The Sunstone Brooch : Time Travel Romance Katherine Logan (no david read aloud TXT) 📖

chest, forehead, just as TR had done with JC’s horse the morning he left for Kentucky—which reminded her that if JC sent her a telegram, Tavis would bring it back to her. Having news from JC would be a great way to end the day.

Sewall switched out the halter and held on to the reins. “I’ll hold him until you tell me to let go.”

She stroked Lucky’s head and shoulders again. “Okay, big boy, let’s make this easy on both of us.”

A few more men paused to watch. It wouldn’t surprise her if one of them was taking bets. When she competed years ago, the competition often bet against her. Sometimes they lost, and sometimes she ended up on her ass. Her goal was to stay on the horse, establish a rhythm, and go forward until he quit bucking.

If only she had an apple for Lucky.

I don’t have an apple, but I have something just as good.

She unwrapped Norman’s biscuits, took one, and put the others away. It was a biscuit in name only. Where she grew up, it was called a molasses cookie, and horses love sugar. She broke off a piece and held her hand out flat, fingers down so Lucky wouldn’t bite one of them off.

“Hey, boy. Want some? Yum.” The horse nipped the cookie out of her hand.

“You like that?” She rubbed his nose. “If you let me saddle you, I’ll give you another piece.” She swung the blanket over his back, and when he didn’t object, she gave him another piece. She followed with the saddle, and when he didn’t object to that, either, she gave him the rest of the cookie before tightening the cinch. “He doesn’t mind the saddle. Let’s see what he thinks of a rider.”

“Good luck, Miss Ensley. Tell me when to let go.”

“Thanks, Bill.”

Austin walked up to the picket line. “Hey, don’t do this. Remy can set broken bones, but he won’t be happy about it.”

She was psyching herself up for the mount, visualizing putting her foot in the stirrup and swinging her right leg gently over Lucky’s back. “Good to know. Now leave me alone.”

“I’m serious,” Austin said with more urgency. “That horse isn’t ready for prime time.”

“It’s not prime time. Go away.” Austin was getting in her head and messing with her concentration. “I’m an experienced rider. Leave me alone.”

“You should listen to me. I know what I’m talking about.”

Sewall handed her the reins but continued to hold on to the bridle. “Tell me when to let go.”

“If you’re gonna do this,” Austin said, “keep his head up. Keep your center of gravity as close to the horse’s center of gravity as possible.”

“Stop bugging me,” she snapped. “I know what I’m doing.”

“I doubt it. So listen to me. Keep your shoulders back over your hips.”

“Shut up,” she yelled. “You’re making me nervous.” She put her foot in the stirrup, sprung up, and settled into the saddle. Lucky immediately pushed off the ground. He bucked through the air, and his body lifted her legs.

“Scoot back in the saddle,” Austin yelled.

She did. Not because he yelled instructions, but because she already knew what to do. She kept her knees bent, and the bucking sucked her back into the saddle. Her heart was in her throat. Everything was a blur in the hazy morning.

“Keep your heels down and forward,” Austin yelled. “When he descends, he’ll leave you hanging in midair. Bring your legs back and up.”

“Shut up!”

Austin stayed close but kept a safe distance. “Keep your right arm straight. When he comes down, pull his head up. Don’t pull back on the reins. Pull your arm up. Bring his head up over his shoulders. Leverage the bit.”

She had to tune Austin out. He was interfering with her focus. She knew what to do with the reins, with her arm, and with the freakin’ horse.

“Establish a rhythm.”

What the hell!

“Shut up!” she yelled.

“He’s bucking like a jackrabbit. Pump your legs faster. Lower your center of gravity. Shoulders back.”

Not since her father yelled instructions at her when she was a preteen had anyone else tried to do it. Austin sounded like her dad, and it bugged her. She didn’t want Austin in her head.

Go away!

She quickly moved into the horse’s rhythm and tugged Lucky’s head up, which automatically raised his shoulders and made his back hollow out. After several more bucks, each one less effective, Lucky stopped bucking and just stood there, breathing heavily.

Woohoo!

She felt like the rodeo queen she’d always wanted to be, but every single year lost out in the finals.

Sewall was jumping up and down, waving his hat and shouting, “Yee-haw!”

TR yelled, “Bully, Mrs. Fraser. Bully!”

She trotted the horse around in large circles, and he bunny-hopped, but it was ineffective. It was a damn good ride, and she was tickled and so thankful that her ass wasn’t on the ground. Her hip thanked her, too.

She rode over to where Austin was standing, slapping his hat on his leg instead of clapping. “Damn good ride, ragazza tosta.”

“What the hell does that mean?”

“Tough girl.”

“Oh, well… How’d you know what to do?”

Austin held Lucky’s bridle while he stroked his forehead. “I’ve been to a few rodeos.”

“Admit it. You’ve been to those bars with mechanical bulls.”

He grinned. “Maybe a couple. But remember, I spend a lot of time in Colorado. The state has a slew of rodeos that have been going on for a hundred years. And Denver has a massive—”

“National Western Stock Show. I know. There was a time when I went every year.”

TR rode over. “Mrs. Fraser, you have surprised me once again.” Then he looked at Austin. “You knew what she should do. So I want you to teach me.”

“Ensley already knew, sir. I was just keeping her focused.”

“Well, I’d appreciate it if you’d keep me focused this afternoon when I come back to change ponies.”

“I’ll do what I can, sir,” Austin said.

A cowboy walked up to Austin. “I’d like to see the teacher ride next time.”

Austin shook his head. “I can’t