Page 82 of Double Booked

“This is Fancy,” Emily said, patting the flank of the pretty white horse.

“Seems fitting,” Ty said.

“Shut up,” Hope retorted.

“Need a hand up?” Emily asked.

“I can do it,” Hope said defiantly.

“I’ll stand nearby just in case,” Emily said.

Hope put a foot in the stirrup and hesitated. Fancy barely moved, seemingly the most patient of the horses.

“You got this,” Ty said encouragingly.

Cole was proud of his brother. He’d been needling Hope all morning, but he was supportive when it counted.

Hope swung herself up on the horse and smiled like she’d just scaled Everest. Cole and Eden looked at her with pride, and it struck him that Hope already felt like family.

“I’ll be right back with my mount and then we’ll get going. But first, are there any questions?” Emily said.

Hope raised her hand. “How high up the mountain are we going?”

Emily pointed to an outcropping with a crude wood pavilion atop it. “We’ll ride to the lookout and stop for a while so you can take some pictures. The ride will take about an hour and a half round trip. Any other questions?”

“Is there a restaurant up there?” Ty joked.

“I’m afraid not,” Emily said.

“How about a bathroom?” Hope asked.

“There’s an outhouse by the pavilion.”

Hope scrunched up her nose, and the others laughed.

A few minutes later, they were on the trail winding up the side of the mountain. Emily was in the lead, followed by Cole, Eden, Hope, and Ty. Cole suspected she’d purposely positioned the women between him and his brother, and he was glad of it.

The horses moved slowly, carefully stepping over rocks and tree roots on the path. Occasionally, Emily paused, pointing out certain birds, trees, and, of course, the breathtaking views. “If you look down and to the right, you’ll see the town of Estes Park.”

“Hell no. I’m not looking down,” Hope said.

“It’s okay. You’re doing fine,” Ty assured her.

Throughout the week, Cole had observed Ty and Hope. Despite their sparring, he believed his brother really liked her, and there was no doubt he found her attractive. It reminded him of when he and Eden first met, minus Ty’s flirtatious overtures. Maybe the brothers had finally met their matches.

When they reached the pavilion, Emily dismounted first and tied her horse to a post. The men dismounted next and aided the sisters.

Eden happily accepted Cole’s help, but Hope wasn’t as eager with Ty. “I can do it,” she asserted.

“Are you always this stubborn?” Ty said.

“Are you always an obnoxious flirt?” she volleyed. When he didn’t respond, she swung a leg over the side of the horse. As she searched for the stirrup, Ty stood nearby with his hands on his hips. After a moment, he stepped forward. Wrapping his arms around her waist, he swung her off the horse and set her feet on the ground.

Flicking her long, light brown hair over her shoulders, she glared at him. “I could have done it myself.”

“You’re welcome,” he said, and stalked off to the pavilion.

In the meantime, Cole took Eden’s hand and trailed behind them. “What did you think of the ride?”