Embracing Today, a firefighter romance: (The Trading Yesterday Series, #3), Kahlen Aymes [essential reading txt] 📗

“I think you should take him. You’re more familiar with riding.”

She huffed out a laugh. “These horses are gentle. Come on. Mount up on the big Buckskin, and I’ll hand him to you.” She took a few steps and held her arms open for Jace who went willingly into her embrace. “It’s not fair if you don’t get to ride a horsey, is it? Uncle Ben will take you, sweet pea.”

Her eyebrow arched wryly when she turned around with the child in her arms and I was still hesitating.

I offered a half shrug knowing I wasn’t going to win the argument and I gathered up the reins and placed my left foot into the left stirrup of the golden horse with the black mane. I chuckled as I swung my right leg over the saddle of the large gelding.

The horse was so tall I had to bend down to reach for Jace when Marin lifted him up toward me.

“Ben, be careful! He gets wiggly,” Teagan warned.

“Don’t worry, Teags. I’ll keep him safe and sound. Jace, did you hear your mom? You have to sit still, okay?” I bent down to talk just above his little ear. His sandy hair was close to the same color as mine, though we were no relation, but I loved Remi and Jace as much as I did Dylan. I wrapped my left arm firmly, but gently, around his little waist as I settled him in the saddle.

Soon, Marin was clicking her tongue on the top of her mouth and patting the horse on the rump. “Giddy-up, Samson!”

The horse started a slow walk around the paddock. Jace giggled as we made our way around it three times. As we passed the women waved and shouted encouragements.

“Yay, Jacey!” Remi said. She and Dylan were sitting on top of the metal gate, Missy and Teagan both had their arms steadying them on both sides.

“Mom, I’m cool! I won’t fall,” Dylan admonished Missy.

When we pulled up to the gate for the last time and I handed Jace down, he started fussing. “Nope, come on Jace,” Teagan scolded. “The big kids get their turn. Daddy’s coming tonight, remember?” She took her cranky child toward the house but called over her shoulder. “Have fun but be careful! We’re taking a nap so take your time and don’t worry about us.”

“You take Dylan and I’ll take Remi. Missy can ride the grey,” Marin instructed, handing me a filled canteen. “Wrap the strap around the saddle horn. Dylan, come here.” Soon, she had him securely on the saddle in front of me.

Missy was a bit uneasy, but Marin showed her how to mount up, then lifted Remi to sit in the saddle of another Sorrel. Siri couldn’t go on a ride outside of the pasture as long as Dark was so small, so she chose another. “Missy, meet Star. Remi, this is Champ. He’s tall, but he’s very gentle. Don’t be scared. Hold on to the saddle horn until I get us outside of the gate.”

“I don’t want to fall. Maybe I should wait here.” Missy was apprehensive.

“Trust me. Star is one of the gentlest horses we have.”

Missy still seemed reluctant but mounted up.

Marin draped Champ’s reins over the fence then opened the gate and waited for Missy and me to ride through. My sister looked worried, but she repeated the sound Marin had made with her mouth and after a gentle nudge of her heel, the white horse she rode walked through and I followed. Siri was near and trotted closer.

Everyone was dressed in denim shorts and T-shirts, but Marin had a backpack strapped to her back and a rifle tucked into a holster in her saddle. It was just a precaution, and she knew how to wield a rifle, so I had no concerns.

I watched as Marin led Champ through the gate, then closed it behind us. She deftly mounted behind Remi, who didn’t seem one bit scared.

“No, Siri. You can’t come this time. Stay with your baby. I’m sorry, sweetie.”

Siri and Dark lingered at the gate and Siri neighed her displeasure at being left behind as we walked the horses we were riding away. Marin and Remi took the lead as we left the yard.

“Let’s go faster! Like real cowboys!” Dylan’s voice was boisterous and maybe too loud.

“Hey, kiddo, don’t spook the horses,” I reminded.

“We’ll see how we do with trotting after we get out of the yard. I always found trotting harder than an actual gallop. It feels like you can bounce right out of the saddle. Let’s just walk for a while, okay?”

It was a wonderful afternoon. Marin led us through some wooded areas on some well-worn trails. We saw a lot of elk and deer as well as many species of birds, and then stopped for lunch near a section of a creek that was wider and faster moving. Marin produced a choice of roast beef or PB and J sandwiches, potato chips and a five-pound bag of apples from her backpack.

“Too bad we didn’t bring our fishing poles!” Dylan observed.

“Ewww.” Remi rolled her eyes.

“This is really nice, Marin,” Missy commented. I really think you should consider what we talked about before breakfast.”

My curiosity was piqued, but I decided to ask Marin about it later. I was pleased that my sister and my girl were getting along like gangbusters. My heart was full.

The sandwiches were delicious, and we passed around the canteen after we’d finished eating.

“Is this part of roughin’ it?” Remi asked with the wonderful curiosity of her age.

“Yes. I think it’s fabulous,” I answered.

“Me, too!” Remi agreed.

“It’s beautiful country.” Missy was sitting on a large boulder near the edge of the water. “And the air smells so fresh.”

“We oughta move here, Mom,” Dylan reminded again.

“Dylan, you know we can’t,” Missy admonished, gently and her son’s face fell.

“I wish you could, too, buddy,” I said.

“Your family is great,” Marin said softly, leaning her shoulder against mine. I thrilled in the familiarity of it.