the open paddocks, the warm scent of leather and sweet feed filling the air. Mike led out Sally, a brown sway-backed horse with kind eyes.

"This here's Sally," Mike said, running his hand down the mare's neck in long, slow strokes that Liv tried very hard not to watch too closely. "She's been babysitting nervous city folks for about eight years. Got more patience than Job and better sense than most people I know."

Liv approached cautiously, one hand extended. Sally sniffed delicately at her palm, then huffed a warm breath against her fingers.

"See? She likes you already." Mike's voice was gentle, encouraging. "Just breathe deep. Let her get to know you."

He set about demonstrating every step, brushing Sally's coat with long, rhythmic strokes, checking her hooves with practiced care, cinching the saddle with movements that looked effortless but Liv suspected weren't. His hands were sure and steady, and he explained everything in detail, making sure she understood not just what he was doing, but why.

"The key," he said, adjusting the stirrups, "is trust. Sally trusts you to be calm and clear. You trust her to take care of you. It's a partnership."

Liv reached up, touching Sally's velvety nose again. The horse stood perfectly still, as if sensing her nervousness. "Hello there, gentle lady. Please don't launch me into the next county."

Mike's grin was infectious. "She saves that for Kenny.” He grinned at her scandalized expression and brought over a wooden bench to help her mount. “Kidding. Now, put your foot in the stirrup, then push up and swing your leg over. I've got you."

His hands bracketed her waist, warm, solid, absolutely not helping her concentration, and then she was up, way higher than seemed reasonable, and the whole world tilted.

"Easy." Mike's voice, low and close. "You're okay. I'm right here."

His hand stayed on her thigh, steady and grounding, and she tried very hard not to think about the heat of his palm through her jeans or the fact that she could feel the calluses on his fingers even through denim.

Sally started walking, and Liv's entire body locked up.

"Pull back gently on the reins. Not too hard, you’ll hurt her mouth. Don't fight her," Mike said, hand still on Liv's knee, moving alongside them. "Let your hips move with her. Like a dance. Feel her rhythm and match it."

Which would be easier if Liv could think about anything besides the warmth of Mike's hand on her thigh and the way his voice had gone all low and patient, like he was gentling a spooked animal.

Which, fair enough, she probably was.

Gradually, her body loosened, finding Sally's gentle sway. She began noticing things beyond her own fear, the sweet song of meadowlarks, the rough comfort of worn saddle leather, the way the morning sun painted everything gold.

She felt a moment of panic when he left her to mount his own horse. He swung up onto Blaze with the kind of easy grace that made her stomach flip. Within seconds he was back beside her and Sally seemed to know exactly what to do with very little input from Liv. They rode out together toward the far pasture, side by side now, the horses moving in comfortable tandem.

Everything smelled so green, so fresh. No honking taxis, diesel fumes, crowded sidewalks. Just wide open space and peace.