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‘Good.’
As they moved forward, picking their way through the coarse Arizona vegetation, Skye noticed TJ’s spurs. ‘Does Kai need those?’ she wondered out loud.
‘Spurs are a precision tool. When used correctly, they require the slightest pressure in the right place on a well-trained horse. But we don’t have enough time to teach you that, and until you’ve both mastered moving off leg pressure, stay away from them. Too many people wear them because they want to look cool instead of doing things right, and it’s unnecessary.’
‘This coming from the guy who rides bulls that have their testicles strapped?’
TJ shook his head. ‘That’s not true.’
‘Really?’
‘No. The bulls are bred from specific bucking lines. And the flank strap – the rope that goes around the bull – is tied around the flank, just in front of the hips. It is irritating, but not painful. I can promise you, no male with his nuts in a bind is taking one step, let alone bucking.’
Skye hadn’t known. ‘I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to offend you.’ She laughed lightly. ‘I seem to be doing that a lot.’
‘You didn’t offend me,’ he assured her easily. ‘Besides, somebody’s gotta educate the city girl.’
Skye snorted. ‘Rude.’
She watched as he effortlessly side-passed Kai around a thorny bush with the smallest shift of his leg, and although she didn’t comment, she found the seamless way he rode undeniably appealing. He was confident but easy in the saddle – so much so that she found herself watching him intently, trying to learn by absorbing everything he did.
TJ picked up on it. ‘See something you like?’
Skye flushed – but only because she had. Undoubtedly. Still, knowing his ego did not need a boost, she simply said, ‘I wish I could ride like you.’
‘You will. Give it time.’
When Skye used the bit to move Smokey around a bush, TJ saw it.
‘Be gentle on her mouth,’ he instructed softly.
‘I’m trying, but she’s so pushy.’
‘You’ve got it. I can see you know what you’re doing with your legs. But every time she gets stubborn, you panic and overcompensate with your hands. Relax. Breathe. You know more than you think you do.’
Concerned, Skye said, ‘There’s so much I don’t know.’
‘One summer at Hunt Ranch and you’ll be a veteran in the saddle.’
‘If they hire me.’
‘True,’ TJ replied philosophically.
Skye’s heart dropped. God, what would she do if she couldn’t find a job?
‘Hey.’
She glanced up at TJ.
He must have been watching her face because he said, ‘That was a joke. They’ll hire you. You’re good in the saddle and pick up instruction first time. They might start you on labour jobs, but you’ll get to wrangling quick enough.’
Skye wished she had his confidence.
When they came to what Skye assumed was the south fence, she pushed all that worry to the back of her mind.
She could see where the single strand of barbed wire had snapped, the two pieces dangling forlornly, leaving a huge gap in the middle of the four-strand barrier.
TJ dismounted and looped Kai’s reins over the fence post. Kai didn’t move an inch, only cocked one hoof and dozed where TJ had left him.
