Page 35 of If the Boot Fits

Asher’s face had gone quite red. He held up his hands and backed up a step as if he expected her to pull a derringer from her garters at any moment.

“I don’t know what you thought we’d be doing, but this ain’t no Lady Godiva school of riding.”

What on earth was he talking about? What did Lady Godiva have to do with—

A gasp seized her lungs. Good heavens! He didn’t think she was actually disrobing, did he? Samantha released her skirt as if it had caught fire, though all the heat traveled directly to her cheeks.

“I’m not . . .” Her voice squeaked, so she cleared her throat and tried again. “I’m wearing a split skirt. Rather like extra-wide pantaloons. The buttons hold the placket in place to give it the appearance of a regular skirt. Unfastening them allows me greater range of movement with increased coverage of . . . ankles . . . and so forth.” Mercy. Could this conversation get any more awkward? She lifted her chin, determined to brazen it out. “I promise all clothing will remain fully in place.”

“That’s, uh, good to know.” Asher took up a sudden interest in his horse’s saddle, pivoting away from her in order to fiddle with whatever straps happened to be within reach. “I’ll just, uh, shorten these stirrups a bit while you . . . finish your, er, preparations.”

A giggle slipped free before Samantha could catch it. She tried to close her lips to prevent more escapees, but that only caused them to erupt from her nose in an embarrassing snort, which ironically generated more amusement. She clapped a hand over her mouth, the sheer ridiculousness of the situation making it almost impossible to stem the flow. Striving for the dignity her mother had always exuded, Samantha bit the inside of her cheek and ordered herself to cease acting like a child. She’d nearly bullied her mirth into submission when a deep rumble vibrated the air. Her eyes flew to Asher’s back. Another rumble. Correction—that was definitely a chuckle. Which, of course, unlocked the door on her poorly imprisoned hilarity. It erupted all at once in a completely unladylike guffaw.

Dignity didn’t stand a chance.

Asher joined in the laughter, turning to face her, hunching slightly as he wrapped an arm around his midsection. She swore she could feel his laughter vibrate inside her own chest. The sound was so contagious and inviting that she withdrew her hand and allowed her amusement to run free. She laughed until her ribs ached and tears formed in her eyes. Wiping at the moisture, she struggled to catch her breath and calm her racing heart, but then she met his dancing gaze, and the laughter started all over again.

They must’ve spent five minutes in that uproarious state before wearing themselves out. Samantha had given up on standing early on and had collapsed onto the grassy field.

“Come on,” Asher said, offering her a hand up along with a smile so handsome it almost hurt to look at him. Being the brave woman she was, she suffered through the discomfort.

She slipped her hand into his and let him pull her to her feet. Her legs still wobbled a bit, but she managed to hold herself upright. Their eyes met and awareness swept across her skin and seeped into her bloodstream. Slowly, her smile relaxed as something other than humor played havoc with her breathing.

The moment stretched. He didn’t release her hand. She didn’t tug it free. Why would she when it felt so lovely inside his?

Heavens, but he had nice eyes. A dark, rich brown. Like expensive French coffee. The kind you sipped slowly in order to make it last. But nothing lasted forever.

Asher’s smile quirked up on one side as he finally let her hand slip from his hold. He turned to pat Bruno’s neck, then circled around to the horse’s other side. “I’ll get this stirrup set, then we’ll be ready to start.”

“All right.” Samantha nodded, doing her best to hide her disappointment. She swiveled to present him her back as she finished unbuttoning the placket on her skirt. Her lips twitched as she worked the buttons through their holes, memories of the laughter they’d shared too fresh to abolish completely.

She straightened and turned to find him watching her. He averted his gaze quickly, but not fast enough to keep a little thrill from dancing around in her belly at the notion that he might find her attractive.

Clearing his throat, he moved to the front of the horse and hooked a lead line to the bridle beneath Bruno’s jaw. “First thing for you to do is to introduce yourself to the horse.”

Samantha shot Asher a teasing grin. “Should I curtsy?”

He grinned back, warming her blood as he shared her jest. “There’s no rule against it, but I haven’t taught Bruno how to bow, so maybe we should skip that part, so we don’t embarrass him.”

“Good thinking.” Samantha smiled up at her teacher. “What do you suggest, then?”

Asher nodded toward Bruno. “Offer him your hand as if you’re at a fancy ball and expecting some fine gentleman to kiss your knuckles.”

Heat rushed to Samantha’s cheeks. Did he have to mention kissing? Good heavens. Now all she could think about was presenting Asher her hand. Would he take it? Touch her knuckles with his lips? Would it make her toes tingle? How could it not? Her toes were practically tingling now and all he’d done was mention the word. In the context of his horse, even.

Praying Asher couldn’t read her thoughts, Samantha extended her arm toward Bruno’s head, her fingers draping downward in a relaxed pose.

“Pleased to meet you, Sir Bruno. I’m Miss Dearing, but you may call me Samantha.”

The black-and-white paint’s head bobbed a couple of times before he stretched out his neck and touched his nose to the back of her fingers. The simple gesture lit her up from the inside.

“Good,” Asher praised. “Now move closer and pat his neck. Talk to him, too. It’s good for him to get to know your voice as well as your scent.”

Samantha obeyed. She patted Bruno’s neck and ran her fingers through his mane. “What a fine fellow you are,” she murmured. “So gallant, coming to a lady’s rescue the way you did the other night. I hope you’ll be equally gallant today and help me look like I have at least a little skill in the saddle.”

“Bruno’s used to making people look good,” Asher said with a self-deprecating grin as he moved to Samantha’s side. “He covers up my mistakes all the time.”

She dipped her chin, suddenly shy to have him so close. “You don’t seem the type to make many mistakes.”