Page 184 of Lost Trust

“Perfect.”

I point to his other arm.

“And this one stays up. Don’t grab the sheep with it. That’s your balance arm.”

He shoots his arm straight into the air.

I grin.

“Exactly.”

Micah chuckles. “This kid’s got more confidence than half the teenagers we train.”

Ryder looks at him seriously.

“I ride horses.”

“Yeah?”

“I can ride Rowdy.”

I glance toward the bleachers.

Marina is sitting high above the arena with the students who stayed behind after class just to cheer Ryder on. Her hands are clasped beneath her chin, her eyes locked on her son, and the pride on her face is impossible to miss—even beneath the worry of a mother watching her baby take his first ride.

She looks terrified.

And fucking proud.

For the past four months, she’s been working her ass off to get herself and Rowdy back into peak competition shape while I’ve been working with Ryder.

And today, he gets to show her what he’s learned.

I smile at him.

“I’ve seen you ride, little man.”

We get him settled onto the sheep. I keep one hand on his back while Micah checks the rope.

“Remember,” I tell him, “look where you’re going. Keep your weight centered. When he moves, you move with him.”

Ryder nods.

“Ready?”

“Ready.”

I step back.

The chute opens.

The sheep explodes forward.

Ryder’s free arm shoots into the air.

“Hang on!”

The sheep bucks hard.