Page 29 of Her Wild Cowboy Billionaire

Mindy would ride Lacey, the gentlest of his mares. She would still get an exceptional ride, but he knew Lacey was also remarkably responsive and would allow Mindy to relearn effortlessly.

Willow declined to accompany them, saying she needed to do some computer work. He thought she wanted to give him some special time with Mindy, and also that he wouldn’t push himself too much with her along.

She was right on that account. He only planned on as far as the northern line shack and back. That would take a little over an hour, and that was enough for a first ride for both of them.

Once they had mounted, he looked over at Mindy. “Are you ready?”

She had a smile as wide as the Mississippi River. “I’m ready. Will we gallop today?”

“Maybe a little, after I’ve seen how you’re doing in the saddle. Does everything feel right? Are your stirrups comfortable? Not too long or too short? Why don’t you stand up in them?” He waved his hands up.

Mindy stood.

Travis looked at her legs and the distance between her and the saddle. “Looks good. Ready to go?”

“Yes.”

He motioned with his knees for Jet to walk.

Mindy gave Lacey a little kick in her sides.

The horses both started forward.

Roy stood at the gate to the pasture and when Travis nodded, the cowboy opened it for them.

Mindy went through first.

Travis followed. His ribs still ached, but he was feeling like he’d come home and was glad to be riding again.

They walked briefly before he increased the pace to a slow canter, avoiding a trot whenever possible, due to the discomfort it caused the rider, especially a novice. The canter was a much easier gait.

“How are you doing?” Travis shouted over the sound of the horses hooves hitting the ground.

Mindy’s smile never faltered. “Great. Can we gallop now?”

He saw that she was holding the reins easily and sitting the saddle well. “Are you sure you’re ready?”

“As much as I can be.”

“Okay, follow me. Give Lacey a little kick. She’ll want to keep up with Jet, so you don’t have to do much.”

He pressed his knees into Jet’s sides, and the horse began to gallop. He looked back to see if Mindy was keeping up and riding easily in the saddle.

She was doing great. Her seat was good and she was moving with the horse like she’d been riding for years. She quickly caught up and ran beside him.

He let the horses gallop for a few minutes, then slowed them to a canter and then a walk. He turned his gaze toward Mindy. “How long have you been riding?”

The smile left her face, and she frowned. “Mom used to take me to lessons twice a week until she had to start homeschooling me because of the bad man.”

Travis’s heart ached for the girl. “Well, we should be able to ride almost every day, if we want. Maybe we’ll even get your mother to come.”

Mindy laughed. “That would be a good trick because Mom doesn’t know how to ride. You’d have to teach her.” Her eyes widened. “Could I help teach Mom? It would be fun, since she’s usually the one teaching me.”

“We’ll see how it goes, but it might be good for her to see you riding.”

The line shack came into view.

He sat straight in the saddle. His ribs hurt from the gallop, but the pain was worth it to see the smile on Mindy’s face. “We’ll stop at the shack and water the horses and take a drink ourselves. Can you dismount by yourself?”