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“No, go ahead. You’re doing a great job.”
His praise brought a smile to Isabella’s lips. “Luke put a penny in the well to make a wish.”
“Oh, he did?” Bull gave her a questioning look. “What did you wish for, buddy?”
He kicked one leg straight out. “Boots!”
“Ah, boots.” He winked at Isabella. “Well, we’ll have to wait and see if your wish comes true.”
Bull stepped back and watched the horse make a couple more circuits with his little boy on its back. Isabella’s hair shimmered in the sun, bouncing back and forth as she walked. This was one of the few times he’s seen it up in a ponytail and he had to admit, he liked the possibilities.
“Why don’t you climb up there with him?” Bull suggested after he’d watched them for a bit. “What do you say, buddy? Would you like Isabella to take you for a real ride?”
Luke nodded his head enthusiastically. “Yay! Bella!” The youngster reached his hand out to her imploringly.
“Looks like you’ve got a nickname,” Bull announced with a big smile. “Can’t say no to that now, can you?”
“Yes, I think Bella is less of a mouthful. I’ll answer to most anything Mr. Luke wants to call me.” Accepting Luke’s hand, she put one foot into the stirrup and eased up on the saddle behind him, grateful for Bull’s guiding hand on her hip. “Easy, cowboy,” she teased when he grabbed a handful of booty. “There are children present.”
Bull gave her a long, hard look. An indication of what was to come later? Isabella hoped so. “Okay, I’ve ridden horses all my life, but never with an extra passenger. Any special instructions, Mr. Redford?”
“Nothing to it. Keep one hand on the reins, one hand on the boy, and try to keep it under a hundred.”
Isabella locked an arm around little Luke as tightly as she could.
“Don’t be nervous, La Diosa.” He squeezed her arm. “You look good up there with him.”
Isabella felt elated at his praise. “Maybe we’ll have to make this a regular thing. What do you say, Luke?”
“Yay!” He was all for it.
Bull grinned at Luke’s agreement. He also liked the idea, very much. “Go on, you two. Get out of here. I’ll go start dinner.” He gave the horse a light smack on the rump and headed toward the house. A few minutes later, when he climbed up on the porch, Bull glanced out to check their progress. “You drive like a grandma!”
“I’m being careful!” Isabella yelled back.
“Don’t worry. He likes speed. Ain’t that right, Luke?”
Luke raised a triumphant fist in the air. “Faster!”
Isabella gave him one final glance over her shoulder seeking approval.
“You heard the man. Faster!” Bull answered with a smile.
Isabella squeezed the horse with her knees. “Okay. Let’s go.” She flicked the reins and the mare’s walk became a trot. Luke cheered again. “Faster?” she asked.
“Yes! Faster! Faster, Bella!”
She squeezed Bonnie again and the trot became a gallop. Isabella’s confidence grew with their speed. The horse knew the lay of the land, so they rode out in the field as far as a pile of scrub brush before heading back toward the barn. Luke cheered the entire time and Isabella found herself dreaming impossible dreams.
Once the ride was over, Luke flew into the kitchen, so excited he couldn’t stand it. “Daddy, Daddy! Bella took me on the horse and we went really fast.” He made a gesture with his hand. “Zoooooooom.”
Bull bent to pick up his son. “No way, buddy. How fast did Bella and Bonnie go?”
“Really, really fast.”
Isabella watched from the archway. Bull was such a big man, but he could be so soft and tender, something she’d learned firsthand in his bed. “I’m going to run upstairs and freshen up.”
Bull gave her an acknowledging smile.
